What occupations are not appropriate for Christians?

[Tim]

I've pondered this question from time to time, especially when considering my children's futures:
What occupations are not appropriate for Christians? I'm talking about legal occupations here (not drug-dealers, prostitutes, etc.).
A few questionables, for example:

Movie actor/actress?

Personal injury attorney?

Used car dealer?

Any thoughts on these occupations or others?

Tim

 

[Major B]

One of the Godliest men I know is a used car dealer. All the preachers in the area come to his office when they need special prayer--or a pickup truck.

I am a retired military officer, and lots of folks used to give me grief about a Christian being a warrior. I used to tell them, "It's my ministry..." which also led to consternation. I guess they never read,"

Rom 13:4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.

 

[stubbornkelly]

Movie actor/actress?

As an actor myself (not films, clearly

), I see no problems with acting as a profession. Discernment in choosing roles is a key, of course.

Personal injury attorney?

Again, I see no general problems here. Not all personal injury attorneys are the proverbial ambulance chasers. I know it sounds like an oxymoron, but one can be an ethical personal injury attorney.

I'll go a bit further and say that a Christian could be a defense attorney, too.

Used car dealer?

My father, a devoted Christian and Sunday school teacher, used to sell used cars. New ones, too, for that matter. No problems with this one, either.

Professional ethics are in order in every job. An accountant friend of mine was asked to lie to an auditor - she chose not to, and reported her supervisor for asking her to do so. A person can do any of the above jobs ethically or unethically. We should not use the stereotypical lens to view all those who choose these professions. I would hope that Christians would choose careers that suit their aptitudes and do their jobs in a Christian manner. Perhaps we can be the light in professions generally viewed to be full of darkness . . .

 

[10usNE1]

I think a dancer at a gentlemen's club would be a questionable career choice for a girl.

For a boy....any career that a speedo would be required attire.

Cindy

 

[Artimaeus]

I heard about a stripper once who said she was a stripper for Jesus. (Don't think so)
1. "Exotic" dancers. (any job in the place)
2. Bartender (any job in the place)
3. Casino worker (any job in the place)
4. Brewery worker (any job in the place)
5. Pornography publishing (any job in the place)

I'm sure there are others. These should be enough to get liberals to defend them.

 

[Major B]

After getting fired from his pastorate, I asked a friend what he was going to do. He said, "I need a job where I can regain my self respect, I think I will get a job cleaning spitoons in a gay bar."

I think that should be added to our list.

 

[Gib]

How about a manager or owner of a liquor store ~ convenience store that sells adult magazines and alcohol?

A bouncer?

A model?

For Budwieser or the like?

A bartender or waitress?

 

[Gib]

A hitman?

 

[Bible-boy]

A few come to mind (presented in no particular order):

1. International Terrorist
2. Drug Dealer and/or Smuggler
3. Get-away-car driver
4. Pron Star
5. Cat Burglar
6. International Jewel Thief
7. Loan Shark
8. Pool Shark
9. Professional Gambler
10. Pimp

I don't think any of these would be appropriate jobs for Christians.

[ May 14, 2003, 01:38 AM: Message edited by: BibleboyII ]

 

[Pete]

By Gib:
A hitman?

Gib,

Then again, maybe, maybe not. God Himself used a few hitmen now and then in O.T. times...

As a cabbie I often have to wonder about my occupation...

I guess while I'm here I may as well be controversial again and throw in "professional" Christians

Pete

 

[Roy]

Originally posted by Major B:
After getting fired from his pastorate, I asked a friend what he was going to do. He said, "I need a job where I can regain my self respect, I think I will get a job cleaning spitoons in a gay bar."

I think that should be added to our list.

If your friend is looking for a respectable job that is meek and lowly, with elements of excitement, perhaps he would find employment as a "Roto Rooter" scuba diver to be a suitable calling for him.

Roy

 

[Deacon]

Ouchhhh... you hit my weak spot!

Rather passionate about this. I'd never let my daughters marry a lawyer.

While it may not be inappropriate for a Christian to be a lawyer, they wouldn't make much money. They are the most low-down group of people I know. "Yhe Truth" is rather low on their list of priorities.

Rob

 

[Ben W]

Anyone who wants to wear the Salvation Army uniform and works either in a brewery or in the sale of alcohol is required to give up the job.

 

[Tim]

Hey Gib and Bibleboy,

I said LEGAL professions.

Just to keep us on track,

Tim

 

[Tim]

Wouldn't an actor, used car dealer, personal injury attorney all make very little money if they consistently upheld ethical standards?

And while I'm here, how does everyone feel about a Christian who works in collections for the IRS?

Tim

 

[Bible-boy]

Originally posted by Tim:
Hey Gib and Bibleboy,

I said LEGAL professions.

Just to keep us on track,

Tim

Hello Tim,

Point of order...

Being a Pron Star is a legal profession (as long as it's not pedophilia).

Being a Professional Gambler is a legal profession in states and countries where gambling is a legal activity.

Additionally, being a Prostitute (and I assume a Pimp as well as) is legal in some countries and in the State of Nevada if I'm not mistaken.

I'll grant you that the others I mentioned are illegal. However, I was attempting to be light-hearted. Thus, the at the end of my post.

These would not be appropriate jobs for Christians.

 

[Bible-boy]

I can not figure out why you all are saying that being an actor is not appropriate for a Christian.

What is sinful about the profession? As long as our hypothetical Christian Actor is careful about the roles he picks I see not problem. Think about it, a Christian Actor could have played any role on The Waltons, or Christy, etc. Likewise, there are plenty of movies produced that are not offensive to solid Christian ethics and morals.

The same goes for being a Lawyer. My wife currently works for a Christian who happens to be a Lawyer. He is one of the finest Christian men that I know.

When God saves a person He does not expect each and everyone to become a Pastor, Missionary, Seminary Professor, etc. However, He does expect them to be His representative in their fields of influence. Therefore, if you are a Doctor you are God's representative to the medical community. If you are a Lawyer then you are God's representative to the legal community. If you are an Actor then you are God's representative to the entertainment community. the list goes on and on.

The point is that Christians, no matter what job they perform, must always remember that they wear Christ's name and represent Him to a watching world. Therefore, we must live our lives according to the ethical and moral principles of the Bible and not bring shame upon the name of Christ.

 

[Baptist Believer]

Originally posted by Deacon:
While it may not be inappropriate for a Christian to be a lawyer, they wouldn't make much money. They are the most low-down group of people I know. "The Truth" is rather low on their list of priorities.

Actually I know two lawyers my age who are Christians and they seem to do pretty well and are people of integrity. One of them represented my parents recently when they were trying to get Farmer's Insurance to actually pay them for the car that their client totalled when they ran a red light and injured my parents.

Even with an attorney, my parents had to wait two months before Farmer's would act on their claim as well as endure harassing telephone calls from the adjuster who tried to trick them into "admitting fault" even though there were witnesses and a police report to the contrary.

The attorney did the work "pro bono" for them and does similar work for others who can't afford his normal rates.

He is a man of integrity inside and out of the courtroom.

 

[Artimaeus]

The point of the discussion is whether a legal job CAN or CAN'T be done with Christian ethics.

Pornography Industry - CAN'T
Casino Worker - CAN'T
Bartender - CAN'T

Lawyer - CAN
Doctor - CAN
Politician - CAN

All occupations CAN be done unethically but some CAN'T be done ethically.

IRS employee CAN do their job ethically.

 

[Hardsheller]

Granted there are some jobs in a Casino that would be incompatible with a Christian lifestyle. But couldn't a cook in the casino restaurant be a Christian?