The Devil in Religion

Having grown up in protestant Christian churches and gone to seminary for 2 years, we were taught to believe that the greatest trick the devil (or Satan) ever pulled was to convince people that he didn't exist.

The truth is that the greatest trick the devil ever pulled was making believers do evil in God's name.

A few examples:
- Treating women as property rather than equals.
- Allowing slavery to continue - even today! - for centuries.
- Telling people they'll go to hell - even if they're believers (in any religion) - because they're gay.
- Not treating non-whites as equals.
- Creating a mindset that convinces children they should kill themselves because God hates that they're gay.
- Believing that the US is God's chosen nation and we're better than other nations.
- Wars against MULTIPLE nations, cultures, and peoples.
- Creating a mindset in parents that makes them hate their children because they're gay.
- And you fill in the other blanks...

Generic Job Requirements

Don't these blurbs apply to any one or all individuals who would apply to a job? I wanted to keep this, so that one day when I'm a manager, I could include it in a job description. Then to be a full-blown dick, I'd ask candidates to respond to each one. Then I'd gauge my assessment on their reaction to the question as well as the description lines.

I picked these lines straight out of a job description at the bottom where the requirements are usually listed pertaining to the actual job. This whole section is FULL of corporate jargon and non-committal phrases.

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Experience Required:
Ideal candidate is someone who is detail-oriented, can thrive in a deadline-driven environment, and has strong interpersonal skills. The person be comfortable coordinating efforts across multiple divisions.

Key Behavioral Requirements:

Respect in the Workplace
• Demonstrates integrity and authenticity
• Encourages and facilitates the exchange of ideas
• Fosters an inclusive work environment

Connection & Collaboration
• Communicates and relates effectively
• Promotes and encourages teamwork
• Manages relationships and expectations
• Thinks and solves problems creatively

Makes a Difference
• Takes personal accountability for actions and results
• Is action-oriented rather than reactive
• Takes initiative and goes beyond what is required

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Example questions:
1) How do you encourage and facilitate the exchange of ideas?
2) Share 2-3 examples of when you have taken personal accountability for actions and results.
3) Describe 2 problems you had in the work place and the creativity you used to solve each problems.
4) Define your expectation of "going beyond what is required."

How would those questions go over with you in an interview?

I had some similar questions last week during a phone interview. While getting the questions, I realized where the questions originated: Their experience with other candidates and people on their projects. It's really necessary to think well and quickly on your feet. It's also important to dredge up instances from your past whilst reading through a job description that would address each point because you never know: These things might just come up during an interview - if you get the call for one.

I have to say, though, this particular job description really irritated me. There is no element of job function in this "Experience Required" section. I suppose when not much is required, you'll get candidates who've not given much anyway. They're most likely looking for people right out of college or high school.

An Italian Loan

An Italian walked into a bank in New York City and asked for the loan officer. He told the loan officer that he was going to Italy on business for two weeks. He wanted to borrow $5,000 and let them know that he was not a depositor of the bank.

The bank officer told him that the bank would need some form of security for the loan, so the Italian handed over the keys to a new Ferrari. The car was parked on the street in front of the bank. The Italian produced the title and everything checked out. The loan officer agreed to hold the car as collateral for the loan and apologized for having to charge 12% interest.

Later, the bank's president and its officers all enjoyed a good laugh at the Italian for using a $250,000 Ferrari as collateral for a $5,000 loan. An employee of the bank then drove the Ferrari into the bank's underground garage and parked it.

Two weeks later, the Italian returned, repaid the $5,000 and the interest of $23.07.

The loan officer said, 'Sir, we are very happy to have had your business,and this transaction has worked out very nicely, but we are a little puzzled. While you were away, we checked you out and found that you are a multimillionaire. What puzzles us is, why would you bother to borrow $5,000?'

The Italian replied: 'Minga! Where else in New York City can I park my car for two weeks for only $23.07 and expect it to be there when I return?'

Irish Birth Control

Mrs. Donovan was walking down O'Connell Street in Dublin when she met up with Father Flaherty. The Father said, "Top o' the mornin' to ye! Say, aren't ye Mrs. Donovan and didn't I marry ye and yer hoosband two years ago?"

She replied, "Aye, that ye did, Father."

The Father asked, "And be there any wee ones yet?"

She replied, "No, not yet, Father."

The Father said, "Well now, I'm going to Rome next week and I'll light a candle for ye and yer hoosband."

She replied, "Oh, thank ye, Father."

They then parted ways. Some years later when they met again, the Father asked, "Well now, Mrs. Donovan, how are ye these days?"

She replied, "Oh, very well, Father!"

The Father asked, "And tell me, have ye any wee ones yet?"

She replied, "Oh yes, Father! Two sets of twins and six singles, ten in all!"

The Father said, "That's wonderful! How is yer loving hoosband doing?"

She replied, "E's gone to Rome to blow out yer fookin' candle."