Job Discussion Forums

nomadder · Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 3:03 am Post subject: Revolting!

Saw a job posting for a school in Japan in which you must be a Christian as home schooling is taught from a Christian perspective. In the list of subjects taught the first one listed is Bible Studies, second is English.

This missionary in the guise of English teacher thing sickens me. It's as if they think they are better and must enforce it upon others. Why should English be linked with Christianity? Of course I also see the Mormons in nearly every country I go to. Guess what country they all come from?

These religious types are scary as they can't see beyond their own nose. No respect or interest in others' cultures or beliefs. I'll be glad to be back in the land of temples and shrines one day as seeing poor people praying to bloody Jesuses becomes tiresome. The corrupt leaders don't hear your prayers and religion does not empower.

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

Dr.J · Joined: 09 May 2003 Posts: 304 Location: usually Japan

I agree that "missionary as English teacher" is an evil thing.

However, the school you mention seems to actually state that they are looking for Christian teachers as they are teaching from that perspective. That seems all above board, all cards on the table to me.

Another thing is, these missionaries don't realise that most Japanese people have nothign resembling the western idea of religion and so will give up Christianity at the drop of a hat as soon as it becomes inconvenient, or even continue to be Christian whilst attending Buddhist funerals, and going to Shinto shrines, Obon and the like. So who is fooling who, I wonder.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

I saw that ad, too, and I have seen others that require Christianity. I agree with Dr. J, though, in that they seem to be above board because at least they mention it upfront, so those of us who do not share their beliefs know not to apply.

d

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Joachim · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 311 Location: Brighton, UK

When I was teaching in Thailand we were fully expected to teach the christmas programme. Even thought I was teaching at a Muslim school. And it wasn't just the whole tree/presents/santa thing - but Christ and the manger and blah blah blah.

Needless to say, I didn't!!

I once saw a job advert in Taiwan on this site, where the DOS was stating that he "prayed every night" for a good, christian teacher.

Sigh.

Poor, deluded fools!

Ki · Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 475

Joachim,
I saw that ad as well. It really gave me a good laugh. Why is it that when you meet a born again they always invite you to church. I don't force my religion on them, (that is until they force their religion on me, then I have some fun). Don't they have any other interests outside of church?
Ki.

Deborann · Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 11:48 am Post subject:

The advertisement is clear and up front and as long as the advertising to the parents is the same - this is a school teaching Christian beliefs with English thrown in on top - then there is no problem.

The real culprits are those who come to a country as missionaries under the guise of English teachers. In China there are specific regulations against pursuing missionary activities, and at least at my university these are stated clearly and upfront at the initial teahcers meetings. Does this prevent the missionaries from doing their proselytising? NO - in direct contravention of their contacts and specific instructions 'free talk' degenerates into 'religious instruction', cultural studies degenerates into ' religious studies' and Oral english degenerates into 'religious studies' and not religious studies as a whole - looking at all of the worlds religions - but into specific 'cults' or brands of "christianity".

Amazes me how my students NEVER ask the questions that would lead to this type of discussion in my classes!! "They are really interested in this subject" rationale would not work in my classes - they are way more interested in sport, music, clothes, TV, and sometimes what I am supposed to be teaching them!!

These people are stealth terrorists, preying on the students who are lonely, vulnerable and overwhelmed by the newness of being away from their families, having to make friends in a strange environment and being placed under high pressure academically. I have had to deal with students who have come from the 'hellfire and brimstone' meetings in teachers apartments devasted, confused and in tears because they have been told they are going to hell for wanting to sleep with their boyfriends!!

Did you ever read the story of how the founder of the Mormons got his ' insight'? Check it out and see if you think it meets with your ideas of the word being passed down from on high? Can people who believe this be credible?

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

nomadder · Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:15 pm Post subject:

Deborann, tell us more.

I love how "good" and "Christian" are inseparable as if picking up a bible automatically makes you better than average.

I like DrJ's post. True-eh-they'll nod their heads and say they agree and next month forget it all if they want.

Wonder when we'll see Japanese teaching us Japanese linked with Buddhism(although that religion allows more freedom of thought at least-hence no need to shove it down others' throats)? Spanish with a Catholic point of view?

I am curious as to how this technique works. Are there students talking in biblical tongues or what? Seems you'd learn alot of nonconversational things. Confused

hamel · Joined: 03 May 2004 Posts: 95

seems that if you read the bible you would find that a lot is two words and not one--and you make huge generalization about religious people. my dad is a pastor and he's a great guy and i was really impressed by some of the christians i knew growing up.

someone mentioned mormon missionaries. i for one have a lot of respect for some of the mormons. mormonism is a separate religion and is not considered part of the christian church.

sorry if believing what the bible says, understanding jesus as god's son and having faith in something--and also the idea of absolute truths offends you, but different points of view can be interesting.

i also found it kinda weird that one school in japan has a survey asking if one is a vegetarian and they teach american english but want a canadian because it is easier for canadians to transfer their driving license to japan.

anthyp · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 1320 Location: Chicago, IL USA

Deborann · Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 10:09 am Post subject:

I'm not criticising those people who have a/any faith and live their own lives (quietly) by that faith. My criticism is for the ones who come to China expressly to proselytise via "teaching English". The students and their parents do not know and have not asked for this 'agenda' to be thrust upon them.

I can imagine the outcry in the U.S. or other western countries if parents sent their children to a specific religious university/school, and communists or Islamic fundamentalists under the guise of teaching started recruiting the young, lonely and vulnerable.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Nomadder,
Would it be equally revolting for a Muslim school to want to hire only Muslim teachers? Or is it just Christianity you have a problem with.

I think a school can hire anyone they want and if they are up front about who they want to hire than that is great. Saves everyone else the time for not having to go through all the effort of applying that way.

nomadder · Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:32 pm Post subject:

The problem I have is that it is only the Christians who are arrogant enough to try to push their religion on others. How many times have I been approached by zombie eyed people with pamphlets, words of wisdom etc who thought I would have a better life if only...

The other religions don't do this that I know of unless someone has examples. Religion is a personal choice. Whenever someone comes a preachin' I have to wonder. How many other religions have pushed their way of thinking on others? For example on the indigenous of Latin America. Not much better than any cult.