Comments on: Bad Criticism of Libraries

By: JW Librarian

JW Librarian — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 12:55:43 +0000

I personally don’t have a problem with Christian Institutions firing those they don’t agree with. I have fired many Christians in my day because I abhor their lifestyle. We should all be able to fire someone based on their choices in life, and choosing to be a Christian is a poor choice and does not fit my institution’s goals and outlook on life.

By: me

me — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 22:13:37 +0000

The problem isn’t that an openly gay person would be working at a christian/religious institution. It is that these “Christian” views are inherently wrong. It is WRONG to deny people rights and opportunities because of their sexual preference or other lifestyle choices. These people are bigots. Anyone who tries to control what other people do in their personal lives that isn’t causing them or some else harm is bigotry. Plain and simple.

By: Mlisa

Mlisa — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 17:07:58 +0000

I do work in academia, just around people who don’t vocalize their judgment against other people’s personal lifestyles…which is pretty Christian of them, actually.

Not all Christians share your narrow-minded views, so why would an applicant assume that a Christian institution is anti-gay? Unless they, you know, TOLD him. Maybe by making him sign a lifestyle statement *upon hire*.

Some Christians sure have a hard time understanding that no one else really cares what they think. Glad my Christian friends and colleagues are not like that!

By: Josh

Josh — Thu, 31 May 2012 20:52:50 +0000

I’m not saying I support this approach, but unfortunately “lifestyle discrimination” is perfectly legal in many states. In those states you can be denied a job if you are a smoker (or even if you were previously), drink alcohol, etc., etc.

By: teetop

teetop — Thu, 31 May 2012 19:41:06 +0000

I don’t identify as a Christian, CL, but I have studied the Bible in and out of church. Your attitude seems different to me than the one Jesus Christ expounded on in teachings like the Sermon on the Mount.

By: Casper

Casper — Thu, 31 May 2012 18:58:13 +0000

To tired librarian: Do you get it that a church-run organization might have different criteria for hiring than a purely secular one? Do you get that the Baptist folks paying this man’s salary might not want someone openly living a lifestyle that is in conflict with their basic beliefs?
There’s an issue of what someone does in their private life, and then the separate issue of openly living in a way that is in conflict with the “brand” of the institution (a concept that some might call “scandal”).

By: Casper

Casper — Thu, 31 May 2012 18:52:32 +0000

No, I think Christian Librarian has a point. It worked for him to work in that institution for many years, but now the university is going back to its more conservative roots. As the general culture and religious culture part ways more often now, there is a bigger divide between secular-minded people and religious-minded people. Maybe we can acknowledge that now is the time for him to move on, although he used to be happy there.

If those religious people are paying for his salary, and he is working in an openly church-run institution, then they are within their rights to ask staff to follow certain tenets. This would be a COMPLETELY different case if it were public dollars, a public institution, etc.

By: Tired Librarian

Tired Librarian — Thu, 31 May 2012 15:31:16 +0000

Christian Librarian – debate,discussion and disagreement is not persecution.

I agree with Hugh – if an organiztion needs and hires a librarian, what business of their’s is it that staff member visits a pub? or what they do in the privacy of their home and with whom?

What next? fire somebody because they go to family picnics where their gay brother also attends?

By: Christian Librarian

Christian Librarian — Wed, 30 May 2012 22:16:35 +0000

I stand by my original response which was I do not feel one should seek employment with an organization if you do not agree with the philosophy of that organization. I would not work at a casino or a strip club because those establishments are not in line with the way I choose to live my life. That is my right. It makes good sense to align oneself with a company with which you share a passion for their products and services. So, likewise a nonbeliever should not seek employment at a Christian organization.

As for all of the bashing here. Well it’s a shame that my colleagues can be so evil and rude. I will not return your insults. If you are happy with your faith or lack thereof, that is your business. It is not necessary to persecute me. All you know about me is that I am a librarian and that I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I believe that He died for the sin of the world. I am not ashamed of this belief. No scathing comments on a blog’s comments section can do that. God Bless you all!

By: JW Librarian

JW Librarian — Wed, 30 May 2012 19:31:19 +0000

No “Christian” Librarian otherwise known as Christendom Librarian. I, a Jehovah’s Witnesses, only have the Truth. You may have shavings of (T)ruth, but only We have The Truth. I know this for a fact and also know you are not a true Christian which probably extends over into the fact that you are not a True Librarian, either. A False Librarian, otherwise known as a False Teacher.