It will always go back to “what’s the standard?” Great reminder for us all. Thankful to God for DW and the work they’ve done out in Moscow, Idaho. The brothas here on island hope to one day visit the brethren there Lord willing 🙏🏾
We’ve recently made the decision to try to buy American made items instead of made in China. Also supporting small business instead of Amazon or Target. I cannot in good conscience support certain things but my goal isn’t to put them out of business. My goal is support the small business whether that be in the US or somewhere else. Economics matter to them also. I can choose where to send my money and whom you support. I know these issues have come up on Crosspolitic and in Comments made by Doug here and there. This video just doesn’t seem to fit with the current message from Moscow. Perhaps I am missing the basic principle being applied? But it seems contradictory to the current message which is why shop at a company that hates you. How do we reconcile these two messages? Is it mainly about motive? I choose to support companies with similar values. my goal is not to “hurt” those that hate me but to help those that promote Christian values.
This is a great question. Well answered. In my opinion (uh-oh, here we go!) to buy or not to buy "fairly traded" goods should not be a 'sin' issue for the Christian, but rather one of conscience. If a brother(or sister)'s conscience allows him or her to buy cheap shoes, then no one should condemn them. If a brother or sister is convicted that they should buy only from respected and certified social enterprises or fairly-trading companies, then that is fine, and they should not be criticised either.... On a side note, as Doug rightly pointed out: if you refuse to buy anything made in Bangladesh (for example) that will not help the economy of Bangladesh to develop, and may actually cause harm in the long run. A magazine from the UK written edited and sold by homeless people in the UK (the Big Issue) surprised many by suggesting that one way to shop ethically is to buy clothing from cheap shops like Primark made in developing countries. Rather than working to close down factories in the third world, a better option would be to open a competing factory in said countries (or even better, enable locals to do this for themselves) with the aim of proving that an economically sustainable business is viable whilst still offering safe working conditions and liveable wage - this way hopefully influencing the local business culture in a positive way whilst providing jobs for even more people. There are several brands i can think of that use this business model, and sell their products at a good price into developed countries. Again, I'm not trying to dictate to other brothers and sisters what they should do, but to provide ideas for discussion.
Excellent discussion, thanks so much for the upload. The last bit is particularly helpful to me. It's easy to pursue the "righteousness" of not using a plastic straw, instead of the actual righteousness of loving God and neighbor. Good to keep in mind.
I wish you had asked a hard hypothetical, like "What is the boycott were of the NFL because they were allowing football players to protest police violence by kneeling during the national anthem." Or burning your Nikes and posting the video of it on Twitter when Nike hires one of those football players to be a spokesman. The two examples that were given seem open to the interpretation that "boycotts are good (if the values defended are conservative) and bad and stupid (when the values are liberal)." (And, hey, maybe that is actually the answer.)
I know someone who quite running an apple factory overseas because the work was soul sucking and the workers would try to kill themselves. How bout don't adulterate, steal, cheat, oppress or support people or companies who do.
Thank you! I used to live in China and made $500 a month and lived like a queen on it. 😆 We really can't know the intricacies of a foreign economy. We hired a cooking/cleaning lady for next to nothing and she was SO HAPPY to have work! I never understood why people tell me I can't buy cheap clothes made in Asia. 😐
When researching choices for Covid vaccines, my wife and I found out that the Johnson and Johnson vaccine was sourced from abortion stem cells. So we decided against that vaccine. In the meantime a Christian friend texted me he was in line to get the Johnson vaccine. I texted him back what I knew, but it was to late he already had the shot. He knows little about how vaccines are made and had no reason to think it would be unethical. For me having researched, I think it is would be unethical now for me.
![Eminem - Temporary (feat. Skylar Grey) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZaK9Wi5ho0o/mqdefault.jpg)
It will always go back to “what’s the standard?” Great reminder for us all. Thankful to God for DW and the work they’ve done out in Moscow, Idaho. The brothas here on island hope to one day visit the brethren there Lord willing 🙏🏾
"Are there places where you wouldn't shop?" - excellent counter-question..."It's not a matter of contamination..." - excellent counter-response!
We’ve recently made the decision to try to buy American made items instead of made in China. Also supporting small business instead of Amazon or Target. I cannot in good conscience support certain things but my goal isn’t to put them out of business. My goal is support the small business whether that be in the US or somewhere else. Economics matter to them also. I can choose where to send my money and whom you support. I know these issues have come up on Crosspolitic and in Comments made by Doug here and there. This video just doesn’t seem to fit with the current message from Moscow. Perhaps I am missing the basic principle being applied? But it seems contradictory to the current message which is why shop at a company that hates you. How do we reconcile these two messages? Is it mainly about motive? I choose to support companies with similar values. my goal is not to “hurt” those that hate me but to help those that promote Christian values.
This is a great question. Well answered. In my opinion (uh-oh, here we go!) to buy or not to buy "fairly traded" goods should not be a 'sin' issue for the Christian, but rather one of conscience. If a brother(or sister)'s conscience allows him or her to buy cheap shoes, then no one should condemn them. If a brother or sister is convicted that they should buy only from respected and certified social enterprises or fairly-trading companies, then that is fine, and they should not be criticised either....
On a side note, as Doug rightly pointed out: if you refuse to buy anything made in Bangladesh (for example) that will not help the economy of Bangladesh to develop, and may actually cause harm in the long run. A magazine from the UK written edited and sold by homeless people in the UK (the Big Issue) surprised many by suggesting that one way to shop ethically is to buy clothing from cheap shops like Primark made in developing countries.
Rather than working to close down factories in the third world, a better option would be to open a competing factory in said countries (or even better, enable locals to do this for themselves) with the aim of proving that an economically sustainable business is viable whilst still offering safe working conditions and liveable wage - this way hopefully influencing the local business culture in a positive way whilst providing jobs for even more people. There are several brands i can think of that use this business model, and sell their products at a good price into developed countries.
Again, I'm not trying to dictate to other brothers and sisters what they should do, but to provide ideas for discussion.
Excellent discussion, thanks so much for the upload. The last bit is particularly helpful to me. It's easy to pursue the "righteousness" of not using a plastic straw, instead of the actual righteousness of loving God and neighbor. Good to keep in mind.
Thanks for watching Bryan!
I wish you had asked a hard hypothetical, like "What is the boycott were of the NFL because they were allowing football players to protest police violence by kneeling during the national anthem." Or burning your Nikes and posting the video of it on Twitter when Nike hires one of those football players to be a spokesman. The two examples that were given seem open to the interpretation that "boycotts are good (if the values defended are conservative) and bad and stupid (when the values are liberal)." (And, hey, maybe that is actually the answer.)
I know someone who quite running an apple factory overseas because the work was soul sucking and the workers would try to kill themselves. How bout don't adulterate, steal, cheat, oppress or support people or companies who do.
Thank you! I used to live in China and made $500 a month and lived like a queen on it. 😆 We really can't know the intricacies of a foreign economy. We hired a cooking/cleaning lady for next to nothing and she was SO HAPPY to have work! I never understood why people tell me I can't buy cheap clothes made in Asia. 😐
When researching choices for Covid vaccines, my wife and I found out that the Johnson and Johnson vaccine was sourced from abortion stem cells. So we decided against that vaccine. In the meantime a Christian friend texted me he was in line to get the Johnson vaccine. I texted him back what I knew, but it was to late he already had the shot. He knows little about how vaccines are made and had no reason to think it would be unethical. For me having researched, I think it is would be unethical now for me.
I’ve got bad news for you regarding the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine too then…
What are some biblical resources you recommend to become "economically literate"? #AskDoug