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I am asking this with candour and not to inflame anyone. But is it possible to consider yourself Christian if you buy from multi national corporations who violate human rights, employ children and adults in appalling and slave conditions.
Would Jesus for example shop at Wal-Mart or buy Nike sneakers should he walk the earth now ? Would not a man of peace who preached love and tolerance be the first one calling for a boycott of non ethically traded goods ? Would he not fight for the right of the people who are exploited and trafficked every day in the name of greed ?
Isn't part of being a Christian, ensuring that human rights and human dignity is preserved in the domestic and foreign trade markets ? If god created the earth and humans isn't it our duty to do everything in our power to ensure that justice prevails and good stewardship of the earth is respected.
I am interested to find out what Christian posters feel about the issue. If we ignore the plight of others and allow such unprincipled commerce because it is either cheaper or more convenient aren't we being greedy or slothful as well as condoning an evil trade ?
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." — Jesus (c. 5 B.C. - A.D. 32 ) in the Gospels, Matthew 7:12, Matthew 22:39, Luke 6:31, Luke 10:2
I was wondering whether your Churches are active in lobbying corporations and governments and do you try your utmost to avoid goods produced in slave conditions or which are environmentally destructive for example?
I know that some Baptist churches have boycotted Wal-Mart and that Churches in the UK have been actively involved in the Fair Trade Campaign. Which denominations in your opinion are the most active in ethical shopping?
What is your take on this ?
ASDA Wal-Mart : Corporate Crimes
Can Christians Shop at Wal-Mart in Good Conscience (http://reclaimdemocracy.org/walmart/christians_shop.php - broken link)
Wake-Up Wal-Mart Blog: Would Jesus Shop at Wal-Mart? (http://blog.wakeupwalmart.com/ufcw/2006/12/would_jesus_sho.html - broken link) Adventures in Ethical Consumerism: Ten Worst Corporations of 2004
Nike's Labor Practices - Business Ethics Case Studies - ICMR (http://www.icmr.icfai.org/casestudies/catalogue/Business%20Ethics/BECG018.htm - broken link)
Unfortunately there arent too many options out there anymore. Most big-name retailers (Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, Kmart, to name just a few) carry things that are all made in China by the slaves.
You cant even buy some electronics or small appliances anymore that havent been assembled by some 18c a day slave. There arent too many choices for some of us who cant afford top-name brand clothes that dont have a "China" tag on them
Thankfully you can't lose your salvation because you shop a certain place. So the answer is, yes, you can be a Christian even if you don't shop ethically.
If a person looked hard enough, you could probably find fault with any place you could shop at.
Reminds me also now of people. How you can also find fault concerning anyone but should you then shun them?
I think not. God is all about grace. Thank God for that!
Grace to you!
Jean
To those of you who are so involved in shopping ethically, let me ask you...do you buy gas? From oil companies that pollute and rape the environment? Do you drive a car made by auto manufacturers that buy materials from companies that exploit the environment? Do you shop in stores in new (or old) shopping centers that were built on formerly pristine farmland, ranchland, et al? Do you watch television, considering the hypocrisy, hatred and immorality that Hollywood spews? Are you currently using Microsoft software, a company that has been accused of myriad anti-competitive practices?
Does anyone get my point? Get off your soapbox and live your own life. Don't tell me or anyone else how to live (or shop, or think). Each of us can only do the best that we can do. The original question was "can a person be a Christian if you don't shop ethically?" The answer is YES. Christ asks us to accept HIM, not SHOP for him. Yes, we are to be as Christlike as possible. But NOBODY can shop 100% ethically. It's virtually impossible. And no one has the right to tell anyone else how they should shop or what companies they should or shouldn't promote.
In the end, the only thing that matters is Jesus. NOT Wal-Mart, NOT Nordstrom, NOT Microsoft or GM. It's all about Jesus. He expects you to do your best--and everyone else's opinion is useless.
You see now I can sit here and say how I give money and goods to missions in other parts of the world as well as support food banks and shelters here in my local community, support local artisans of other parts of the world by buying their products (which I couldn't have with out globalization, BTW), and have gone on health care missions to bring medical care and vacinations to thousands of needy children, and that I do animal rescue which may or may not be important to others but I think it is. But I guess it's more important for me not to shop at Walmart? That will never make sense to me.
Good for you irishmom! I think the animal rescue would be important too! God bless you!
Jean
If God is all about grace, why do many Christians condemn sexually active homosexuals by calling them sinners?
I mean is it okay for a Christian to shop in a store when the storeowner is gay?
NSX: Where do you get your information? "Most very devout Christians are also poor..." I'm not familiary with that demographic information. I can point out to you many middle class and affluent Christians. "Family of nine"? Your prejudice and cynicism comes through loud and clear.
i do not consider myself a true christian. all christian disciples inc christ were dead very young and died a martyrs death violently. im 59. so i dont fit the profile.
most i know love life way too much to be a "true" christian.
how bout you?
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Grace, grace.
I loved this post
That will never make sense to me.
