The Christian Business Conncetion

[Lon]

I am not a religious person and care not a whit whether God is left in or out of the U.S. Pledge. I don't care if they say prayers in school, the Congress, in your home or any where. I believe it's your right to believe what you wish. I don't protest against or belong to any organizations that bash any religions.
Having said that-----------

Today I interviewed a nice young man of about 35 that runs his own cleaning business. Vladimir is a Ukaranian immigrant (now a citizen) who felt compelled to tell me that his was a Christian Business. I asked him what he mean't by a Christian business and he went on to explain that he and his wife and workers follow Christian principles in their daily work and that his customers were Christians. I said that was very admirable but that I was not a Christian and that my Japanese neighbor who he was also talking to was a Buddhist. He acted very embarassed at this point and quickly replied that it was OK that we were not Christians.
When someone feels compelled to tell me that they are a Christian or that they have a Christian business, all my cautionary senses go on full alert.
Please, please, please don't tell me you are a Christian. Actions speak louder than words. A business that pushes the Christian Connection can screw you just as fast as anyone else. Don't infer that you are a good person, act it. Don't infer that your business is honest, demonstrate it.

[Clint]

Yer gonna love this Lon. I agree with you 100%. When someone opens with “I’m a Christian”, I run for cover.

[abbey]

I could never understand why on earth someone would introduce themselves as being Christian.
I would'nt dream of introducing myself as an Aethiest.

[Lon]

Before I retired and was in business I was approached many times to join the "Christian Businessmens Association". There was always the inference that it would be good for business. That bothered me then and it bothers me now. I wonder what their non Christian clients and customers felt about this exclusionary Association?

[actionfigurestepho]

I hate gimmicks like that. It seems like they're saying that just because another business isn't Christian it isn't honest.

[weeder]

It is a pleasure lon, to discover someone whose outlook is identical to mine. I particulary shudder when I hear names of businesses like... Men of God Painting and Repair... The Lords Way Lawncare.... Trust in Us (as we do him) cleaning service.... A couple of months ago I went to see anaccountant for an estimate to do bookeeping for my business. In his waiting room was literature for the church he attended.. RED FLAG # 1 During our consultation he made sure to tell me how finding the lord however many years ago.. had insured that his CPA firm would be a success. When I left, and decided not to use this guy... he actually stalked me. Sending me faxes, and criticizing me for not choosing him. I could share many, many, stories of this same nature. Imagine if we all went around declaring.. "Hi Im Bob, I truly respect women.". Hi, Im Jane, blacks dont "bother me at all" Blah,
Blah, Blah.... Yeah, Yeah, Yeah.

[gmc]

posted by lon

Before I retired and was in business I was approached many times to join the "Christian Businessmens Association". There was always the inference that it would be good for business. That bothered me then and it bothers me now. I wonder what their non Christian clients and customers felt about this exclusionary Association?

They are here as well, the full gospel businessmen's lunch one of the more surreal lunches I have ever had. It was almost like a religious mafia.

Asking someone's religon is not a question that comes up in conversation. I happen to live in an area where sectarianism lies just below the surface, the next question would always be what kind of christian. Most normal just don't want to know your religon and care even less. People say catholic or protestant not christian. Add in Plymouth brethern, mormons, jehovahs witnesses, and charismatics. A secular life is the only sane one. Leave god out of it he gets a bad enough press as it is

[Clint]

If people want to create a business network centered on religion or their choice of bubble gum…it doesn’t matter. They have that right.

[Lon]

Originally Posted by Clint

If people want to create a business network centered on religion or their choice of bubble gum…it doesn’t matter. They have that right.

It's not their right to create such a network that's in question, but their motive.

[Clint]

Originally Posted by Lon

It's not their right to create such a network that's in question, but their motive.

Oops. I misunderstood your statement again so this is an edit.

If their motive is to strengthen each other in business and connect with business people who have similar interests...why shouldn't those motives be okay?