Is this taboo to those of you of Christian faith?
Mentioning it to your prospects/clients.

Do you find it hard or easy to tell prospects/clients
you're a Christian? Do you think it matters to others?

My personal opinion is that religion is a VERY personal thing that should be left out of business. Telling some random client what God you happen to pray to accomplishes nothing, except perhaps alienating those who don't share your faith.

Obviously if you disclose this fact to a client of the same persuasion, it could work in your favor. I'm simply of the belief that religion should be kept out of business, school, and any government entity.


John from Boston

The people of any business that try to get business by advertising that they are a christian in my experience are usually the worst christians you can find. I myself am a christian, but I never really tell people unless it comes up. I hope my actions are an example of a good christian.

If some salesperson told me about their christian beliefs I would not use them. It's not that I don't believe, I just don't want to hear it from them.

I usually do not offer the information. There have been too many phonies who used the name "Christian" to sour most people's minds to Christians.

I agree with keeping it out of my professional profile though other Christians probably think I'm ashamed of Christ or something, but it's not that at all.

It's not Christ I'm ashamed of.

This sums it up nicely.

[quote=Perky_REALTOR]

This [b][url=http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/EPH/8310.jpg]sums it up nicely[/url].[/b]
[/quote]


Brilliant! I love that, Perky! Thanks for the laugh :grin:


John from Boston

Are you trying to use your religion to help you make money? That's one of the skewed things that gives religion a bad light nowadays.

I remember seeing Benny Hinn asking for 500k for a new bus. Do real estate or be an evangelist, but not both at the same time. "Hello Mr and Mrs owner, please render unto Caesar..." I could see how you would want to mix the two though. Religion is the biggest business on the planet. And at 10% commission its hard to believe the big man can't get his work done on this planet yet. I really don't think the eternal creator is a male that gets pissed off so you'd be insulting me if you came at me with religion+marketing.

What if I said i was a practicing satanist?

There is a time and place for everything but I don't think anything as personal as your religion should be interjected in to a potential business transaction with someone you may have never met before. Let your example, not your words about beliefs, demonstrate your personal integrity.

I've actually had a new homes sales agent say to my customer "Are you a Christian? You know, sometimes God just puts things in front of you that can't ignore...this home is one of them"...
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....wow...

Those are the same people that hand out business cards at church during the service and also attend funerals and visit hospitals with alterior motives.

That's NEVER how I will conduct myself!

The beauty of running your own business is you get to choose the values you aspire to.

If you do alot of real estate you do small talk.You try to stay away from PASSIONATE subjects such as religion,politics,race etc.

I always stay away from argumentative topics that will sidetrack the mission of getting the business or selling there property.They have plenty of other people to debate those things.My goal is to handle there real estate needs.

It's all about boundaries and balance while running your business.

Here is my moto in life... im a practicing catholic... if you bring up the issue of religion and ask i have no problem telling you... so i would say i wouldnt bring it up, but if my client brought it up i would have no problem mentioning it... the thing is, if they bring it up they are probably not going to be upset about you talking about it because obviously it is something important to them

These are the same Christians who pray fervently to God for a good Golf shot, or a nice day for the Picnic. What a Waste!!!

I would like to think that the way I operate my business and respect and care for others is enough of a statement. If they can't see that I believe from my actions, appearance, etc. then I am doing something terribly wrong. Do I mention it or bring it up verbally? No. If it comes up, I have to shout, "YES!" Does it have a place in business? Yes, it should guide our actions, but it should not be a means to generate business.

I'll get down from here now.

I got Ordained out when a "Christian" inlaw condemned me to hell. He now has to call me Reverend (and I am licensed to marry in my state as well). I guess I should mention that I got ordained via the web and purly out of spite.

I don't think it matters what you practice religion wise. My kids go to a catholic church on Sundays, attend a class on wednesdays with Baptists, and a bible study on Fridays. Ask them what they are, they will give you a blank stare and do not know. They believe in something though.

I have always found that those who have to mention that they are "Christian" are the ones to run away from.

I'm with Solomon on this. The best Preachin' is done by setting a Good Example.

I have had people ask "IF" we were the same religion as they; and then go elsewhere. Similarly, I've lost people who are of a different political persuasion decide they. Right now, we've got a big divide between the people who Love Wind Mills and those who Hate Wind Mills; and it's getting U G L Y ! I don't broadcast any of those adjectives or personal beliefs that don't pertain to the product that we're marketing . . . . Real Estate. That's complicated enough !