Heads I Win, Tails You Lose > NetSparsh - Viral Content you Love & Share

Home
>
Religion
>
Heads I Win, Tails You Lose

Heads I Win, Tails You Lose

In a time when public scrutiny is becoming tighter and more pervasive businesses have learned that they need to be on guard more than ever to ensure they are operating by ethical standards. Though not often mentioned in this discussion, I believe it is especially true of Christian organizations in whom trust is placed by donors. The old adage "heads I win, tails you lose" has a particular bite on this that says ouch. That's not the way it's supposed to be.

John Dalla Costa, in his book The Ethical Imperative, provides numerous examples of businesses that sought to play by this rule. By cutting ethical corners (playing games of delay and dodge when it came to expenses for health and safety requirements) many were "winning" the economic game in the short run, but losing over the long-term through fines, restrictions, and erosion of public confidence. By covering up illegal employee practices and denying basic benefits as a reward for helping to make the company profitable they again "saved money," over the short term only to see the long-term effects of this neglect take an economic toll in the form of low employee morale and employee lawsuits. Many of the business Dalla Costa cites are no longer in existence. For them it was "heads I win temporarily, tails I lose permanently.

What can Christian non-profit organizations learn from this? For one, boards need to be more involved. Many Christian organizations have boards that "trust" the organization's management to operate by ethical standards. They meet and simply listen to the glowing reports of success without asking probing nature. Secondly, Christian organizations need to pay close attention to its employee practices. This is the biggest area of litigation faced by non-profits today. Third, Christian organizations need to exercise care in ensuring donor intentions are adhered to in the application and usage of contributions. Fourth, Christian organizations should put in place appropriate internal control procedures to ensure that financial transactions are handled with care and efficiency.

Many well meaning Christian ministries advertise themselves with lofty Christian ideals, such as-

"We operate at the highest levels of integrity."

"In all our decisions we are guided by the lordship of Christ."

"The worth and value of every individual is given the highest respect."

The list could go on an on. The point is these are all subjective statements that cannot be measured in any rational way. And when perception becomes the guiding instrument through which evaluation of business practices takes place, it makes any challenge to leadership anathema. The landscape of Christian organizations gone sour as a result of focus on short-term gains at the expense long-term effectiveness, and at the expense of honesty and full disclosure, is dotted with embarrassing examples of ministries that have been less than circumspect in their principles of operation.

These kinds of organizations may not have the luxury of changing their business practices based on boards waking up to the realities of what has been happening or leaders realizing they need to be more forthcoming in their standards. New laws brought on by the scandals of Enron and other public corporations are casting their shadows over the private sector as well. When Christian organizations are forced into correction by the public sector rather than by their own policies and governing boards the whole scenario is changed. It is still "heads I win, tails you lose," but the loser becomes the ministry that has allowed itself to sacrifice long-term effectiveness for short-term gain. The other side of the coin, quite literally, is public shame, humiliation, and embarrassment. Trying to beat the odds of the consequences of public scrutiny is a coin toss in which a Christian organization would not want to become a participant.

David J. Moore is Vice President of Research and Development for Compassion Alliance, a humanitarian aid ministry with offices in Nixa, Missouri and Ocala, Florida. He also teaches part-time at a local University. He has years of experience in the non-profit sector, including having served for 8 years as a college president. He holds an MA in Cross-cultural Communication and has completed course work for a PhD in Higher Education Administration. Find out more about his ministry by visiting the web site at http://www.compassionalliance.org

In The News:

Karen Armstrong: ‘We’re just not good at religion’ Financial Times“I always say”, Karen Armstrong admits with a conspiratorial grin, “that God bought me that place.” She is referring to the north London house she paid for with ...

Guy Consolmagno, the Vatican’s chief astronomer, on science and religion Vox.comHe also digs into Galileo, icy moons, and the relationship between science and religion.

How Religious Restrictions Have Risen Around the World Pew Research Center's Religion and Public Life ProjectOver the decade from 2007 to 2017, government restrictions on religion - laws, policies and actions by state officials that restrict religious beliefs and practices ...

Pompeo Gets Religion The Wall Street JournalThe State Department is holding its second Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom this week, and on Thursday Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will ...

What role can religion play in modern Britain? The GuardianLetters: Guardian readers respond to our editorial on the decline of organised mainstream Christianity.

The census and religion Irish TimesAddThis Sharing Buttons. Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Email App Share to LinkedIn Share to Pinterest Share to Reddit Share to WhatsApp.

Religious restrictions on the rise globally: report Al Jazeera EnglishPew findings reveal largest increase in social hostilities towards religion in more than 10 years occurred in Europe.

Kafer: What John Andrews got wrong is that all religions are susceptible to abuse The Denver PostThey will tell you that a good and faithful Muslim can also be a good and faithful American. Sorry, but I don't see how,” said senior Colorado statesman John ...

Godhood impressions: Religious strategy sim lacks passion PolygonGodhood is a turn-based strategy game about creating a new religion and conquering the world. It's available on Steam Early Access by Abbey Games, ...

As religious freedom summit ends, State Department announces new alliance, sanctions Religion News ServiceWASHINGTON (RNS) — Trump administration officials announced a new alliance with U.S. partners focused on religious freedom and new sanctions against ...

Remarks by Vice President Pence at the 2nd Annual Religious Freedom Ministerial Whitehouse.govU.S. State Department Washington, D.C.. 10:59 A.M. EDT. THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, Ambassador Brownback, Your Excellencies, and to all of those who ...

A Sense Of Awe May Bridge The Gap Between Science And Religion ForbesScience people may be less likely to believe in god. But if awe is part of a person's love of science, it can actually make people more likely to believe.

'His Dark Materials' Is Not An Attack on Religion, Stars Say As First Trailer Debuts Hollywood ReporterLin-Manuel Miranda, Ruth Wilson, James McAvoy, and Dafne Keen debuted the first full trailer of their HBO/BBC drama based on Philip Pullman's fantasy novel ...

Chinese religious circles strongly condemn US defamation of China's freedom of religious belief - Xinhua | English.news.cn XinhuaBEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese religious circles have expressed deep indignation and strongly condemned the defamation of China's freedom of religious ...

UK secularism on rise as more than half say they have no religion The GuardianThe growth of secularism in the UK is unabated with *fresh* data showing stark generational differences and a new confidence among the non-religious to declare ...

Religious Liberty Restrictions Decline Slightly, Remain High EthicsDaily.comThe number of countries with significant government restrictions on religious liberty declined slightly in 2017, yet levels remain well above those from a decade ...

The old American consensus on religious liberty is weakening The EconomistBut it has not disappeared altogether, as the State Department's “ministerial on religious freedom” showed.

Global restrictions on religion increased over decade, Pew report DW (English)Over the decade from 2007 to 2017, government restrictions on religion — covering laws, policies and actions by state officials that restrict religious beliefs and ...

Why many of us still have faith in religion in this scientific age The GuardianLetters: Zaki Cooper of the Council of Christians and Jews says faith should not seek political power, but to influence society for the better; Martha ...

5 facts about religion in Canada Pew Research CenterA declining share of Canadians identify as Christians. Most Canadians say religion's influence in public life is waning in their country.

Trump meets Chinese Uighur, other religious persecution victims at White House ReutersU.S. President Donald Trump, who has made religious freedom a centerpiece of his foreign policy, met on Wednesday with victims of religious persecution from ...

Zen group to stop York Minster meetings after religious row The GuardianMeditation sessions drew criticism from evangelical Christians.

‘Science does not try to undermine religion – religion is simply irrelevant to science’ The Irish TimesOpinon: Let's not fool ourselves. I wish religion had been an ally of science – usually it was an opponent, and in most of the world it still is.

US now champions freedom of religion - Thu, July 18 2019 Jakarta PostThe United States is pushing for freedom of religion or belief worldwide and it is urging other countries to join hands in ensuring that people around the world are ...

Pew report: PA less restrictive on religion than Israel; Iran slightly worse The Times of IsraelIsrael is one of the top 22 most religiously restrictive countries in world, with sixth-highest level of 'interreligious tension and violence' -- a worse score than Syria, ...

Your Religion News: July 20, 2019 The RecorderASHFIELD — The Church Council of the First Congregational Church announces that members of the congregation voted unanimously on July 14 to call David ...

US to press religious freedom in North Korea: Pence CNAWASHINGTON: Vice President Mike Pence vowed on Thursday (Jul 18) to press North Korea to respect freedom of religion, despite the narrow US focus ...

Stop Calling Politics Our New Religion The New York TimesLooking for a new villain to account for the polarization and sheer meanness of our current politics? Instead of blaming deep divisions over race, misogyny, ...

Religion is fueling a new wave of immigration activism AxiosNever Again Action, a Jewish activist organization formed last month, led a protest of hundreds on Tuesday that closed ICE's headquarters in Washington, D.C., ...

UK government considering sanctions for religious freedom violators Catholic Herald OnlineUK Ambassador to the Holy See Sally Axworthy said this week that the UK government will consider a recommendation to impose sanctions on foreign ...

Hymn society tournament reveals 'greatest hymn of all time' Religion News Service(RNS) — “Holy, Holy, Holy!” has been chosen in a March Madness-like tournament as “the greatest hymn of all time.” The Hymn Society in the United States and ...

Twitter updates hate speech rules to include dehumanizing speech around religion TechCrunchAgainst a backdrop of rising violence against religious minorities around the world, Twitter today said that it would update its hateful conduct rules to include ...

AZ Atheist Group Plans Legal Fight Over Tax-Free Housing for Religious Leaders PatheosThe leader of a Humanist group wants the same tax code perk offered to pastors.

More Americans identify with no religion that ever before but three states see evangelical growth: study Fox NewsMore Americans identify with no religion than ever before, according to a new study on religious affiliation.

Pope Francis gets it right on Curia reform and women Religion News Service(RNS) — In appointing seven women to the Vatican congregation that oversees religious orders earlier this month (July 9), Pope Francis achieved a double win.

Quebec's religious symbols law passes 1st legal test as judge refuses injunction CBC NewsA Quebec Superior Court justice has rejected a request to temporarily suspend parts of the province's new religious symbols law, upholding a ban on the ...

Conservatives Should Not Celebrate Religious Tyranny and Coercion National ReviewThe Glorious Revolution has become a central episode of our philosophical founding myth — the victory of free, fair republican government over the arbitrary ...

5 faith facts about the moon landing: Space Communion and a prayer league of its own Religion News Service(RNS) — Where humans go, faith seems to follow. It's no less true of NASA's first manned mission to land on the moon, when astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin ...

Remarks by President Trump in Meeting with Survivors of Religious Persecution Whitehouse.govOval Office. 4:22 P.M. EDT. THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon. We'll be leaving for North Carolina in a short while. I think some of you will be outside.

The Economics of Religion: How Faith Motivates Productivity. City JournalThe Wealth of Religions: The Political Economy of Believing and Belonging, by Rachel M. McCleary and Robert J. Barro (Princeton University Press, 199 pp., ...

Being religious is now a countercultural identity The Irish TimesChristianity is no bulwark against new tribal identities dominating discourse.

Nuns, other Catholics arrested protesting treatment of immigrant children Religion News ServiceWASHINGTON (RNS) — Police arrested dozens of protesters, including many Roman Catholic nuns, at a rally Thursday (July 18) opposing the Trump ...

Photography exhibition about sexuality and religion opens in Auckland church NewshubA photographic exhibition that explores sexuality and religion has opened in a deconsecrated Auckland church. Inferno explores the difficulties Gui Taccettii ...

Baton Rouge-area religion bulletins for week of July 20 The AdvocateDeadline for religion bulletins is noon Monday. Email [email protected]

Must Reads: How millennials replaced religion with astrology and crystals Los Angeles TimesAs people sour on the religious beliefs they grew up with, a new generation is embracing astrology apps, tarot cards, crystals and other spiritual practices.

On Religion: Do all 'Gay Catholic' teachers have the same beliefs? Herald and NewsSchool years close with graduation ceremonies, which are now followed by a painful rite for some Catholic educators and bishops: headlines about teachers ...

US Confidence in Organized Religion Remains Low GallupWASHINGTON, D.C. -- Americans' confidence in the church or organized religion continues to erode, with 36% now saying they have "a great deal" or "quite a ...

Brunson at religious freedom summit: 'It's wonderful that I can be here in person' Religion News ServiceNorine and Andrew Brunson attend the State Department's 2019 Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom in Washington on July 17, 2019. RNS photo by ...

Arab world turns its back on religion – and its ire on the US The GuardianSurvey of 25000 people in Middle East and North Africa also shows 52% of 18- to 29-year-olds are thinking about migrating.

Religion vs law: Big religious fight erupts over Ranchi court's order to distribute copies of Quran India TodayA 19-year-old girl has been asked by a Ranchi court to distribute five copies of Quran as a punishment for posting a communal post on social media. Judicial ...

The internet as religious experience BBC NewsReligion is in the ascendant across the world, but it has a new, powerful rival - the internet.

The U.S. Women’s Soccer Team doesn’t just tolerate religion, it embraces it ThinkProgressThe U.S. Women's National Soccer Team has been getting a lot of attention and well-deserved adulation over the past 10 days, ever since they won their second ...

I'm the gay grandson of a persecuted Jew; freedom of religion is not freedom to harm The AgeAs the government moves to a Religious Discrimination Bill, we need a level-headed debate, writes the head of Australia's largest LGBTQI health organisation.

Flagstaff Religion News | News | azdailysun.com Arizona Daily SunNativity Chapel Tours: Fri.-6 p.m., Sat.-5 p.m., Sun-2 p.m. Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel, 16 W Cherry Ave, Flagstaff. Tours are free and will last no ...

A closer look at changing restrictions on religion Pew Research Center's Religion and Public Life ProjectPew Research Center has analyzed restrictions on religion around the world for 10 years, finding that global restrictions have risen. What is happening in some ...

In remote Appalachia, liberal Christians gather at Wild Goose to pray — and plan Religion News ServiceHOT SPRINGS, N.C. (RNS) — For years, liberals — even liberal people of faith — have been wary of fusions of faith and politics, careful not to pierce the ...

Why religious freedom is becoming a pressing global issue ChristianTodayWorld leaders are finally paying more attention to religious freedom, violence against minorities by both state and non state actors and how the lack religious ...

Here's why NASA didn't want you to know about Buzz Aldrin’s religious moment on the moon Deseret NewsAldrin opened the containers of bread and wine that he brought with him and read from the Gospel of John.

What’s Behind Quebec’s Ban on Religious Symbols The AtlanticThe Canadian province has a complicated relationship with its immigrant communities. Last month, it became the first place in North America to institute such a ...

New poll shows growing view that clergy are irrelevant Religion News Service(RNS) — In her 2004 Pulitzer-Prize winning novel “Gilead,” Marilynne Robinson sketches a portrait of the Rev. John Ames, a small- town pastor in 1950s Iowa ...

Oil and American religion set stage for current political divides, historian finds ND NewswireIn his newest research, Darren Dochuk, associate professor of history at the University of Notre Dame, chronicles North America's age of oil — in particular, ...

New Research: Why Religions Promote Sexual Conservatism Psychology TodayDoes religious belief lead to conservative sexual values, or do people seek religion to bolster their initial preferences for monogamy? New research yields a ...

What Religion is BTS? - BTS Members Religion and Faith Seventeen.comIt's not hard to tell BTS is super dedicated to their loyal fan base, the ARMY. Whether it's putting out exclusive *content* for them via a mobile video game or ...

Former Scientologist warns that the controversial religion is creeping into Cork Echo LiveA FORMER Scientologist has warned that the controversial religion is creeping into Cork, following the announcement of a workshop which promises to give ...

Terror has no politics, religion or caste, says Amit Shah as Lok Sabha passes NIA Bill India TodayHome Minister Amit Shah said in favour of the NIA Bill that terrorism has no religion, politics or caste in it.

The Turnabout on Religious Freedom The Wall Street JournalLiberals used to favor broad claims of liberty. Prof. David Skeel says the Obama-era culture wars helped change that.

When Leaving a Religion Is Like Abandoning a Cult The New York TimesAmber Scorah's memoir, “Leaving the Witness,” recounts a tale of disillusion and ultimate apostasy as she decides to turn away from the faith she's known since ...

Americans have little confidence in religion, Congress, news media The Jerusalem PostGallup first conducted their Confidence in Institutions poll in 1973, around the time of the Watergate scandal. The ratings have been updated annually since ...

A matter of faith: Democrats embrace religion in campaign The Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) — When 10 Democratic presidential candidates were pressed on immigration policy during their recent debate, Pete Buttigieg took his ...

Religious liberals want to change what it means to be a Christian voter PBS NewsHourDES MOINES, Iowa — The meeting began with a prayer. Heads bowed and eyes closed. Then the members of “We Are Church Confessing,” a group of liberal ...

India rejects critical US religious freedom report Al Jazeera EnglishState Department report says senior BJP officials made 'inflammatory speeches' against religious minorities last year.

Religion calendar, July 19-26, 2109 | Living Champaign/Urbana News-GazetteTo submit items, visit news-gazette.com/living and click “Add an event” under the miniature calendar on the page. Deadline is noon Tuesday before Friday ...

Trump hosts victims of religious persecution at White House Fox NewsPresident Trump met with dozens of victims of religious persecution at the White House on Wednesday as part of an ongoing effort by the administration to push ...

Religion Calendar Newnan Times-HeraldRevival. •Holy Ghost Revival, Tabernacle of Prayer, 73 Sprayberry Road, Wednesday-Friday, 7:30 p.m.. Related Stories. Religion Briefs: Comedy Night, ...

Chick-fil-A inspires new religious liberty law in Texas Washington ExaminerChick-fil-A is known for its delicious chicken sandwiches and summertime lemonade. Now, it can add another accolade to its list of accomplishments: being the ...

Bengal School 'Asks' Teachers to Maintain Religion Column in Attendance Book, Suspends 1 for Protest News18Teachers, who alleged that the Principal had insisted for a separate column in the attendance register for Hindu and Muslim students, held a 'pens down' protest ...

Brownback wants 'like-mindeds' at religious freedom summit; violators need not RSVP Religion News ServiceWASHINGTON (RNS) — China, Iran and other countries that the U.S. considers the most egregious religious liberty violators aren't invited to the State ...

Pompeo's Religion Is Carrying More Sway in US Foreign... PassBlueWhen Secretary of State Mike Pompeo convenes the second of his ministerial-level, multifaith conferences on religious freedom around the world on July 16 to ...

Quebec's Ban on Religious Clothing is Chilling: To Be Like Us, You Must Dress Like Us Human Rights WatchRight after 9/11, my mom started wearing the hijab in Sarnia, Ontario — a town with little diversity on the U.S. border. She had made a conscious and unilateral ...

Indian Muslims won’t lose religion by saying ‘Bharat mata ki jai’, we have bigger battles ThePrintIn his first speech after the 2019 Lok Sabha election results, PM Modi said minorities have been living in “imaginary fear” and that the new MPs must win their ...

Democrats Have The Religious Left. Can They Win The Religious Middle? NPRFaith voters who have a mix of liberal and conservative values are up for grabs in the 2020 election. Democrats hope to win them over.

Twitter updates its rules against hateful conduct to include religion The Jerusalem PostOur primary focus is on addressing the risks of offline harm,” Twitter explained, “and research shows that dehumanizing language increases that risk."

Religious freedom bill expected by mid-August The Australian Financial ReviewAttorney-General Christian Porter is preparing to consult churches, charities and other religious groups on new religious freedom laws.

Islamophobia 'going mainstream' as poll finds 31% think religion poses a threat Mirror OnlineEXCLUSIVE: 18% of people have an extremely negative view of Muslims and 31% believe Islam threatens the British way of life, a poll found.

Israel has almost as many religious restrictions as Iran, Pew report finds HaaretzIsrael is one of the top 20 most religiously restrictive countries in the world, research center says.

A Religion of Unity Jacobin magazineFor black meatpacking workers, multiracial class politics was the path to economic and social advancement. UPWA District Area 5 Members Parade float, circa ...

Artist welcomes 'pornography' complaints about Auckland exhibition exploring religion, sexuality TVNZInferno, created by Brazilian-Kiwi Gui Taccetti, explores the artist's upbringing in a religious family.

Watching the rise of the religious left on 1970s TV Religion News Service(RNS) — Liberal-leaning faith movements are getting a lot of play these days, with everyone from pundits to presidential candidates predicting the rise of a ...

Democrats Need to Talk About Their Faith The AtlanticAmerica is still an overwhelmingly religious country. Candidates shouldn't be afraid to reflect that.

Was Abraham Lincoln an Atheist? HistoryEvery U.S. president has been a member of a church, except for one: Abraham Lincoln. Famously opaque on the subject of religion, Lincoln's personal faith was.

Bringing the insights of religion into development | BWNS Baha'i World News ServiceA panel at a major international development conference reflected advances in thought about local capacity and the role of religion in social and economic ...

Why Christians must support religious freedom for everyone Religion News Service(RNS) — The fundamental human right of religious freedom is under attack around the globe today like never before. While this disturbing trend should concern ...

Pete Buttigieg Takes Aim at Religious Hypocrisy The AtlanticThe second night of the first Democratic debates focused on the American values that have been corrupted under Trump, in the view of the 2020 candidates.

North Korea's treatment of religious people worse than China's: Pence NK NewsU.S. Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday criticized North Korea's poor record on religious freedom, calling its treatment of people of faith worse than China's.

Supreme Court Undermines Religious Neutrality In Permitting Giant Governmental Cross ACLUToday, the Supreme Court announced that a governmental display of a 40-foot-tall Latin cross as a war memorial for all veterans does not violate the ...

This abortion clinic is blessed Religion News Service(RNS) — The other day, I joined clergy from many faiths in a worship *service* that, like many others, featured poetry, music, ritual and prayer. But this *service* was ...

Man, sacked for Facebook anti-religious post, is reinstated PatheosBRIAN Leach, above, the UK man sacked by supermarket chain Asda for sharing a video clip of the comedian Billy Connolly mocking religion on social media ...

Pakistan aims to bring religious schools into mainstream EuronewsISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistan has agreed on a plan to overhaul instruction at madrasas or religious schools to bring the institutions closer into line with.

New Religion, old hypocrisies The AustralianThis is a parable about a new religion that has deep roots on the secular left side of politics. The starting principle for moderates and extremists alike is that those ...

Awkward exchanges as Trump meets religious persecution survivors – video The Guardian'Where is that exactly?': Donald Trump's response to Rohingya refugee asking for US aid.

Heads I Win, Tails You Lose

Religion Religion