Religious Conflicts

[sithmonkey13]

Although I have never missed a competition day, there have been points throughout the build season over a few years (usually around the last weekend) where I have to argue around allowing time for attending mass (Roman-Catholic). These arguments have gotten intense (to the point of me almost dropping robotics over dropping my religion) and usually end with someone pointing out that the team is formed under a Jesuit-run school, so the members should be allowed time to attend religious services. Although sometimes frustrating to some members (since I am the lead programmer/ team captain), people have admitted that my resolve to not drop my religious convictions when conflicts arise has proven why I am the leader (courageous enough to stand up to the whole team to argue for why I will not be in early on a Sunday, and willing to change my Sunday schedule to attend both mass and robotics).

[gixxy]

Thankfully the one day my Teacher sponsor will not plan a meeting is Sunday, otherwise There would be some conflict. I do not consider Robotics work, not that I stick to that rule in the first place.

In the event we did have a Sunday Meeting. I would go, but not until I went to mass and had communion first. Otherwise I would feel very shamed.

I fully understand your stance, and agree that your beliefs should come first.

My view as an Episcopalian.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Sean Raia

I do not mean to come off as sounding ignorant, but i feel that everyone regardless of religion should be able to justify attending all of the regional.

Im quite frankly shocked that a team requested a surrogate drive team for this reason!

When you're an Orthodox Jew, it's not exactly a choice, to the best of my knowledge. You're resting during that 24-hour period. It kind of depends on exactly how strict you are in observance of the Sabbath, too. I'm out of my depth if I go any farther than that with explanation, so I'll stop there.

Admittedly, I'm a Protestant, and I have been known to miss church services due to traveling home from an away competition.

On the other hand, almost all of 330's students and their families have also been known to show up at the same service at our home church during build season, coming straight from the shop. (Saturday night service, at the time; Sunday morning seemed to be preferred when competing.) Then there was the time when we "dropped in" en masse on a church whose pastor had recently transferred from our home church... before heading home from an away regional.

[TechLizzy16]

I am really enjoying hearing about these different religions and beliefs. I come from a very conservative family that thinks it is a bad idea to meet people of other religions. I disagree because whether you are atheist, adventist, protestant, catholic, or a jew we are all sons and daughters of God. Now some of you may disagree but this is just my opinion. I care for everyone living thing on this earth no matter what happens. I have not been scared to share my faith with my team members and they really appreciate my kindness, caring, sweet spirit.

[lpickett]

I am happy to see there is a strong group of religious people in FIRST. I agree that we need to learn and understand everyone's religious philosophy and respect it. It was great to see other teams helping those in need at regionals and championship, because of their religious beliefs. God would like us to learn tolerance and wisdom in dealing with others. It starts with respecting others philosophies. Stay true to your beliefs.

[MrForbes]

Originally Posted by lpickett

Stay true to your beliefs.

One of my beliefs is that I should always question my beliefs, and discard any that don't accurately reflect how the world works.

One consequence of this belief is that I can play with robots any day of the week.

[PAR_WIG1350]

Originally Posted by squirrel

One of my beliefs is that I should always question my beliefs, and discard any that don't accurately reflect how the world works.

One consequence of this belief is that I can play with robots any day of the week.

How can you change a culture if you only believe in the principle upon which the current culture is based?

[pfreivald]

Originally Posted by PAR_WIG1350

How can you change a culture if you only believe in the principle upon which the current culture is based?

I know, right? It's incredibly difficult to try to change a culture that takes moral relativism as a given, and refuses to entertain the possibility that it makes no sense whatsoever.

[Cal578]

Well, I feel convicted (and that's a good thing). I am a Christian, and serious about my faith, but I haven't done a good job of letting my team know it. True, I don't schedule any meetings for Sunday mornings, nor will I skip church to attend a Sunday meeting that someone else schedules. But I need to do a better job of letting people know why. "Let your light so shine before others..."

Thank you, everyone, for the respect you are showing to people of different faiths. I can't expect everyone to agree with me, but I do expect to be respected for my beliefs, so I owe the same to others.

[LemmingBot]

Originally Posted by Marc S.

The Israel regional is on a Monday and Tuesday because of this reason. Many Israeli teams that qualify for champs unfortunately don't compete on Saturdays.

I do think other teams may drive and repair the bot for them on those days at Nationals so they can still get the appropriate participation and keep their beliefs.

Im Roman Catholic and I'd go to a regional instead of church, I think that me helping a team get their robot on the field pleases God just as much as me going to church (besides I can just go to a different church at a later time) But that's just me, every one worships differently and you should never do anything you feel goes agents you beliefs.

[Siri]

Originally Posted by Nathan Streeter

It's fairly easy to take a day off of school to go to a co-curricular event and employers are usually quite understanding about taking a day off to work with your team at a Robotics event! Extremely few people are omitted from a Thursday -> Saturday event for employment/education reasons. By contrast, those that have their day of worship on Saturday or Sunday are asked to put a day of a competition above worshiping God... Some teams, as a result, are not able to attend competition on either the second day or on the third day, which clearly puts you out of the running for success on the field.

I understand the desire to keep Sunday off in Thursday-->Saturday events for reducing religious overlap, but at least in my experience missing Thursday for school/work is incredibly common. Even when we were based in a specific school (not religious), only the essential crew was allowed to miss Thursday. Many frown upon the number of missed days required in an FRC season. Many, even most, of our mentors perennially missed all or most of Thursday. It's a serious trade-off and quite a bit of time to miss, especially from non-sponsoring employers and universities.

Anecdotally, but it's just as common if not more for or members to miss for work/school as for religion. I believe the regional and district events moving towards limiting weekdays are just trying to balance this for their students, mentors, volunteers, venues, VIPs, etc. Having some of both seems to be a good compromise.

[Tristan Lall]

Who wants to try to implement a sabbath mode on their robot?

On a less hilarious note, here's an example of the downside of letting religion become too central to a fundamentally areligious pastime.

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by Tristan Lall

Who wants to try to implement a sabbath mode on their robot?

Many teams already do. It is called "Autonomous Mode" by some.

[Tristan Lall]

Originally Posted by DonRotolo

Many teams already do. It is called "Autonomous Mode" by some.

I was actually thinking about the implications of such a thing after I wrote that, and it turns out that halachic authorities have (sort of) attempted to solve these problems. Behold, a proposal for a sabbath-compliant electric wheelchair. They actually talk about sabbath-compliant control schemes.

[Doc Wu]

I checked with God and he says it's okay to compete on the Sabbath, as long as you embrace Gracious Professionalism.

From now on, event arenas will be considered Churches or Temples and the Judges are your Ministers. The Head Ref will hear your confession...

But seriously, once again, FIRST gives it's participants a taste of the real-world, exposing them to challenges and dilemmas they will face once they enter the job market. This is an opportunity to do some soul-searching and address this problem in a way that fits your personal beliefs.

And they are called beliefs because they are something you accept without proof. They can't be proven or dis-proven. They aren't right or wrong. Either are those who believe the opposite.