Name three professions that you view with the utmost respect

[Locut0s]

Originally posted by: RapidSnail

Originally posted by: Locut0s

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: Locut0s

Originally posted by: ed21x
1. Soldiers
2. Missionaries

#2 would be on my list of jobs I least respect.

Yeah, those assholes building homes, schools, irrigation systems, etc for the ultra-poor are teh suck!

See my list above. (#1 Doctors working for Médecins Sans Frontières and other such organizations ) Those are exactly the types of people I respect most. Only I respect those who don't have an ulterior motive. Religion has caused enough problems in the world as it is. You don't need to be religious to help out those in need. Trying to convert those who are the most desperate and in the most dire situations is exploitative.

And you know what? Government, law, and politics have caused as many problems and more death than religion has in modern history. Let's discredit the good few in those areas who have worked to better mankind. Better yet, let's ban organized systems of state because they've caused so much strife. You don't need to be religious to help out those in need? That's as irrelevent as "you don't need to be American to help out those in need."

You know what as well? Missionaries are better people than almost all of us here. They realize that human life is the most precious thing we have, and they strive very hard to better conditions for people in countless countries across the globe. God is something that many of the natives of these places find very comforting because it gives them hope to live. So next time you take a mindless pot shot at a thing because of your brainless interpretation of religion, why don't you go spend the next few years of your life in Nigeria giving all you have in the name of Academia.

Ok we aren't going to be able to see eye to eye on this one I can see that. I in fact do respect the work that missionaries do I just don't respect the reason they do it. I am an atheist personally and don't like the idea of others trying to convert people to their religion. It is not the same thing as saying you don't need to be American to help those in need because Americans who help out those in need are no different than anyone else who helps out those in need. Conversion is one of the prime objectives of missionaries on the other hand.

 

[imported_Imp]

Doctor
Fire Fighter
Soldier

Can add police as fourth or tie with second. They're in there.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Locut0s
Ok we aren't going to be able to see eye to eye on this one I can see that. I in fact do respect the work that missionaries do I just don't respect the reason they do it. I am an atheist personally and don't like the idea of others trying to convert people to their religion. It is not the same thing as saying you don't need to be American to help those in need because Americans who help out those in need are no different than anyone else who helps out those in need. Conversion is one of the prime objectives of missionaries on the other hand.

So? They aren't trying to convert others because it earns them a gold star in heaven. They are trying to convert others because they honestly believe that it is the best thing for them. ALL humanitarians operate on this exact premise. Now, some are overzealous in their work--denying medical care for non-converts is despicable in my mind--but secular humanitarians have fallen into similar traps when it comes to thinking that they know what's "best" for others.

Back in the day, some Indians actually resented humanitarian efforts for the lower castes, because it was their "place" to suffer, and relieving that suffering only meant that they'd have to spend more cycles of reincarnation in lower castes, thus doing them a disservice. Do you find those humanitarians to be on the list of people you "least respect" as well?

 

[sash1]

Teachers
FireFighters
Armed Forces (army/navy/etc)

 

[JJChicken]

My 3 are hookers, IT support dudes and doctors.

Originally posted by: compuwiz1
Actually, I think the respect comes from the way one goes about their profession or life, not necessarily what they do for a living.

QFT

 

[Tiamat]

1. Public safety (Police, Emergency/Medical)
2. Armed Forces (Air Force, Navy, Army, etc.)
3. Machinists (They can make anything, usually have a good eye for last-minute design improvements)

 

[Praxis1452]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: Locut0s
Ok we aren't going to be able to see eye to eye on this one I can see that. I in fact do respect the work that missionaries do I just don't respect the reason they do it. I am an atheist personally and don't like the idea of others trying to convert people to their religion. It is not the same thing as saying you don't need to be American to help those in need because Americans who help out those in need are no different than anyone else who helps out those in need. Conversion is one of the prime objectives of missionaries on the other hand.

So? They aren't trying to convert others because it earns them a gold star in heaven. They are trying to convert others because they honestly believe that it is the best thing for them. ALL humanitarians operate on this exact premise. Now, some are overzealous in their work--denying medical care for non-converts is despicable in my mind--but secular humanitarians have fallen into similar traps when it comes to thinking that they know what's "best" for others.

Back in the day, some Indians actually resented humanitarian efforts for the lower castes, because it was their "place" to suffer, and relieving that suffering only meant that they'd have to spend more cycles of reincarnation in lower castes, thus doing them a disservice. Do you find those humanitarians to be on the list of people you "least respect" as well?

lol... Good intentions are all mistaken. Every last one. Every action is for the self. I often helping people whether it be with work or something else but I don't misguide myself believing that I'm just SUCH A WONDERFUL PERSON for doing these things. When I do them I feel good and they benefit as well. It's good for both people. I have no problem with missionaries who view it as an exchange. They do goodwill towards the people and hope that they become X religion or share their views. We all try to convert people towards our views.: any time an argument occurs it happens. It's part of life. Whether it be subtler or not it makes no difference to me.

I do not say however that the people don't honestly believe in their selflessness. They do and that's why they are wrong.

In response to the Indians you used religion as a counter to religion? huh? Sure makes sense. Why doesn't everyone believe in heaven etc if it makes them feel better?

So what do I actually disagree with? I disagree with the idea that the missionaries are pure in their actions and that they misguide themselves when doing so, which happens to include almost all of them.

edit: I commented so much that I totally forgot the topic haha. I don't think a general profession is a good way to judge at all. What professions do I think would be awesome though?

1) Philosophy - Academia
2) Comedian
3) Artists - all types I think. If your incredibly good at something your and have dedicated yourself to that aspect I think it's awesome.

 

[Lurknomore]

Farmers- my god, no one mentioned them?
Utility and infrastructure maintenance- sewage, brides, tunnels, electrical lines.
Dentists- absolutely invaluable service.

 

[miketheidiot]

1) academics/intellectuals
2) artists
3) lawyers

 

[Locut0s]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: Locut0s
Ok we aren't going to be able to see eye to eye on this one I can see that. I in fact do respect the work that missionaries do I just don't respect the reason they do it. I am an atheist personally and don't like the idea of others trying to convert people to their religion. It is not the same thing as saying you don't need to be American to help those in need because Americans who help out those in need are no different than anyone else who helps out those in need. Conversion is one of the prime objectives of missionaries on the other hand.

So? They aren't trying to convert others because it earns them a gold star in heaven. They are trying to convert others because they honestly believe that it is the best thing for them. ALL humanitarians operate on this exact premise. Now, some are overzealous in their work--denying medical care for non-converts is despicable in my mind--but secular humanitarians have fallen into similar traps when it comes to thinking that they know what's "best" for others.

Back in the day, some Indians actually resented humanitarian efforts for the lower castes, because it was their "place" to suffer, and relieving that suffering only meant that they'd have to spend more cycles of reincarnation in lower castes, thus doing them a disservice. Do you find those humanitarians to be on the list of people you "least respect" as well?

No I would not consider those humanitarians to be less respectful. Like I was saying before I think all religion is harmful to some degree. again let me reiterate I don't disrespect the work the missionaries do but the reasons they do it. Given the option of no humanitarian work or missionary work I would chose to have the missionaries doing their work I would much rather see secularist organizations though. Your argument about Indian casts is a red herring though. It sounds nice to say 'see even some religious organizations practice anti humanitarian activities' and try to turn the argument on its head however like I was saying it's not the humanitarian activities that I'm against but having them tied to religion. Which in the case of your argument about Indian casts is the very problem in the first place.

 

[gamepad]

1. Infantry
2. Doctor
3. Stripper

 

[ed21x]

Originally posted by: Oceandevi

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger

Originally posted by: Locut0s

Originally posted by: ed21x
1. Soldiers
2. Missionaries

#2 would be on my list of jobs I least respect.

Yeah, those assholes building homes, schools, irrigation systems, etc for the ultra-poor are teh suck!

Yeah and they don't want anything in return.....

I was a missionary, so maybe I am a bit biased. But in most areas, missionaries are there to help out the poor irregardless of whether the patients are converted or not. Ever heard of Red Cross, World Vision, or Salvation Army? All three are religious, and none of them are pushing their religion on you. The religion of their volunteers is an individual motivation, not to prosletize.

 

[ed21x]

No I would not consider those humanitarians to be less respectful. Like I was saying before I think all religion is harmful to some degree. again let me reiterate I don't disrespect the work the missionaries do but the reasons they do it. Given the option of no humanitarian work or missionary work I would chose to have the missionaries doing their work I would much rather see secularist organizations though.

The problem is, humanitarian organizations that are based on christianity far outnumber secularist organizations. Heck, even the secular organizations are mostly staffed by christians. Not saying only religious people do the work, but the vast majority of them do. For more proof, look up the statistics for members of the Peace Corp.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Originally posted by: Farang
Doctors
Architects
Novelists

Most doctors are spoiled assholes, I work in a hospital so I have first hand experience with that

 

[JulesMaximus]

I can't help but notice that not a single person said politician. :laugh:

 

[trmiv]

My wife is a high school teacher, so just knowing what she deals with on a daily basis, high school teachers get a lot of respect from me.

Also fire fighters and soldiers

 

[Crono]

Originally posted by: ed21x

No I would not consider those humanitarians to be less respectful. Like I was saying before I think all religion is harmful to some degree. again let me reiterate I don't disrespect the work the missionaries do but the reasons they do it. Given the option of no humanitarian work or missionary work I would chose to have the missionaries doing their work I would much rather see secularist organizations though.

The problem is, humanitarian organizations that are based on christianity far outnumber secularist organizations. Heck, even the secular organizations are mostly staffed by christians. Not saying only religious people do the work, but the vast majority of them do. For more proof, look up the statistics for members of the Peace Corp.

Anyone see the CNN heroes special awards ceremony they had a couple of days ago? I respect those people and their professions.

 

[Rubycon]

Witnesses of Jehovah
Record producers (RIAA)
GWB

 

[Chaotic42]

Soldiers, Firefighters, Police

 

[Special K]

1. Soldier
2. Firefighter
3. Police Officer

EDIT: I didn't even see Chaotic42's post

 

[soydios]

firefighters, medical personel, police officers, armed forces, etc.
in the San Diego fires this year, the firefighters stopped the fire a mile and a half from my house. it got to the point where they just pointed the hoses in the air to cool the embers before they landed, working 40+ hours without sleep. superhuman, if you ask me. earns just about anyone's instant respect.

 

[angminas]

Police
Pastors who actually obey God
Special ed teachers

 

[Howard]

Philosophers
Doctors
Not sure

 

[RESmonkey]

Originally posted by: Locut0s

Originally posted by: ed21x
1. Soldiers
2. Missionaries

#2 would be on my list of jobs I least respect.

QFTMFT.

 

[Regs]

Muscians
Comedians

And of course,

the Armed Forces.