What should I do? [web developing ethics]

[Malvinas]

I need advice.

I'm stuck in a situation where I'm not sure whether I should go ahead and do a website for a client or refusing to do so.

I was recently told by an someone that their friend is looking for a web designer to work on a website for their Bible Store business. He gave me their contact information and all and asked me to help them out. However, since I'm really opposed to the whole concept of religion, I would feel uncomfortable working on a religious website and it would "violate" (for lack of a better word) my own personal ethics.

Now, I'm not sure what to do. Would it be morally wrong to refuse to help them? What would be the "right" thing to do in this situation?

[CaptainObvious]

It's certainly not morally wrong to not want to create a website to promulgate views you consider objectionable. You have no obligation to work for anyone.

As for whether or not you should do it, no way I can decide that for you.

[Oxford]

Work is work, I say go for it.

[Molon Labe]

Originally Posted by Oxford

Work is work, I say go for it.

That's how I would look at it. Money is always good.

[Krista]

Originally Posted by Oxford

Work is work, I say go for it.

I third that emotion. Freelancers can seldom be selective.

[irishamerican]

so what, id work for an atheist even if he wanted me to make a pro atheist item, you cant be picky right now.

[Gozonji]

I contend that it's not even a matter of "you have to do what you have to do to earn money".

More fundamentally, how exactly is a violation of your ethics? Sure, many people succumb to a shared superstition, but does that make it bad? Does that make them evil? Should you never do anything for anyone who has an opinion that varies from your own?

In all likelihood, other than Bibles they'll also sell inspiration books about faith and hope. In no light are these books going to cause any harm to anyone. In fact, it's entirely likely that they'll help many people through rough times. That's good.

Therefore creating the website will only be doing good for yourself and for others.

[Mr.Scientist]

It is often a matter of society that we must remove our comfort at times for what it in our best interests. You just have to decide which is in your interests more. Do you decide to lose out on money and pass up the offer or do you decide to simply do the website even though the content would be objectionable?

When it comes to question of making money and working for your living, sometimes to uncomfortable thing to do may be the best thing to do.

[Da Silva]

Originally Posted by Malvinas

I need advice.

I'm stuck in a situation where I'm not sure whether I should go ahead and do a website for a client or refusing to do so.

I was recently told by an someone that their friend is looking for a web designer to work on a website for their Bible Store business. He gave me their contact information and all and asked me to help them out. However, since I'm really opposed to the whole concept of religion, I would feel uncomfortable working on a religious website and it would "violate" (for lack of a better word) my own personal ethics.

Now, I'm not sure what to do. Would it be morally wrong to refuse to help them? What would be the "right" thing to do in this situation?

Since you're opposed to the whole concept, you should just refuse to do this project. I think that this is the right thing to do! Too bad that he's your friend! He should understand.

[Mr.Scientist]

Originally Posted by Da Silva

Since you're opposed to the whole concept, you should just refuse to do this project. I think that this is the right thing to do! Too bad that he's your friend! He should understand.

Of course his friend should understand, but how many times have you or anyone else done something that they felt uncomfortable about? Some people don't feel comfortable about doing the pledge of alliegence in school because of the words 'under God' in the pledge. Some people don't feel comfortable going to their job day in and day out because they dislike working. Since when does it become so important to become comfortable all of the time though? I don't disagree that he has the right to refuse the service he provides to his friend because of his personal views on the matter, but doing the website would not necessarily mean that he has to support the website itself. Just as an actor who takes on the role of the bad guy in movies may not actually support the villain's code of ethics and he may flat out refuse to be "evil" in his daily life. Does that mean he should pass up the role because he disagrees with his character on a fundamental level? Not necessarily. He may only tolerate the role he plays because it is just that, part of his daily life to become uncomfortable.

[Natureboi]

Originally Posted by Malvinas

Now, I'm not sure what to do. Would it be morally wrong to refuse to help them? What would be the "right" thing to do in this situation?

I'm an atheist, yet I have done work for a church...my bosses church. I'd rather he not know my personal convictions, and I'm happy to take the money. And after all, I'm working for my boss, not the church. A job is a job.

I'm also gay. I personally feel it would be morally and ethically wrong for me to put a single penny into a collection plate, as I am potentially contributing to my own oppression.

How strongly do you feel about religion? And how bad do you need the work? I don't need work that bad.
If you did this job, would you feel like a Black person working for the KKK?
Or a Jew helping the Nazis?
I would.

[Luke]

I'm an Atheist, I strongly believe that most wars start because of religion, I would even go so far as to say I am against religion, would i turn down the job? No. It's stupid to turn down money these days with everything going down the shitter, plus, it isn't like you're making a website for fundamentalists looking to blow people up, it's a book selling site, no big deal.

[madgeisgod]

It partially depends on how much you need money---I might turn it down because of not feeling right, but I can be fine without the money from one job. It is not wrong either way, do what you feel and only do jobs you are personally okay with doing.