Companies Love Our Values, We Just Can’t Talk About Them

USA Today ran an interesting opinion piece a couple of years ago on faith in the workplace.

The editorial begins like this: “You don’t have to leave your beliefs at home. In fact, some employers see the value of integrating religion and work in meaningful ways.”

Bold stuff from the mainstream press. In fact, the editorial goes on to say “religious people need to practice their faith in the workplace if they are going to pursue their vocations with integrity.”

Ah, here we get to the crux of the matter – and something this blog and others like The High Calling and Made to Matter have been saying. Faith isn’t so much about “proclamation,” rather it is about “imitation.” We mirror the tenets of our faith first – being the best office worker, the hardest construction worker, and the most honest businessmen – as a result of our faith.

Credit Robert D. Brooks / Abe Novy, by permission

The comments to the piece, are not so respectful. They range from fear to jubiliation. Those who are fearful of faith in the workplace don’t want to be “ambushed” by people of faith. “No one else wants any of you, no matter what religion you are, in their faces,” comments one person. Another says “whenever there is an abundance of mindless idiots pushing their views there is also ALL kinds of discrimination.”

It seems that companies would love for people of faith to be more productive and to use their faith to better the company – as long we keep quiet about it.

What is your opinion? Can you talk about your faith at work? Comment here.