Is it really worth it....

[lord.jeff]

Speaking as a person trying to get into the film business, I've worked on a lot of crap I don't agree with in order to get work, it's part of life.

 

[Catchy Slogan]

If it's just general volunteer work you are looking for, then try looking fo something else, or go to your local jobcentre.

Heres a link for the DirectGov volunteering searches.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/employment/jobseekers/jobsandcareers/dg_10033053

They have seperate searches for England, Scotland and Wales.

 

[manic_depressive13]

I wouldn't do it, but then I wouldn't make it into med school either. I suggest you just find somewhere else. Surely finding volunteer work can't be difficult. Who would turn down someone willing to work for free?

 

[Winthrop]

Perhaps im making this a big deal out of nothing. Its just a camp for kids to have fun maybe. Christian themed at most.

I think you are right on that. I'm a Christian (Pro-gay and pro-evolution) and I've seen a few of these camps. Get a feel for the area over the recruiter. My church is really liberal and all they did at ours was make crafts, play games, and then give us a bible. I mean that was the only Christian thing they did. That said if its at some super conservative church it might be different. Also Catholics and some protestants officially allow evolutionists and the preachers are told not to argue creationism over evolution to people in the parish.

 

[Signa]

I think Leole said it best: It's your career or your principles. The thing is I think you should do it, because it's work, and you aren't hurting anyone by doing it. This isn't some scummy operation that will leave you wondering about how low you will go to get a dime. You're helping kids have an otherwise fun weekend, even if you disagree with their activities. Principles are definitely more important than money (at least in most situations), but this isn't one of those times.

You certainly shouldn't be telling anyone how you feel at this camp, but just imagine if you did the job, kept a cheerful face up, and impressed everyone with how nice you were. Anyone in the future finding out how you feel might realize they don't need the bible to be a good person.

 

[Genericjim101]

Hey escapist, not sure if this should be in religion and politics but whatever. I have a conundrum and i really have no idea what i should do. Ive decided for the most part. Im not proud of myself though.

Background: Im in my final years of A level looking to go to medschool. Issue is i need volunteer work and work experience. Now. And as much as possible. My friend being an avid christian (totally aware I'm an atheist) invited me to help kids attend a christian education camp for a weekend to get some work done. And I really really need work done. Im just not happy helping what sounds to me like a thinly veiled indoctrination camp. But what do i know, i havnt been. I have to resist everything that's natural to me though.

I agreed to pretend i think that it is true, and to make sure i tell the kids everything they are told is right. Even if it goes against every fiber of my being. This friend of mine is a creationist though, and also thinks being gay is against the bible, not aggressively at all, she just disagrees with it. Im assuming this camp she loves must be similar to this due to her enthusiasm. On paper it will sound great "Helping poor kids get faith at a nice camp". In my head ill be spending 3 days endorsing something i really couldn't be more against (the possible anti gay creationist stuff that is, thought it wont be the bulk, maybe not even mentioned at all, its just telling them the bible is 100% right). Ive been told by my head of year to just do it.

I dont know if i can find work elsewhere. Is it worth it? Would you do this? Would you sacrifice principles for this? Just struck me as a hard choice i had to make. Im proud of being the kind of person who sticks to principles. Ever been in this kind of situation?

Perhaps im making this a big deal out of nothing. Its just a camp for kids to have fun maybe. Christian themed at most.

I've been there and done this. Believe me, when in Rome is an important rule. In the end this is something you need and the children if so inclined will question what they're told some day. I'm an atheist and attended a church group to gain perspective ... with my gay incloset friend. Now he started flop sweating and vomiting more at having an atheist there than him being gay X D Point is I kept my word and my mouth shut. Later he came out of the closet after being baptised... in a CATHOLIC CHURCH! Yet the majority did not admonish him or belittle or even quietly discourage, they held their views and out of respect did not challenge him. If they only disagree non forcefully then that's the best of a bad situation. Roll with it, get your doctorate, you'll be saving lives of people you disagree with anyway X D

 

[Hagi]

Anti-science? You guys must be talking about the vast unscientific assumptions made by evolution! Nice to know evolutionists feel the need to justify their own silly belief by adding it into each irreverent thread possible (irreverent since it has nothing to do with the question). You'd think if you truly knew something that you wouldn't feel the need to justify yourself is such a manner.

This friend sounds like a nice girl to be honest.

Either way, I as a Christian do not ever work on Sunday. Nor would I ever help out an organisation that promotes atheistic thinking or theology. Of course I also believe atheism sends you to hell, while you only think Christianity is a silly belief.

So do you honestly care that these people get taught Christianity when in your mind we are all meaningless cells anyway? Do you honestly believe that atheistic thinking will drive humans to a better place then Christian thinking? Since that is what it comes down too, do you so foolishly believe that atheistic is better JUST BECAUSE.... IT IS YOUR BELIEF?

Maybe.... Do you think atheistic thinking will magically give humans immorality while Christian thinking will keep humans as meaningless cells? Honestly, why do you think your beliefs are better then others when according to you everything does not matter anyway because there is nothing beyond, that there is really no point to life?

Umm, makes you wonder why all the trolls need to insert their opinions when that is all Christianity is... While Christians have much more at stake based on what they believe in terms of good/evil and yet don't feel the need to nastily insert their opinion at every turn by calling it unscientific without any backup evidence (just stupid assumptions they have obtained and created themselves). Or throw nasty words like homophobic when clearly the thread creator specifically said that she was against it IN TERMS OF HER OWN BELIEF, that means that she cannot justify HERSELF being a homosexual, from the sounds of it the girl does not care whether her friends are homosexual or atheists (which is the thread creator, and a Christian shouldn't care as long as they are not hurt or overly influenced by them).

Good to know that atheists are so horribly sad that they take every opportunity to heap insults on others... Others who honestly sound like nice people who TRUST atheists helping them out.

FYI, it is evolution that teachers bullshit to children. Like YOU I don't feel the need to back my quote up. But it is pretty evident in the public school system that idiotic atheistic thinking has taken control, HENCE why these camps ( and gladly private schools) exist, so like minded people can gather together in their own freedoms.

Actually I don't doubt that most atheists on here went through the public school system and hence were taught a certain evolutionary frame of mind... OH BUT IGNORE WHAT I SAY BECAUSE I AM ANTI-SCIENCE BECAUSE I DON'T BELIEVE IN SOMETHING THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN OR PROVEN!

It is their belief and they'd like it respected. Just like you believe in something that you'd like to be respected.

And just like you wouldn't want to be judged by the most extreme fundamentalist Christians they would not like to be judged by the most extreme fundamentalist Atheists.

And just like you don't want Atheist beliefs forced on you they don't want Christian beliefs forced on them.

And just like you get offended when the whole of Christianity is called bad based on a few incidents they get offended when the whole of Atheism is called bad based on a few incidents.

And just like you don't want to be called a bad person who deserves to go to a horrible place purely because of your beliefs they don't want to be called a bad person who deserves to go to a horrible place purely because of their beliefs.

You're a hypocrite. You tell others they're evil and going to hell and yet expect from others that they treat you with respect and dignity? You protest others teaching your children their beliefs while you support and believe in a book which requires you to teach your personal beliefs to their children (evangelism)? You tell others there's no point to their lives without the meaning given to it by your beliefs (the afterlife) yet you protest others saying there's no point to your lives without the meaning given to it by their beliefs (science)?

 

[SpaceBat]

Snip

Agreed with every word in your comment. But I recommend you stop wasting your time trying to talk sense into people like wing.

 

[thethingthatlurks]

To be honest, I wouldn't do it. If this is one of those indoctrination camps, adding it to your CV will destroy any chance of you getting into med school. If this is just your run-of-the-mill christian summer camp, it won't exactly help either. My advice: try to get some sort of volunteer/internship in a local hospital. It looks great on your CV, and you can still play the "I like to help people" angle on your application. Volunteering in a homeless shelter, soup kitchen, or the equivalent of the Salvation Army is also beneficial, just not quite as much. Anyway, best of luck to you!

Anti-science? You guys must be talking about the vast unscientific assumptions made by evolution! Nice to know evolutionists feel the need to justify their own silly belief by adding it into each irreverent thread possible (irreverent since it has nothing to do with the question). You'd think if you truly knew something that you wouldn't feel the need to justify yourself is such a manner.

This friend sounds like a nice girl to be honest.

Either way, I as a Christian do not ever work on Sunday. Nor would I ever help out an organisation that promotes atheistic thinking or theology. Of course I also believe atheism sends you to hell, while you only think Christianity is a silly belief.

So do you honestly care that these people get taught Christianity when in your mind we are all meaningless cells anyway? Do you honestly believe that atheistic thinking will drive humans to a better place then Christian thinking? Since that is what it comes down too, do you so foolishly believe that atheistic is better JUST BECAUSE.... IT IS YOUR BELIEF?

Maybe.... Do you think atheistic thinking will magically give humans immorality while Christian thinking will keep humans as meaningless cells? Honestly, why do you think your beliefs are better then others when according to you everything does not matter anyway because there is nothing beyond, that there is really no point to life?

Umm, makes you wonder why all the trolls need to insert their opinions when that is all Christianity is... While Christians have much more at stake based on what they believe in terms of good/evil and yet don't feel the need to nastily insert their opinion at every turn by calling it unscientific without any backup evidence (just stupid assumptions they have obtained and created themselves). Or throw nasty words like homophobic when clearly the thread creator specifically said that she was against it IN TERMS OF HER OWN BELIEF, that means that she cannot justify HERSELF being a homosexual, from the sounds of it the girl does not care whether her friends are homosexual or atheists (which is the thread creator, and a Christian shouldn't care as long as they are not hurt or overly influenced by them).

Good to know that atheists are so horribly sad that they take every opportunity to heap insults on others... Others who honestly sound like nice people who TRUST atheists helping them out.

FYI, it is evolution that teachers bullshit to children. Like YOU I don't feel the need to back my quote up. But it is pretty evident in the public school system that idiotic atheistic thinking has taken control, HENCE why these camps ( and gladly private schools) exist, so like minded people can gather together in their own freedoms.

Actually I don't doubt that most atheists on here went through the public school system and hence were taught a certain evolutionary frame of mind... OH BUT IGNORE WHAT I SAY BECAUSE I AM ANTI-SCIENCE BECAUSE I DON'T BELIEVE IN SOMETHING THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN OR PROVEN!

Hm, ever heard of Poe's law? I honestly can't tell if you're actually a scientifically illiterate, uneducated, crazy dude, or somebody pretending to be a scientifically illiterate, uneducated crazy dude for lulz. Some clarification, or some sort of sarcasm font would be greatly appreciated...

 

[PatSilverFox]

If it's only three days sure why not.

 

[DigitalSushi]

So your in medschool? hence your practising to be a Doctor?, but you dislike helping others based on their faith?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocratic_Oath

Be a good Doctor, I'm not saying you should or you shouldn't go to this camp, but maybe these kids need you.

 

[Alon Shechter]

Good to know that atheists are so horribly sad that they take every opportunity to heap insults on others... Others who honestly sound like nice people who TRUST atheists helping them out.

And good to know that Christians are knowledge-less butthurt angry backward-minded little shi-
Oh wait. that's just you.

 

[Eisenfaust]

Why not go, and (assuming it's insidious "ooooooh convert!!!!!" rather than "here's a good framework for traditional moral behaviour, now lets have some fun") challenge the guidance counsellor on some points you disagree with (obvious, easily flawed premises, as in Then just put it on your resumé anyway

Anti-science? You guys must be talking about the vast unscientific assumptions made by evolution! Nice to know evolutionists feel the need to justify their own silly belief by adding it into each irreverent thread possible (irreverent since it has nothing to do with the question). You'd think if you truly knew something that you wouldn't feel the need to justify yourself is such a manner.

/snip

WOAH... look, i'm catholic, i believe, but jeez dude, settle down... don't be THAT guy

Perhaps im making this a big deal out of nothing. Its just a camp for kids to have fun maybe. Christian themed at most.

I think you are right on that. I'm a Christian (Pro-gay and pro-evolution) and I've seen a few of these camps. Get a feel for the area over the recruiter. My church is really liberal and all they did at ours was make crafts, play games, and then give us a bible. I mean that was the only Christian thing they did. That said if its at some super conservative church it might be different. Also Catholics and some protestants officially allow evolutionists and the preachers are told not to argue creationism over evolution to people in the parish.

Same here, pro-gay, pro-evolution, pro-choice, etc, been around the block a few times (to these camps i mean, as a child). The few i did go to were more themed around "let's all be nice to each other, hooray!" than "BELIEVE OR BURN, GRRR!!!!!!" plus helped kids socialise in a big, inherantly welcoming group, so it has it's advantages. OP, like this guy says, suss out the camp first, decide then. If they seem alright, go and just moderate the more preposterous notions that may come up

 

[Worgen]

Anti-science? You guys must be talking about the vast unscientific assumptions made by evolution! Nice to know evolutionists feel the need to justify their own silly belief by adding it into each irreverent thread possible (irreverent since it has nothing to do with the question). You'd think if you truly knew something that you wouldn't feel the need to justify yourself is such a manner.

This friend sounds like a nice girl to be honest.

Either way, I as a Christian do not ever work on Sunday. Nor would I ever help out an organisation that promotes atheistic thinking or theology. Of course I also believe atheism sends you to hell, while you only think Christianity is a silly belief.

So do you honestly care that these people get taught Christianity when in your mind we are all meaningless cells anyway? Do you honestly believe that atheistic thinking will drive humans to a better place then Christian thinking? Since that is what it comes down too, do you so foolishly believe that atheistic is better JUST BECAUSE.... IT IS YOUR BELIEF?

Maybe.... Do you think atheistic thinking will magically give humans immorality while Christian thinking will keep humans as meaningless cells? Honestly, why do you think your beliefs are better then others when according to you everything does not matter anyway because there is nothing beyond, that there is really no point to life?

Umm, makes you wonder why all the trolls need to insert their opinions when that is all Christianity is... While Christians have much more at stake based on what they believe in terms of good/evil and yet don't feel the need to nastily insert their opinion at every turn by calling it unscientific without any backup evidence (just stupid assumptions they have obtained and created themselves). Or throw nasty words like homophobic when clearly the thread creator specifically said that she was against it IN TERMS OF HER OWN BELIEF, that means that she cannot justify HERSELF being a homosexual, from the sounds of it the girl does not care whether her friends are homosexual or atheists (which is the thread creator, and a Christian shouldn't care as long as they are not hurt or overly influenced by them).

Good to know that atheists are so horribly sad that they take every opportunity to heap insults on others... Others who honestly sound like nice people who TRUST atheists helping them out.

FYI, it is evolution that teachers bullshit to children. Like YOU I don't feel the need to back my quote up. But it is pretty evident in the public school system that idiotic atheistic thinking has taken control, HENCE why these camps ( and gladly private schools) exist, so like minded people can gather together in their own freedoms.

Actually I don't doubt that most atheists on here went through the public school system and hence were taught a certain evolutionary frame of mind... OH BUT IGNORE WHAT I SAY BECAUSE I AM ANTI-SCIENCE BECAUSE I DON'T BELIEVE IN SOMETHING THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN OR PROVEN!

sounds like someone is having a major struggle of faith over this, I can understand why though, its not like christianity has any good backing, I mean faith is the absence of evidence, thats why they dont call it fact
I doubt christians would even help anyone if they didnt think it would give them converts

as for the point of this topic, I would avoid it and just try and find whatever activity you need else where, although if you have to do is then make sure to get some of the worst aspects of christianity either out or make sure the kids know them

 

[Ace of Spades]

I would help out with it, because when working for something you need, it's best to adopt the attitude of "If there's a steady pay-check, I'll believe anything you say."

 

[instantbenz]

I go through it every time I see my grandmother. She's not particularly worldly, but a real hoot nonetheless. I love her a whole bunch, but it's sad going home knowing that if the subject comes up I just need to nod my head, grit and bare it.

I'm able to say flat out to my mother though that I'm completely against it and it's obvious bunk. She is sadly also in the same boat as my grandmother, but I don't throw on the filter for my mother as I do with my grandmother.

I understand the difficulty, but as long as you know what you are saying are lies, I think your integrity is still solid.

Also, don't do it to impress this gal. That would be losing your integrity.

 

[OmniscientOstrich]

If you just need the experience and not the money, surely there are tons of places that could use volunteers? Volunteer work always looks good.

...Besides, do you really think that working at a creationism-endorsing camp will impress scientists and doctors?

This sums it up, there are surely other ways in which you could meet the volunteer quota for your CV, not to mention more jobs with far more pertinence to the medical field. I can understand desperately wanting to pursue this career but don't sacrifice your integrity to do it.