1. Maneuvering AMONG PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT FAITHs
Session 2
2012 Chaplain Development Conference
SWBTS

2. Faith in the Workplace
The First Amendment protects Government employees’ exercise of their personal faith in the workplace
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech…”

3. Faith and Diversity
*Guidelines On Religious Exercise and Religious Expression in the Federal Workplace (The White House, Aug 1997)
*Managed By Diversity Office
--"Diversity includes all characteristics and experiences that define each of us as individuals.”

4. Diversity Talking Points (Army)
Our diversity enhances our ability to lead people and maintain operations around the world.
As demographics change, we must recruit the best of America’s talent across all segments of the population.
Our Army consists of men and women of different backgrounds, cultures, ideas, and beliefs.
Our nation’s strength stems from its diversity.
As leaders, we must strengthen the knowledge and understanding of individuals.
We must be inclusive leaders.

5. Religion: Diversity’s Missing Link
Diversity talks include gender, race, age, disability/ability, sexual orientation
Why the avoidance on religion and faith?
-- inappropriate for the workplace (a private matter)
-- non-rational subject (primitive); no place in the post-modern workplace?
-- no background to teach it
--opposition to spirituality and religion, although the former is less threatening
ILL – Comprehensive Soldier Fitness

6. The Rise of Religious Diversity
The United States is “the most religiously diverse nation in the world” (Diana Eck, A New Religious America)
4-5 Americans profess Christianity
Over 90% of Soldiers are “Christian”
Why the diversity increase?
--July 4, 1965, immigration and Naturalization Act
--today’s unprotected borders?

7. Diversity- “A Complicated Presence”
An “unresolved tension” of religion created by the Founding Fathers
As diversity increases, commonality of religious beliefs, practices decreases
The solution?
--a “respectful pluralism”
1) Human beings possess dignity
2) All human beings deserve respect
3) Equal dignity and respect to all

8. Diversity Questions
What conditions must be operative in the workplace to guarantee religious respect for all?
What does a moral commitment to freedom of religion look like within the institution?
How free and welcome are our people to express themselves religiously?
How am I (chaplain) involved in support of religious diversity?

9. Religious Freedom Test
The presumption of inclusion
--institutions should allow employees to freely express themselves culturally, religiously, and spiritually, subject to the following limitations:
1. Non-degradation of others
2. Non-coercive
3. Non-establishment

10. Managing Religious Diversity
Potential of conflict, but good leaders manage conflict and tension
Requires a compelling vision
Chaplains serve as advisors on religion, morals, and morale to their institution/chain of command
Ministry of presence ensures a respectful workplace

11. A Vision For Religious Diversity
Clash of civilizations
This is a Judeo-Christian nation
Secularism
Spirituality
Communalism
The crossroads
(Douglas Hicks, With God on All Sides: Leadership in a Devout and Diverse America

12. QUESTIONS?