Coexisting, Not Condoning: Staying True to Your Beliefs at Work

“Truth always ends by victory; it is not unassailable, but invincible” (St. Ignatius of Loyola).

Maybe it’s the new year, or maybe it’s because Lent is quickly approaching, but I have been reflecting on how I can live my faith more authentically and how I can coexist with my co-workers without condoning their lifestyles or even the causes my organization supports.

I work for a health care membership organization, which means we need to appease our members who fall on both sides of the aisle when it comes to topics like abortion or LGBTQ lifestyles. I have not been asked to write a piece that markets to either of these audiences, but I know it’s only a matter of time when I’ll need to firmly stand my ground on any issues that conflict with Catholic teaching. 

It’s easy to get stuck in the “me versus them” mentality when it comes to religion. We can’t fall into the trap of feeling like we’re better than any of our co-workers, regardless of their beliefs. It all comes down to that word I mentioned earlier: reflecting.

How can I be better? How can I live out my faith so that it inspires others to be the best people they can be?

I’ve had a few thoughts, and they have helped in both my personal and professional lives. While I have discussed practical ways to incorporate your faith in the day-to-day hustle of a secular job, it’s also good to step back and consider how we can strengthen our beliefs in a workplace full of people we disagree with.

Engage in Dialogue

When others are discussing their religious beliefs and views, I don’t see the harm in opening up the conversation for a healthy dialogue. For example, I have a co-worker who mentioned she was Jewish, and rather than avoiding the discussion altogether, I simply engaged her in dialogue about the temple she and her family attend.

It wasn’t a methodical, strategic plan to get her to talk about religion. It was natural; she was open to it, and I was curious. We often become so caught up in wondering if we are going to offend people that we forget that sometimes, they want to share.

Challenge Others

We often hear professionals say things like, “I’m always up for a challenge” and, “I can take on any challenge that’s put in front of me.”

What happens when that challenge isn’t about doing your job better? What happens when that challenge is to make your soul better?

It’s easy to become frustrated with co-workers and gossip about them. The easiest response is to walk away from the gossip, but the best response is to challenge others and stop it in its tracks. I tend to take a passive approach and just let it happen, while occasionally chiming in, but as time goes on, I realize if I just say something like, “That’s not very nice,” when someone speaks ill of another, it shows that I in no way condone what is being said.

Gossip in the workplace is so real, and it is a very real struggle that I am often guilty of. If you, too, are guilty of it, let’s keep struggling together and shut it down before it leads down a rabbit hole.

Find Time to Reflect

Back to that word again. At the end of each day, I try to reflect on my day and question how I could be better. How can I lead others to holiness? How can I show others through my actions that the life I am attempting to lead is fulfilling? While I have my own thoughts on these questions and my own personal ways I strive to live out out my faith, this daily reflection should be something we all continuously aim for.

It’s easy to get down on yourself and think it’s impossible to coexist with others who don’t think the same way you do, but that’s when Jesus asks us to pick up our cross and follow him. It’s no coincidence we’ve been placed where we are today — and I want to make the most of each and every day, no matter how many times I fall.

Colleen Godinez is a marketing copywriter for a mid-size membership organization in Kansas City. She graduated from Kansas State University with a BS in psychology and a minor in journalism and mass communication. In her spare time, she enjoys freelance writing and helping other organizations propel their brand. She has learned to appreciate the little things in life and soaks up every moment she can with her little girl and husband. Depending on the time of day, coffee and wine are her drinks of choice. You can follow her on Facebook or Instagram.