Faith in the workplace.

Johnboy60 · Jan 9, 2005

Over lunch at SouthPark's upscale La Bibliotheque restaurant, Glenn Love is talking business, but it sounds a lot like a sermon.

With PowerPoint slides glowing behind him in the darkened dining room, he urges a group of small-business owners and executives to bring their faith to work.

"We exclude God from our business," the Concord businessman says. "That is not biblical."

Through a seminar series called Leaders Lighthouse, Love teaches companies to practice "servant leadership" and to identify employees' individual talents.

http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/charlotte/business/special_packages/newbank/10602085.htm

Sycophant · Jan 9, 2005

That's an interesting article. I certainly agree with it's statements about leadership and so forth.

Although speaking personally, I always feel uncomfortable when people profess to a God or faith on my behalf, either in being present when someone says a prayer on behalf 'of us all' or when my involvement in something is considered somehow explicitly working for God or something. As I would if my company had a mission statement affirming that the company worked for God or something equivilent. I certainly would have no objection to anything else they mention in that article with regards to faith in the workplace, but that bit is a little weird for me.

It's not that I don't want to have anything to do with God or whatever, but it's not what I believe, and it just feels weird to me when I am somehow included in those that do simply based on my presence or involvement.

I was involved working with a youth-at-risk program for a while, that had some quite religious aspects to it, which was fine, but at our planning meetings and the like I always felt out of place when someone would either pray on behalf of the group, or make statements about us all doing God's work or sharing the gospel. Not that I was not happy with their interpretation, but that wasn't my goal in participating.

Anyway, ramble finished.

Antoninus Verus · Jan 10, 2005

Your religion belongs in two (Possibly three) places.

1. Your heart
2. Your home
3. Your church (if applicable)

Nowhere else

rahma · Jan 10, 2005

Antoninus Verus said:
Your religion belongs in two (Possibly three) places.

1. Your heart
2. Your home
3. Your church (if applicable)

Nowhere else

In your interpretation, perhaps. However, if you carry God with you in your heart, and your heart goes with you out into the public sphere, you will ultimately bring God into the public sphere with you.

Dogman · Jan 10, 2005

Just another attempt by christians to turn this country into a theocracy-pretty soon you'll be having to swear you're a christian to get a job-oh wait, some places already make you do that, boy scouts, salvation army, etc. I can't even imagine having to listen to that at work.

Billnew · Jan 10, 2005

Dogman said:
Just another attempt by christians to turn this country into a theocracy-pretty soon you'll be having to swear you're a christian to get a job-oh wait, some places already make you do that, boy scouts, salvation army, etc. I can't even imagine having to listen to that at work.

Imagine, next they'll make Preachers swear to this too.

The Salvation Army is a Christian founded organization. And Boyscouts are too.
So ANYONE wanting to work for these places should expect a religious question.

If you worship you must live and work with God at your side.
Lead with word and action of a Christian life. Be a Christian full time, not part-time. Every breath should be to honor God.(not beating people with a bible, but
live right. And be open to questions.)

SuzQ · Jan 10, 2005

Dogman said:
Just another attempt by christians to turn this country into a theocracy-pretty soon you'll be having to swear you're a christian to get a job-oh wait, some places already make you do that, boy scouts, salvation army, etc. I can't even imagine having to listen to that at work.

A bit off topic, but I'm sorry - did I miss the label "Christian" God somewhere in the article???

I always find it funny that when God is argued or mentioned in debate, that it's soley a "Christian" argument??? Don't Jews believe in God? Last I looked, yes. Don't Muslims believe in God? Yes, and as the same Father of Abraham/Isaac in their Qu'oran AND our Old Testament as well. In fact, the only thing that seperates these three is their PROPHETS/Messiah's. Jews don't think one has come yet, Christians believe it's Jesus Christ, Muslims follow Mohammed - but they all believe in the SAME GOD.

Let's look at other major religions - Hindus also believe in God, tribes in South America, Aborigenes, and Pagans/Wiccans believe in several, and so on & so on....

Sheesh!

Vylo · Jan 10, 2005

As long as there is no discrimination against me as an atheist, no harm no foul, whatever floats their boat. You want to decorate your cubicle with bibles, crosses, and verses, go for it. The company decides to include religious displays in the building, it's their building (unlike government buildings which belong to the public). As long as you don't treat me as somehow lesser for being atheist, it's fine.

My work happens to be with the state so the building itself can't be decorated in a religious nature (but we had Christmas decorations, oh no! ), but the cubicles and offices can be, though I only know one guy who might have the guts to do so, as I can see from my desk his entire political beliefs in poster form .

Anyhow, I noticed the religious discrimination complaints chart on that article. Either companies need to be more tolerant, or people need thicker skin. I am willing to bet its a combination of both (in the government it is almost always the later).

SuzQ · Jan 10, 2005

Vylo said:
As long as there is no discrimination against me as an atheist, no harm no foul, whatever floats their boat. You want to decorate your cubicle with bibles, crosses, and verses, go for it. The company decides to include religious displays in the building, it's their building (unlike government buildings which belong to the public). As long as you don't treat me as somehow lesser for being atheist, it's fine.

Ah, Vylo's the voice of reason, as usual. You're just a breath of fresh air on CF! Your point is perfectly made, couldn't have said it better.

We people of faith truly do appreciate your understanding & I apologize for the ones who DO negatively bash athiests from time to time. Hopefully it's rare. As I've said on prior threads, we are to be loving examples to athiests, not mean, judgemental idiots. If we expect the same nice treatment, we must ACT like it.

praying · Jan 10, 2005

rahma said:
In your interpretation, perhaps. However, if you carry God with you in your heart, and your heart goes with you out into the public sphere, you will ultimately bring God into the public sphere with you.

As well you should.

pgp_protector · Jan 10, 2005

Antoninus Verus said:
Your religion belongs in two (Possibly three) places.

1. Your heart
2. Your home
3. Your church (if applicable)

Nowhere else

No, my faith belongs wherever & whenever I am.

hernyaccent · Jan 10, 2005

Do what you want in your space. Don't complain when others faiths do the same in their office space.

pgp_protector · Jan 10, 2005

hernyaccent said:
Do what you want in your space.

I Do (Within what is allowed at work)

hernyaccent said:
Don't complain when others faiths do the same in their office space.

I dont complain either.

Antoninus Verus · Jan 10, 2005

rahma said:
In your interpretation, perhaps. However, if you carry God with you in your heart, and your heart goes with you out into the public sphere, you will ultimately bring God into the public sphere with you.

And thats totally cool. I wear a pentacle around my neck and on my belt buckle. But Im saying that it becomes a problem when it interferes with the everyday.

Great example, we were going to read Catcher In The Rye (GODS I hated that book) in English and a student basically said "I wont read it." The teacher asked him why and he said "Its a godless, filthy book, ridden with sin and I wont have any part to do with it." The teacher told him "Tough bricks, its part of the class." The principal basically said the same thing to his parents and I agree with them

Im going to adress something before it even comes up because I KNOW it will. "Well what about an Islamic kid in a foods class? If they make something with pork shouldnt he have to eat it, by your standards?" No, he shouldnt, consuming something that your faith teaches you is bad is something entirely different than reading a book that contains slightly offensive material. I have sung Christmas carols about Jesus, it didnt kill me. If someone offered me church wine or a comunion wafer...Id probably turn it down.

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