Religion and life philosophy in the workplace

June 2024

Religion and life philosophy in the workplace: A look at workplace dynamics with several true stories, for what is considered taboo subject matter in business. Recent, deep, interesting, discussions between Men in the business world that prompt me to ask you–are you seeing the same discussions?

To be clear, during my career, I have kept religion and philosophical beliefs out of the daily work environment unless asked. Not because I didn’t have a belief system or an opinion, but I simply felt it wasn’t the place to make my beliefs known when I was in a position of power. I also didn’t want Managers to wield any direct influence accordingly. I am not suggesting that I was the lone ranger in this policy. I still support this policy in the everyday workplace.

However, for me, some very surprising conversations have emerged over the last 5 years between myself and Men in the business world that were typically taboo throughout a lifetime of work. Men that I have known well for many years, and suddenly in the last 4-5 years many discussions have developed, and I think we were surprised on both sides of the conversations. Just when you think you have someone figured out, you don’t. I always believed in the saying “nobody knows anybody, not that well” and that certainly rings true on this subject matter.

Why now, why recently? What is causing these beliefs and philosophies to pop to the surface when they have not been en vogue? Is it old age and maturity? No, I know a lot of crazy and immature older people. Is it a spiritual revival in process across the world? No, I am not seeing that either. So why? Why the timing of this phenomenon in religious and philosophical talk between businesspeople?

I have a different perspective. I say why not? Everything else is up for discussion in the workplace it seems. Workplace rules of engagement have been shoved from the top down in corporations and courts, about everything else from dress codes, handicap parking, gender, pronouns, bathroom usage, laws that force employers to hire felons, relaxed drug laws, lactation stations, sexual harassment and just about any kind of personal behavior that can be imagined, and while some of it is highly warranted, some of it is also goes beyond the pale or any common logic. In other words, maybe these recent religious discussions are in some ways, an open “push back” against the ultra-liberal non-stop barrage of what you can and can’t believe in.

Personally, I have no problem sharing my beliefs with people that I know well and trust, but I also want others to know, that while I have managed for decades through landmines of corporate policy, state and federal law, and I did as I had to do, but there’s no way I am letting the workplace define me. So, I have no compunctions in letting others know “hey guess what, that isn’t me–I have another set of rules that govern and shape me”.

How interesting to share with trusted friends, deep feelings about religion, the cosmos, and philosophy about life in general–it’s been beyond refreshing to hear from them and to share as well. While there are at times some real differences in our opinions, the thoughts and beliefs are still being shared and boiling up. And maybe those people thought I needed it, so they asked? I don’t know, but my teens and twenties are long gone when I ate nails for breakfast and didn’t sleep at night so I wouldn’t cut into my drinking time.. And even then, I had strong beliefs in a higher power.

True story No.1: About 5 years ago after finishing a business call with a Man I’ve known for decades, he said, Bruce I want to ask you something personal. I said, sure no problem. He asked, how do you feel about the afterlife and what is your belief?.. I just about fell out of my chair. But I was very much ok with the question, and what ensued was a long conversation that opened a new chapter in our friendship. We both found out several new things about each other that was astounding. In my case, he never knew that I was raised by a Father (a very successful businessman) who was also a self-sustaining pastor of a church (no pay from the church) for several years. He also had no idea that I have personally spent literally hundreds of hours in studies and research in matters of the cosmos, physics and metaphysics for further edification. The conversations have continued on a regular basis since then. I truly enjoy those discussions.

True story No. 2: A very successful business friend and I were having one of our regular chats about 2 years ago and we were covering just about every subject under the sun as we normally would, and amazingly we drifted into discussing religion and philosophy for the 1st time, and we have had many more discussions since, and it has been very enlightening. It was almost stunning how we easily discussed very serious held beliefs, not always in alignment, but we made each other think. While I always respected him, I have a newer level of respect and trust that I’m glad to have developed with him.

True story No.3: A childhood friend that I went to school with and did just about everything together for 25 years including work, we had not talked in a few decades and finally caught up with each other like it had never stopped. Then one day roughly 4 years ago, he called and expressed a desire to talk about religion, beliefs systems, and we went on to share a multi hour conversation, that has now morphed into serious discussions every 3-4 months. He and I have a new bond in our desire to share our deepest thoughts and hopes. Amazing to me, since I never figured him for this direction of deep reflection and his faith. And he was blown away to hear about my research through multiple religions, philosophies starting with the simplicity of Karma and my heavy research into the cosmos, physics and metaphysics. One day he asked Bruce, what caused you to grow this way? I said I needed to know, and this is where it took me. It’s just that simple and that profound.

True story No. 4: I have a good friend and business associate who would be a natural for a tough guy role in a Hollywood action movie. Ex-military, big and intimidating stature, highly intelligent and he looks like he could rip a steel belted radial tire off a moving car. We have regular discussions about politics and life in general. Last year he and I discussed our beliefs and I looked at him and thought to myself, you’re a real-life warrior and you’re not ashamed to say you have a belief. It’s re-assuring to see his sincere conviction and benevolence when he is trained in solving matters by use of force.

As I thought through these new revelations by several different people and their openness (there have been others) I have wondered about this new and sudden under-current and burning desire, by so many to discuss religion, God or a higher power, the cosmos, and life philosophy. Maybe I’m easy to talk to–but I hope it’s more than that.. Was it just a handful of folks that I happened to know, or are there many more? Let’s face it, our current society doesn’t find it fashionable to believe in ANYTHING. I PUSH BACK against that. I wondered how many more people are feeling this way, but they might also feel suppressed, especially in the business world.

Myself, I believe strongly in God as an inexplicable higher power, I believe in our Country, and my Family is everything to me.
I believe in:
GOD
COUNTRY
FAMILY
And I don’t care if that offends anyone. And if I can’t do business with you because of my beliefs, I DON’T CARE.

I don’t know exactly what God is, but mystery is ok with me. I personally align with Freeman Dyson on what God is (he is one of the brightest minds in history). I’ll provide a link below.

To my Fathers credit as a Pastor, he walked into my room when I was 8 years old and said, Son, you don’t have to be baptized right away–do it when you want to. I said, I’ll wait, and he was good with that–it left me with an objective mind and at a young age I preferred it that way–no wonder I ended up liking Freeman Dysons opinions.. He was a good Father for not forcing organized religion on me in a specific time frame. I’m not for organized religion, but I also don’t oppose it. Some people thrive under structure and routine.
I am not suggesting you go on a freewheeling discussion about God or a higher power, or religion in the workplace, but I am wondering what others are seeing and hearing–and is there a “push back” against the “anything goes society” that we now seem to live in? Are we in need of a spiritual reawakening? How many of you have seen this new openness, or are feeling this way? What say you?

all the best to everyone,

Bruce Daugherty

Freeman Dyson link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPZlMKVH2wI&t=13s

Cut to the chase if you want: 21:40 to 22:49