The Impact of

Belief Systems in the

Business Settings
How Would Religions View Business
Ethics (Melé, 2006)

Religious ethics provides a set of consistent and

reasonable statements regarding business . It’s
a different approach that provides new horizons
for thinking. Also, in our global world business
means dealing with people of different religions,
and ignoring or misinterpreting religious ethical
approaches that can cause serious problems.
Understanding how the world’s religions
approach business ethics encourages
tolerance and understanding. Melé writes.
“A deeper knowledge or religious business
ethics might bring about a better
understanding of people worldwide. It can
also facilitate a more intense dialogue
between different religions and between
religious and philosophical approaches”,
(Melé 2006).
Judaism: Jewish Business Ethics
Jewish business ethics is a form of applied
Jewish ethics that examines ethical issues that
arise in s business environment. It is noted that in
the Torah, there are over 100 Mitzvot concerning
the fitness of food. The subject thus receives an
extensive treatment in Rabbinic literature,
both from an ethical and a legal point of view.
Honesty in business is examined in the
context of profonation og God’s Name ( Leviticus
22:32) and of the love of God (Deuteronomy 6:5).
Avot de-Rabbi Natan teaches that
“character is tested through
business”.

This is the secret of conducting one’s

business in faithfulness. What one
brings into the house, that is, what
one’s earns, should be faithfulness.
What we take out, what we spend our
money on should also be in faith.
1.Requirement of accurate weight and
measures
According to the Book of Leviticus (19:35-36): You
shall not falsify measures of length, weight,, or
capacity. You shall have an honest balance, an honest
weight, an honest ephah, and an honest him”.

2. Prohibition on Monetary Deception

Leviticus 24:14 teaches: When you steal anything to
your neighbour or buy anything from your neighbour,
you shall not deceive one another.”
The Talmud and later codes expand on this verse to
create a series of specific laws prohibiting ona’ah,
monetary deception.
3. Prohibition of Verbal Deception
R. Simeon ben Yobai says, that wronging by words is worse
than wronging in trade. “Thou shalt fear thy God”: R. Eleazar
says, because one injures the man itself, the other affects only
his property ; Samuel b. Nahman says, because in one case there
is opportunity for restoration, in the other there is not. The
Talmud then dwells upon the unpardonable sin of “blanching the
face of one’s neighbor in public.”

4. Stealing a Person’s Mind

Geneivat da’at, literally “stealing of the person’s mind/
knowledge”, refers to a kind of dishonest misinterpretation or
deception. The prohibition is attributed to Samuel of Nehardea “It
is forbidden to mislead people, even non-Jew.” Geneivat da’at is
the worst type of theft because it directly harms the person, not
merely their money. In rabbinic exegesis, the law is associated
with Gen. 31:36 and II Samuel 15:6.
5. Putting a Stumbling Block Before the Blind
A statement in the Torah (Leviticus 19:14) prohibits
“placing a stumbling block before the blind.” Jewish
tradition sees this as a figuratively expressed prohibition
against misleading people.

6. Treatment to Workers
Rabbi Jill Jacobs argued that Jew are obligated to pay
their workers on time, strive to pay their workers a living
wage, and “to treat their workers with dignity and
respect”. It prohibited “publicly yelling at mocking or
otherwise embarrassing workers; forbidding employees
from speaking their native languages at work; banning all
Bathroom breaks; changing work hours or adding shifts
without advance notice; or making improper sexual
comments or advances toward workers. “Enforcing
laws regarding the proper treatment of workers in the
food industry has been central to the efforts of
Conservative Judaism Commission.

7. Not Wasting Time at Work

It is important not to steal company time. Rabbis
had often noted the importance of working hard, such
as the Biblical Jacob, who worked very hard for many
years, despite being deceived by Jacob’s father in-law.
Therefore employees should avoid spending too much
time on-line (e.g., Facebook) or other diversions when
at their job.
8. Whistleblowing
Rabbi Leff writes about an employer’s
obligation to report wrongdoing on the part of
his or her employer. “In any case of
wrongdoing, there is an obligation rebuke the
person doing wrong if it can be assumed there
is a reasonable chance rebuke will be listened
to, and the rebuke can be administered
without substantial personal cost to the
reporter”.
CHRISTIANITY: CRUCIAL PRINCIPLES
1. The Golden Rule
According to the article, “Theory of the real
economy,” there is a narrower point of view from the
Christianity faith towards the relationship between the
ethics and religious traditions. One criticism comes
from Pope Benedict by describing the “damaging
effects of the real economy of badly managed and
largely speculative financial dealing.” It is mentioned
that Christianity has the potential to transform the
nature of finance and investment but only if
theologians and ethicist provide more evidence of what
is real in the economic life. ( “Business Ethics,”2016)
2. Stewardship
Christian businessmen and women are called
by God to conduct their business according to
sacred standard that transcends traditional
business ethics. After God created the earth and
everything in it, God appointed mankind to
stewards of the earth (Genesis 1:28).
3. Trust
Christian business professionals depend on the
Lord’s leadership for their business. We actively
pursue God’s blessing upon our work by praying
and trusting him to provide strategic direction,
resources, and earnings (Casey,2013).
4. Justice
The Lord delights in justice (Proverbs 21:3). Therefore,
we must conduct business fairly. We must not cheat our
employers. Instead, we pay them fair wages and ensure
that their work conditions are appropriate. Not only is
fair treatment is Biblical principle, it is likely to improve
business as employees will tend to work more
productively and happily (Casey,2013)
5. Diligence
The Lord expects us to productively use whatever
knowledge and resources he has given to us, no matter
how great or small (Luke 25:14-15). Idleness and laziness
have no place in life of a Christian business professional.
Instead, God instructs that hard work is esssential in
conducting business profitably (Casey, 2013).
6. Generosity
The Lord is generous, especially towards the underprivileged
(Psalm 113:7-9). Christian business professionals go beyond
worldly expectations of generosity to help the least of society. We
do things such as hire refugees or ex-convicts, open stores in
unsafe city neighborhood to reach people with the gospel, and
donate large earnings to charitable organizations instead of
reinvesting it in our own organization (Casey, 2013).
 Islam: Ethics from the Qur’an

1. Business Ethics for Islam (Dr. Muzammil

Siddiqi)
As Muslims, we have to adhere to ethical
standards not only in business but also in all
aspects of life. Both business and ethics are
interrelated. There is a reference to this point in
the Qur’an: For you in the Messenger of Allah is a
fine example to follow (Al-Ahzab 33:21).
 It is worthy stressing here that when
Muslims sticks to ethics in their daily
lives, they will become good examples to
emulate. Perhaps this will help ratify
some aspects of the distorted image
about Islam. Thus they will to some
extent become worthy ambassadors of
their religion.
2. Honesty
Islam requires its adherents to be honest
in their dealings
with Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
Indeed, honesty is one of the most
important moral principles which testifies
to a Muslim’s devoutness. Its importance is
indicated in a number of Qur’anic verese
and traditions of the Prophet
3. Truthfulness
Some traders often have recourse to swearing
falsely claiming that their merchandise is of good
quality in order to persuade the buyers to purchase it.
Islam considers such as an act one of the major sins,
as the Prophet said, “Allah will not speak to three
types of people on a Day of judgement, nor will He
look at them, nor purify them and they will have a
severe punishment.” Amongst these types he
mentioned those who “swear falsely in order to sell
their goods.” (Saheeh Muslim: 106)
4. Proficiency
A Muslim, no matter what is his occupation may be,
must carry out his duties with efficiency and to the best
of his ability, making efficiency his guiding principles in
all his endeavours.
Allah has prescribed proficiency in all things and
requires Muslims to observe it in all aspects of live,
even when doing things that may, on the surface, seem
unimportant, and such as hunting and slaughtering. The
Prophet said in this regard,” Allah has prescribed
proficiency in all things. Thus, if you kill, kill well;
slaughter. Slaughter well. Let each one of you sharpen
his blade and let him spare suffering to the animal he
slaughters.”
E. Hinduism: Non-Violence
Ethical principles of Hinduism: ahimsa (Non-
Violence),detachment (abandonment of the
fruits of the action), Truthfulness, Not to steal,
Self-control, discipline, appropriate words and
thoughts, and motivation to achieve the goal.
Pantanjali suggests the ethical practice of
five exercises: ahimsa; truthfulness, non-
stealing, pure life and not greed. This is widely
reflected in the Bhagayad Gita.
Yamas (restraints or abstentions)
1. Non-Violence (ahimsa)
2. Truthfulness (satya)
3. Not to steal asteya)
4. Sexual Moderation (brahmacarya)
5. Non-possesion (aparigtaha)
Niyamas (Observances or Rules)
1. Purity (shauca)
2. Satisfaction ( santosa)
3. Austerity / Self-discipline (tapas)
4. Self Knowledge (svadhyaya)
5. Surrebdering to God (Ishvarapranidhana)
 The five core Tata values that underpin the way
they describe their business processes include:

INTEGRITY: To conduct business fairly, with honesty and

transparency such that everything done stands the test of
public scrutiny.

UNDERSTANDING: To be caring, show respect, compassion

and humanity for colleagues and customers around the world
and always work for the benefit of India.

EXCELLENCE: To constantly strive to achieve the highest

possible standards in their day-to-day work and in the quality
of goods and services thy provide.
UNITY: To work cohesively with colleagues across
the group and with costumers and partners around
the world, building strong relationships based on
the tolerance, and understanding , and mutual
cooperation. This value is empty encourage in
Vedas in the form of Sangathan Sutras (formulae
of unity), which demonstrate the value and need
of unity both in thought and action.

RESPONSIBILITY: To continue to be responsible ,

sensitive to the countries, communities and
environments in which they work, always ensuring
that what comes from the people goes back to the
people many times over.
THANK YOU!