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Ask HN: Hiring “Jesus lovers” for your tech/science startup

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Ask HN: Hiring “Jesus lovers” for your tech/science startup

#1

Post by sciencelover »

I'm a bit torn on this one. Often times in the hiring process I'll encounter really promising candidates that excite me, but then I open their Twitter/website and their first choice of words to describe themselves are "Jesus lover" or "Follower of Jesus", and it immediately turns me off.

I think religion has its place in the world, but the indications I get from those statements are that this individual ultimately hasn't progressed very far intellectually or challenged their beliefs strongly enough. I fear it is a limiting mindset, no matter how impressive their resume is, and that this will translate on the job as well.

What's your experience with hiring or working with "Jesus lovers"?

Re: Ask HN: Hiring “Jesus lovers” for your tech/science startup

#2

Post by gostsamo »

Not related. I know a few people that are both really smart and the worst case evangelists. The issue is not so much technical as it is cultural. It is really annoying being invited in someone's church in order to have your soul saved. As someone with disability, I have it more than others.

Re: Ask HN: Hiring “Jesus lovers” for your tech/science startup

#4

Post by sciencelover »

cameron_b wrote: post #3

Have you evaluated their motivation or basis for their conviction? Or are you not open to the idea that a "Jesus Lover" could be a person of character and conviction like yourself, but from a different perspective?

Character and conviction is not the issue at all. It's more technical ability and extra-logical/rational thinking that I'm concerned about.

Re: Ask HN: Hiring “Jesus lovers” for your tech/science startup

#5

Post by julienreszka »

Not only it is illegal[1] to discriminate based on religion when hiring people, it is also unproductive because you're stopping yourself from hiring people to do a job based on their beliefs not their skills.

Your username is "sciencelover". I assume therefore that you are opposing Christianity to science. Let me help you reconsider this position by suggesting you to look at this article listing Christians in science and technology (You might be surprised to see some significative amount of famous scientists like Lavoisier, Pasteur, Newton, James Clerk Maxwell and many many others): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christians_in_science_...

[1] https://www.eeoc.gov/prohibited-employment-policiespractices....

Re: Ask HN: Hiring “Jesus lovers” for your tech/science startup

#6

Post by mondoshawan »

sciencelover wrote: post #4
cameron_b wrote: post #3

Have you evaluated their motivation or basis for their conviction? Or are you not open to the idea that a "Jesus Lover" could be a person of character and conviction like yourself, but from a different perspective?

Character and conviction is not the issue at all. It's more technical ability and extra-logical/rational thinking that I'm concerned about.

Then what's the problem? If all you are doing is evaluating them for technical skill, then only the resume and interview performance should matter. Personal beliefs such as religion don't enter into it.

Re: Ask HN: Hiring “Jesus lovers” for your tech/science startup

#7

Post by raxxorrax »

The "Jesus lovers" in my country aren't that extroverted, but religious inclination doesn't have to correlate negatively with intelligence. Many smart people are not religious of course, but I have met counter examples.

If I compare the average Youtube atheist with the average Jesuit, I have no doubt who will win a debate about earthly topics and that isn't only due to educational advantages.

Re: Ask HN: Hiring “Jesus lovers” for your tech/science startup

#8

Post by mondoshawan »

> I think religion has its place in the world, but the indications I get from those statements are that this individual ultimately hasn't progressed very far intellectually or challenged their beliefs strongly enough. I fear it is a limiting mindset, no matter how impressive their resume is, and that this will translate on the job as well.

This is straight up bigotry.

Re: Ask HN: Hiring “Jesus lovers” for your tech/science startup

#9

Post by sciencelover »

mondoshawan wrote: post #6
sciencelover wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Character and conviction is not the issue at all. It's more technical ability and extra-logical/rational thinking that I'm concerned about.

Then what's the problem? If all you are doing is evaluating them for technical skill, then only the resume and interview performance should matter. Personal beliefs such as religion don't enter into it.

My (mis)conception is that it implies inability to advance too deeply into a particular problem. Because if you went deeply enough into the "Jesus" problem you'd understand it's myth/story-telling.

Plus, it's one thing to be a Jesus lover. It's completely another to wear it extra-proudly on your technical website/profile.

Re: Ask HN: Hiring “Jesus lovers” for your tech/science startup

#10

Post by rocketpastsix »

I've worked with a pastor/church leader who was also a developer who was the kindest, nicest person ever. Their code wasn't amazing but he was a great leader and could sense trouble and help people out (religious help or just every day advice).

I've known non-religious people who are utter assholes and I would pay to never work with again. As long as someone isn't trying to convert me in the middle of the work day I couldn't care less who or what they worship.

On the flip side, this sounds like the people who complain when popular tech people talk politics on their twitter. Unfortunately, politics and religion have been around a lot longer than programming/tech and both of those things affect lives greatly.

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