By day, I teach junior high. By night (on weekends), I'm a bouncer at a couple of nightclubs. I remain dedicated to my Christian principles throughout it all as best I can.

Just now in the teacher's lounge, a teacher expressed shock and disgust at my part time job. "How can you brawl all night on Saturday night and show your face in church on Sunday morning?," I believe was the remark.

I just stared at her and walked away.

Personally, I never thought of providing security to people as being contrary to any Christian principle that I know of.

First off, I don't "brawl all night." 95% of the time, there's zero going on that concerns me in the least from a security standpoint. 4% of the time, my presence in the vicinity of trouble is enough to make it stop, without me even saying a word. The T-shirt that simply says "STAFF" makes enough of a statement. .5% of the time, physical contact is necessary, but only in the form of a restraining or "come-along" hold to escort them to the door. The remaining .5% that requires physical contact is brief, and only brutal enough to make the undesirable behavior cease. After that, I get them in the good ol' "chicken wing" and walk them to the door. Only one time EVER has anyone had to be carried out, unable to walk under their own power, and that gentleman is still in jail for attempted murder. Little tip: never try to kill someone in a nightclub with good security. It won't go well for you.

Anyway, I don't look at my job as an opportunity to physically hurt people. I see myself being there to keep the 99% of the patrons safe, so they can have fun and not get hurt by the 1% who think causing trouble is a good plan. I don't want to hurt anyone, and I don't like doing it, even when it's necessary.

Sure, I don't care much for alcohol abuse. Whether I'm there or not isn't going to change whether or not folks drink too much. But I CAN prevent them from getting too drunk in many cases by making the barstaff cut them off. I CAN call them a cab. I CAN see if their intoxication is causing them to be easy prey. I CAN detect (sometimes) someone trying to drug their drink and stop them. I know a lot of bouncers that don't bother with any of that.

Besides, the money is pretty good and definitely helps augment the teacher salary.

So, where's the problem again?

rachel101

I have heard Christian's say that an appearance of impropriety is sin but I thought gossip and "causing dissention in the flock" are named as the most hated sins by God. It's pretty obnoxious how many people who profess faith follow some tenants and not others. What happened to letting God judge us or approaching someone in love to discuss a concern?

You can't please all the people all the time so don't worry about it. Carry on as your heart directs you. Sounds like you a great asset to the bar and the patrons. You may want to relay to the judgemental christian that good works are possible and necessary in the alleys and bars....as well as the churches and schools.

N0help4u

I agree with the others
from now on when you mention your part time job just say security officer.
If they question you further say you PREVENT brawls and keep the peace.

Often people judge harshly what they do not understand.
Especially many Christians can be extremely judgmental and opinionated
Fr_Chuck is right Christians nowadays would have
verbally crucified Jesus with their holier than thou attitude
"YOU were seen walking down the road with MARY"
"YOU DID NOT participate in the church function-repent!"

ineedhelpfast

thats a tough one because what you are doing isnt wrong, security, but if you feel you are compromising your morals, and your at peace with God about it, then its on you. you also have to realize, that since you are christian, i think thats what you said, peolpe will judge you because they think its wrong, but thats the way people are, always judging, but you do have to think how it looks, i mean say they seen you coming out of a bar, you see what i mean

N0help4u

the Bible says to avoid the appearance of evil but judgmental Christians are just wrong.
You can find a "Christian" reason to NOT work in any job if you look enough. This place donates to abortion, that place promotes homosexuality, that college teaches anti christian propaganda.
Jesus told the righteous Christians Matt 7
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

In Jesus day they probably considered him a sinner because he ate with the lowly and he talked with Mary and women, he threw the money grabbers out of the temple, he disputed the pharisees.

cozyk

There is no problem with you. The problem lies with the co-worker that ask you such a thing. You don't have to defend yourself to her/him, me or anyone. AND if she does believe this job to be such an terriblel thing, then I would think she/he would encourage you to go to church. The church is not a hotel for saints, but a hospital for sinners. That teacher was wrong on so many levels. Sounds like he/she missed the christian point by a long shot.