Would you hire this person?

Question

Note the I know many people in the science profession who follow Christianity.

Say you're an employer in this profession and someone applied for a position in the science field and they mention that they are Christian. Would you turn that person down for the job based on their beliefs,or would you take their qualifications for the job into consideration?

I have heard of this happening and thought it was absurd. Just wanted to get some feedback on it.

Answer 1

So long as they are qualified and agree to the job description, then I'd hire them.


Important: they must agree to the job description.
If the job was to work in a fertility clinic and dispose of left over embryos, then that's the job...
If the job was to work in an evolutionary science lab and study evolution dispassionately and in an unbiased fashion, then that's the job

So, if the christian refused to do part of the job, then no I wouldn't hire them. But it wouldn't be ME turning down the applicant. It would be the APPLICANT turning down the job description.

No one has the right to be hired for a job and then refuse to do the job.

Answer 2

Like in politics and law, the two are not mutually exclusive. You may be a good scientist and a good Christian at the same time. Science is formulation of fact or theory based upon evidence. Christianity is a lifestyle and core center of personal truth for a believer. Thus there is not a place where the two do not mix. If anything, the Christian may approach science with a more positive demeanor, there is not only Chaos in the science of a Christian. If their credentials check out and they would be a valuable addition to the team, I would hire them in a heartbeat.

Answer 3

It wouldn't matter to me. They couldn't have gotten very far in science if they tried to explain everything through God, so that obviously wouldn't be a problem if they had good qualifications.

Plus, depending on the hiring institution, they may be looking for a greater range of ideas. If the person did mix religion and science, that would at least cause some serious thought and isn't that part of education?

In the instances you have heard of, the employer must not have seen the good things such a point of view could have brought to their company, but then maybe the employer knew the person would not have been a good fit with the other employees. That could be a concern. I would consider that aspect.

Answer 4

Take their qualifications for the job into Full consideration. To take a persons religious preference into consideration in this is silly. If their qualifications show they are right for the job... I sure wouldn't turn that one down because he's a Christian and then end up hiring a stupid Atheist just because he's an Atheist. *shakes head*

Answer 5

Number one -- its illegal to turn anyone down for a job based on religion.

Number two -- both of the hard scientists that work here and our recently retired astro-physicist are all Christian. HOWEVER, I may be using that word differently than you. I mean only that they believe in Jesus Christ and attend Church. NONE OF THEM are fundamentalists. None of them think the Bible is literally true. None of them in any way question evolution or think that the universe is younger than at least twelve billion years. But, they all believe in Jesus Christ. So, are they even Christian by your definition? If you are a biblio-idolator I suppose they aren't. I work and move in the scholarly world. I know a lot of hard scientists who are Christian, but I only know one that is fundamentalist -- and -- as honestly as I can put this--.... well, he doesn't seem to be firing with all cylinders.

As for the ones I mentioned at my location. Kathy and Karen are both biologists. Kathy is high-church Episcopalian (Anglo-Catholic) [as I am myself, though a different parish -- both of our parishes are very active and very progressive, supporting social justice for all persons], Karen is United Methodist [also from a very progressive and growing parish] and Angela (our former physicist) is Roman Catholic. All of them, along with every other Christian person except one, not only at our location, but throughout the Institution as far as I know, are what are called "liberal Christians."

Obviously, we do not discriminate based on religion. Let me note however, if I were on a search committee and we were hiring a scientist, and they did not believe in some of the basics of their own field -- I would recongize that they could not work successfully in the field and would recommend against their hiring, regardless of the reason for their disbelief, religious or otherwise. I would also require that they agree to obey the job description.

I hope that helps.

Regards,

Reynolds
http://www.rebuff.org
[e-mail]

Answer 6

Well, since it would be 1)illegal 2)unethical and 3)immoral to turn someone down for a job because they are Christian, you do the math

Answer 7

If you aren't a Christian I would think it might be interesting to have another perspective. I am a Christian so my perspective is a little biased. but i would think you would want a well-rounded team if you are truly studying science, especially if this person is qualified.

Answer 8

To deny employment based on religious preference is illegal. That said, Pharmacist who claim Christianity prevents them from giving out certain drugs should have their license revoked!

Answer 9

I really don't think their religious beliefs are any concern to the employer. I think it is illegal to fire or not hire someone based on those beliefs.

Answer 10

I think it's kind of fun to work with people for some time and then they find out my religion and almost always say - wow! you are not strange or weird at all like I thought.

:-)