Atheist wrote:

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Do you think they would hire a scientist if she were an atheist?  What kind of questions do they ask during interviews?  I figure that religion shouldn't enter or be an issue in a science class.

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Boston College, Villanova, Wake Forest, Notre Dame, Marquette, Holy Cross, Yeshiva, St. Olaf, Brigham Young... Many private universities have at least an original religious affiliation in their history.

The bigger issue may be the difference between public and private universities.  Sometimes the discussion on this website seems geared toward positioning USM against small, liberal arts colleges.  I'm a graduate of a small, liberal arts college and loved the experience.  However, the mission of USM is vastly different, as is the tuition. 

Athesit wrote:

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Wish you were here wrote:
Atheist wrote:
...All of the institutions you mention are well know and highly respected.  I doubt if they would ask about religious affiliations during employment interviews, but I'm ignorant on this and don't know this to be true. 

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Atheist wrote:

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Several years ago, I applied to Baylor (for a science faculty position) and they sent me a form that asked for a statement of faith. Thanks for this useful information, It Happens.  I would appreciate this info on other church related institutions.

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I interviewed at Villanova about 12 years ago, and they were definitely protective of the doctrine (and I don't mean basketball). St. Joe's, down the road, where I taught part time, seemed less so. I visited Catholic U, and they struggled a bit with some of these issues; but, good research on both suicide and gay and lesbian issues (not related, of course) were being conducted there. I visited Duke, and you can see some vestiges of prayer to the god of tobbacky (heck of a campus chapel, though--listened to a wonderful organ recital while I was there).

What may surprise you is that I have found some of the religious practices at good old USM and its environs much more interesting from an anthropological perspective (and somewhat disturbing). My first graduation here opened with a prayer by a fire and brimstone type--after we were first asked to remove our hats and bow our heads in prayer to our Lord and saviour Christ Jesus. In my religion of origin, one does the deed with one's head covered, and it is usually not done in a mildewed basketball arena of a state university. Eventually, the local Rabbi took his turn at USM, which was probably just a twist on a common theme for most folks here anyway.

During my time here observing the graduation customs of the locals, two politico graduation speakers (a former and current governor) invoked the name of the most holy of holies so many times that I thought we would all be struck down for consorting with such blatent blasphemers. Recitation of the Lord's Prayer at the local public high school as a lead in to kick off time was also a strange local custom to observe. For that team, Psalm 23:4 might have been more appropriate anyway.    

Atheist, if you survived the false god of self-enriching economic development and the Elmer Gantry style of pandering to the locals endemic here, you will not find places like Georgetown a challenge at all. Most believers in mainstream academic circles are merely seeking to enrich their own lives, and not to meddle in yours. Shalom, and best of luck in your search.  

Ex-Baptist wrote:

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... But since these schools aren't supported by public money, can't they demand certain things from their faculty and staff?

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Googler wrote:

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Atheist wrote: I was asking if it was common practice, and if William Carey asked these personal questions during employment interviews. Here's a sampling of what William Carey asks on its employment applications (available online at WCC's website): Faculty application: Social Security Number Place and Date of Birth Marital Status Next of Kin Your Minister's Name Name and Address of Your Church List Church Work You Have Done List Community or Civic Service You Have Done Include a Recent Photo of Yourself Staff application: Date of Birth Marital Status Name of Spouse Name of Church Church Address List Extracurricular Activities in Which You Are Engaged List Church and Civic Work You Have Performed

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irregular response wrote:

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Googler wrote: Atheist wrote: I was asking if it was common practice, and if William Carey asked these personal questions during employment interviews. Here's a sampling of what William Carey asks on its employment applications (available online at WCC's website): Faculty application: Social Security Number Place and Date of Birth Marital Status Next of Kin Your Minister's Name Name and Address of Your Church List Church Work You Have Done List Community or Civic Service You Have Done Include a Recent Photo of Yourself Staff application: Date of Birth Marital Status Name of Spouse Name of Church Church Address List Extracurricular Activities in Which You Are Engaged List Church and Civic Work You Have Performed I believe the same questions were asked of me when I interviewed at Southern

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Cary has the right to ask whatever questions it wishes. On the other hand, when I applied to Southern, I certainly was NOT asked many of these questions (re anything having to do with my religious or social practices or affiliations.)