Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 8 October 2004 — Page 19

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2004

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGE B5

Prayer in the workplace

By Mary M. Chapman BET.com Last February, when an American Airlines pilot about to fly from Los Angeles to NewYork asked his passengers to raise their hands if they were Christians, the resulting fallout proved just how tricky it is to insert religion into the workplace. Instead of the question being taken as merely conversation from a pilot who was filled with the spirit, the comment caused frenzy among passengers still mindful of the toxic mix of religious zealousness and airplanes. “There was definitely the implication there that we felt that something was going to happen,” one passenger told CNN. After getting complaints, the pilot apologized and, for its part, the airline later explained that such “personal sharing” is not appropriate for an employee to do on the job. But, increasingly, just that type of personal sharing is happening in America’s workplaces. From prayer before meetings to company-sponsored spiritual retreats, religion in the workplace is a burgeoning trend. There are 10,000 Bible and prayer groups that meet regularly at work, according to the Fellowship for Companies for Christ International. That’s not surprising, considering a recent Gallup poll showed that 90 percent of U.S. adults say that religion is either very important or fairly important in their lives. What’s more, 48 percent of those surveyed said they talked about their religious faith at work that day. But at the same

time, charges of religious discrimi- employees in hospitals or to help nation in the workplace have risen workers handle emotional break48 percent since 1990, said Marta downs. Nieburg, a consultant for TriNet, There is federal and state-spe-a San Leandro, Calif.-based hu- cific legislation that relates to reman resources firm. ligious freedom. Managers can Nellye Hodges, a devout, generally limit conduct that in-middle-aged Christian, who a terferes with work, but they can-year-and-a-half ago placed a not prohibit any discussion relat-green-and-white sign atop her ingtoreligion,Nieburgsaid. Howworkplace computer that has ever.somemanagersdrawtheline “Jesus” crocheted on it, is right in when it comes to sharing their the mix. A service consultant for faith at work. SBC Communications in Michi- “I don’t allow proselytizing, and gan for 20 years, Hodges said the I wouldn’t permit prayer sessions,” sign is not a problem because there said Margo Williams, president are lots of other “saints” on the of Margo Williams & Associates, job. Co-workers regularly post a Detroit-based public relations announcements of religious firm. “I think they are too imposchurch events on the community ing on others, and it puts pressure news board, she added. on others who don’t wish to be “I’ve laid hands [in prayer] on involved.” co-workers in the cubicle next Some human resources experts door, and the supervisors don’t say managerial flexibility when it say anything,” said Hodges, whose comes to religion could improve managers are mostly Black. “I can productivity. Williams said that say to a customer over the phone, may be so, but the downside isn’t for instance, ‘Have a blessed day.’ worth it. Sometimes, a customer will bring “What if an employee is not a the subject up, and I just go with Christian and I allow lunch-time ft-” prayer... an employee who doesn’t Hodges said 9-11 changed ev- participate might worry that erything. “[Managers and co- they’ll be passed over for promoworkers] are less uptight,” she tions. I’ve seen that happen in said. “Nowadays it’s OK to be hu- other places, and I won’t let it man ... and being spiritual is a happen here.” part of being human. We can cry Kerrye Mack, a Rochester, N.Y., and mourn now, more than we guidance counselor who describes ever could before, and I hear that herself as “not particularly relithat’s true at a lot of places." gious,” said she would worry if her From 1993 to 1999 roughly300 manager began to regularly pray Xerox Corp. employees — from at work or to talk about his faith, top-level mangers to entry-level As it is, she said, she sometimes clerks - went on product develop- feels isolated by church-going coment “vision quests" in New York’s workers. “On Mondays, especially, Catskill Mountains, seeking in- they talk about what they did in spiration and guidance. Compa- the choir or whatever the day benies such as Pizza Hut and Taco fore, and sometimes you do feel a Bell have hired chaplains to visit little left out.”

Man gels 9 months [or vandalizing historic Black church

ROANOKE, Va. (AP) - A man who blamed his drinking and drug use for the $75,000 in damage he did to an historic Black church was sentenced to nine months in jail. Zachary Lee Bryant, 23, said news accounts of the extensive damage done to Mount Moriah Baptist Church on Jan. 11 “made me sick to my stomach” when he saw them the next day, and blamed a night of drinking wine, snorting cocaine and popping pills. k

“I was not able at that point to make any judgment at all,” Bryant said. He was the first of two defendants convicted in the case. The other man, Christopher Frank Martin, is to be sentenced next month. Both men could also face charges in federal court if prosecutors can prove their actions were a hate crime. In court last week, Bryant answered “yes” to several questions from his attorney about

whether he accepted that he was responsible for destroying other people’s property, but said he did not accept the notion that he is a racist. “No. Not at all. I do not ac* cept that fact,” he said. Bryant and Martin forced open a door to the church, thfew metal chairs through windows, smashed antique light fixtures and ripped a sink from a wall.

Ui poll sees anli-Muslim feeling

(AP) — About one in four Americans holds anti-Muslim views, such as a belief that the religion teaches violence and hatred, according to a survey an Islamic advocacy group released Monday. The survey by the Council on American-Islamic Relations found a majority of Americans hold positive views of Muslims, while a substantial number have no opinion at all. Anti-Islamic sentiment surged in this country after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks by terrorists who claimed to be acting in the name of the faith. Since then, anti-Muslim views have been encouraged by a continuing string of terror attacks, including decapitations, in Iraq, as well as a violent attack on school children in Russia, said Omar Ahmad, chairman of the council’s board.

“They have nothing to do with views. More than six in 10, for Islam. People claim they are do- instance, say Muslims have ing it for Islam, but it’s really in “family-oriented values.”

spite of Islam,” Ahmad said.

About two in three said they

The telephone survey of a ran- agreed that “the people who use dom sample of 1,000 American Islam to justify violence are misadults found that just over one interpreting its teachings.” in four people somewhat or The poll found that people strongly agreed with a series of most likely to have negative at-anti-Muslim sentiments includ- titudes were male, white, less ing: the Muslim religion teaches educated, politically conservaviolence and hatred (26 percent tive and living in the South, agreed); Muslims value life less Hoping to combat these attithan other people (27 percent tudes, the council plans a “Share agreed); and Muslims want to Ramadan” project, where it will change the American way of life encourage Muslims to invite

(29 percent agreed).

others to share an evening meal

More than four in 10 people during the monthlong event, disagreed with the statements. Ramadan begins Oct. 15 or Oct. In each case, nearly 30 percent 16 with the sighting of the first

said they had no opinion. Also, more than half disagreed

new moon in the next lunar year. The survey by Genesis Re-

with the statement, “Muslims are search Associates was conducted

dishonest.”

June 23 to July 2 and had a sam-

Large numbers of Americans pling margin of error of plus or also hold a variety of favorable minus 3 percentage points.

RELIGION BRIEFS

Workshop for small church outreach efforts The Indianapolis Center for Congregations will host a workshop entitled “A Connection Church" on Oct. 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The workshop will offer congregations a very practical look at small outreach group models created to respond to the mobility, fragmentation and isolation that many neighborhoods experience. The registration fee is $10, which includes lunch. Participants can register online at www.ctrtterforcongregatlons.org

or call the Center at (317) 2377799. The Indianapolis Center for Congregations is located at 303 N. Alabama St. Suite 100, Indianapolis. Seminar for individuals wary of Christian church Do you know someone who is a “non-churchgoer"? Do you know someone who has limited understanding of the Bible, or has anxieties in being associated with the church? The Alpha Ministry of Barnes United Methodist Church is currently hosting a series of

seminars The series, which is in its third week, will run through Nov. 5. A goal of this program is to offer an opportunity to explore the validity and relevance of the Christian faith for today’s individual. Participants will have many opportunities for discussion, and the style is informal. Those who are new to the church along with both former and present regular church attendees are invited. For more information or to sign up for the next session, call (317) 923-9197. Barnes Untied Methodist Church is located at 900 W. 30 th St.

f\]c'\v [ jl c 'll orshiv Center

presents Pastor's Appreciation Concert featuring John P. Kee

and

New Life Community Choir

(\a

Pastor John F, Ramsey, Sr, Thank you

Pastor, for your

Global Vision

Opening Act: Markey Montague and New Fellowship

Friday, October 15th, 2004 at 7:00 pm Doors Open at 6:00 pm New Life Worship Center Lafayette Square Mall Location Ticket Price: S20.00 person Tickets available at New Life Worship Center and Light and Life Bookstore 2740 Ko»slor Blvd N. Dr. Indianapolis. IN 46222 31 7 92b H067 (office) 31 7 941 227b (T.in) www.newlifemdy ore)

«5o n S of Solomon” "Mode In The Shade"- Song of Solomon 2:3 "Reconciling Irreconcilable Differences" - Song of Solomon 2:9 "Twisted"- Song of Solomon 3: l "Putting The Bed In The Right Place " - Song of Solomon 3:6-7 Presented by Pastor Jeffrey A. Johnson, Sr. EASTERN STAR CHURCH Wednesday In The Word & Worship 12:00 Noon & 7:00 PM 5750 E. 30th Street Main Campus JOIN US!

foi more information, coll 591 -5050