Most American Christians Believe They're Victims of Discrimination

[Sunstone]

Most American Christians Believe They're Victims of Discrimination

Interesting article. Please discuss.

 

[BSM1]

It just occurred to me this week that most Christians are more concerned with worshiping their beliefs instead of believing what they worship. Mores the pity.

 

[Quintessence]

Articles from The Atlantic pleasantly remind me that quality journalism isn't dead in this country.

Some of the most important things said here, I think were these bits:

"Surveys are a blunt instrument for understanding changes in culture — more of a weather vane than a Doppler radar."​

(because it's incredibly refreshing to see an article discuss surveys like this in their proper context and transparently point out their limitations)

"Forty-six percent of those surveyed said immigration from Mexico and Central America has been too high in recent years. When asked the same question about immigrants from “predominantly Christian countries,” though, only 10 percent of people said immigration has been too high. The irony is that this is essentially the same question, phrased two different ways: Latin American countries are overwhelming Christian — in many places, even more so than the United States. When Americans think of those immigrants as Christians, rather than foreign nationals, they’re more likely to open their arms in welcome."​

(because again, it's incredibly refreshing to see an article discuss surveys in proper context, such as how wording of questions makes a huge difference in results)

But with respect to the sentiments of discrimination, it would have been interesting to examine if some of that stems from the perceived level of criticism coming from society at large. I don't mean the legal battles, I mean the general atmosphere of hostility created by negative reporting and gossip about "religion" (aka, Christianity). If my religion was the target of so much scorn and ire, I would feel persecuted too, even if statistically, that wasn't the case.

 

[Jainarayan]

"But especially to those who believed that America was once a Christian nation"

America was never a Christian nation, it was not founded to be a Christian nation, and unless the First Amendment of the US Constitution is changed, America never will be a Christian nation. It is a nation of Christians, but it is not a Christian nation. If Christians feel persecuted and discriminated against, it's because they cannot have their way in making US law. If anything, they have had their way for far too long. There are Christian groups still protesting legalized same sex marriage in the US... as if it affects them. When NJ was debating legalizing same sex marriage back in 2006-2007, Gov. Christie, a "devout Catholic", refused to sign the bill citing his religious beliefs. It took a lawsuit in which the state supreme court ruled that not legalizing same sex marriage violated the state constitution. So for a while at least, he imposed his Christianity on a secular state. It doesn't sound like he was the one being discriminated against.

 

[Revoltingest]

Similarly to how there are many white people who claim to be discriminated against for being white.
It's generally majorities not understanding the depth of actual discrimination towards minorities.

It does happen though.
In the 70s, I was turned away from a reactor operator job (Phoenix Memorial Reactor)
here at my university because they were under orders to hire only blacks & women.
(Other examples abound.) I did have an interesting discussion with its director, who
wasn't comfortable with the situation.

 

[Terese]

It does happen though.
In the 70s, I was turned away from a reactor operator job (Phoenix Memorial Reactor)
here at my university because they were under orders to hire only blacks & women.
Other examples abound. I did have an interesting discussion with its director, who
wasn't comfortable with the situation.

That's quite a bizarre situation.

 

[Revoltingest]

That's quite a bizarre situation.

Such was common back in the day.
My father, an engineering manager at Ford, was also prohibited from hiring white males for a spell.
When I went to work for Northrop, I was the only white male in the group of newly graduated new hires.

But regarding religious discrimination, I never experienced any, nor did I ever see
it for anyone else. Of course, it could've happened without my knowing about it.
Btw, I've hired plenty'o Xians, deists, heathens, Jews, & unidentified.

 

[columbus]

under orders to hire only blacks & women.
(Other examples abound.)

I have a friend who got a Masters degree specifically planning to teach at university level.
Towards the end the MA students were invited to sit in on the process of hiring staff and profs.
He quickly realized that as a white male he had zero chance of getting such a position. Affirmative Action was the order of the day. Much less qualified applicants would get the jobs for the foreseeable future if they were black or female.
Tom

 

[Quetzal]

It does happen though.
In the 70s, I was turned away from a reactor operator job (Phoenix Memorial Reactor)
here at my university because they were under orders to hire only blacks & women.

How did you find out about that? Heck, if that happened today, you could sue for MILLIONS!

 

[LuisDantas]

Quality article. To some extent the trends presented are probably the result of a sense of uncertainty about what to expect from the social environment. Justified, far as facts go. Things have been changing and it is all too logical that some people will feel troubled by that.

I also feel that it is not ultimately a particularly religion-oriented thing, although the human tendency to attribute causes will doubtlessly mistake it for such fairly often. Nevertheless, it seems to me that we all simply have to deal with a lot more concessions and frustrations simply because there are so many more people and so much more nuanced understandings of subject matters. It can be a real challenge to even agree on how much discussion every matter deserves, let alone on what should be done about them.

 

[Revoltingest]

How did you find out about that? Heck, if that happened today, you could sue for MILLIONS!

I found out because the director told me.
So the job interview was quite short, but \we then had a nice chat
about politics & the low quality of workers he was saddled with.
The odd thing....the problem with blacks & women was not that
they weren't smart & educated enuf....twas that they had no
experience using hand tools. A wrench dropped into a reactor pool
is more of a problem than I'd have imagined.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

It doesn't surprise me. The last church I went to preached victimhood, that the world was out to get you, the devil is everywhere in politics and media, our culture is ungodly and evil, and it won't be too much longer before Christianity itself is criminalized because they believe it's illegal to pray in school.

 

[Revoltingest]

It doesn't surprise me. The last church I went to preached victimhood, that the world was out to get you, the devil is everywhere in politics and media, our culture is ungodly and evil, and it won't be too much longer before Christianity itself is criminalized because they believe it's illegal to pray in school.

We need another Reverend Ike instead.
He's the only preacher I ever enjoyed listening to.
Darned shame he's gone.
RIP, guy.

 

[Quetzal]

So the job interview was quite short, but \we then had a nice chat
about politics & the low quality of workers he was saddled with.

Were those kind of decisions above him? That is, narrowing the hiring demographics?

 

[Revoltingest]

Were those kind of decisions above him? That is, narrowing the hiring demographics?

The university is a very top down organization.
So he was subject to such directives.....if he wanted to keep his job.

 

[Quetzal]

The university is a very top down organization.
So he was subject to such directives.....if he wanted to keep his job.

I have had a theory that some companies use "years of experience" to narrow the age range of applicants. I have no evidence to support this, but what do you think?

For example:
Entry Level Position at Q's Rocket Shack
Skills Required: Super Basic
Exp Required: 5+ years

Do you think this is an actual thing? Or am I missing the mark.

 

[Revoltingest]

I have had a theory that some companies use "years of experience" to narrow the age range of applicants. I have no evidence to support this, but what do you think?

For example:
Entry Level Position at Q's Rocket Shack
Skills Required: Super Basic
Exp Required: 5+ years

Do you think this is an actual thing? Or am I missing the mark.

I've noticed odd experience requirements too, but I don't see a pattern.
I once worked at a company which required 10 years experience there to become "senior engineer".
The same company had ads looking for "senior engineers" with 5 years engineering experience.

 

[Quetzal]

I've noticed odd experience requirements too, but I don't see a pattern.
I once worked at a company which required 10 years experience there to become "senior engineer".
The same company had ads looking for "senior engineers" with 5 years engineering experience.

Another theory is that some of these postings might be for internal hires towards a specific individual. Anyway, I am derailing the topic a bit...

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

I found out because the director told me.
So the job interview was quite short, but \we then had a nice chat
about politics & the low quality of workers he was saddled with.
The odd thing....the problem with blacks & women was not that
they weren't smart & educated enuf....twas that they had no
experience using hand tools. A wrench dropped into a reactor pool
is more of a problem than I'd have imagined.

Normally, I'd bemoan the same thing. However, I believe all companies should have an extensive orientation program, especially if hiring (willfully or otherwise) "newbies". We used to have apprenticeships. I'd like to bring them back.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

If my religion was the the target of so much scorn and ire, I would feel persecuted too, even if statistically, that wasn't the case.

When a religion has political power and influence, and it uses this to shape government and society, criticisms of injustice and systemic problems end up reflecting on the religion.

Any religion that imposes itself on people who don't want it should be prepared to hear what those people think of it... even if it comes in the form of "scorn and ire".