Christianity Essay: Christian Ethics in Business and Society

This essay explores various aspects of Christianity, including ethical considerations in business, leadership principles, and societal issues. The essay begins with a personal reflection on the student's positive work experience at Woolworths, highlighting the development of interpersonal and professional skills, and a sense of purpose derived from serving customers. The essay then delves into different readings, addressing the abortion debate from a religious perspective and contrasting viewpoints on the sanctity of life. It also examines the role of Christian scriptures in environmental stewardship, emphasizing the responsibility of mankind to protect the environment. Furthermore, the essay discusses ethical leadership within a Christian framework, highlighting the importance of love, compassion, and integrity in leadership, as well as the alignment of modern leadership theories with these values. Finally, the essay stresses the importance of ethical business practices, emphasizing the need for businesses to consider their impact on the community and stakeholders, and the significance of conducting business responsibly and ethically for the benefit of all involved.

Running head: CHRISTIANITY
Christianity
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

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Question:
I have placed in Woolworths in the post of a Service Manager, and the experience has
been an extremely a fulfilling one. I have been able to enjoy many learning opportunities, and
have also received multiple training options. For example, I have received training in
interpersonal communication skills that have helped in improving my verbal communication
skills. Now, I feel much confident while interacting with customers at my workplace, and love to
serve the company that has professionally developed my abilities. Earlier, I was always very
scared to work anywhere, as I suffered from low confidence level. However, after working at
Woolworths, I have become more self-motivated and driven, and I love working, as I have been
able to acquire the skills needed for accomplishing my job. I am enjoying each day at work, as
all my co-workers are so nice to me, and they help me as and when required. I accomplish a
sense of purpose by serving customers in time and ensuring their satisfaction.
Reading 1:
This reading revolves around the debatable issue- if abortion should be legalized or it
should be criminalized. Although abortion is allowed, religious people tend to think that it kills
the innocent life of an unborn, which has every right to claim a life, even though he cannot assert
his rights. However, a more rational approach states that the unborn child during his initial years
is only a fetus, comprising of tissues, and is nothing more than a simple product of sexual
intercourse1 .A woman’s life or well-being is often threatened while trying to give birth to an
unborn child, who is not yet born, and his mother’s right to life should be more than his own as
he has still not attained consciousness of his existence. Besides, many women are victims of rape
1 David K Clark and Robert Vincent Rakestraw, Readings In Christian Ethics (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books,
1994).

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and forced, unprotected intercourse, and they should not be denied the right of abortion.
However, such faith in Natalism, where the unborn is denied less right than the born, is alos
socially unacceptable.
Reading 2:
While Christian scriptures have played an important role in shaping the religious beliefs
of the Christian followers, its association with and application in real life still remains unknown
and unutilized. In the New Testament, it is clearly stated that one who wishes to lead a righteous
life, must live in compliance and in harmony with the creation created by the Creator. It is the
responsibility of mankind to ensure that the creation created by the Creator is preserved, and
problems such as environmental pollution is not allowed to contaminate the environment. The
Christian religious belief does not ask mankind to fear Creation, but to view and respect the
world as a creation of God, and to work for ensuring a green, pollution-free, sustainable
environment2. Human beings should feel the divine connection with the creator, and respect the
world, the earth as He has created, instead of polluting the same.
Reading 3:
While people usually tend to believe that leadership is all about enjoying a hierarchically
superior position at workplace and bossing over subordinates, ethical leadership is much more
than that. The Christian scriptures portray the ideal leader as a loving shepherd who lays down
for the well-being of his followers. Thus, love, compassion and integrity are essential traits of an
ethical leader, as much as his ability to control and evaluate others. The modern leadership
theories such as Transformational Leadership and Servant Leadership follow this view only. An
2 Calvin B DeWitt, The Environment And The Christian (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, 1991).

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ideal leader must care as much as he leads, and treats his subordinates in the same way as he
wishes to be treated. If a leader compels his employees to work overtime and provide them with
no incentive, or if he deceives his shareholders with inaccurate information, he is not a leader.
He should take only those decisions which he will be comfortable enough to share with all his
stakeholders.
Reading 4:
It is not enough to do business for the sake of money, and so one should be mindful of the
community he is conducting business. The worldview a person believes in, his personal
motivation to do good, and his willingness to comply with the regulatory norms and laws of the
nation determines his moral goodness while conducting business3. One should believe in the idea
of creating a better world, and sustaining the present resources, instead of consuming all the
resources at present. It is important to conduct business in an ethical and responsible way so that
each of the stakeholders is able to benefit from it. The customers should e satisfied, the
shareholders should be well-informed and the community should benefit from the company.
3 Jacqueline Mess, Business Ethics (Queensland: Southern Cross College, 2017).

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Reference List:
Clark, David K, and Robert Vincent Rakestraw. Readings In Christian Ethics. Grand Rapids,
Mich.: Baker Books, 1994.
DeWitt, Calvin B. The Environment And The Christian. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book
House, 1991.
Mess, Jacqueline. Business Ethics. Queensland: Southern Cross College, 2017.