Do you believe that supporting companies that support "evil" is wrong?

[yeshuaisiam]

Consider the following.  (Just asking - not attacking)

1. The Gates Foundation, Microsoft, and HP have all donated tons of money to planned parenthood.  Do you believe that by supporting Microsoft you are enabling them to fund more abortions and that cursed organization?

2. Direct TV & Dish Network are the largest sellers of pornography in the world.  By even just buying their basic packages of channels, do you believe you are enabling a company to that sells pornography to flourish?

3. Clothing from other countries where they have childhood labor.  Do you believe by purchasing this type of clothing that you are enabling child "slavery".  Do you also believe it is ironic to pray in church for God to "help you" and "be merciful to you" while you wear the clothing made from children.

I'm just wondering if people feel that the things they buy with a blind eye is rather "innocent" and that they are not "contributing" to the evil some of these corporations and businesses do.

Thanks

[John of the North]

Consider the following.  (Just asking - not attacking)

1. The Gates Foundation, Microsoft, and HP have all donated tons of money to planned parenthood.  Do you believe that by supporting Microsoft you are enabling them to fund more abortions and that cursed organization?

2. Direct TV & Dish Network are the largest sellers of pornography in the world.  By even just buying their basic packages of channels, do you believe you are enabling a company to that sells pornography to flourish?

3. Clothing from other countries where they have childhood labor.  Do you believe by purchasing this type of clothing that you are enabling child "slavery".  Do you also believe it is ironic to pray in church for God to "help you" and "be merciful to you" while you wear the clothing made from children.

I'm just wondering if people feel that the things they buy with a blind eye is rather "innocent" and that they are not "contributing" to the evil some of these corporations and businesses do.

Thanks

Chances are good that the computer you typed this message on has chip sets manufactured from tin ore that was mined in the Congo by slaves working at gunpoint. So what's your point??

[orthonorm]

I insist on certified blood diamonds when I purchase my bling for my lady friends.

You get a sorta file on the kid who lost part of an appendage, like when you sponsor a starving child. Human suffering adds to warmth when you say "I love you" in the only way a woman understands.

//:=|

Sorta silly question.

Truly following the Gospel, I would like to consume less. That is pretty much the easiest answer for me. And if you purchase American / European made items, and dare I say union made, you have to purchase fewer things.

But in the end, we are complicit in the sins of this fallen world, no matter how much we try to be a "good informed consumer". But no reason not to try to lessen the impact we might have.

EDIT: Yes, I know world econ is complicated and all that, which just further proves my point, none of us has much room to be holier-than-thou.

[HandmaidenofGod]

When one starts researching what goes into just about any product that we consume, one is going to find something that doesn't align with traditional Christian teaching. Whether it be the way the product was manufactured, how it negatively impacted the environment, or some charity that the company produced it supports. In order to be free of all that, one basically needs to "go off the grid," and live off the land free of electricity, any form of telecommunication, never have a bank account or credit card, and be able to sustain oneself off all products made solely on your land.

Since the majority of the world is unable or unwilling to do this, we have to accept that our money is going towards causes we may not personally support, and pray that the Lord has mercy on us.

To combat these efforts in a reasonable fashion, buy local when you can, support the charities you believe in, and pray for the world.

[orthonorm]

When one starts researching what goes into just about any product that we consume, one is going to find something that doesn't align with traditional Christian teaching. Whether it be the way the product was manufactured, how it negatively impacted the environment, or some charity that the company produced it supports. In order to be free of all that, one basically needs to "go off the grid," and live off the land free of electricity, any form of telecommunication, never have a bank account or credit card, and be able to sustain oneself off all products made solely on your land.

Since the majority of the world is unable or unwilling to do this, we have to accept that our money is going towards causes we may not personally support, and pray that the Lord has mercy on us.

To combat these efforts in a reasonable fashion, buy local when you can, support the charities you believe in, and pray for the world.

This is sanity. But the fewer choices you make, the less you have to figure out.

This is a new topic starter for a later date.

Your posts are consistently some of the most practical found here.

Thanks.

[genesisone]

When one starts researching ....

To combat these efforts in a reasonable fashion, buy local when you can, support the charities you believe in, and pray for the world.

Well said. Thank you.

The OP is quite right to be concerned about this matter. We all need to answer the question one way or another.

[biro]

So if nobody gets these TV plans anymore, and if the local Planned Parenthood goes away, there won't be sex outside of marriage anymore? 

I think we can run the danger of making ourselves think we've done something to 'get back' at others, when we may not have solved the real problem that's at the heart of the matter to begin with.

[FormerReformer]

1) It's almost impossible to buy a computer without supporting Microsoft, as any PC usually comes with Windows already installed (unless you build your own, a good idea for desktops, a lot more difficult with laptops).  Sure you could buy Apple, but then you're supporting a whole different kind of tyranny.  About the only other alternative is picking up a used computer from a pawn shop (then you're supporting usury) or e-bay (and then who knows what you're getting?  It's like buying a used car sight unseen), then don't upgrade windows and just go with Linux.

2) Pretty much any satellite or cable company is going to be selling porn (for those who still buy it).  If DirectTV and Dish Network have a larger share that's just because cable companies have to deal with monopolies that keep them from laying cable in as widespread an area.  Buying a regular package doesn't contribute to porn sales (although the premiums might, avoid Cinemax), ordering porn with your PPV contributes to porn sales.  If people didn't buy it, they wouldn't sell it.  

3) Child sweatshops are a horrible and barbaric practice.  But those few cents a day could be the only thing putting food on that child's family's table.  Buy cheap t-shirts and find a reputable charity to donate the money you save to that child.  Or start a reputable charity and fly over there and distribute the money yourself.  Better yet, forget money, send food.

[yeshuaisiam]

When one starts researching what goes into just about any product that we consume, one is going to find something that doesn't align with traditional Christian teaching. Whether it be the way the product was manufactured, how it negatively impacted the environment, or some charity that the company produced it supports. In order to be free of all that, one basically needs to "go off the grid," and live off the land free of electricity, any form of telecommunication, never have a bank account or credit card, and be able to sustain oneself off all products made solely on your land.

Since the majority of the world is unable or unwilling to do this, we have to accept that our money is going towards causes we may not personally support, and pray that the Lord has mercy on us.

To combat these efforts in a reasonable fashion, buy local when you can, support the charities you believe in, and pray for the world.

Excellent post.

It's interesting too, we do have many things planned out to be completely off the grid. It's a very daunting challenge.

[yeshuaisiam]

So is there any guilt with any of you when you know that you buy Microsoft your money very well could be used for planned parenthood?  (Of course, also the other bad things other companies do?)

[Tags:]

OrthodoxChristianity.net > Moderated Forums > Free-For-All > Non-Religious Topics (Moderator: Pravoslavbob) > Topic: Do you believe that supporting companies that support "evil" is wrong?