So, while listening to NPR on the commute back from work, i heard about a lady who’s a pastor for her church, but she is also an atheist. She chose the path of religious duties at an early age, her dad was also a pastor.
But after some years, she starts to question her beliefs. With time, those questions only get sharper to end at her declaring herself Atheist. A choice that is hers to make.
She takes on being a Pastor for her church. And while explaining this double-role that she claimed she constantly struggles/struggled with, she goes on to say that she is just absolutely tired of living a lie. Getting in front of a crowd of church-goers every Sunday, two sermons, singing hymns and saying things that she does not believe in. But at the same time, she does not want to lose her job as a Pastor. I was already home by then, and didn’t hear the rest of the program.
So, the question I pose to you all is, how would you deal with her predicament in her position? Do you approve of yourself or others whose beliefs are against what their job requires?
From a muslim point of view that may be an easy one to answer, Muslims are prohibited from making, serving, or dealing with alcohol because any share in it is forbidden. But what if your job requires it? Again, this is just an example. The real question is of faith or lack thereof.
An atheist holding a job of religious duties! Possible or not? Thanks for your participation, everybody.
Re: Religious duties as a job for Atheist! Possible?
I thought atheists addicted to religious debates were funny enough but this is just lame. I definitely don't want an atheist imam in my local masjid, he clearly wouldn't know what in the world he's on about. Imams don't just act as muazzins 5 times a day, their responsibility is much much greater than that and I don't see an atheist fulfilling that role with sincerity and efficiency.
Re: Religious duties as a job for Atheist! Possible?
Some pastors, imams, pandits etc etc may not actually believe everything in their religion and are agnostic/atheist at some level, but continue the professions because:
They enjoy the stability and mental peace they get due to the spirituality and meditation associated with religious rituals
They like the respect given to them
They like the job security/money
They don't really have any other attractive alternative professions they could switch to.
Even though they dont believe in the promises and threats of religion, they do like the fact that its provides a moral standard for some people (who need threats and promises to stay moral) and it has the potential to promote GOOD over BAD in their society
They've been very religious for most of their lives and have dedicated everything towards religion. Over time if they have stopped believing some of it and are partly agnostic/atheist, it is a huge endeavor to turn everything upside down in your life and start afresh in a completely different direction.
Re: Religious duties as a job for Atheist! Possible?
Not a big deal. One of my friend who is a pandit and president of a temple is an known atheist.
Infact a lot of religious leaders like pundits, fathers, imams, pathis etc are atheist. I guess it happens when you exaggerate and lie about a religion and once they find out they get turned off and start questioning their belief.
Re: Religious duties as a job for Atheist! Possible?
But doesn't it get the best of a person to keep doing it day in-day out?
The woman confessing this said she was literally just tired of living a lie, even if it is just a job. But it's THE job she has/had.
Some pastors, imams, pandits etc etc may not actually believe everything in their religion and are agnostic/atheist at some level, but continue the professions because:
They enjoy the stability and mental peace they get due to the spirituality and meditation associated with religious rituals
They like the respect given to them
They like the job security/money
They don't really have any other attractive alternative professions they could switch to.
Even though they dont believe in the promises and threats of religion, they do like the fact that its provides a moral standard for some people (who need threats and promises to stay moral) and it has the potential to promote GOOD over BAD in their society
They've been very religious for most of their lives and have dedicated everything towards religion. Over time if they have stopped believing some of it and are partly agnostic/atheist, it is a huge endeavor to turn everything upside down in your life and start afresh in a completely different direction.
Not a big deal. One of my friend who is a pandit and president of a temple is an known atheist.
Infact a lot of religious leaders like pundits, fathers, imams, pathis etc are atheist. I guess it happens when you exaggerate and lie about a religion and once they find out they get turned off and start questioning their belief.
Re: Religious duties as a job for Atheist! Possible?
half of vatican would be empty if atheists couldnt do religious jobs. they may be bishops and such, but they arent idiots. someone link that clip from religulous where they have the priest outside the vatican talking about god being fake. :D