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Questions & Answers

Integrity

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Spiritual Life › Integrity

The question

How can one practice Christianity in a job that demands going against Christian values? For example, lawyers have to deal with divorce cases, defend guilty criminals and charge unaffordable money.

The answer

Some jobs or professions may hinder the growth of one's spiritual life. If at any time, you experience a conflict in a profession and have carefully and mindfully studied its contradictions to the principles of your spiritual life, then pursue something different possibly in the same profession. If integrity is not applied to any profession, the risk of abusing the system will exist, whether in law, medicine, education, accounting, etc. Divorce laws can certainly be difficult because of the stance of the church regarding this issue. There are many other branches of Law in which one can practice. In any profession; show mercy where, when, and as often as you can. The father of one of the great saints of our church, St. Arsenious, was a judge and senator. He was known to be a righteous and pious wealthy man. He raised his child to fear,love,and serve God. By raising one child right, he impacted generations, and contributed a great gift to society.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Related questions

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 1281 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.