Job Discussion Forums

[Silverado77]

Seen this on a Job ad recently. Not an issue with me, but as a matter of interest is it something that crops up much?

Best advice would be to put down atheist, do you think?

[ttorriel]

Advertisement or application?

[Silverado77]

It was on a Job ad.

[tomstone]

They wanted to know your religion for a job in China? Unbelievable! Weird! Unheard of! Be VERY careful with whom you're dealing !

[ttorriel]

Unheard of?

VERY careful?

Why?

Religion is highly open in China nowadays. Just because we don't traditionally ask this question in places like the U.S., why should it be a "VERY careful" issue?

I'm more concerned with many universities in China now hiring their teachers ONLY from pathetic "organizations" like ERRC.

[tomstone]

Because every contract that I've seen specifically precludes the hiree from mentioning religion in the classroom. Yes, you are correct, China has freedom of religion; however, freedom of speech (in this case, prosletyzing) is still "curtailed". I personally would be very wary of any job that asked about my beliefs. What's ERRC?

[tomstone]

Never mind, I looked up ERRC; wouldn't surprise me if the ad the OP is referring to is from them.

[Jayray]

I'd pass on that job. If you're heck-bent on taking the job, just respond "non-religious" or "no religious affiliation".

[TexasHighway]

"Freedom of religion" is restricted to being herded into government run churches whose pastors have been indoctrinated in Party doctrine in government run "seminaries". Chinese people who attend unauthorized "undergound" churches still face persecution. In the past, the government used to ask for religious affiliation on visa applications. I always just entered "no religious affiliation" because I feel my religion, or lack thereof, is none of their business.

[zootown]

Some FT have come to teach in China not only to teach English but also religion.

Some people see China as huge amount of people who need religion in there life's and their just the people to give it to them.

On a side note I was speaking to my friend at a party on the weekend and he was telling me how he went back packing in China in 1986.

When he was in Hong Kong someone asked him could he take some bibles into Guangzhou.

He said why not I am going there what is a couple of bibles going to hurt.

When they brought them to his place there where 200 bibles.

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

[tomstone]

I'm glad you mentioned that, Ever-Changing Cleric, because I've brought this up several times with students whenever I get the "do you believe in god" question. Who's to say how they are going to interpret any discussion of theology, mysticism, whatever? I would think it might be construed as prosletyzing, i.e., "teacher talked about Jesus today". I don't keep them from talking about it if they want to (one student did a book report on the King James Bible), but when I get any specific questions as to my belief system I tell them I can't talk about that. Same thing with questions about government, I'll try to answer any questions about the differences between the US government and whatever they call other governments ("democratic dictatorships", "totalitarianism", etc.), but I always make very sure to stress that I'm not saying that one is better or worse than another, just different. I'm not saying that all foreigners should constantly be walking on eggs, afraid to say anything, but our own opinions are not relevant. That applies to teachers everywhere.

[rogerwallace]

Once in Gansu, there was a kid all juiced up on jesus-he didn't last long after he spouted off(24 hours and out of the country). Yes, so-called christian churches are state run. I did know a gal in Harbin who had been in china for 18 years, who was really there on the christian behalf, but she was very cool/quite about it. Even at home I put NA.

[brsmith15]

Put down Druid.

[tomstone]

Droll, brsmith15.