Is it acceptable for Christians to have an unchristian job or career?

Some examples I can think of are Alice Cooper, who claims to be a Christian but goes onstage and performs some of the most demonic songs and acts imaginable. Another is Brian Welch, who claims to be a Christians but is a member of the metal band KoЯn. He initially left the band but then went back and now claims it's okay to be a Christian in an unchristian profession. And Alan Ritchson of Reacher, a show filled with partial nudity and erotica. And many other celebrities are doing it nowadays.

Can a Christian compartmentalize his or her life into Christian/Work? Under this logic, wouldn't it be acceptable for Christians to participate in any job they wanted? What about Christian prostitute? Christian hit man? Christian drug dealer. I mean, if it's just a job, why not?

I know it can be difficult finding a job or profession that isn't unchristian to some extent; but should extend this to any and every profession out there and then excuse it by saying "it's just my job?"

Most jobs are secular/not religious just to keep the world running. I don't believe it is sinful to work in these jobs.

The other jobs you mentioned are sinful and no Christian should be involved in those jobs.

Employment or work isn't wrong or bad intrinsically. The manner or motivation may be. Farming is a noble profession. Growing drug crops not so much.
In the example of Alice Cooper, nothing wrong with being a professional musician. Eating the heads off of bats not so much.

1 Corinthians 10:31...whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye so, do all to the glory of God.

This thread is a good reminder that work for the Christian isn't merely a means to provision, but an avenue of God's glory. Even in the most mundane and ordinary events, God can be glorified.

This is a matter between the individual and the Lord, not a matter for anyone else to judge.

It is, however, our choice whether to ‘consume’ such entertainment.

I think the answer is obvious. A Christian shouldn't be a hit man, prostitute, stripper, etc. Some jobs may be an issue of conscience-- what about a convenience store that sells hard liquor? Whiskey drinkers could take a sip. It's a lot harder stuff than they drank in the first century, but is drinking a large amount of it just on the buyer? But what if the store sells porn magazines (do they even do that anymore)? One could say, "It is against my religion to sell the porn magazines." and the employer could probably fire them for them.

Another occupation--acting where the script calls for blaspheming God... I don't believe Christians should do that, and actors/professional hypocrites, need to be selective in what roles they choose.

I've changed careers over moral convictions... given the choice between starting at the bottom again and hating myself- I pick starting over at the bottom any day.


You even put the R backwards. I used to be a fan; but a lot of the lyrics are trash- and as much as the notes sound good, I hate the music.

I read Head's book and it's kind of a mess; but some of it looked like good testimony- but now he's walked a lot of that back, saying he "went too far" and that "God brought him back to Korn.".... I certainly have my doubts about that; but I also haven't listened to any of their recent music to see if the band has changed for the better

You aren't referring to the prostitution question are you?

Yes, I agree a lot of it comes down to personal discretion; personally I'd try to be as selective as possible about what kind of employment I took. I might have to do a lot of trusting in God to get by, but at least I wouldn't be selling out.

There seems to be a trend towards celebrities setting the example that it's okay for Christians to profess to be a disciple of the Lord and then engage in any kind of evil lifestyle they choose and say it's okay because it's "only my job." I actually saw an interview with Alice Cooper where he said practically these exact words. It just seems like a copout; and people look up to them and think they know what they're talking about.

I work alongside believers in a secular job. But I prefer to work around the 'good ole boys' rather than the other believers. They just do their jobs and you don't have to hear," I don't mean to gossip, but....", "We really need to pray for Jimmy because......" The good ole boys seem to keep their noses out of everybody's business.

Well, I've worked alongside a lot of "good ol' boys" too but that's not what I'm talking about.

Today, many who are called out (the church) are still very carnal. They refuse to mature beyond their starting point. It's a consequence of 1) bad theology and 2) bad leadership.

By and large, the church practices compartmentalization of members' secular and religious lives. Even promoting it.

I know. My response was just a little more subtle than #4. Most of us need a mirror rather than looking at others.

99% of us work at mundane secular jobs. Not these extreme and ILLEGAL examples. From my experience, we need to focus on making our secular job a ministry for Christ in the areas that we can,rather than focusing on things that are none of our business.

Agreed.

If I may: we are the instrument of Christ's ministry in the earth. The grace we disseminate is the unique work of the Lord through us.

Okay. What about working as a bartender in gay bar? Would you do that? That's pretty mundane and legal. Or how about as a salesperson in a porn shop? That's legal and there's probably one not far from where most people live. What about selling pot in a dispensary or working for a distributer processing weed. It's legal in a lot of places. Do you think you could be a good witness for Christ in any of these occupations? Would you be okay with it because it's just your job?

No to all of them. I'd put porn sales at the top of the no way list of those jobs, and maybe gay bar second, from a theological perspective, and probably put gay bar at the top of the no way list from a personal perspective.

I wouldn't want to be a bartender, but if people just came and drank a little, it wouldn't be as big of an issue, if someone else wanted to do it. I don't have a problem with serving people in the service industry no matter what their sexual sins, especially if they are unbelievers, but if the bar is set up branded to promote sexual immorality, that is another issue.

Even when I was a classic rock loving teenager back in the late 70s, Alice Cooper was too over the top for me. His lyrics and antics on stage were dark and negative, and I didn't know much about Christianity back then. If I knew he was a "Christian," I probably would have avoided that lifestyle at all costs. I'm not sure where he is at in his relationship with Christ today (if he's ever really had one...), but he was an all out hypocrite saying he was a Christian and then spewing out satanic songs and performances during concerts back then. Setting a poor example doesn't come close to capturing his craziness.

I'm with you. I have always pursued work that is ethical where I can glorify God and be a light to others in my work. I make it very clear in the objective section of my resume that I will only work for ethical people/companies. If you are treating your employees poorly, cheating suppliers and customers, then don't even contact me.

I've had to make some tough decisions throughout my career that have skated close to and probably even over the line of ethics (none of us are perfect and sometimes we learn best through making mistakes). But, I've always tried to do what is right in line with my conscience and faith perspective. Thankfully, I've only had to resign from a couple of companies because I was ordered to do something unethical/illegal.

lol, that's good. No sense wasting everyone's time.

I know a woman who worked at a strip club as a bartender accepted Christ. She asked the Lord if she should leave but she felt she should stay. For 5 years after her conversion she stayed and ministered to the young women who worked there until the Lord released her from that place. She remains friends with many of the women who made it out of that industry.

She saw it as a Joseph over Egypt arrangement, where Joseph was given authority over people who were polytheists yet, because of God's mercy, many lives were saved in the time of famine.

Nope. Not even a little.

1 Cor 10~~23All things are permitted, but not all things are of benefit. All things are permitted, but not all things build people up.

I am not to judge these people. Many people have to go through experiences(that we disagree with) to get them to a place God wants them. Maybe it was a "bad" experience that brought them to a good place. God can use our bad choices and bad experiences to His advantage.

A believer that teaches loss of salvation or that God elects/predestines people to salvation is doing WAY more damage to their witness for Christ then a believer who works at a gay bar.