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Grady Harp, June 6, 2007 (view all comments by Grady Harp)
A Concise, Well Written Overview of World Religions

Though 'THE GODS OF BUSINESS: The Intersection of Faith and the Marketplace' was written as a means to understand the dichotomy so often found between personal ethics and business behavior, most readers will find this little book a fine resource for reviewing (or discovering!) the similarities and differences among the world's religions. Author Todd Albertson holds an MBA in International Business and a PhD in Theology and Culture, the latter degree achieved using the source material of this book as his doctoral thesis ('The Impact of Religious Worldview on Business Ethics and Practices in Twentieth Century Western Society'). A successful businessman, he is well informed from both the secular and theological aspects and serves as a solid guide to help us understand the manner in which 'religion' can potentially influence global business practices.

Knowing that including all of the world religions would be beyond the scope of this book, Albertson wisely divides his survey into five parts: 1) Religions originating in China and Japan (Confucianism and Shintoism), 2) Religions originating in India (Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sikhism), 3) Religions originating in the Middle East (Christianity, Islam, and Judaism) and 4) Religions originating in Secular Postmodernism (atheism, humanism, science based faiths). The creation of these 'Parts' is significant in that the divisions subject the various sects to comparison according to origin - a lesson reflecting some contemporary misbeliefs.

For each religion the manner of presentation is the same: short but important sections on History, Sacred Texts, Selected Readings, Core Beliefs, various branches within that religion, the shadow of that religion on the Marketplace, and substantial key References for the reader who wishes to explore each religion with more depth. Albertson does not bias the reader with opinion in this terse survey: he merely informs and allows the reader to draw conclusions on the basis of the material presented. It is only at the end of his book that he personalizes his years of information gathering with some observations that are sturdy and disturbing. He discusses the disparities between what people around the world claim to have as religious ethics and how they conduct their business lives, often with greed and dishonesty. "There is something in the human heart that recognizes what is right regardless of the system of belief one embraces. Some people apply concepts of right and wrong in their business dealings. Others do not."

Todd Albertson has not written a book that preaches 'his brand' of ethics. Instead he has presented us with a superb synopsis of the fundamentals of many religions, many being ones about which we understand little. And a little knowledge goes a great way in understanding the cores of mindsets of 'religions' as we know them. Grady Harp

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Product Details

ISBN:

9780615138008

Author:

Albertson, Todd

Publisher:

Trinity Alumi Assoc

Subject:

General

Subject:

Business Ethics

Subject:

Business

Subject:

Business -- Religious aspects.

Publication Date:

May 2007

Binding:

Paperback

Language:

English

Pages:

200

Dimensions:

9.00x6.00x.46 in. .66 lbs.