I know that would mean nothing to you personally b/c I know you consider yourself an atheist (I believe? Not trying to mischaracterize your beliefs)... but I'm not sure why you are drawing the distinction? Whether or not someone is a Christian or an atheist is not an accurate reflection on whether they are kind and honest. There is good and bad of both? Nothing from those quotes states anything regarding being kind and honest?

 

Folks, I thank all of you for all the comments about faith, practice, and its possible impact on the team. As it relates to the team it belongs in this forum. However, there have been a couple of comments which seem to better belong in a thread in the Religion forum. If no more is said here we will simply move forward but if folks want to continue the discussion regarding religious beliefs, personality traits, and their practice, then I will pick all of the comments up and move them and we can have a fun, lively discussion there, OK?

 

Since folks wanted to continue the discussion, I have created a thread for it here in the Religion forum.

Thanks

BTW, I think it should be generally irrelevant in any selection process for player or staff but I will recognize that folks like to work with people with whom they are comfortable. If they want to be around people of faith, they may well gravitate towards others. If they want to scrupulously avoid such folks they my move away. That is true for any of a number of personal "filters" for lack of a better word.

In this case I think Jennings' familiarity with Philbin aided but did not determine him signing with the Phins. It took Tannebaum to close the deal.

 

First, my apologies about the mischaracterization of your stance on religion. We had discussed religion about a year or so ago on here, and I remember you stating your stance... but was hazy on exactly what it was... which is why I put that caveat in there originally.

As far as the latter part of your post... where did DJ say anything about religion making them good/honest people. DJ simply said that the religious beliefs of Jennings and Philbin aligned to be an advantage in the recruitment process. Literally not one mention of "good" or "honest"... so what caused you to "go there", if you will? There has been a lot of talk on here about Philbin being strong in faith, and that interview by Jennings appeared to imply the same thing. I'm not sure why sharing interests with your potential boss, especially something like strong religious beliefs that typically are a big part of your life, wouldn't be a little enticing/comforting?

As far as my beliefs, personally I strongly do believe God exsits, with specific events in my life where I know God was involved. But I'll never tell someone else what to believe or not to believe.

 

I understand your point and generally agree. What this case highlighted was another aspect of the discussion though. If you are doing the hiring because of faith or for that matter, gender, race, or any of a host of different criteria instead of who might be best for the job, then claims of bigotry may well be warranted.

But what about the person who is seeking a position? If the ball is in my court as the employee, is it all right to seek a work environment where my religious sensitivities (or again for that matter, gender. race, etc.) are valued? I have spoken to a number of well trained, educated black people who when seeking employment, seek places where there are already a number of other black employees so they might have a social group. Women have made similar claims. Who wants to be the only "anything" some where?

Is Greg Jennings "allowed" to make his selection of who to play for (assuming a number of offers are similar) by whatever criteria he desires? Even a place where his particular religious sensibilities are valued? To that I would have to say yes as well.

Now none of us know whether or not that was even a factor in this case but the discussion raises important points anyway.

 

As well there should be.