As many of you know, I was working from home part-time for Mundania Press. When I was hired initially, it was to do editing, and in our interview, I made it very clear I would not be interested in reading or in any way connected to erotica, Satanic works, or works that defile God. The owner I interviewed said no problem, and was thrilled I was a Christian. So a happy 6 weeks or so passed.

Then I was promoted to Director of Marketing, Sales and Promotion - sounds great.

At about the same time, Mundania started a new imprint called Phaze, which would be separate and which was solely to be used for erotica.

No problem - not my area.

Well - as part of the new position I was making a print catalog to be used for various things. Two of the books that MP sells, which remained under MP, and did not move to Phaze, are erotica. Stupid, funny erotica, but erotica just the same.

I brought up my concerns, and I assumed the two books would be moved to Phaze (yes, I assumed <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" /> )

I also, as part of the marketing standpoint pointed out that when people clicked on the catalog, those were the first two books people saw. And it turns off a lot of people. Some friends emailed me that sorry, they didn't read those types of books. They didn't bother to scroll down and see some of the quality books that Mundania publishes (including Vicki's!)

I was informed that the two books in question, were staying and must be in the catalog, since they were the most consistent sellers.

I reminded my boss that I had made it clear, and he had in fact been thrilled, that my Christianity came first, and i could not bring myself to include those books in the print catalog. He replied that I knew what I was getting into. Well. Back to the interview. I was assured, no problem. GREAT! I'm a Christian, too, said my boss.

Then Phaze came into being, so I thought everything was A-ok. That would have solved the problem, and everyone would be happy. But no dice.

So, after a lot of thought, I resigned. I told them that those two books were weighing heavy on my conscious, and I felt shamed to send friends there and those were the first two books to pop up on the catalog. Obviously, God had a problem with me associating myself and promoting those two books, or I wouldn't have felt such a heavy burden.

Now - visit the website today, just a week later, and click on the catalog. Guess what? Those two books are very cleverly hidden. You have to really want to find the books to get to them. Seems they took my advice after all.

I am hurt that their refusal to compromise put me in such a position. I am angry that they have, for all intents and purposes, redesigned the website to counter those concerns.

Then I found out from another website, that the author of those two books, one I had liked for some of the other books he had written, has an investment in the company. Ahhhh. Mystery solved.

I am sad that assurances made to me were dissolved, because I really liked the job. It was my decision to leave, though, and I felt immediate relief when I made the decision. That's a sure sign I followed God's leading.

I've spent the last week tying up loose ends, and I have maintained some good contacts there. One of the editors sent me a book of hers to edit, immediately, so that's a big plus.

I needed to get this off my chest, and I also wondered if anyone else has ever had to make a similar decision. Would you have handled it differently?

<small>[ October 01, 2004, 11:14 AM: Message edited by: Dian ]</small>

Dian, I am SO proud of you and to know you! What a witness! You handled this with class and composure, and considering the circumstances, took the steps to extricate yourself from the situation in the best way possible. I'm sorry they didn't cooperate with you. That's too bad. But I believe the Lord will honor you for your stand! Stay the course. You done good, Dian.

Donna

<small>[ September 30, 2004, 09:12 PM: Message edited by: DonnaJ ]</small>

Since I have once again put myself into the job market I have found on more than one occassion an employer will say anything to get you on board and then when they think you're comfortable and happy BAM things change. In some cases it doesn't take very long either. For you and in your case it would seem you made the right decision, too bad they adopted your suggestions after you took a stand and resigned. "Their loss" thats my opinion. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />

Well done good and faithful servant. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

Well done, good and faithful servant. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

Thank you all for the kind responses. I've been both sad and relieved - I was doing the job well and received a lot of compliments, but my heart didn't feel right. (God lets us know, doesn't he, when he isn't pleased.)

This was a first for me, having to choose between my personal success and my standing with God. I'm sure it is going to be a great learning point for me as the world continues to deterioriate. Things happen for a reason, and I'm being seasoned. Oh no! Wonder what for? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Dian:
<strong> Things happen for a reason, and I'm being seasoned. Oh no! Wonder what for? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Ain't it the truth! And I can't wait to find out Why!

Keep us posted Boomer Bud

I admire you for standing by your principles and faith. So often, we make so many little compromises. It is not easy to give up a job because it conflicts with what you believe, but you are living out your faith. Its a good example to your friends.

Dian, I'm so sorry that you felt so compelled to resign because of this 'section' the company decided to include because of popular humanistic demands. What I'm about to say is extremely contrary to the responses prior:

As would an artist designing the naked human body on canvas, it is yet another form of art. Of course when erotica is dealing with 'taboo' subjects, it is naturally going to cause conflict, don't get me wrong here (pedophiles, beastially...)

However, the passion between consenting human adults, especially married, is yet another form of the artist painting a picture of a body bare of restrictions like clothing. Art it is indeed since the human body, especially the woman's body, is so extremely metaphorical. The back bone, the giver, the sustainance, the love, the hate, the forbidden, the anticipation, the pillar, the very meaning of life....Naked to the world in every race, creed, nationality, socio-eco status...our bodies, naked, are the symbol the artist, deep in emotion, think of as the very artistic reality we are.

Writing about it is no different. As a writer, I am compelled to write about what moves me. What moves me is what I have the most conflicts about. What we read, seek and secure the best are what we, as human being that are keeping it real, want.

Recently, on my site and particularly the erotic sections, I don't get many ratings but can see than many have viewed the material. I wondered why. I inquired from yet another prominate author that shares my written artistic interest. She said it plain and clear: Many people like this, maybe even need it, but are too ashamed to admit and realize thus they can't rist rating, afraid that someone will associate them with natural human desire, Christian or not.

Christians don't make love? Christians are above this natural acts?

Maybe some are really pushed to the limits...multiple partners, sodomy, oral...whatever. But, take a look at reality here:

Personally, I write what I can't rid myself of. Maybe 'can't' is a strong word but because of my sexual orientation that started long before I ever had much choice, I am who I am. Knock it if you will, but understand that you are blessed to have such prestine thoughts only.

Many folk that write this are most comfortable because that's who and what they've been taught.

Sugaree

Sugaree,
I visited your site, but have not read your material so I don't intend this as a personal criticism. I am not sure that I understand your post, but it appears that you are defending explicit sexual material.
As a playwright and an avid reader, I must say that resorting to explicit sexuality is usually a sign of poor writing. I certainly have nothing against sex. In fact, it's fine by me.
However, I am not the first to observe that "sex does not a story make." And "a sex scene is not a sex manual."
Writers incapable of addressing their reader on a deeper level often resort to spectacle and sensationalism to maintain an audience.

That does not mean that good writers do not write about man's passion or his sinfulness. It means that good writers embrace passion at a deeper level than the outward exhibition of it.

smile