Religion and the Workplace - Literature review Example

Often, there seems to be an opinion that work and religion can not mix well together: that to be able to be successful professionally, one has to sacrifice one's faith or even one's morals. However, there is growing realization that most of the things that go wrong in business, such a fraud and crimes, root from the abandonment of virtues that would have otherwise strengthen trust and honesty. There is a need for people to reevaluate moral and religious standpoints and its role in creating professionals and business that truly serve society. Business and a Higher Power It is ironic that religion and virtue is often dismissed when talking about business and enterprise when the components that make it work such as are often have the same core beliefs. However, the pressure to make profits and to prosper makes it challenging to keep from losing faith and one can only pray for courage and strength to stay true to one's beliefs (Eldred, 2005). However, this ability has far reaching effects. According to Baitu (2006), the challenge of today's landscape should not just focus on the bottom line. Business also have a social responsibility to help alleviate the ills of society and to create opportunities. And this is not just because of altruism. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (2005) says for example that companies should be part of development so that their potentials too can be nourished. Otherwise, markets will not develop and expand leaving companies themselves without a future to look forward to. According to Heinz Suter, building Kingdom Companies does not only require spiritual commitment but also a realization of the social and moral challenges in the context on one's society (Chan et al, 2003, p. 181-194). Ben Cohen who is the cofounder and former CEO of Ben and Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream knows that people will easily doubt their statement of commitment regarding the company's commitment to spirituality. He says that these doubts don't matter as much as that the company continues to show that "there's a spiritual life to businesses as there is in the lives of individuals" (as cited in Saylor, 2005). Hick (2005) says that this is in part because of the continuing religious conflicts world wide that is being echoed by each society. There has been great effort to be able to relieve these situations but Rick Marshall (2005) believes that these efforts can only be truly successful if society itself makes an effort to change. It is daily struggle to remind not ourselves by all things we do and say that it is possible to live religiously and allow other the same opportunity but it is one of the most urgent ac critical challenges we have to accomplish (Eldred, 2005). Building a Kingdom Business Richard Goosen, a professor of finance and entrepreneurship at Trinity Western University says that "money is the oxygen of a business, it's not the purpose" (Saylor, 2005). This implies that no matter how healthy the bottom line is, that is not a indication that owners or employees feel fulfilled or enriched by their work. Often we think disdainfully when we here of industry and business leaders suddenly establishing charities or even giving up their business to pursue enlighten. We feel that that it is a clich' among those experiencing midlife crises. However Eldred (2005) encourages to think about it in another way: these individuals, the brightest and greatest minds of our times just may have realized something at the point in their lives when they could already say that they have everything. They may have realized that there should be more than what they had, that the pursuit of success goes beyond the boardroom and the bottom line. The marketplace seems like such a hostile place to espouse religion. Yet, if one reflects on the history on faith, it is when ministries forge in these environments are the greatest testament of missions. The third chapter of the Eldred's book God is at Work tells us that businesses must be an extension of our church life. One should in a way consider it as a practical exam of whether one ahs truly been able to understand teachings. As much as one surrenders one's life to God, so must one surrender one work to God. It is in doing so that one becomes a living testament of the teaching of God in all aspects of one's life especially in business where it is most challenging to be so. Eldred points out that in doings so, one is able to have spiritual gifts that will make one a better business person: wisdom, faith, trust, hope and knowledge do not just give one essential competency to succeed they also give a person the wherewithal to deal with the problems that may arise. In the course of doing so, excellence and integrity is also built which is essential in turn in building one's reputation as a business. At the end of the chapter, Eldred says that conducting one's work in such is answering to social responsibilities. The transformation of society can only be achieved when people are given an example that building a better society is possible and that they can actively be part of it. If a business is a Kingdom Business, then its employees also are given the chance to be better mentally, emotionally and most important of all spiritually. Working in an environment that does not censure religion and faith and even encourages it to be part of one's work is not just giving employees their rights but also recognizes that each a person is not just a factor of production but is a being whose spiritual existence is just as important as his physical one. Also, there is no restriction as to the form of business that can become of the Kingdom. In chapters ten to twelve of God is at Work, Eldred shows that there are various approaches that can be done to create Kingdom Businesses out of different kinds of organizations. The reality is that what is essential is that people become proactive in creating these organizations. At the same time, it emphasizes that there is no restriction or limitation as to the organizations that become a place where spirituality is in abundance. Working in a Kingdom Business Being able to practice one's religion is a core principle of a workplace that truly respects employees. Often, one's working environment seem like a mad rush for everything much like the scenario described in the first chapter of Eldred's book. According Michelle Conlin (1999) the "spiritual revival is sweeping across Corporate America" is something that has gained greater acceptance in resent years. As much as these activities have proved to inspire people, there should also be a realization that this beings into highlight conflicts among denominations that have been kept seemingly as dirty little secrets in the workplace (Eldred, 2005). And it is not just about practicing one's faith. Most religious conflicts arise not because there is open practice of it but rather because people are repressed from doing so creating an environment that is rife in religious hostility ("Making Room for Religion in the Workplace", 2000). Understanding the role of faith and religion is as essential as addressing another person with respect. Faith is not just something that one practices, it is an integral component of the humanity of every individual (Hicks, 2005). As much as working affords one financial and economic freedom, it has also bounded people to a grindstone of incessant bills and worries. Most people have little beyond their work and see no value in others or themselves. It has left people exhausted and stunted in terms of spiritual growth. It has left people wanting to know that there is a rhyme and reason to one's efforts at work. Responsible Business Association of Greater Boston programming leader Laury Hammel reflects that, "A lot of times in business, people lose focus and think about getting the job done and achieving some goal' It's important, but the process by which you go about it is equally important" (as cited in Saylor, 2005). From Howard Norrish's assessment of the challenges of today's ministries, he says that there is a need to focus on the spirituality of everything that one does at work so that one realizes its impact to one's self, others and the company (Chan et al, 2003, 99. 253-270). It is essential that every individual realizes their part in the ministry and how they can participate in it actively when they answer the phone, answer a customer's concern or as they work. In the last chapter of God is at Work, Eldred discusses the importance of realizing God's Kingdom Business Vision and one's responsibility in its achievement. The vision is not solely a spiritual pursuit but one that extends to the very root of society and all its conflicts. The vision cannot be equated with personal or earthly gains but rather is one beyond these. In doing so, one is able to create not just jobs but life works; not just income but development; not just shelter but communities; and most of all not business but Kingdom Businesses. References Baitu, J. (2006) Globalisation for the Common Good and Social Justice in Sub-Saharan Africa [Online]. Available from [Accessed 12 September 2006]. Brown, A. G. and Stern, R. M. (2005) Concepts of Fairness in the Global Trading System. Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, The University of Michigan: Michigan, USA. Chan, Kim-Kwong, Eldred, Ken et al (2003). On Kingdom Business: Transforming Missions Through Entrepreneurial Strategies. New York: Crossway Books Conlin, Michelle (1999). Religion in the Workplace. BusinessWeek Online. Retrieved on March 5, 2007 from http://www.businessweek.com/1999/99_44/b3653001.htm Eldred, Ken (2005). God is at Work: Transforming People and Nations Through Business. Ventura, California: Regal Books from Gospel Light. Hicks, Douglas A. (2005). Religion and the Workplace: Pluralism, Spirituality, Leadership. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press Making Room for Religion in the Workplace (2000). Vault. Retrieved on March 5, 2007 from http://www.vault.com/nr/newsmain.jsp'nr_page=3&ch_id=402&article_id=52981&cat_id=1342 Marshall, Rich (2005). God @ Work: Developing Ministers in the Marketplace. Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image. Saylor, Frederica (2005). Businesses Benefit from a Low-key Spirituality. Retrieved on March 5, 2007 from http://www.northernway.org/workplace.html United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (2002) Multinational Corporations (MNCs) in Least Developed Countries (LDC's). Read More