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In today's business podcast, we will discuss the benefits and challenges of allowing and dis-allowing expressions of faith in the workplace (and in other public places as well).

This is based on an article in the December 2006 issue of Inc, and makes some great points about religious beliefs and how to best handle them in the workplace.

This is not just about hiring issues, or people being refused the opportunity for their religious group to meet on company property.

This is also about deciding who you will or will not serve as a customer. This is about recognizing how beliefs (whether religious or non-religious) will affect everything that an individual, and therefore a society, will do.

As an evangelical, conservative Christian, you will probably be suprised by what I have to say, and what I believe.

My views on tolerance, society, our laws and our history may surprise some of you. However, it all comes to bear on our businesses, because our businesses are a part of society. They are also an accurate reflection of our own beliefs, regardless of what they are. At least they SHOULD be a reflection of who we truly are - in my opinion.

Remember the January 19-21, 2007 Business Podcasting Expo (http://www.BizPodExpo.com).

It's an ONLINE event where all you need is an internet connection and a headset microphone to attend. I hope to meet with you there!

Also, if any of you are interested in starting a local online business for your community, I am looking for 20 more entrepreneurs to join us as we fine-tune the development of the software.

Go to http://www.CommunityDirectories4Sale.com to see what I'm talking about.

Penny Haynes, 1st Podcast Publishing & CommunityDirectories4Sale.com