Does religion & business conflict?
Post 1 of 35
In some religion, God doesnt recommend to pursue money. But as business man, money shall be the first pursuit
Does it conflict with the religion?
08 Jul 2007 03:35
Post 2 of 35
Replying to [heshelleyatgmaildotcom]:
moses is moses ; business is business.
moses is moses ; business is business.
08 Jul 2007 04:48
Post 3 of 35
Replying to [heshelleyatgmaildotcom]Dear Friend
I guess the confllict is in how you interpret the statement: Don't pursue money. If your only focus id to make money, no matter waht, then you very likely will do some illegal actions when doing business. But if you get some financial rewards as a consequence of providing some good to the market, then tha's a different story. God said protect your family and care for them. so you either work for somebody and get compensated, or start your business wityh the hopes to get some revenues, so you could compensate your workers.
Doing Business is a way to do some work, and work is what dignifies men. Look from that perspective to position yourself what you want to do.
Vicente
I guess the confllict is in how you interpret the statement: Don't pursue money. If your only focus id to make money, no matter waht, then you very likely will do some illegal actions when doing business. But if you get some financial rewards as a consequence of providing some good to the market, then tha's a different story. God said protect your family and care for them. so you either work for somebody and get compensated, or start your business wityh the hopes to get some revenues, so you could compensate your workers.
Doing Business is a way to do some work, and work is what dignifies men. Look from that perspective to position yourself what you want to do.
Vicente
12 Jul 2007 14:35
Post 4 of 35
Replying to [heshelleyatgmaildotcom]:
We can all pray and be very religious all day long, but if there's no food on the table then we won't be around to practice religion the following day. So I'd say business comes first, in order for mankind to continue to innovate and live.
I dont think there's any conflict between religion and business. It's really a question of what we intend to do with wealth, after we acquire wealth in business, that matters. Wealth for its own sake can be counterproductive.
Warren Buffet has shown the world (by giving away billions US$???) that ultimately business is not just about money, of course it always is initially, but in the end it is really about what we can accomplish with money for mankind as a whole.
Until then we have to make money, and enjoy it as a reward, and later but not much later we should care for the less fortunate (forget about those capable but lazy ones.. or the scammers out there.. for they can just continue to rot)
![[em10]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_silly.gif)
We can all pray and be very religious all day long, but if there's no food on the table then we won't be around to practice religion the following day. So I'd say business comes first, in order for mankind to continue to innovate and live.
I dont think there's any conflict between religion and business. It's really a question of what we intend to do with wealth, after we acquire wealth in business, that matters. Wealth for its own sake can be counterproductive.
Warren Buffet has shown the world (by giving away billions US$???) that ultimately business is not just about money, of course it always is initially, but in the end it is really about what we can accomplish with money for mankind as a whole.
Until then we have to make money, and enjoy it as a reward, and later but not much later we should care for the less fortunate (forget about those capable but lazy ones.. or the scammers out there.. for they can just continue to rot)
07 Aug 2007 06:31
Post 5 of 35
Replying to [heshelleyatgmaildotcom]:
You call it religion, but we call it faith and beliefs.
To separate a man's belief from his practice is not possible, it is an integral part of a person. Our inspiration and motives of the final end, the ulterior motive is predestined before us as we decide on our journey through life.
People see "religion" as the outward actions, the tangible and the physical, but Spiritual beings or things of the spirit cannot be seen, and since the beginning of mankind, there is always a strong belief that life is eternal, and the present existence is only temporaral. Man started to worship and give homage to the "Superior Spiritual Being", and for some a system, with no personality. Laws governing morality were written and Systems were installed to execute them, and people follow them with the benefits and punishments if they are broken or transgressed.
Not by words nor by lip service alone is the "religion" of a person displayed to others, but by the lifestyle, the manner of conduct and the good deeds to others conveys the "witness" of his/her belief. In other words, religion is personal to the individual, and where and what s/he does manifests the extra-ordinary character of the person. He may be outwardly pious and at the same time be a excellent employee in the company, and inwardly religious, with a holy fear of a living God.
James OO7
You call it religion, but we call it faith and beliefs.
To separate a man's belief from his practice is not possible, it is an integral part of a person. Our inspiration and motives of the final end, the ulterior motive is predestined before us as we decide on our journey through life.
People see "religion" as the outward actions, the tangible and the physical, but Spiritual beings or things of the spirit cannot be seen, and since the beginning of mankind, there is always a strong belief that life is eternal, and the present existence is only temporaral. Man started to worship and give homage to the "Superior Spiritual Being", and for some a system, with no personality. Laws governing morality were written and Systems were installed to execute them, and people follow them with the benefits and punishments if they are broken or transgressed.
Not by words nor by lip service alone is the "religion" of a person displayed to others, but by the lifestyle, the manner of conduct and the good deeds to others conveys the "witness" of his/her belief. In other words, religion is personal to the individual, and where and what s/he does manifests the extra-ordinary character of the person. He may be outwardly pious and at the same time be a excellent employee in the company, and inwardly religious, with a holy fear of a living God.
James OO7
12 Aug 2007 18:55
Post 6 of 35
Replying to [heshelleyatgmaildotcom]:
The dictionary meaning of religion is: a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion, Hindu religion, Sikh religion, Muslim religion etc.
I feel that the main fundamental sets of beliefs are common in all the religions such as - follow the path of truth in life, never cheat anyone, be helpful to others, respect others and your seniors, never indulge in bad things, do not get into the trap of ego, lust, power and passion, never encourage anger, never harm others by your actions or words and so on. The belief is that if we bring all these characteristic into our day-to-day behaviour, we will be able to make our soul purer which finally lead us to free us from the all the karmic results which is the ultimate goal of the mankind.
Business is an activity by which a businessman makes things availability possible to the needy consumer. This is a noble job, if taken in a right spirit, by which a businessman has got an opportunity to serve the mankind.
If the businessman has a true faith in his religions set of beliefs (as mentioned above) and intends to practice in his life, he will do his business activity in a most sacred way treating his activity as service to the mankind and his GOD. He will never try to earn by unscrupulous means and harm his customers by cheating them deliberately to satisfy his lust for monetary gains to enjoy worldly pleasures and becoming an egoistic person. If he does so, according to me, he is deviating from his religions beliefs.
Unfortunately, today what we observe is that some people have made the term business as synonym to corruption, cheating, extracting money from others, exploiting their employees to the maximum etc. and that makes us feel that whether religion & business conflict each other! I feel that the business, if taken in a right spirit, is a sort of an opportunity for a person to make his religious beliefs into actions and improve his life.
The dictionary meaning of religion is: a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion, Hindu religion, Sikh religion, Muslim religion etc.
I feel that the main fundamental sets of beliefs are common in all the religions such as - follow the path of truth in life, never cheat anyone, be helpful to others, respect others and your seniors, never indulge in bad things, do not get into the trap of ego, lust, power and passion, never encourage anger, never harm others by your actions or words and so on. The belief is that if we bring all these characteristic into our day-to-day behaviour, we will be able to make our soul purer which finally lead us to free us from the all the karmic results which is the ultimate goal of the mankind.
Business is an activity by which a businessman makes things availability possible to the needy consumer. This is a noble job, if taken in a right spirit, by which a businessman has got an opportunity to serve the mankind.
If the businessman has a true faith in his religions set of beliefs (as mentioned above) and intends to practice in his life, he will do his business activity in a most sacred way treating his activity as service to the mankind and his GOD. He will never try to earn by unscrupulous means and harm his customers by cheating them deliberately to satisfy his lust for monetary gains to enjoy worldly pleasures and becoming an egoistic person. If he does so, according to me, he is deviating from his religions beliefs.
Unfortunately, today what we observe is that some people have made the term business as synonym to corruption, cheating, extracting money from others, exploiting their employees to the maximum etc. and that makes us feel that whether religion & business conflict each other! I feel that the business, if taken in a right spirit, is a sort of an opportunity for a person to make his religious beliefs into actions and improve his life.
16 Aug 2007 06:09
Post 7 of 35
Replying to [vshanker]:
Good points shanker. All religions teach people good manners and honest conduct of life, in business as in work, and to be pious is to be an honest upright person without any vices of greed or selfish motivation, you called it " karmas".
So to conclude, religion does not contradict or conflict with business, on the contrary, it compliments business and supports business.
Dick Moby
Good points shanker. All religions teach people good manners and honest conduct of life, in business as in work, and to be pious is to be an honest upright person without any vices of greed or selfish motivation, you called it " karmas".
So to conclude, religion does not contradict or conflict with business, on the contrary, it compliments business and supports business.
Dick Moby
17 Aug 2007 22:25
Post 8 of 35
Replying to [heshelleyatgmaildotcom]:Replying to [heshelleyatgmaildotcom]:![[em1]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_smile.gif)
Money is the root of what you are or do. If you are a good person or company money can just help you do more good. God wants us to make money so we can help ourselves and others. Money is not evil. It is what you do with it that makes it good or evil!!!!!
mao moa
Money is the root of what you are or do. If you are a good person or company money can just help you do more good. God wants us to make money so we can help ourselves and others. Money is not evil. It is what you do with it that makes it good or evil!!!!!mao moa
19 Aug 2007 07:35
Post 9 of 35
Replying to [heshelleyatgmaildotcom]:in which religion does it say not to pursue money ?
Pursuing money as a main goal does indeed seem to be the wrong attitude, because it may pave way to dark and dishonest practices.
To me money is a result of business ( if one has a certain degree of luck must I add ) provided one works hard and really does the best possible. In some religion making money from for instance lending out money against interest ( like banking business ) is not good.
Or making money by selling/making alcohol or tobacco.
One can do many many types of business which does not conflict with any religion. so there lies still many opportinities to make money,
not as a primary goal, but as a means in improving it´s life and helping others.
Pursuing money as a main goal does indeed seem to be the wrong attitude, because it may pave way to dark and dishonest practices.
To me money is a result of business ( if one has a certain degree of luck must I add ) provided one works hard and really does the best possible. In some religion making money from for instance lending out money against interest ( like banking business ) is not good.
Or making money by selling/making alcohol or tobacco.
One can do many many types of business which does not conflict with any religion. so there lies still many opportinities to make money,
not as a primary goal, but as a means in improving it´s life and helping others.
21 Aug 2007 07:34
Post 10 of 35
Replying to [bavaria]:
I agree with what Dick Moby", "Mao Mao" and "bavaria" have said above.
In short, if the concept of “Earning Money” becomes the paramount concern of someone, it is quite possible that he/she will deviate from the right path (i.e. from the preachings of their respective religions). But if the concept of “Earning Money” is taken as a by-product of our services or actions towards the society, whether in buisiness or in service, we will not find any contradictions in so called” religion” (a set of principles and ethics) and the business (or even in service).
We also find a lot of govt. employees, by being in service, are indulged in the corrupt practices to earn some extra money by taking undue advantages of their positions in govt departments. This is also in contradiction with their religions – whatever religion they believe in.
I agree with what Dick Moby", "Mao Mao" and "bavaria" have said above.
In short, if the concept of “Earning Money” becomes the paramount concern of someone, it is quite possible that he/she will deviate from the right path (i.e. from the preachings of their respective religions). But if the concept of “Earning Money” is taken as a by-product of our services or actions towards the society, whether in buisiness or in service, we will not find any contradictions in so called” religion” (a set of principles and ethics) and the business (or even in service).
We also find a lot of govt. employees, by being in service, are indulged in the corrupt practices to earn some extra money by taking undue advantages of their positions in govt departments. This is also in contradiction with their religions – whatever religion they believe in.
22 Aug 2007 23:31
Post 11 of 35
Replying to [heshelleyatgmaildotcom]:In my last 20 years of trading I found that religion is not a big factor in bussiness . we always respect a good and honest person not that is he a muslim or christian ,hindu ,etc. As shankar said , i agree with him.religion only teach us how to live in better and civilized way,
28 Aug 2007 10:43