Christian Boycotts

Personally, I don't think so. But some will disagree with me. Based on past results, and as a Christian, I view the boycotts put on by many of my Christian brethren often bordering on stupidity, and often unintentionally damaging to our witness. I have boycotted, but have done so in extremely rare cases, and have done so without fingerpointing.

For example, two years ago, I refrain from patronizing Carl's Jr when Hugh Hefner was on appearing on their commercials (it was not solely his appearance, but the fact that the commercials sent a clear message of glorifying multiple-partner sexual promiscuity). I sent a polite (some Christians fail in that tact) email to Carl's Jr, which read, in paraphrase, "I've been a customer all my life, and enjoy your products. Unfortunately, I find myself in the position of having to refrain from patronizing your establishments due to the message that is being sent in your current line of television advertisements, which is contrary to the message which I instill in my children on a daily basis. It is my sincere hope that future advertisements are more family friendly. I look forward to once again patronizing your establishments when the current line of ads has ceased."

While I did not keep my boycott a secret, I did not wear my boycott on my sleeve, bring overt attention to it, or chastise other Christians who chose to patroize Carl's Jr at that time. After about 3 months, the ad campaign had ended, and I again began patronizing them. In fact, I even got a very courteous form reply to my email, thanking me for my comments, assuring me that my comments are being taken under consideration, and, telling me when the ad campaign was ending, and apologizing for the position the ad campaign put me in.

After my personal boycott had ended, I sent them a letter letting them know I was now in a position to patronize them once again, and thanking them for no longer running the ad in question. I received a response with a thank you letter, and with 2 coupons for a free sandwich as Carl's Jr.

Now, that said, there is no shortage of Christians who would have stood outside Carl's Jr with mean-spirited signs, wearing mean-spirited scowls, casting mean-spirited looks on everyone that went in. Those same people will go on to brag about their boycott. I submit that this type of boycott serves to do nothing less than bring attention to oneself instead of the issue of concern, and to cause damage to the credibility of Christianity.

Hope that helps.

 

I think I'll boycott this thread.

 

bwa haa haa!!!

 

Moving this to politics forum.

LE,
Moderator