Peace Corps Application Process

I have recently applied to the Peace Corps and had an interview with my recruiter. During the interview she asked me how I would handle living in a culture where my personal beliefs are very different from the beliefs of others. My first reaction was that, as an atheist in the southern United States, I am living in a culture where my beliefs are different every day of my life.

I do not hold the same values of the people around me. And, as I have been thinking about it, I have come to the realization that having lived in a predominantly christian (and rather judgmental) place I would find it difficult to tell a lie and pretend to be a Christian if someone forces an answer to the question, "Do you believe in Christ." I can with all honesty say yes, but that is not all that I believe.

I believe that Christ, as Jesus of Nazareth, did exist. But I do not believe that he was the son of God. So even though I answer yes, and can answer truthfully, if I answer yes and only yes, the assumed implication is that I therefore believe in his divinity. Since I do not believe in the divinity of Christ I feel that to answer yes is in effect, a lie. I am finding this to be a bit of a moral dilemma.

To answer yes is allowing someone to believe in what I essentially believe to be a lie. "Yes" would be in essence a half-truth. I am not entirely sure I am OK with that.

What would be your thoughts?

That really is a tricky one. If you are uncomfortable with the answer then it is wrong (for you), but it also depends on how the question is asked.

If I was asked the question I would feel comfortable saying yes. I believe that Jesus existed, and yes I believe he was divine, in the same way that we are all divine. Do I believe that God sent his only son to be my lord and saviour? Not a chance. So its more about the way in which the question is phrased.

Personally as long as I have answered a question in a way that I feel it is true and I can live with it then its ok. What someone else choses to take from my answer or decides that my answer implies without seeking further clarification, is not my issue.

I feel that to say yes in this situation knowing that it is quite likely that this person will believe that I believe in Christ and his divinity is letting them assume something I did not mean. To say yes and let that person decide for themselves and choose the wrong assumption is a false statement. Perhaps it is not a lie out right but it feels wrong to me to allow that to happen.

This also assumes that I will end up somewhere like Latin America. But what if I end up in Jordan? Or Morocco? What do I do if the wrong answer there could mean harm to me physically and not just difficulty fitting in?

I mostly just wanted to say congratulations and good luck with the Peace Corps!

I, too, understand what it's like to not have the same beliefs as most of the people around you. Sometimes it can be frustrating.. I do agree with Brenna, though. Answering in a way that feels true to yourself is probably best, even if you have to ask them to elaborate on the question or you simply elaborate on the answer. I don't think anyone has ever tried or purposefully worded a question to get a specific answer like that.. That would fall under "frustrating" more so than what I have ever encountered.

Again, congratulations! May the Force be with you, always.

Then I think you have already answered your own question. Its less a case of what this person thinks they know about your beliefs and more a case of the impact of your answer.

I generally go with the theory, if its making me uncomfortable and I feel like I need to question my decision, then its probably not the right decision.

I don't think this really does answer my questions. I suppose I should reframe it like this... What if this seemingly banal situation could literally put your life in danger. When a woman can get killed for wearing a shirt that shows off too much arm or she doesn't cover her hair, do you still stand up for what you believe, even if you could get killed by that simple declaration. "I do not believe in..."

I’m not sure thats the same conversation. If saying "yes I believe in Christ and am therefore Christian" means that they will not send you to places where your faith can result in you being placed in danger, as opposed to sending you somewhere because you are not Christian and therefore less likely to be persecuted.

But not being Christian or not in a place where being a woman is the issue is a different problem all together.

However, even as someone who is not Christian, I would still (and have when required) adhere to the local custom that requires covering of hair or skin. In that regard I think that the environment that you are placed in is more of a consideration than the beliefs you may or may not have. Covering my hair does not change my belief. Being required to participate in ritual or religion that I find offensive would be. But that I suppose offensive depends on personal perspective. If you find that offensive and would refuse to do it, causing you to be placed in danger, then by all means say so up front! But make it clear because its not a "Christian" thing, its a "Womens rights" or "Anti Islam" thing.

Standing up against the requirement for women to be concealed is not a question of whether you believe in Christ or not. It’s a case of whether you believe it to be a violation of a woman’s rights or not.

The question being asked can mean more then the words asking it, for sure, especially in that belief in God or Christ question. I'd answer as accurately as possible.

I usually don't like it when I'm required to give a one word answer LOL :pinch:

Her question about personal belief versus different beliefs is a good one. If your over somewhere working for someone else in a hostile environment then I always saw it as being a representative of the organisation, and not yourself. So I would suspend anything which could aggravate the locals, just as part of doing the job.

Could always give a vague answer ie : "it's complicated" or " that's personal"....

Me...I'm honest to a fault, however I have long since learned the value of omission, the leaving out of select info, it's not lying, exactly, but simply leaving out some info to make the truth more palatable...I've also learned the value of "bending" the truth when needed...I don't like to do it though...I prefer to simply plough through with the truth and bear the consequences...everything is a matter of perspective any way...

Gratz on joining though

I worked in a school where they ask if you're christian(it was a christian academy). All of the teachers lied and said yes so they could get jobs. And the moral of the story is: liars win, honest people lose. If you want the job just tell them what they want to hear and move on. They just want to know if you're going to freak out when you see women mutilating their genitals.