Have you ever been compelled, either through a public appeal, or by your own conscience, to boycott a particular company or product because of the owner's political persuasion or theological beliefs? Throughout the years, I've been called upon:
1 - to abandon Disney movies (fine...I never really liked that rebellious little mermaid anyway!)
2 - to reject any product made by Johnson & Johnson (hey...who needs baby lotion, Tylenol or Band-Aids??)
3 - to avoid, at all costs, purchasing Heinz ketchup (no great loss...afterall, I prefer the tanginess of Brooks!) and...
4 - to refrain from drinking Starbuck's coffee. NOW WAIT JUST A MINUTE! This is getting to be a little ridiculous, don't you think? Before you know it, we'll be confined to consuming that which our own gardens produce and all manner of feasting, fun and frivolity will be strictly forbidden! Surely this calls for deep theological reflection and analysis. But for that, you'll have to go elsewhere. Stay here and you will simply be subject to my paltry defense against this sort of reactionary living!
At first glance, the idea of withholding monetary support of products which bring profit to the ungodly, sounds noble and makes us feel as though we're "doing something." But I'm not sure this practice can be defended practically or Biblically.
First of all, the motivation behind these reactions can usually be traced to arrogance, bitterness or fear. There is a measure of self-righteous retribution in our "We'll show them!" attitude. Problem is...we rarely show them anything! Profit margins remain largely unaffected while our only success is demonstrating that Christians are petty, foolish and vengeful...not exactly a faithful representation of the One we follow, is it?
In the meantime, we deprive ourselves of the legitimate enjoyment of goods and services which are for us! Think of it this way: those coffee bean harvesters in the fields of Sumatra are servants in the hands of God, working in the image of God, to create a product about which we can heartily declare, "It is good!" Their work brings joy, blessing and benefit to many, including many of Christ's own! They are functioning as servants of His servants whether or not they realize it!
But, you might argue, what about those evil, greedy corporate owners? They're usually the ones against whom our punitive measures are aimed in the first place. Let's face the facts. Someone has to assume the financial risk for business ventures and quite often, those who have the means to do so are among the "wicked" (God-haters). Why is that? Why do the wicked prosper? Why do many of the best ideas originate with them? Why is their way easy? Psalm 73 confirms that these things are true concerning the wicked, and the reason is NOT because not enough Christians will effectively unite against their endeavors! These realities puzzle us...until we enter the sanctuary of God and remember their end. One day, all will be set right! Remember! The wealth of the wicked is being stored up for the righteous (Proverbs 13:22).
Everything that they are accumulating- not just money, but ideas, technologies, methods, inventions, culture, etc. - is being saved up for us! How so? Remember these things: The earth is the Lord's and everything and everyone in it. All tribute will be brought to Christ in the final day. We, in turn, will inherit it all by virtue of our brotherhood, our sonship and our standing "IN Christ." When we truly believe this, we cease to live in fear and we can genuinely enjoy the fruit of other men's hands, knowing that they labor on our behalf with resources that already belong to us. We receive these products and services in faith, with thanksgiving and prayer.
Keep in mind that, at this point, I am only referring to things which are "amoral" in themselves. In other words, while we may not all agree on which coffee or ketchup tastes the best, we can all agree that there is no inherent evil in either product. These are the good creations of man whose work inescapably reflects the Image in which he was created! Those goods and services, which in their very nature oppose the Triune God, require a different perspective which I intend to address later (heard that before, haven't you? Note carefully the employment of very non-commital language!).
So hey! Lighten up, folks! Enjoy God's good gifts! And stop being afraid of coffee, ketchup and the wealth of the wicked. It's all FOR YOU!!
10 comments:
You might add to your point that the first people usually hurt in a boycott are the weakest individuals within any corporate entity. So you want to "shake down" some business? If the boycott is truly effective, you'll know it when those employees on the margins start to loose their jobs.
I usually tell people that I refuse to participate in boycotts because I want to love my neighbor.
I had forgotten about that fact, Wayne. Thank you. Reminds me of the barbarosity of "sanctions" in international "relations."
Nice, Lori. Very nice.
I like it. I do wonder though, at what point is the link between the product and the mistreatment of individuals so tangible that you do react? For instance we probably wouldn't knowingly purchase products from the mafia knowing they are probably stolen. Where is the line?
Fair Trade products are interesting to consider relative to this discussion.
For example...
Equal Exchange
We like to buy their 5 pound bags of organic espresso beans at work. It IS good!
No Justin, I take advantage of Government benefits all the time. So criminal gain is fine too.
Oops. Forgot to end the last message with a ;)
I'm not sure it needs a :)
I was actually thinking about that as I typed the comment. All I can say is we have little option in terms of opting out of that.
The other thing is, half the time when you check at snopes.com about one of these so-called attacks on morality by some company, you find out it isn't even true. So there's the slander aspect of forwarding that stuff.
Playing the devil's advocate for a moment....I don't necessarily agree that the motivations are *usually* arrogance, bitterness, or fear, although those attitudes can certainly be present. I think much of the time, people are simply trying to "take a stand," and I don't blame them for that. Along with you, I question how effective such a stand would be. But, then again, we are supposed walk by faith, not sight, so many of the things we do are because they are right, not because we have an assured outcome in doing them. The problem I see isn't so much that Mrs. Smith decides to stop buying Heinz ketchup, but that she tries to make all the other church ladies feel guilty if they don't scratch it off their shopping lists, too.
But you make some great points here. We can eat, drink, and use Johnson and Johnson Band-Aids with thankfulness and to the glory of God. (Not Heinz ketchup, though, I think we agree. Ick.)
Justin, I actually "intend" to address labor issues in subsequent posts.
Wayne, I agree. Any fallout hits the guy at on the ground, not the guy in the high rise. I like your standard answer about boycotts.
Jeff, thanks. You're the one who's taught me to think along these lines, you know.
Angie, apparently we've hung around different types of crowds. Those around me have almost always been motivated by fear...or ignorance. If the "stand" being taken is for the benefit of others, then I think it can be justified, but if it is to spite or bring down someone whose views are off, then I think it is reactionary and maybe even malicious.
Mark, is there any thought that does not lead you to a political application? Dude. Just wonderin'...
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