Problematic Occupations for Mennonites

[Ken]

What if we just quit being offended at everyone life choices? Is that even possible?

Or just choose a profession where you don't have to cater to the choices of others.

[appleman2006]

What if we just quit being offended at everyone life choices? Is that even possible?

Or just choose a profession where you don't have to cater to the choices of others.

I think such an individual would be called a hermit.

[Ken]

What if we just quit being offended at everyone life choices? Is that even possible?

Or just choose a profession where you don't have to cater to the choices of others.

I think such an individual would be called a hermit.

Somehow most people manage to get through their lives without taking personal offense at the life choices of others.

[Signtist]

Somehow most people manage to get through their lives without taking personal offense at the life choices of others.

It doesn't seem like that to me, but I could be wrong.

[Signtist]

Dunno. I thought for a minute there you were offended that someone would actually quit his job fancying up trucks in order to grow vegetables instead...

No. I think it's preposterous that a client would tell him it's mostly a vanity thing, and he stopped providing a service that truck drivers legally need in order to work. And he listened. I would argue that most contractors, even plumbers, electricians, landscapers and many more actually do a lot of work that is simply to make things more beautiful. God gave us creativity, why would we judge someone for exercising a gift? Only if it's on trucks. It's fine if you're a woodworker or baker. I'm confused. No. Offended.

[Signtist]

What if we just quit being offended at everyone life choices? Is that even possible?

Or just choose a profession where you don't have to cater to the choices of others.

Can we have a list of such occupations?

Butcher: Can't tie that roast up and trim it pretty like the person asked. And only 6 ounce steaks, nobody NEEDS a 12 ouncer.
Baker: Gotta leave off the frosting. It's just vanity anyway.
Candlestick maker: Only white candles. Or is black more plain? Definitely no taper.

[Signtist]

Sooooo, wedding related stuff is wrong to make for LGBTQXYZ123+!*& people. But to work on their house is fine? To work on the vehicle they will use to drive to the wedding is OK? To sell them food so they can keep living in sin is fine? Do we also ask people if they're self righteous much? How about other sexual sins? Or anger? Or argumentative? (oops!) Why are we suddenly singling out this segment of the population to use as a salve for our self-righteous souls? And only on their "wedding day?"

[ken_sylvania]

Sooooo, wedding related stuff is wrong to make for LGBTQXYZ123+!*& people. But to work on their house is fine? To work on the vehicle they will use to drive to the wedding is OK? To sell them food so they can keep living in sin is fine? Do we also ask people if they're self righteous much? How about other sexual sins? Or anger? Or argumentative? (oops!) Why are we suddenly singling out this segment of the population to use as a salve for our self-righteous souls? And only on their "wedding day?"

Is there a line though that a Godly man ought not to cross? Is there any kind of an establishment that you would refuse to create signage for? Such as, for instance, a bar, a casino, or the local "gentleman's club"? Is it right for a Christian electrician to wire up an electric chair for the state's execution chamber? Should a Christian doctor administer the drugs for an execution? Should a Christian manufacturing company be assisting with the manufacture of guided missiles or bombs? Is it expedient for a Christian truck driver to assist in moving tanks from the local army depot to the port to be shipped overseas for the war? I don't pretend to have the answer for all of this by any means - I think some things are more clear than others.

[Karstan78]

Last week, a man mentioned the discomfort and uncertainty he felt in doing some RV work for a lesbian couple to live in. RV’s are an important part of his business.
I also heard about a man who quit his decal business, because a large part of it was on semi trucks, and was vain; client told him that the only reason people do it, is for pride.
This week, I was trying to think of a job for someone, and I thought of Walmarts openings in the curbs side ordering. But then, I figured that this person would refuse to take the job if he had to pick alcohol and tobacco orders.
Other retailers such as Home Depot may have inflexible Sunday schedules.
Today, someone wondered about how a third person was going to be a successful barber, because of the cutting women customers hair aspect.
I know others (more conservative and in another state) who won’t work with women.
Others won’t work where a vaccine is required.

I have no real direction for this thread. I expect the resident liberals have some answers though. And that’s fine.

I feel like, with the current social values, and legal aspects, and economics, many occupations have problems.

I have to commend people for choosing to take a stand in these times. It’s not exactly a great economy and people are going to be doing a lot more questionable things against their morals to make ends meet. When prices keep increasing and wages keep stagnating (or in some cases already reducing) I wonder how many of us will be able to keep that clear line of right and wrong.

As teenagers we used to laugh at the brothers in church (who were carpenters by trade) refuse to take on any work if there was a television in the home. Or those others in the steel industry walk off jobs that had anything to do with military contracts. As an adult I think they were onto something.

The days of really running separate to world is getting more and more overlapped, even worse for believers that don’t have many other Anabaptists in their corners of the world.

[steve-in-kville]

I think we should all, like, grow weed, man