Employment Moral Dilemna?

[Greg_McPherran]

Hello,

I am a Catholic and a software engineer. My family needs income badly as we have a family of five and a house, and we have had hardly any income for five months.

I have an interview with a company that seems very interested in me. They develop internet advertising software. Their technology is used by other advertising company(s). I noticed that their main customer advertises for many companies like Fox, Priceline, NBC but also for an internet dating service that solicits dating for hetero and homo sexuals. The dating service supports the idea of unmarried sex and they advertise condoms.

Should I avoid the job working on the advertising software? I could wait for another job and I don’t think it would be too much longer but I don’t know for sure. We are in deep financial need and I do need the work plus this business could be a growth opportunity.

Any advice appreciated.

Thank You

 

[darcee]

Greg_McPherran:

Hello,

I am a Catholic and a software engineer. My family needs income badly as we have a family of five and a house, and we have had hardly any income for five months.

I have an interview with a company that seems very interested in me. They develop internet advertising software. Their technology is used by other advertising company(s). I noticed that their main customer advertises for many companies like Fox, Priceline, NBC but also for an internet dating service that solicits dating for hetero and homo sexuals. The dating service supports the idea of unmarried sex and they advertise condoms.

If you were a farmer would you refuse to sell your prodcue a a farmers market if someone owning a gay bar might come in and buy it? If you were a machinist would you quit if your company began making parts for handguns?

From what you are telling us you wouldn’t be doing anything directly to support these activities… what happens after the code leaves your hands is for others to decide.

-D

 

[arso347]

I agree with Darcee. It would be different if you worked for the internet dating service itself, or a company that existed solely to provide services to this company, but there is nothing, that I can tell, wrong with working for the company you mentioned.

By the same logic, it would be wrong to work for Dell, or Gateway, or whatever company the dating service purchased their hardware from. It would be wrong to work for whatever company designed the building the dating service headquarters in, and wrong to work for the company that poured the foundation, or sold the land, or. . .

It is extremely admirable, however, to have concerns over the morality of the business the company conducts. If only more people would take this into consideration our world would be a different place.

 

[Faithful_2_Rome]

Until and unless they come to you and tell you that you need to work on software related DIRECTLY to anything promoting anti catholic teachings…TAKE THE JOB and DONT FEEL GUILTY AT ALL.

Dont even bring up your feelings in the interview! Cross THAT bridge with the Lord if it ever even happens!

Ask the Lord to keep you away from anything in the company that would put you in a position in which your talents would possibly go against his wishes.

Good Luck in getting the Job!

 

[Greg_McPherran]

Thank you all Darcee, arso, and Faithful2Rome, so very much for your thoughtful responses and encouragement.

 

[Almeria]

I agree with the others. The product that you’re making is morally neutral–it can be used for good, or for bad. I think you’re fine to take the job for now. I would keep looking on the side for a better opportunity, though, since you may be happier elsewhere.