You are correct. before Jesus, there were no Christians; And before Mohammad, there were no Muslims.

Terilyn, I'm sure you know but I feel like I need to tell you that we can see your full name and where you live in your picture. Just want to make sure you're ok with that!

Why would a carpenter have to share the values of his employer? That is the craziest thing I ever heard. Actually, I'm not religious but the two contractors who worked on my house over the years are very right-wing Christians , the total opposite of me. Why would I care? (except one of them played Rush L on his radio...lol). Actually one of these guys wasn't as honest as maybe he should have been being such a Christian.

I'm not sure how a person can say "I'm not discriminating" in one breath and "But I'd prefer a Christian" in the next. Not only discriminating but not the sharpest tool in the shed either.

I would have been willing to give her a pass at first, hoping that she was trying to say what lindaoh said above. Seeking honest, dependable , etc.

But when she responded "I'm not discriminating. I just prefer Christians." Uh, isn't that the very definition of discriminating?

It's been my experience that the ones that say "Oh look at me, I'm an honest 'Christian'" are the ones you better watch out for.

After having a guy working for us on the house, a few years ago, who stole 8,000 dollars from us, I can almost see wanting a "Christian" handyman. I tend to believe, someone used that term, wanting someone honest, and thinking a Christian would be honest. However, you can't be sure about honesty....better to check references.

Which we did, by the way. The guy came highly recommended by my best friend, and he had completely remodeled their house. He was her husband's best friend.

However, it didn't work out so well for us.

And "Christians" can't be crooks?

Sun Myung Moon

David Koresh

Jim Jones

Father Couglin

Fred Phelps, Sr.

and any number of pedophiles in many denominations

Our house was burgled by a Christian - in church every time the doors were open, guest-preaching.

My cousin is a born-again Christian who drinks, smokes, drives drunk.

My neighbor is a born-again Christian who hates black people.

As an atheist (that does NOT mean I worship Satan, as so many think it means - it means I believe in NO supreme being, pure-and-simple), it makes me laugh to think someone would assume a Christian is a good person and won't steal...

A friend of mine rented her vacation house to her mother's pastor (it was kind of an odd little church full of people in recovery). The picture over her sofa was missing afterwards. Gone, right off the wall. Gone, poof!

It's been my experience that many who refer to themselves as "Christians" display very unChristian-like attitudes, including intolerance for anything that deviates from their beliefs.

The ONLY criteria I would consider when hiring a handyman or any other household worker would be their ability to do the job properly and efficiently and their honesty. And both should be pretty easy to check.

Well, maybe the person posting that thought that by getting a "Christian" worker they would get someone with decent values like honesty. Or maybe not, maybe they are bigoted.

Ludicrous, Christian is just a word to define a religious belief, it can't possibly define who and what the person is in their own mind. No one can put a name on another as we're each individual and complicated. Thus there are creative, kind and loving people and monsters who destroy and prey on others. I feel the poor woman looking for help just wanted someone decent (in her mindset)

It's funny in a way that the conduct, over-zealousness and hypocrisy of some members of some of these sects have corrupted, in an unintended way, the very terms they wished to adhere to. Also ironic that many are the very people who speak out loudly about rigid religious fundamentalism of the Islamic kind without looking in mirrors to see that they're sometimes also describing themselves.

I am glad that you called her out on it. But, we really do not know her backstory or who she is or what her experiences have been.

It wouldn't be something I would do, but.......

Many it's not a 'handyman' she's looking for? hahaha

While my late MIL was a hospital administrator she did a lot of hiring. Job applicant recommendations from members of the clergy went directly to the 'round file'. "Completely worthless," was her judgement.

So when their papers got to her the Day of Judgment had arrived.

I can understand Christian Singles. That's aiming for a life-long relationship with some spiritual commonalities together.

But Christian Handyman? Boggles the brain. I've known wonderful workers who were Christian, I've known horrid workers who were Christian. I've known wonderful workers who were Jewish, Pagan, atheist, and so forth. And again, those who were not so wonderful.

Um, I'm one of those Pagans, btw. I'm actually not offended, but I wonder about her sense of priorities. You want something fixed, or do you want to be in a room praying together or something? Mebbe that the tap stops leaking, rather than actually doing something to fix it?

When I needed a handyman, I'd ask a friend for a referral. Worked every time for me.

I remember one time I was advertising for a roommate. These were the days when one placed an ad with a phone number. Someone called, asking me if I were Christian. Now, for many people in the United States, Christian means someone who subscribes to some variants of evangelical or fundamentalist theologies. So, I got the feeling he was asking if I were born again, accepted Jesus as my personal Savior, and that the Bible is the literal word of G*d. I said no, not in the sense you might think it. I at that time was Catholic. Some of the more extreme fundamentalists think Catholics are not Christian. There is a long history of anti-Catholicism in United States culture, especially since Foxe's Book of Martyrs as well as Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progess were reading staples in the United States for a long time. By the way, I am no longer Catholic. I will be converting to Reform Judaism. And yes, Jesus was Jewish. And probably a Pharisee, as he interpreted the Torah orally.

Chi, what do you see in Terilyn's picture that I can't. I just see her standing in what looks to be her hallway.

As far as Christians being righteous, etc, there was a man years ago who ran a big ponzi scheme and bilked a lot of money from people. He always proclaimed himself to be Christian, so that people would invest with him. Darned if I can think of his name or the name of the company.

jasdip, you could be describing any of the "phonies" that have come and gone as televangelists or who run the many megachurches that are around. Among the more infamous who paved the way for others to follow were Jim Bakker and his ridiculous wife, Jimmy Swaggart, Robert Tilton, Pat Robertson, and on and on. And people never learn from these incidents.

Jasdip, she took it down. Was it Bernie Madoff you were thinking of?

Jasdip, she initially had a picture of the post showing full name and location, but she took it down, like rita said. :)

You know, she may have grown up in an area where there were no Jews, Muslims, nor folks who identify vocally as agnostic or atheist. I'm suggesting this, because I grew up in such a place. Once you are accustomed to speaking in a certain way, it is difficult to change your habits. I still say, "You guys", whether I'm speaking to all males or not.

I grew up pretty much like that too. Nothing hateful against other people. Just where we happened to live. But then I realized the world is bigger than me, full of all kinds of people who are different than me....different skin color, religious beliefs, political views, people who don't like chocolate. : ) but seriously, there comes a point where you just gotta let things go. I'm blessed by all the diversity in my life now. There are good and bad in EVERY race, EVERY religion, EVERY political party. Except for chocolate haters....how can you not like chocolate??? Lol!!

You grew up somewhere where there was no Golden Rule nor exposure to the broader outside world?

Scott.....you must visit the birthplace of Reform Judaism, Kahal kadosh beth elohim, in Charleston, SC.

Just checking, Elmer, who are you asking that of?

The Bible waving religious wackos are the biggest hypocrites one can find. And take a look at any political campaign for the hypocrites to glow in the dark. When they need to gain votes in the Bible Belt they talk much differently than they do when they're hiding their income tax returns. And the funniest part? The religious wackos eat it up and fall for the malarkey. Percentage-wise, I find far more intelligent and reputable people in the agnostic to atheist groups than in the church-goers.

If the person wants a religious person, fine. It's their option. But they'd better not complain to me if they get ripped off. I'd laugh in their face if they did.

RitaMay, my late FIL didn't care for chocolate and he was overall an intelligent, kind, and good person -- so there are exceptions to every rule. I know we're kidding (mostly!).

I hope the original (Nextdoor website) offender was jostled out of her bubble. If she thought she was doing Christianity a favor, well, not so much.

Elmer Fudd, if you are speaking to me, of course I grew up where the Golden Rule existed. All the lady asked for was a Christian handyman. How, in your opinion does the Golden Rule have anything to do with it?

I grew up in the middle of nowhere. I wasn't exposed to the outside world very often. Our town was 450 people, in the middle of farmland and oil fields in southern Illinois. I didn't even meet a black person until I got married and left home. This is pre-cable TV. We got two, sometimes three channels on our black and white TV. No fast food restaurants, no shopping centers, no malls. Just miles of corn, soybean and wheat fields.

I know what you mean, Terilyn. We live in a time where we are walking on eggshells with what we are or are not allowed to say. Thank goodness the "word police" are not in my LR and DH and I can speak 100% freely.

jeane, sorry, if my comment isn't clear, read what others have said on this topic. Being in a small town doesn't justify ignorance or being disrespectful of others, nor "speaking in a certain way".

Elizabeth, do you expect people to speak to you and about you respectfully but you don't think it's necessary to do the same yourself?

I think it's funny that all of you that say you are so tolerant are doing exactly what you say others shouldn't. Bashing Christians is the new thing these days. But then again the Bible said this would happen. If we are to be tolerant of ALL religions that INCLUDES Christianity.

If someone of any other religion was asking this same question it would be perfectly ok. If this woman wants to hire a Christian that's her business. And yes there are a lot of people that claim to be Christian but don't act like it. Christians are not perfect (even those that claim to be). If you truly have God in your heart you steer clear of these behaviors that some of you mentioned above. These mega churches are about greed. There is a certain "preacher" that was in the news recently for his unchristian behavior after a certain natural disaster. He has greed in his heart not God. This man hardly ever opens his bible during services. These are not the people to look up to. These are wolves in sheep's clothing.

There are "wackos" and extremists in all religions not just Christianity. We should not base our views of these religions or the people that follow them based off these few, correct?

Thanks for the answer regarding Terilyn's picture. I thought it was a 'hidden creature' post ;-)

No it isn't Bernie Madoff that I'm referring to. It's a fellow who held seminars in parts of my province and recruited many people to invest with him.

"I think it's funny that all of you that say you are so tolerant are doing exactly what you say others shouldn't. Bashing Christians is the new thing these days. But then again the Bible said this would happen. If we are to be tolerant of ALL religions that INCLUDES Christianity."

I'm not sure how you came to this conclusion.......most of the responses agree that religion should play no part in any hiring practice and were not bashing anything.

"If someone of any other religion was asking this same question it would be perfectly ok"

Absolutely not!! Unless you are hiring for a clerical (meaning religious) position, no religious questions or affiliations should be part of the process at all. What anyone's spiritual beliefs are are their own business....not anyone else's......and should have no bearing on their ability to do the job.

Personally, I find any reference to a religion in this context proselytizing and borderline offensive. And I consider myself to be a deeply spiritual person but not a member of any formalized religion.

I don't have a problem with Christians. I have a problem with anyone who spews hatred for people who are a different religion. Or who pick and choose their scriptures to demonize others. It's the most anti-Christ's teachings situation ever and the hypocrisy is frustrating. Most Christians are not like this. Unfortunately it's the ones who are who tend to be the loudest and get the most negative attention.

I think it's okay to use your pocketbook to support your chosen sub-community, but do so respectfully. Insulting others will backfire.

All this outrage, and yet in the "Kitchen" forum, Amish cabinet builders are often recommended, the idea being that if they're Amish, they are honest, hardworking and gifted craftsmen. I assume there are cabinet builders of ALL faiths and persuasions that might meet that criteria. But the Amish are most likely not ALL that way.

So, where is your outrage when people recommend Amish cabinet builders over Baptist, Catholic, Hindu, Muslim, atheists ones?

Well, I had one person slam me, a Christian handyman. Told me I obviously wasn't a Christian. Others have taken over the conversation, he just keeps stirring the pot. I guess he needs the work from her. No other people have offered to do the job. God and I are fine.

I had a guy, through a Facebook connection, come to quote some work on my house and I decided to hire him. While on the phone trying to figure out how to get money to him via a gift card to Lowe's, he was making it difficult by insisting on cash. My friend asked me his name while I was talking to him trying to sort through the mess and she googled him. He is awaiting trial with 14 felony offenses, all for aggravated burglary, one over $10,000! I looked on his Facebook page and there is post after post of Bible verses, and I have no doubt that he considers himself a good Christian.

I worked for an electronics company 17 years ago. The woman who was in my office (they hired me for the admin job, her for the cashier job but the store manager mixed us up!), introduced me by saying, "Hi! I'm Leanne. I'm a Christian and I don't lie". Didn't trust a word that came out of her mouth after that. BTW, when I asked her not to tell the store manager I was going for a job interview because he put me in the wrong position, she promised to not say a word. But before my foot left the store, she was in his office telling him I was going for a job interview.

jae_tn2 he also may have put all that stuff so people would trust him.

That's obvious, Hareball.

Equating religion with goodness, it is not always so.

Hareball, he might be but the sheriff tells me he isn't to be trusted at all. His history has been to do work while he is casing the places looking for things to come back to steal. In one house, over a period of 4 days, he managed to unbolt a wall safe and steal contents worth over $10,000! He walked all over my whole house, inside and out!

Jae_tn2, I had a similar experience. Had a guy recommended by someone at church; supposedly he was helping young people get job skills and stay off the streets by employing them to work with him. Not only did he do shoddy work, and found ways to jack up the bill, but I discovered my wedding band was gone after they were done -- but had no evidence to link him or his helper to the theft that the police could use.

Perhaps also true of the person who advertised, I was at the time rather naïve and thought I would be more likely to get someone with integrity through the church connection.

Now I think I'm unlikely to get someone with integrity and appropriate skills no matter if religious or atheist or agnostic.

I loved the work of the Monty Python group. Too many favorites to list but this one is good, also the Argument sketch and two scenes from Holy Grail - the Black Knight scene and the one with the Frenchman on the castle parapet taunting the Englishmen below.

rare, I also had a caregiver steal a lot of jewelry and other stuff from my bedroom several years ago. It took a while after she left for me to discover that there were missing items...too late to go to the police and she was long gone having been replaced by the agency that sent caregivers here. She also talked about church and was so "kind" as to treat me to lunch every Friday when she came. I can only hope she was caught later on doing the same thing, which I'm sure she did, at other homes,