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Permalink Reply by Dale Headley on June 30, 2012 at 2:15pm

I would WANT to answer “atheist,” if only to show that I’m proud of it.  The correct answer, though, would be “none.”  In any event, I would NEVER lie.  I wouldn’t lose sleep over losing out on a job.  But I would lose sleep over realizing that I was a coward, willing to sacrifice my self respect over something as transitory as getting a job.

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Permalink Reply by Unseen on June 30, 2012 at 2:46pm

You could say you're a Dawkinsian.

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Permalink Reply by Pope OoO (Out of Order) on June 30, 2012 at 9:53pm

That's admirable, and I wish I could afford to behave that way as a rule.

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Permalink Reply by James Cox on June 30, 2012 at 3:19pm

I interviewed for a job with HP years ago. During the interview one guy asked me if I was religious. My responce was, 'Asking this question puts your operation in a difficult position since state labor law denigns this as a legitamate question and could involve a claim for discrimination.' I still got the job! I think my statement put them into a logic bind, If I am not hired I could claim discrimination, if I am hired they are just fine being ass holes.

Other folks at HP still attempted to claim special privilages because they where christian. During a bid for a job, one woman with no education past high school and no engineering understanding suggested that her belief made her more fit for the job! I made no such claim, and was dumfounded at the arrogance. She got the job! HP was a great educational environment for understanding the power of BS in work contexts.  

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Permalink Reply by Gabriela Menicucci on June 30, 2012 at 3:39pm

Yes I have seen people that go to work every day with a bible under their arm so people consider them to be "respectable". They think because they are religious they are superior. For me those are the biggest pieces of trash, hipocrites.

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Permalink Reply by Dustin on June 30, 2012 at 5:05pm

To answer your question - No, I wouldn't lie.  I would rather find an employer who doesn't care either way and would prefer to judge me by my work ethics and character as a person.  

Luckily I am my own boss and the church I accompany for didn't care at all I told them I was an atheist.   

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Permalink Reply by Dale Headley on June 30, 2012 at 6:31pm

I was recommended to a local Christian School to be the P.E. teacher they were desperately searching for.  I have no problem with that, and I really liked the idea of getting back into teaching P.E.  So when they called me I was prepared to discuss it.  I let them know, up front, that I was an atheist and wouldn't compromise my principles by participating in religious ceremonies or observances.  They were disappointed; but they were not about to compromise their principles, either.  That was that.  So, no, I wouldn't lie.  "To thine own self be true" is more than a phrase to me; it is who I strive to be.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Foust on June 30, 2012 at 6:32pm

We should never have to lie about being who we are, atheist, gay, black or white, nor should it even be a question on any job application.

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Permalink Reply by Unseen on June 30, 2012 at 6:46pm

Imagine: "My sexual orientation is that I'm deep into BDSM and worship Satan."

Maybe there still are some things that we should be able to admit but shouldn't.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Holm on July 1, 2012 at 12:07am

lol that is so true

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Permalink Reply by Heather Spoonheim on June 30, 2012 at 6:48pm

I feel it might be worth mentioning that I've also done a fair bit of hiring in my past.  Although I've never brought up religion when interviewing, the four staff with whom I opened my restaurant were a Catholic youth group leader, a Jehovah's Witness, a United Church youth pastor, and a Catholic ex-monk (I didn't even know they still had monks).  Anyway, it sounds as though there should be a punchline, and there were many.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Holm on July 1, 2012 at 12:06am

just say none. i dont why that question is on applications anyway

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