Discussion: View Thread

Expand all | Collapse all

Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

  • 1.  Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

    Posted 11-21-2007 13:14
    I would like to query the MSR group to ask...

    What have you found to be the greatest point of contention organizations
    have for resisting programs aimed at spirituality or dealing with religion
    in the workplace?

    For example, did the organizations fear "religious discrimination" because
    of implied connotations?

    Be as specific as you can. Anyhow, if you can, please explain what counter
    arguements may not have been considered from the organizations perspective.


  • 2.  Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

    Posted 11-21-2007 14:05
    Hi Aaron,

    Interesting question...are you going to share the
    responses?

    Kindly,

    Richard
    --- Aaron Cuevas <ar_cuevas@MSN.COM> wrote:

    > I would like to query the MSR group to ask...
    >
    > What have you found to be the greatest point of
    > contention organizations
    > have for resisting programs aimed at spirituality or
    > dealing with religion
    > in the workplace?
    >
    > For example, did the organizations fear "religious
    > discrimination" because
    > of implied connotations?
    >
    > Be as specific as you can. Anyhow, if you can,
    > please explain what counter
    > arguements may not have been considered from the
    > organizations perspective.
    >



    ____________________________________________________________________________________
    Be a better sports nut! Let your teams follow you
    with Yahoo Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/sports;_ylt=At9_qDKvtAbMuh1G1SQtBI7ntAcJ


  • 3.  Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

    Posted 11-21-2007 14:38
    The only contention that I can see is the confounding of Spirituality and
    Religion. Religious constructs are problematic, Spiritual constructs are not
    problematic. It is only when one injects religion into Spirituality that
    problems occur.
    From a secular spiritualist. Happy Holidays.

    Dr. Nicholas W. Twigg
    Coastal Carolina University
    Management, Marketing, & Law
    P.O. Box 261954, Conway, SC 29528
    Wall 230C
    843-349-2241
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: "Aaron Cuevas" <ar_cuevas@MSN.COM>
    To: <MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu>
    Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2007 1:14 PM
    Subject: Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?


    >I would like to query the MSR group to ask...
    >
    > What have you found to be the greatest point of contention organizations
    > have for resisting programs aimed at spirituality or dealing with religion
    > in the workplace?
    >
    > For example, did the organizations fear "religious discrimination" because
    > of implied connotations?
    >
    > Be as specific as you can. Anyhow, if you can, please explain what counter
    > arguements may not have been considered from the organizations
    > perspective.
    >


  • 4.  Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

    Posted 11-21-2007 15:31
    Aaron:

    The greatest point of contention is that managers are afraid that you
    will be proselytizing a certain religion or religious point of view.
    You'll try to shove your point of view down people's throats. And
    what that will do is cause upset and anger which will lead to
    potential loss of productivity/profits.

    In addition, managers have 'baggage' about their own religious up-
    bringing. It boils down to "When I was a kid religion did this and
    it shouldn't have." or "When I was a kid religion didn't do this and
    it should have."

    The counter-arguments are:
    More and more people want their spiritual/religious parts to be
    nourished at work. If we can find a way to do this in a way that
    benefited both the individual, the group and the enterprise this
    would be very useful. Recall that when similar 'disruptive' issues
    surfaced in the workplace over the years: "I'm an alcoholic." "I'm a
    drug abuser." "I'm gay." "I'm a woman." "I'm African-American.",
    managers had the same initial reaction as spirituality/religion, that
    is, they thought the issue would be highly disruptive, they didn't
    know how to handle the issue, they'd never been trained to handle
    it.....but, over time, each issue had champions who found ways to
    incorporate the issue into business in ways that were dignified,
    respectful and useful to both the individual and the enterprise.
    This issue, spirituality/religion, is the final one on the inclusion
    of the whole human being into the workplace.

    As to the issue of childhood baggage with respect to religion it's
    time to 'grow up' to 'adult'. By that, I mean it's time for people
    to be complete with their childhood religion. Rather than blame
    religion for something it did or didn't do when you were a kid,
    realize that religion is composed of people. People make mistakes,
    institutions make mistakes, but on the whole if we got rid of the
    institution I believe the world would be far worse off. Think of all
    the good that religion does do.

    To be complete with your religion can take many forms, its a
    wonderful journey. For example I've heard of ministers and rabbis
    who hold sessions in which people have the opportunity to express all
    their anger, their hurt, their rage at religion. The cleric just
    listens and 'gets it.' I've seen a session in which this was done
    and it was such a powerful healing.

    Another potential way to be complete is to do a brain-storming
    session on what it would take to transform the person from a
    complainer against religion to someone who decides to take on their
    religion and make it work. It's far, far easier to complain than to
    make something work, but the later is FAR more rewarding for you and
    others. I've found too many people who merely complain about
    religion and just stop there. They are unwilling to move from
    complainer to someone who makes it work.

    So, those are my initial reflections after about 20 years of working
    in this field.

    Sincerely,

    Martin Rutte
    Chair of the Board
    The Centre for Spirituality and the Workplace
    Sobey School of Business
    Saint Mary's University
    Halifax, NS, Canada

    www.spiritualityandtheworkplace.ca




    On Nov 21, 2007, at 11:14 AM, Aaron Cuevas wrote:

    > I would like to query the MSR group to ask...
    >
    > What have you found to be the greatest point of contention
    > organizations
    > have for resisting programs aimed at spirituality or dealing with
    > religion
    > in the workplace?
    >
    > For example, did the organizations fear "religious discrimination"
    > because
    > of implied connotations?
    >
    > Be as specific as you can. Anyhow, if you can, please explain what
    > counter
    > arguements may not have been considered from the organizations
    > perspective.
    >


  • 5.  Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

    Posted 11-21-2007 20:25
    Richard,
     
    If I gather enough responses I would gladly summarize them to share with the group.
     
    Aaron Cuevas

    > Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2007 11:04:55 -0800
    > From: drrichardperegoy2001@YAHOO.COM
    > Subject: Re: Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?
    > To: MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    >
    > Hi Aaron,
    >
    > Interesting question...are you going to share the
    > responses?
    >
    > Kindly,
    >
    > Richard
    > --- Aaron Cuevas <ar_cuevas@MSN.COM> wrote:
    >
    > > I would like to query the MSR group to ask...
    > >
    > > What have you found to be the greatest point of
    > > contention organizations
    > > have for resisting programs aimed at spirituality or
    > > dealing with religion
    > > in the workplace?
    > >
    > > For example, did the organizations fear "religious
    > > discrimination" because
    > > of implied connotations?
    > >
    > > Be as specific as you can. Anyhow, if you can,
    > > please explain what counter
    > > arguements may not have been considered from the
    > > organizations perspective.
    > >
    >
    >
    >
    > ____________________________________________________________________________________
    > Be a better sports nut! Let your teams follow you
    > with Yahoo Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/sports;_ylt=At9_qDKvtAbMuh1G1SQtBI7ntAcJ


    Your smile counts. The more smiles you share, the more we donate. Join in!


  • 6.  Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

    Posted 11-21-2007 20:31
    Thank you Martin for your insights. You made some great points regarding "disruptive" issues in the workplace.
     
    Other than that, I will limit any insights I have regarding your points since I would prefer to hear what others have to say and hope not to skew their responses with mine.
     
    Regards,
     
    Aaron

    > Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2007 13:31:29 -0700
    > From: martin@MARTINRUTTE.COM
    > Subject: Re: Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?
    > To: MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    >
    > Aaron:
    >
    > The greatest point of contention is that managers are afraid that you
    > will be proselytizing a certain religion or religious point of view.
    > You'll try to shove your point of view down people's throats. And
    > what that will do is cause upset and anger which will lead to
    > potential loss of productivity/profits.
    >
    > In addition, managers have 'baggage' about their own religious up-
    > bringing. It boils down to "When I was a kid religion did this and
    > it shouldn't have." or "When I was a kid religion didn't do this and
    > it should have."
    >
    > The counter-arguments are:
    > More and more people want their spiritual/religious parts to be
    > nourished at work. If we can find a way to do this in a way that
    > benefited both the individual, the group and the enterprise this
    > would be very useful. Recall that when similar 'disruptive' issues
    > surfaced in the workplace over the years: "I'm an alcoholic." "I'm a
    > drug abuser." "I'm gay." "I'm a woman." "I'm African-American.",
    > managers had the same initial reaction as spirituality/religion, that
    > is, they thought the issue would be highly disruptive, they didn't
    > know how to handle the issue, they'd never been trained to handle
    > it.....but, over time, each issue had champions who found ways to
    > incorporate the issue into business in ways that were dignified,
    > respectful and useful to both the individual and the enterprise.
    > This issue, spirituality/religion, is the final one on the inclusion
    > of the whole human being into the workplace.
    >
    > As to the issue of childhood baggage with respect to religion it's
    > time to 'grow up' to 'adult'. By that, I mean it's time for people
    > to be complete with their childhood religion. Rather than blame
    > religion for something it did or didn't do when you were a kid,
    > realize that religion is composed of people. People make mistakes,
    > institutions make mistakes, but on the whole if we got rid of the
    > institution I believe the world would be far worse off. Think of all
    > the good that religion does do.
    >
    > To be complete with your religion can take many forms, its a
    > wonderful journey. For example I've heard of ministers and rabbis
    > who hold sessions in which people have the opportunity to express all
    > their anger, their hurt, their rage at religion. The cleric just
    > listens and 'gets it.' I've seen a session in which this was done
    > and it was such a powerful healing.
    >
    > Another potential way to be complete is to do a brain-storming
    > session on what it would take to transform the person from a
    > complainer against religion to someone who decides to take on their
    > religion and make it work. It's far, far easier to complain than to
    > make something work, but the later is FAR more rewarding for you and
    > others. I've found too many people who merely complain about
    > religion and just stop there. They are unwilling to move from
    > complainer to someone who makes it work.
    >
    > So, those are my initial reflections after about 20 years of working
    > in this field.
    >
    > Sincerely,
    >
    > Martin Rutte
    > Chair of the Board
    > The Centre for Spirituality and the Workplace
    > Sobey School of Business
    > Saint Mary's University
    > Halifax, NS, Canada
    >
    > www.spiritualityandtheworkplace.ca
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > On Nov 21, 2007, at 11:14 AM, Aaron Cuevas wrote:
    >
    > > I would like to query the MSR group to ask...
    > >
    > > What have you found to be the greatest point of contention
    > > organizations
    > > have for resisting programs aimed at spirituality or dealing with
    > > religion
    > > in the workplace?
    > >
    > > For example, did the organizations fear "religious discrimination"
    > > because
    > > of implied connotations?
    > >
    > > Be as specific as you can. Anyhow, if you can, please explain what
    > > counter
    > > arguements may not have been considered from the organizations
    > > perspective.
    > >


    Get the power of Windows + Web with the new Windows Live. Power up!


  • 7.  Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

    Posted 11-22-2007 00:47
    Martin has already said it in more detail for me; I too agree that organizations (and for teachers, students) primary fear is of religious proselytizing.  A metaphon that I use is that spirituality is the mission and religions are various organizational forms designed (sometimes with additional intentions) for accomplishing the mission.  As with other organizations, they are not always successful and sometimes even damaging.  Still, this does not detract from the mission but only indicates that we may need to develop greater skillfulness and purer intentions.
    Lee Robbins

    From: Aaron Cuevas <ar_cuevas@MSN.COM>
    Reply-To: "Management, Spirituality & Religion" <MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu>
    Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2007 13:14:12 -0500
    To: <MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu>
    Subject: Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

    I would like to query the MSR group to ask...

    What have you found to be the greatest point of contention organizations
    have for resisting programs aimed at spirituality or dealing with religion
    in the workplace?

    For example, did the organizations fear "religious discrimination" because
    of implied connotations?

    Be as specific as you can. Anyhow, if you can, please explain what counter
    arguements may not have been considered from the organizations perspective.


  • 8.  Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

    Posted 11-22-2007 05:30
    'Religion at Workplace' is a wonderful area to focus. However, we need to redefine what 'religion' means at workplace. The word 'religion' creates invisible perceptual boundaries and therefore we need to focus on 'Religion' something that is broad and acceptable to all.

    Sunita Singh-Sengupta, Ph.D.
    Homi Bhabha Fellow
    &
    Professor in Organizational Behaviour Area
    Faculty of Management Studies
    University of Delhi, Delhi - 110 007, India
    Work Phone : 91-11-27666382/83/84
    Fax No. 91-11-27667183
    Cell No. 9873167484
    Alternate email: sunita.singhsengupta@gmail.com
    ..............................................................
    "Dive deep! Dive deep, my mind! Into the Ocean of Divine Bliss"
    Sri Ramakrishna


    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Aaron Cuevas <ar_cuevas@MSN.COM>
    Date: Thursday, November 22, 2007 12:41 am
    Subject: Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?
    To: MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu

    > I would like to query the MSR group to ask...
    >
    > What have you found to be the greatest point of contention
    > organizations
    > have for resisting programs aimed at spirituality or dealing with
    > religion
    > in the workplace?
    >
    > For example, did the organizations fear "religious discrimination"
    > because
    > of implied connotations?
    >
    > Be as specific as you can. Anyhow, if you can, please explain what
    > counter
    > arguements may not have been considered from the organizations
    > perspective.


  • 9.  Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

    Posted 11-22-2007 07:12
    Hi Aaron, I am new to this interest group...
     
    In my opinion, problemmatic workplace behaviors can arise whenever anyone - "religious", "spiritual", "secular" or any combination thereof - does not respect diversity of religion/spirituality in the workplace. As Dr. Rutte pointed out, organizations have learned to set policy and train employees in many types of workplace diversity, however it seems that managing religious diversity in the workplace is an area that is lagging behind other types of diversity training. As you point out Aaron, a lack of organizational (HR) policy and training in this area can leave organizations vulnerable to charges of religious discrimination. I would guess that some leaders/managers resist religious/spiritual programs for this reason. If this is the case, it would appear that an important counter-argument from an organizational perspective would be to provide evidence of organizations who have appropriate HR policies and training in place along with information on their experience of workplace problems in this regard.
     
    Some other possible reasons (in addition to those that have been already mentioned by others) for resistence from an organizational perspective:
    • A possibility exists that leaders/managers who resist these types of programs may be surfacing important concerns about a lack of clarity on what their role is in regard to religion/spirituality in the workplace, or a lack of clarity on or agreement with what the organization's agenda is in offering or supporting programs of this nature at work.  For example, is it the manager's role to try to handle someone's problems with institutionalized religion or negotiate conflict between different religious/spiritual perspectives? Or is the manager's role to insure that everyone is treated with respect regardless of their religious/spiritual perspective? While I would argue that the latter is the case (particularly because dealing with these types of issues takes specialized training) clarity on whatever position the organization takes would be important in reducing resistance.  On the organizational level, is it the organization's responsibility to create opportunities for workplace practice of religion/spirituality, or is the organization's role simply to "do no harm" - so to speak -  to an employees religious/spiritual practices? Again, role clarification can reduce resistance by giving employees an opportunity to openly and constructively discuss these concerns.
    • Another possibility for existence of resistance may be that organizational resources are being expended on providing these programs, and workers are taking time to participate in these programs while leaders/managers are being pressured to keep costs low and productivity high. It is not at all unusual for leaders and managers (particularly those who are team oriented) to neglect their own personal and professional needs to "cover for" their employees while their staff members are participating in wellness and enrichment programs.  If this is the cases, resistance to these programs may be not only an issue of whether workplace wellness pays off in increased profits and productivity in the long-run but also may be raising issues of justice, fair play, and equity.

    Overall, the presence of resistance to these types of programs itself points to an interesting research question. What is it exactly that organizational leaders/manager are resisting when they do not support workplace programs for religious/spiritual expression or enrichment? Have empirical studies been done on this yet? If not, if you (or anyone else) is interested in doing a study of this question, let me know.

    Catherine Pastille, Ph.D., Visiting Assistant Professor of Management, Providence College, RI


    From: Aaron Cuevas
    Sent: Wed 11/21/2007 1:14 PM
    To: MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    Subject: Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

    I would like to query the MSR group to ask...  What have you found to be the greatest point of contention organizations  have for resisting programs aimed at spirituality or dealing with religion  in the workplace?  For example, did the organizations fear "religious discrimination" because  of implied connotations?  Be as specific as you can. Anyhow, if you can, please explain what counter  arguements may not have been considered from the organizations perspective.


  • 10.  Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

    Posted 11-22-2007 13:33
    Dr. Pastille was kind enough to refer to me as Dr. Rutte. Thank
    you. My mother would be thrilled.

    I do not have a PhD. I'm not an academic, I'm a business person.

    Martin


  • 11.  Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

    Posted 11-22-2007 13:46
    In Aaron's question, I am struck by the phrases "the greatest point of
    contention organizations have" and "did the organizations fear". These
    phrases suggest to me a certain perspective, that it is methodologically
    meaningful to think of an organisation as an agent that can do things and
    have emotions. As an ethnographer, in researching what is going on in an
    organisation / group / culture, I would be interested in the range of
    feelings, intentions, beliefs and behaviours present, how these juxtapose,
    and the power relationships between them. I am not sure how useful it would
    be to work with statements about what organisations 'do, think or feel'.

    Having said that, if there are individuals who are in a position to promote
    the systemic support, evasion, or outright resistance to spirituality /
    religion initiatives in the workplace, I suspect that apart from the point
    already made about possible 'baggage', personal confusions and hurts around
    such topics, given that, arguably, the core of spirituality is about our
    most intimate self, I could understand a reluctance for this to be addressed
    openly in the workplace, which is traditionally not a place for revealing
    our intimate self.

    Alexander

    From:     Aaron Cuevas
    Sent: Wed 11/21/2007 1:14 PM
    To: MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    Subject: Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

    I would like to query the MSR group to ask...

    What have you found to be the greatest point of contention organizations
    have for resisting programs aimed at spirituality or dealing with religion
    in the workplace?

    For example, did the organizations fear "religious discrimination" because
    of implied connotations?

    Be as specific as you can. Anyhow, if you can, please explain what counter
    arguements may not have been considered from the organizations perspective.


    --------------------------------------------
    Alexander Massey

    UK landline: +44 (0)1865-716571
    UK mob: +44 (0)7771-988207
    Email: amassey@voicewisdom.co.uk

    Voice Wisdom - http://www.voicewisdom.co.uk
    Personal and group transformation through voicework

    Kabbalah Music Meditation – http://www.kabbalahmusicmeditation.com
    Concerts and CD (Songs of Eden) with Philip Clouts

    Authentic Voice - http://www.authenticvoice.co.uk
    Personal and group coaching for outstanding communication


  • 12.  Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

    Posted 11-23-2007 09:41
    “Our” tendency seems to be one of natural resistance when
    religion/spirituality interferes with our wants and desires. We as humans
    want it when it is convenient and serves us or our desired image. In
    business, this reaction can be heightened, especially at the mid-
    management level and above as the individuals compete for position(s),
    titles and authority. It is common for people to wear two hats of
    convenience to accommodate their image at work and away from work.
    Injecting religion and spirituality into this environment can disrupt
    comfort zones. It subtly expresses new ground-rules of conduct in human
    interaction. How do you treat the person in the next cubicle or the
    subordinate working for hourly wages on the floor. The very tactics used
    to gain advantage become unacceptable as a norm. It forces people to
    choose one hat thus establishing a more permanent public image.


  • 13.  Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

    Posted 11-23-2007 14:50
    Welcome Business Person! Glad we have some participating here -- we need
    more!! Happy Holidays....Another business person....

    -----Original Message-----
    From: Management, Spirituality & Religion [mailto:MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu] On
    Behalf Of Martin Rutte
    Sent: Thursday, November 22, 2007 10:33 AM
    To: MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    Subject: Re: Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

    Dr. Pastille was kind enough to refer to me as Dr. Rutte. Thank
    you. My mother would be thrilled.

    I do not have a PhD. I'm not an academic, I'm a business person.

    Martin


  • 14.  Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

    Posted 11-23-2007 15:40

    What research has been done that relates to this question?  I imagine that there is no research base that is exactly on point (since no one has provided articles), but there may be something that relates.  For example, is there something on organizational adoption/rejection of spiritual values or values that are operational versions of spiritual, like forgiveness, positive attitude, tolerance... constructs from social psych research.

     

    The idea is to get some empirical evidence that is complementary and may provide a foundation for an hypothesis testing study. 

     

    <st1:personname w:st="on">Janet Kiehl</st1:personname>

     

     

    -----Original Message-----
    From: Management, Spirituality & Religion [mailto:MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu] On Behalf Of Dr. Arthur L. Jue
    Sent: Friday, November 23, 2007 2:50 PM
    To: MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    Subject: Re: Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

     

    Welcome Business Person! Glad we have some participating here -- we need

    more!! Happy Holidays....Another business person....

     

    -----Original Message-----

    From: Management, Spirituality & Religion [mailto:MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu] On

    Behalf Of Martin Rutte

    Sent: Thursday, November 22, 2007 10:33 AM

    To: MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu

    Subject: Re: Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

     

    Dr. Pastille was kind enough to refer to me as Dr. Rutte.  Thank 

    you.  My mother would be thrilled.

     

    I do not have a PhD.  I'm not an academic, I'm a business person.

     

    Martin



  • 15.  Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

    Posted 11-24-2007 11:41
    hi aaron,

    you have touched a nerve.

    most employers run on fear of religion becoming a
    divisive issue in the workplace. spirituality however
    seems to be less fearful...not eliminating the fear,
    but alleviating the so called threat.

    pardon my typing i am in brasil using a portuguese
    based keyboard.

    anyway is talk about spirituality as the oneness or
    uniquenes that unites us all and religion as the
    particular set of beliefs that one follows. when one
    sees these beliefs as relating to a god \a person\
    then it is religious. when one sees this as a force a
    thing rather than a a person it is spiritual.

    i appreciate your offer to bind the diverse comments.
    as you can see they are opposite sides of the same
    circle. thank you for addressing the queston.

    kindly,

    richard
    --- AARON CUEVAS <ar_cuevas@MSN.COM> wrote:

    >
    > Richard,
    >
    > If I gather enough responses I would gladly
    > summarize them to share with the group.
    >
    > Aaron Cuevas> Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2007 11:04:55 -0800>
    > From: drrichardperegoy2001@YAHOO.COM> Subject: Re:
    > Resistance to spirituality or religion in the
    > workplace?> To: MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu> > Hi Aaron,>
    > > Interesting question...are you going to share the>
    > responses?> > Kindly,> > Richard> --- Aaron Cuevas
    > <ar_cuevas@MSN.COM> wrote:> > > I would like to
    > query the MSR group to ask...> > > > What have you
    > found to be the greatest point of> > contention
    > organizations > > have for resisting programs aimed
    > at spirituality or> > dealing with religion > > in
    > the workplace?> > > > For example, did the
    > organizations fear "religious> > discrimination"
    > because > > of implied connotations?> > > > Be as
    > specific as you can. Anyhow, if you can,> > please
    > explain what counter > > arguements may not have
    > been considered from the> > organizations
    > perspective.> > > > > >
    >
    ____________________________________________________________________________________>
    > Be a better sports nut! Let your teams follow you >
    > with Yahoo Mobile. Try it now.
    >
    http://mobile.yahoo.com/sports;_ylt=At9_qDKvtAbMuh1G1SQtBI7ntAcJ
    >
    _________________________________________________________________
    > Your smile counts. The more smiles you share, the
    > more we donate.  Join in.
    >
    www.windowslive.com/smile?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_Wave2_oprsmilewlhmtagline



    ____________________________________________________________________________________
    Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page.
    http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs


  • 16.  Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

    Posted 11-24-2007 12:06
    I believe that Janet is on target here with the emphasis on Spirituality and not Religion. The few constructs that are given are based in Psychological/Humanistic Spirituality (forgiveness, positive attitude, tolerance, etc.). I feel that studies of religiousness, religiosity, religious orientation can be helpful, but limited. Whereas, studies of Spirituality can have unlimited potential. Yes, the Social Psychological literature has plenty of constructs to be addressed (citizenship behaviors, affect, attitudes, altruism, an many more) in terms of Spirituality. 
     
    Just a thought,
    Nick
       
    Dr. Nicholas W. Twigg
    Coastal Carolina University
    Management, Marketing, & Law
    P.O. Box 261954, Conway, SC 29528
    Wall 230C
    843-349-2241
    ----- Original Message -----
    Sent: Friday, November 23, 2007 3:40 PM
    Subject: Re: Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

    What research has been done that relates to this question?  I imagine that there is no research base that is exactly on point (since no one has provided articles), but there may be something that relates.  For example, is there something on organizational adoption/rejection of spiritual values or values that are operational versions of spiritual, like forgiveness, positive attitude, tolerance… constructs from social psych research.

     

    The idea is to get some empirical evidence that is complementary and may provide a foundation for an hypothesis testing study. 

     

    <st1:personname w:st="on">Janet Kiehl</st1:personname>

     

     

    -----Original Message-----
    From: Management, Spirituality & Religion [mailto:MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu] On Behalf Of Dr. Arthur L. Jue
    Sent: Friday, November 23, 2007 2:50 PM
    To: MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    Subject: Re: Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

     

    Welcome Business Person! Glad we have some participating here -- we need

    more!! Happy Holidays....Another business person....

     

    -----Original Message-----

    From: Management, Spirituality & Religion [mailto:MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu] On

    Behalf Of Martin Rutte

    Sent: Thursday, November 22, 2007 10:33 AM

    To: MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu

    Subject: Re: Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

     

    Dr. Pastille was kind enough to refer to me as Dr. Rutte.  Thank 

    you.  My mother would be thrilled.

     

    I do not have a PhD.  I'm not an academic, I'm a business person.

     

    Martin



  • 17.  Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

    Posted 11-24-2007 12:17
    I disagree with Richard regarding the definition of Religiousness and
    Spirituality. "when one sees these beliefs as relating to a god \a person\
    then it is religious. when one sees this as a force a thing rather than a
    person it is spiritual." Someone that believes in a god/person can be
    spiritual or not. A person that believes in a force or thing can be
    religious or not.
    Spirituality encompasses religion - this has been argued for a few years
    now in the Psychology of Religion world - The literature from the Psychology
    of Religion has very strong empirical and theoretical scholarly discipline
    which would bode well for serious scholars of Spirituality. Especially a
    special issue of the international journal from 1999.

    Nick

    Dr. Nicholas W. Twigg
    Coastal Carolina University
    Management, Marketing, & Law
    P.O. Box 261954, Conway, SC 29528
    Wall 230C
    843-349-2241
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: "richard peregoy" <drrichardperegoy2001@YAHOO.COM>
    To: <MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu>
    Sent: Saturday, November 24, 2007 11:40 AM
    Subject: Re: Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?


    > hi aaron,
    >
    > you have touched a nerve. most employers run on fear of religion
    > becoming a
    > divisive issue in the workplace. spirituality however
    > seems to be less fearful...not eliminating the fear,
    > but alleviating the so called threat.
    >
    > pardon my typing i am in brasil using a portuguese
    > based keyboard.
    >
    > anyway is talk about spirituality as the oneness or
    > uniquenes that unites us all and religion as the
    > particular set of beliefs that one follows. when one
    > sees these beliefs as relating to a god \a person\
    > then it is religious. when one sees this as a force a
    > thing rather than a a person it is spiritual.
    >
    > i appreciate your offer to bind the diverse comments.
    > as you can see they are opposite sides of the same
    > circle. thank you for addressing the queston.
    >
    > kindly,
    >
    > richard
    > --- AARON CUEVAS <ar_cuevas@MSN.COM> wrote:
    >
    >>
    >> Richard,
    >>
    >> If I gather enough responses I would gladly
    >> summarize them to share with the group.
    >>
    >> Aaron Cuevas> Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2007 11:04:55 -0800>
    >> From: drrichardperegoy2001@YAHOO.COM> Subject: Re:
    >> Resistance to spirituality or religion in the
    >> workplace?> To: MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu> > Hi Aaron,>
    >> > Interesting question...are you going to share the>
    >> responses?> > Kindly,> > Richard> --- Aaron Cuevas
    >> <ar_cuevas@MSN.COM> wrote:> > > I would like to
    >> query the MSR group to ask...> > > > What have you
    >> found to be the greatest point of> > contention
    >> organizations > > have for resisting programs aimed
    >> at spirituality or> > dealing with religion > > in
    >> the workplace?> > > > For example, did the
    >> organizations fear "religious> > discrimination"
    >> because > > of implied connotations?> > > > Be as
    >> specific as you can. Anyhow, if you can,> > please
    >> explain what counter > > arguements may not have
    >> been considered from the> > organizations
    >> perspective.> > > > > >
    >>
    > ____________________________________________________________________________________>
    >> Be a better sports nut! Let your teams follow you >
    >> with Yahoo Mobile. Try it now.
    >>
    > http://mobile.yahoo.com/sports;_ylt=At9_qDKvtAbMuh1G1SQtBI7ntAcJ
    >>
    > _________________________________________________________________
    >> Your smile counts. The more smiles you share, the
    >> more we donate. Join in.
    >>
    > www.windowslive.com/smile?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_Wave2_oprsmilewlhmtagline
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > ____________________________________________________________________________________
    > Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page.
    > http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
    >


  • 18.  Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

    Posted 11-24-2007 12:21

    Janet, wonderful ideas for research....In the spirit of shameless promotion, I would highly encourage any doctoral students following this listserv to contemplate these hypotheses/questions (and/or to start formulating some of their own) in preparation for one of our upcoming "Most Promising Dissertation Proposal" Awards. These awards are granted every year by MSR to encourage significant research that advances our field....Details should be forthcoming soon.....THX for the thoughtful and timely input! J Arthur

    From: Management, Spirituality & Religion [mailto:MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu] On Behalf Of Janet Kiehl
    Sent: Friday, November 23, 2007 12:40 PM
    To: MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    Subject: Re: Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

     

    What research has been done that relates to this question?  I imagine that there is no research base that is exactly on point (since no one has provided articles), but there may be something that relates.  For example, is there something on organizational adoption/rejection of spiritual values or values that are operational versions of spiritual, like forgiveness, positive attitude, tolerance... constructs from social psych research.

     

    The idea is to get some empirical evidence that is complementary and may provide a foundation for an hypothesis testing study. 

     

    <st1:personname w:st="on">Janet Kiehl</st1:personname>

     

     

    -----Original Message-----
    From: Management, Spirituality & Religion [mailto:MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu] On Behalf Of Dr. Arthur L. Jue
    Sent: Friday, November 23, 2007 2:50 PM
    To: MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    Subject: Re: Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

     

    Welcome Business Person! Glad we have some participating here -- we need

    more!! Happy Holidays....Another business person....

     

    -----Original Message-----

    From: Management, Spirituality & Religion [mailto:MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu] On

    Behalf Of Martin Rutte

    Sent: Thursday, November 22, 2007 10:33 AM

    To: MSR@AOMLISTS.pace.edu

    Subject: Re: Resistance to spirituality or religion in the workplace?

     

    Dr. Pastille was kind enough to refer to me as Dr. Rutte.  Thank 

    you.  My mother would be thrilled.

     

    I do not have a PhD.  I'm not an academic, I'm a business person.

     

    Martin