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February 12, 2009

What Role Does Religion Play in Your Work Life?

A recent Gallup survey asked Americans if religion played an important role in their daily lives. The results, broken down by state, found the top 10 states where people said yes to this question were in the South, while the six New England states were all among the bottom 10. (Other states in the bottom 10 were Alaska, Washington, Oregon and Nevada.)

This is no surprise, but it is interesting. A friend who lived in Texas said the first thing people asked her was what church she belonged to. That has never happened to me here in Massachusetts. As for me, I consider myself a very spiritual but not very religious person, although I do go to church. I also believe faith is a personal thing.

So I started thinking about the role religion plays in a major part of many of our lives: The workplace. It’s a topic we’ve covered before, but I’m interested to hear what you have to say. Leave a comment below about the places where your religion and work life meet (or don’t meet), and if you’re comfortable doing so, tell us where in the country you live.

In the meantime, these resources provide an overview of the topic:

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Posted by Christine on February 12, 2009 at 01:44 AM in Religion | Permalink | Comments (43) | TrackBack (0)

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The workplace should be an egalitarian place where the privacy of people's religion is respected and no religion is given preference - including during Christmas. Check this out: http://www.aem-patt.com/aem-blog/index.php?itemid=30

Posted by: David M.Patt, CAE | Feb 12, 2009 12:08:07 PM

I grew up in Washington, California, and Germany never was I ever asked about religious issues. I then moved to Kentucky, where, people everywhere inquired as to which church you belonged. To me it seemed as you where being judged good or bad depending on your response. I now live in Sidney, Montana (far eastern MT) and as current, I have been asked by a few about religious issues, but most here tend toward Live and Let Live, which I prefer.
Like it was related in the article, I am a spiritual, yet not a religios person, and the only place I have ever lived that ever made that an issue was in the south. It was only in Kentucky that I encounted people that judged your character, not by the type of person you were, but by the 'Do You Know God Factor'. Sadly, most of the people I met that judged me in this way were hypocrites with no business judging anyone but themselves.
Morality is doing what is right no matter what you are told;
Religion is doing what you are told no matter what is right.

Posted by: Laura HarlanLauraHarlanMT@yahoo.com | Feb 12, 2009 3:33:48 PM

None whatsoever. I go to work to earn a paycheque and further my career. The religious beliefs of others is absolutely none of my business and has nothing to do with my job. I find that such discussion in the workplace demonstrates a lack of professionalism.

When people go to work, they are wise to check their baggage at the door. This includes politics, religion, and family issues. I have discovered that people who cannot tend to be the first to get let go.

Posted by: Paul Quirk | Feb 18, 2009 11:18:34 AM

Religion plays no roll in my life, working or personal, unless some else is expressing their views. I think people bring personal parts of their lives with them where ever they go - the work place included. I had a co-worker at my last job where on my first day at work he asked me to join him at church. I am not religious, do not attend church and found a way to nicely tell him so. My boss was very Christian and liked to project that image to his customers and employees but I think in ways it may have backfired on him as he had offened at least one person of another belief, losing his business - based on comments from a former customer I had talked to. Some people are not comfortable having religion in their face when they go into a business. It took me a while to get used to walking by the religious display in the lobby but I eventually accepted it for what it was - just the owners expression of his belief. I never did feel it was appropriate for the workplace. For the most part though, he was very successful with his business - until the economy forced him to shut down. People at work knew I was not Christian or of any organized religion. I did not keep that fact a secret nor did I take pains to tell everyone. I keep most of my spiritual ideas to myself and only share them with those that are interested and that I know will not challenge my beliefs.

Posted by: hiker1956 | Feb 18, 2009 5:29:11 PM

If I have to tell people that I am a Christian, then I have failed as a Christian. My daily interactions with my coworkers should say more than words.

Posted by: Shirley Larkey | Feb 24, 2009 9:55:45 AM

I live in a small city in Massachusetts, and I work in a office setting. I grew up in church all of life, and once I got older, It became a personal choice to continue my Spritual walk with Christ. I can certainly agree with the fact that New Englanders are perhaps the most unchurched unspitural people in the country (this has been a topic among us for many years) At work it is no different... I am always the minority, I am always looked down upon, or brushed off, and most times, because I am easy going, taken advantage of.. I am the "good Christian Woman". I listen to online christian programs, and mind my business. Little do they know, they had better be glad I am this way. The office environment is full of gossip, back biting, jealousy, getting even, and getting ahead, and hypocrisy. Sometimes I just look back and marvel at how these people talk to each other, and then with the next breath talk about each other again with someone else. I NEED JESUS in the workplace, if he did not come to work with me EACH DAY - I know I would not survive in this JUNGLE.

Posted by: ch | Feb 24, 2009 10:11:12 AM

In the St. Louis area, the first question is not where you attend church, it's "Where did you graduate from high school?" The insination being, of course, that if you went to a prep school or a private high school you're better than everyone else.

Posted by: Diane | Feb 24, 2009 11:25:20 AM

Perhaps religion shouldn't be mixed in the work place. However, faith should be the essence of ones life. I am welcme being asked about my religion or church. Why? Because my life reflects my faith in the Word of God. His people are to be a seperated people, not conforming to the ways of the world. You can recognize a policeman, fireman, etc by the uniform they wear. In the same sense, a true Christian (one who is like Christ) should be recognized in how they appear and how they live. Jesus and the disciples didn't live one way when they were home and another when they worked. They shared the faith just by the way they lived and when approached they never shunned the opportunity to share the truth. Why would you not want to share salvation and keep someone from hell? If you have the truth it is your God assigned duty to share it. I'm not saying to enter into a sermon if asked about your faith, but don't be ashamed or insulted. Most people hesitate at sharing because they can't really explain what and why they believe. Study the Bible, get to know the why and how's of living a Christian life according to the Word. If religious topics are frowned upon by company policies,arrange for a time to share it outside of work or during a lunch period. Rejoice at the opporunity!!

Posted by: Naomi | Feb 24, 2009 11:49:42 AM

Sorry, you wanted to know where I am located. In Missouri, my church is in Cuba, Mo.

Posted by: Naomi | Feb 24, 2009 11:51:43 AM

Religion plays no role in my work life, but FAITH does. I am not ashamed, nor will I be ashamed to say so. I will not ever be ashamed to share my faith with others or ASK THEM what theirs is....even DISCUSS our faiths (or shared faith). Would I be JUDGED as a judgmental person, since I am from the South and will ask the question "what religion are you?"

Having a negative view of religion is like having a negative view of education: condemning the whole concept of learning because you don't like some school policies would be seen as shooting yourself in the foot, right? I mean, if there are teachers and kids who cheat in school to get the best government funds or the top echelon of applicants, who are they to say I'm academically inferior?

I see condemning all religion the same way: of course people will hate some church policies and administrators - but faith is a necessary part of human existence, and cutting it out completely is shooting yourself in the foot in my opinion...

Posted by: Jillian | Feb 24, 2009 12:20:26 PM

Shirley Larkey hit the bull's-eye with her post. I agree with her 1,000%! I'm a Christian and I believe more in expressing my faith by deeds than in overtly verbally proselytizing. Talk is cheap, and actions speak louder than words. Actions are the best form of proselytizing there is. Most of the people I've heard who SPEAK the loudest about being Christian are some of the most intolerant people I've ever come across.

Being a lifelong New Englander (I live in Connecticut), I take offense to what ch wrote about New Englanders being "unchurched and unspiritual." We're not. We just tend to live our faith more quietly than our Southern brothers and sisters tend to do, because of the specific mainline denominations that are dominant in these parts, that's all. However, I DO agree with with what ch says about the office environment being "...full of gossip, back biting, jealousy, getting even, and getting ahead, and hypocrisy." If that's not a milieu in which a believer needs the Lord, then I don't know what is.

Posted by: Linda A. | Feb 24, 2009 1:13:09 PM

I was hired at a medical facility several years ago just prior to the year end holidays and when Christmas decorations were already up, and with my supervisor and a coworker standing next to me, I asked if there were going to be Hanukkah and Kwanzaa decorations also. My supervisor looked at me funny and then turned to this other employee as if to say "What is she talking about?" Ironically, the supervisor was African-American. Later in the following year, a fundamentalist Xn was shoving her Rn down another non-church-goer's throat, saying she was going to hell. I jumped in and said something, and this same supervisor came over and did a hand sign "time out!" In the following days, those of us involved were all individually sent to HR, and several months later I was no longer working there.

Posted by: SMoriah | Feb 24, 2009 1:31:21 PM

BTW, this was in the southeastern US in the state of Florida.

Posted by: SMoriah | Feb 24, 2009 1:32:49 PM

I grew up just outside of Atlanta and the question there isn't really "What church do you go to?" its "Where did you go to high school?" like in the example of St. Louis. Once people start getting to know you, then they might ask where/if you go to church. Most people I knew growing up would not shove their religion down anyone's throat, but would instead lead by example, preferring to let their actions speak for them. That includes me and my family. And that's not to say we don't enjoy a good debate over the issues now and again, but we still believe in being respectful of other people and their personal beliefs, whatever they might be.

Posted by: Jessica | Feb 24, 2009 1:32:52 PM

I am never asked about my religious status at work or talk about it even though I am a religious man. The only people that know my religious status are my family and friends so no it doesn't play apart in my work. I live in longview,Washington.

Posted by: Zander_Kauge | Feb 24, 2009 1:35:50 PM

While keeping respectful of company policies and other people, expressing your faith and joining with others in like faith can bring strength, peace, joy, love, unity, restoration, hope and other blessings to the workplace. I began a weekly lunchtime meeting with like-minded Christians. We get together to worship, pray, deepen our understanding of the Word of God, learn from each other and essentially build each other up in our holy faith. This is good. Very good...

Posted by: Kim in Mass | Feb 24, 2009 3:15:25 PM

What I think of, in the workplace and everywhere, is: What will we all be doing 100 years from now? So, yes, my faith is quite relevant and evident on the job, since all my co-workers, supervisors, Dept. and Corporate heads - and clients - will be somewhere, in 2109.
Having discovered that Christ desires a one-on-one relationship with myself and everyone else, I of course want any and everyone to know this.
In addition, we spend practically 1/3 of our lives - and our most productive time of the day - in the workplace! To "leave God home" 40 hours a week, well, I don't recommend it. I, for one, need His help and strength all the time. And no one else has the ability to fill His shoes. I don't recommend going anywhere without Him.

Posted by: Lisa Hnath | Feb 24, 2009 4:07:41 PM

In some Christian denominations, such as Baptists (how I grew up), church-goers are taught to "spread the Good News," and feel it is their duty to share their faith to all they encounter. Yes, they'll invite their coworkers to church events and ask if/where you attend church. But to people whose faith, spirituality or lack thereof is private--it does seem like religion is being "shoved down your throat." What one person sees as pushy, another will seeing as a natural day-to-day part of their life, without any malice or pushiness intended. And many faithful Christians in the Bible Belt do tend to assume that everyone they meet is a Christian (or should be). I'm not a church-goer today at all. Try not to take offense at friendly or even pushy overtures -- if you can respond with politeness and kindness, it may enlighten them.

Posted by: Joy | Feb 24, 2009 4:26:00 PM

I think what may be missing from this is the fact that in many Southern towns, the main way a lot of people socialize is through church - finding out which one you attend is a way to open a door and say "Oh, you go to XYZ Church? I know Jane Smith, the organist there!" or something like that.

Maybe it's because I grew up in that environment, but I don't think it's intentionally people trying to be nosy, or proselytize, or aggressively try to covert you to their church (for the most part, I know there are a few people who will do otherwise) it's just a way to try and connect.

And most people I know will not say a word if you say "I don't regularly attend church" or whatever you feel led to say. Some will invite you to their church, but again most people are not trying to force you into a conversation, they're just making an attempt to be friendly.

I am a person of faith. It colors every part of who I am and what I do. I don't go around trying to change everyone around me, and I recognize we all have our own ways of worshiping or not worshiping. As others have said, I try my best to make my actions speak for me, so an outward symbol isn't really necessary. That's at home, at work, at the grocery store, anywhere.

My husband does not attend church, does not believe the same way I do about God, and that is okay. We respect each others beliefs and don't force hands. I'd like to think that if we can have a happy, loving relationship with such different beliefs it shouldn't be too hard to be myself in the workplace, and get along just fine with people of different religious backgrounds. (I also don't believe that the workplace ought to be generic and sterile, devoid of any personality other than something uber-professional. That's just me.)

Posted by: Kelly O | Feb 24, 2009 5:02:52 PM

For ch in St. Louis, just ask them back what street did you grow up on? Another question, tell them you attended MICDS for two or three years or some school like that and you graduated from some lower quality school which I don't need to name here and anybody can come up with.

Posted by: st. louis person | Feb 24, 2009 5:20:50 PM

I work for a very small shop in Indiana, with eleven employees including the boss. My boss is a very Christian man. At least three other employees, including myself, are not.
Every employee meeting and every Christmas dinner, he insists that we all pray together - even the non-Christians. I do not particularly find this offensive, except that he also includes in his prayers that "those among us who are non-believers should find the way and accept Christ as the one true Lord." That part *does* offend me. Firstly, I am here for a paycheck, not a sermon. Secondly, I have Jewish, Hindu and Muslim friends, and I believe that all religious faiths are valid.
I believe there is a time and place for religion, and the workplace is not it. That's why God invented Sundays. I have no problem if my boss or fellow employees want to bring Christ into the workplace. But, please, keep him to yourselves.

Posted by: C Hays | Feb 24, 2009 6:25:57 PM

As a former New Englander (born and bred) now living in Southwest Florida, I believe in separation of church and state. I believe religion should be a private thing, discussed with friends and family out of work. Let me make a distinction here...I think some evangical southerners think New England-type religious views like mine preach "godlessness"...not true. The reason religion does not belong in government or the work force is to prevent any and all discrimination based on a person's religious beliefs. Let me add that good, sound moral principals, such as honesty, humility, kindness, care of the week and downtrodden, generosity, equality, etc. can and should be universal philosolophical beliefs taught to all children and adults and practiced 24/7 in our lives. This would not conflict with most religious beliefs, and good moral conduct and principals lead to a peaceful, orderly society.

Posted by: k9srus | Feb 24, 2009 6:35:57 PM

Religion has no place in the workplace. I am not a religious person but spiritual. If I were to walk into the company breakroom during lunch hour and hear a bible study group having a meeting I would be a bit put out. I don't believe company property should be the place to have a bible group meeting or any other non-work related meeting. Take it off-site after work and keep your religion to yourself. I feel the same way about groups that expect their employer to provide a prayer room for them to take time out of the work day to pray 5 times a day. Or a special room to wash their feet. Go work someplace else.

Posted by: Jerbo | Feb 24, 2009 8:14:35 PM


I personally don't have a problem with people asking about it. Like it or not, it is a big part of our lives, and most of us do spend the majority of our day working so I think it's natural that it comes up for discussion.

I really think people nowadays are too sensitive. It's just a question, get over it...

Posted by: Brian | Feb 24, 2009 8:45:22 PM

i cannot go into my life story but i agree that religion plays vital role in workplace...as i m a muslim...my islam gvs me hope encouragement sense of welfare everytime....it boost me eevrytime...whenever get overstressede or overburdoned...i pray to my Allah and he help me out through an unknown source its my belief....my Allah lives in my heart WHO guides me everytime... im thankful to my Allah for gving me such a beautiful life...

Posted by: shamsa | Feb 25, 2009 2:08:57 AM

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