Session Three: Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Struggling with Religious Diversity: Rekindling Respect
Religion might be as old as humankind itself and its impact on daily life today for millions is undeniable. It is the cause of some of the most deadly tensions in the world, yet it may also be a cause for hope and peace on a worldwide scale.
In many cases religion is the foundation of people’s beliefs, attitudes and actions. That doesn’t change between the hours of 9 and 5. Is it possible for an organization to seamlessly absorb employees with widely differing belief systems?
Stereotypes surrounding religion is a cause for tension arising between people of differing beliefs, which surfaces in the workplace when religion is expressed. I believe greater knowledge and understanding of various religious beliefs and practices would help alleviate this tension. What methods could employers use to educate employees in order create a more religiously inclusive environment?
Stereotypes surrounding religion is a cause for tension arising between people of differing beliefs, which surfaces in the workplace when religion is expressed. I believe greater knowledge and understanding of various religious beliefs and practices would help alleviate this tension. What methods could employers use to educate employees in order to create a more religiously inclusive environment?
I absolutely agree that educating people about various religious beliefs would eliminate much of the apprehension that having different religions in a single workplace tends to cause. I feel that much of the anxiety and fear about religions other than one’s own is due to not understanding what these various religions truly entail. I think many people realize this and would jump at an opportunity to be fully informed about their co-workers’ beliefs. However, what happens when some employees refuse to listen to these explanations (whatever form they may take) because they claim their own religion will not allow it? The education businesses provide would have to be framed very carefully. I feel that it would need to be made very clear that the goal of this education is not to reinforce the validity of any religion, but to explore how we as individuals can be tolerant and respectful of these different ideals that we may or may not agree with.
It seems that an ongoing, unsolvable debate within The United States is, are we really “one country under God”? Our nation was founded by men who put their full faith in “God” and it states “In God We Trust” on pieces of paper that tend to influence many of our decisions in life, small and large.
I feel that one way we can remain “one nation under God” is if we accept that “God” connotes different ideals and figures for different people. Jesus, Buddha, Mother Nature, a higher energy, science, take your pick.
Can our country reach a place where “God” can be used as an umbrella term for any strong personal belief? Should we? Is it fair to ask people to suspend their own titles and put their beliefs under one heading, “God”?
Does it matter that this was the term set by men who founded and fought for our country? Or has America changed its ideals so vastly that we need to leave history behind and make some changes?