Faith and Business: Are Staunchly Religious Employees More Trustworthy?

This week, I stumbled upon a thought-provoking podcast episode that left me reflecting deeply. The host made a striking comment that inspired this article. He said:

“Religion is one of the most mistaken identities people associate with righteousness. Often, those who want to hide their wrongdoing use religion as a scapegoat to mask their true selves.”

It was a bold statement, but one that resonates when you pause and think about it.

For generations, religion has been strongly tied to virtue, honesty, trust, and morality. Many of us were raised to believe that a religious person is automatically a good person. It’s no surprise, then, that in both social and professional circles, religious affiliation can often be seen as a character reference in itself. But is it really?

When Religion Becomes a Cloak

The assumption that religious people are inherently trustworthy has, unfortunately, created a loophole. People who understand this bias may use religious expression as a shield—performing righteousness outwardly while masking intentions that are anything but. It’s not to say that all religious individuals do this—far from it—but it begs the question: are we too quick to equate faith with integrity?

In the world of business and recruitment, this assumption can carry real consequences. Employers may be inclined to trust religious employees more readily, assign them responsibilities involving finances, or even overlook red flags—simply because the employee appears to hold certain beliefs.

The Need for Mindful Evaluation

It’s time recruiters and business leaders became more curious—not to judge someone’s faith, but to separate character from performance, and values from appearances. Being religious doesn’t automatically make one a better employee, just as being non-religious doesn’t make one less ethical or trustworthy. Good character, accountability, and professionalism transcend religious labels.

When building teams or choosing people to trust with sensitive parts of your business, the focus should be on integrity in action, not just declarations of belief. How does the person behave under pressure? Are they transparent and consistent? Do they uphold commitments, treat others fairly, and own up to mistakes?

Personal Reflection

In your own experience, have you found religious employees to be more reliable? Or have you come across situations where religion served as a mask for questionable character?

This isn’t a call to abandon faith-based hiring values, but rather an invitation to go deeper. As with any other trait, religion should be part of a broader context—not the sole reason to assign trust

So as you reflect on trust, character, and the subtle dynamics of religion in the workplace, consider how your own business makes these decisions. Are your systems built to evaluate people holistically? Are you equipping your team with the right leadership, accountability, and strategic structure?

If you’re looking to refine how your business recruits, builds trust, or drives sustainable performance, we’d love to help.

At RentMyMBA, we specialize in consultancy that empowers growth, strengthens leadership, and aligns operations with purpose. Whether you’re just starting out or navigating complex transitions—we’re here to guide you.

Wishing you a restful and reflective weekend.
When you’re ready to take the next step in your business journey, we’re just a call away.

About the author

Dr. Jjuuko Derrick, is a pharmacist with a keen business acumen. Having dedicated much of his career to engaging with business owners and employees, he brings a unique blend of pharmaceutical expertise and business insight to the table. As an entrepreneur himself, he is passionately committed to leveraging his technical skills and entrepreneurial experience to foster the growth and development of multiple businesses. Driven by a mission to make a meaningful contribution to the business landscape, he stands ready to empower entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive.