Interesting piece in Small Business about "the growing ranks of Christian business owners, who are banding together for mutual support while they seek to express their faith through their companies":
Entrepreneurship seems to appeal to many devout Christians for the same reason that it attracts environmentalists, devoted parents, feminists, and libertarians: They want a workplace that reflects their deepest values. Some doubtless use the gospels to rationalize business as usual.
But at a deeper level, sincere Christians have much in common with committed entrepreneurs. Both callings demand faith in things unseen and persistence in the face of dangers and doubts. They ask themselves: Is it right to lay off workers to boost profits, or only to save the company? How do you foster a Christian office culture without violating the rights of non-Christian employees? What if you can't get a city contract without bending the law? How fast must you run to beat a camel into paradise?
The questions posed have been addressed by my friend and colleague Eugene Volokh in a number of articles, including his piece Freedom of Speech, Religious Harassment Law, and Religious Accommodation Law, 33 Loyola University of Chicago Law Journal 57 (2001). His website Freedom of Speech vs. Workplace Harassment Law is an excellent resource for lawyers and businesspeople struggling with those questions, as well.
