Discrimination at ICU (International Christian University)?

[Burakumin]

I've heard that ICU has a truly "functional tenure review process" that qualifies it for a certain "Greenlist" of J-universities. That's great. But this place also insists that all new hires be Christian. I mean, you can't just say you have a "Christian heart" or that you "go to church on Easter and Christmas." No, you really have to worship Jesus Christ and be able to prove it to get a job there. Isn't this discrimination?

[Danger Man]

I've heard that ICU has a truly "functional tenure review process" that qualifies it for a certain "Greenlist" of J-universities. That's great. But this place also insists that all new hires be Christian. I mean, you can't just say you have a "Christian heart" or that you "go to church on Easter and Christmas." No, you really have to worship Jesus Christ and be able to prove it to get a job there. Isn't this discrimination?

Oh boo f/ucking hoo.

Most Japanese colleges only want North Americans as their pet gaijin. Don't see anybody marching in the streets protesting about that kind of 'discrimination'.

[.ημ.]

I've heard that ICU has a truly "functional tenure review process" that qualifies it for a certain "Greenlist" of J-universities. That's great. But this place also insists that all new hires be Christian. I mean, you can't just say you have a "Christian heart" or that you "go to church on Easter and Christmas." No, you really have to worship Jesus Christ and be able to prove it to get a job there. Isn't this discrimination?

No, it probably wouldn't count as that. It is, after all, a Christian University. That's what the the C in ICU stands for.

But, rumour has it that condition is not applicable to real academics. I guess they got tired of hiring skivey English Teachers who demoralised and depraved their staff and students.

Danger Man, care to share?

[Danger Man]

No, it probably wouldn't count as that. It is, after all, a Christian University. That's what the the C in ICU stands for.

But, rumour has it that condition is not applicable to real academics. I guess they got tired of hiring skivey English Teachers who demoralised and depraved their staff and students.

Danger Man, care to share?

I never worked at ICU but I know some who did.

Seemed a VERY anal place, by all accounts. Not bad pay but little chance to mess about.

[.ημ.]

I never worked at ICU but I know some who did.

Seemed a VERY anal place, by all accounts. Not bad pay but little chance to mess about.

I was offered a job there. I could hardly keep from laughing as I politely made excuses and ran for the bar.

How can one possibly be an anthropologist at a Christian University? That would be like being a capitalist in the Politburo.

[Burakumin]

I was offered a job there. I could hardly keep from laughing as I politely made excuses and ran for the bar.

If you were offered a job there, doesn't that mean that you applied for a job there? Why would you do that?

[menelmacar]

It is, after all, a Christian University. That's what the the C in ICU stands for.

Actually, I believe "Christian University" is represented by both a C and a U!

To the OP. It's not dicriminatory at all. It's obviously part of the job description to be a Christian. Imagine a man trying to get a job in a hostess bar!!! If they're being upfront about it then it's all good!!!

[.ημ.]

Actually, I believe "Christian University" is represented by both a C and a U!!!!

May the leprechauns of Blarney smile upon ye!

To the OP. It's not dicriminatory at all. It's obviously part of the job description to be a Christian. Imagine a man trying to get a job in a hostess bar!!! If they're being upfront about it then it's all good!!!

Yup. Nice summary.

If you were offered a job there, doesn't that mean that you applied for a job there? Why would you do that?

No, it doesn't. That is not how it works most of the time

But to answer the second question, out of charity??

[menelmacar]

May the leprechauns of Blarney smile upon ye!



Yup. Nice summary

Thanking you on all points of the compass and even some that aren't on it!!!
When are you back in your "real" form? We miss you!

[havill]

I've heard that ICU has a truly "functional tenure review process" that qualifies it for a certain "Greenlist" of J-universities. That's great. But this place also insists that all new hires be Christian. I mean, you can't just say you have a "Christian heart" or that you "go to church on Easter and Christmas." No, you really have to worship Jesus Christ and be able to prove it to get a job there. Isn't this discrimination?

While the JP constitution has articles similar to the US freedom of religion and separation of church and state, I do know that if this was a US case, you are allowed to discriminate against religion (on the basis of the right to religious freedom) so long as you're not receiving government money (as that would be violating separation of church and state) and the mission of the organization in question is religious in nature.

The case regarding the above is complicated and you could argue for years about it, but the above is the "10 second executive summary."

Many U.S. religious orgs hate the US status quo b/c they want to have their cake and eat it too: they want government money AND the right to discriminate.

Anyway, as an American, as long as ICU isn't getting government handouts (my taxes), I don't have a problem with it.

[caramellocap]

To Burakumin - why the hell would you want to work there?

If that's an issue for you, then clearly you wouldn't be suited to working in that kind of environment.

Judging by what I have heard the said uni would also discriminate against Catholics because apparently they aren't Christian according to the anal, more fundamentalistically inclined, or straightjacketed supposedly 'mainstream' Christians like Baptists or Presbyterians.

It's a bit like Debbito agitating that private little Japanese bars that specialise in sleaze for a set clientele stop putting up their signs of "No Japanese". I support much of Debbito's work but here I differ.

Think of your own attitude in the same way - except you'd be agitating to work with joyless puritans who'd expect you to attend church services at or outside work. Why would you want that?

[.ημ.]

Think of your own attitude in the same way - except you'd be agitating to work with joyless puritans who'd expect you to attend church services at or outside work. Why would you want that?

That's why I gritted back the guffaws of laughter and politely declined.

I claimed that the move to Tokyo was impractical for Personal Reasons (I omitted the actual reason, which is that I hate being around declared Christians; they thought i meant domestic or romantic reasons).

Which is not to say that i hate Christians; simply that anyone so unsure of their own faith that they need to shill it to me is not the sort of person with whom I wish to anthropologise.

Having said that, as arm's length colleagues, the ICU faculty I have met are genuinely open minded and progressive about anything not concerned with sex, drugs, and Rock & Roll. But on those topics they turn into ignorant trolls.

But, like i said, the idea of Appropriately Religious Anthropology makes my blood curdle. Anthropology should Revere nothing but Irreverence.

So I said No Thanks.

[Danger Man]

Looks like I'll have to change 'danger' to 'invisible' on this thread.

Once again...considering the 'white male North American' bias that the majority of Japanese colleges have, it is amazing that somebody gets upset because ONE college is pro-Christian.

I've never heard any 'white male American' teacher claim, let only realise, there is an American bias in Japan as clearly that wouldn't be 'discrimination' as 'discrimination' is when the whitey feels left out.

Strange thread, as ICU isn't even the only college in Japan with a religious 'bias'.

[.ημ.]

Looks like I'll have to change 'danger' to 'invisible' on this thread.

Once again...considering the 'white male North American' bias that the majority of Japanese colleges have, it is amazing that somebody gets upset because ONE college is pro-Christian.

I've never heard any 'white male American' teacher claim, let only realise, there is an American bias in Japan as clearly that wouldn't be 'discrimination' as 'discrimination' is when the whitey feels left out.

Strange thread, as ICU is even the only college in Japan with a religious 'bias'.

Other CUs also demand similar statements of faith, or whatever they're called.

But other than that, yup. I was told once that I might have a hard time in the job search because they would fear that I spoke English with a French accent.

If that were a problem, surely they must pale at the sound of most American accents.................


fuel on the fire, then Run Run Run...........................

[Breetai]

How can one possibly be an anthropologist at a Christian University? That would be like being a capitalist in the Politburo.

You are aware that not every Christian is a fundamentalist from the south of the US, aren't you?

Or, maybe ICU is the type of place where they teach that dinosaur bones were put here to test our faith...