With a blog called Coffee Shop Pastor, what else did you expect?Over the past 30 years or so Christians have boycotted DisneyWorld, Pepsi, Proctor and Gamble, Ford and Levi Strauss Co. When a Pastor or Christian organization calls for a boycott, people rally, emails fly, posters are painted and local pastors are urged to stand with those calling for the boycott.
As a local evangelical pastor, I've long felt that boycotts tend to serve those who are advocating for them, rather than the greater cause that they are ostensibly against! Boycotts 'rally the troops', boycotts bring in more donations, and in my opinion, boycotts ultimately end up only increasing the profile of the person or group who initiated this action!
But what of the morality of the boycott? Should Christians use their economic power to affect change? What are the unintended consequences of these actions? Russell Moore, Dean of the School of Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary makes a strong case that Christians should not only avoid boycotting, but that the actual use of them undercuts the Christian witness and message.
Maybe instead of refusing to patronize Starbucks, Christians should do more business, have studies, get their small groups to meet at their local coffee shops! Let Starbucks see Christians and experience the salt and light of the Gospel!
Read Dr. Moore's thoughts here and send in your thoughts and comments...
3 comments:
As someone who has a degree in Economics, I have always had a problem with boycotts. I understand the idea and intention of those who initiate the boycotts as a way of expressing their discontent. Often, however, there are unintended consequences to these boycotts. Some of these do harm the cause for which the boycott was initiated. It is smarter to attempt change through positive means rather than negative. I see boycotts aa a negative attempt at change. Win over the hearts and minds of your opponents with reason and evidence. If that doesn't work, nothing will, including boycotts.
I suggest Dr. King and the United Farm Workers would disagree. It certainly is preferable to win people's hearts and minds with reason and evidence. There are times when that doesn't work and the cause is so compelling that further action is warranted. In some cases boycotts have worked.
The problem is that after a few notable successes many others have tried to use boycotts as a first resort. That has simply diluted the effectiveness of that strategy. We can't all boycott everything.
In my opinion boycotts are a strategy that should be used rarely but I would not say never.
I don't necessarily agree with boycotting a company. I think we should avoid companies, though, that take an open stand against God, marriage, and our constitution. Starbucks has a demon(pegan god) for their logo! Starbucks would prefer me not to have a gun...my constitution gives me that right to protect myself & family from government gone haywire or against evil people that want to kill me. Starbucks mocks God & scripture by supporting gay marriage. Marriage represents the relation between God & man. Why do I want to give my money to help a company that is fighting against all I believe in? Why can't I go to another coffee place that just likes selling coffee instead of one that takes an active stand against Christians & a free America. With what they say they support with their money (money they get from you and me)they are Socialist/Communist.
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