Wal-Mart and the Gay Community

[Steve]

I just found this out about Wal-Mart. Would this affect your decision to shop there?

[Martha]

Actually I don't shop there now. Does this mean we can't have a church there?

[TW]

Steve,

The problem is that in many small towns across America, Walmart is the only place the residents have to shop within a reasonable distance of their homes. I am lucky that I live between two fairly urbanized areas, and that I have alternatives to Walmart within 15 to 20 mile in either direction. There are many folks that would have to travel 50 or 60 miles or farther.


TW

[Pastor Gary]

How deep are your convictions? Beyond WalMart, how far are you willing to go to use your economic power to impact the social policy of corporations?

I like APPLE computers, yet they have corporate policies with which I diagree. What's the alternative, Micro$oft Windows? They also have similar coporate policies that I see as social engineering beyond simple equity and justice.

But most posters here, even those who avoid WalMart, use either Mac OS or Windows.

[Gerald Creasy]

I have a similar problem and it's not with Walmart. Louisville has a great Independant Music Store that is well Known (A photo of it appeared on one of the Hootie and the Blowfish CD artwork). They've been around for years and I've been a customer since they started in an old storefront next door to my favorite Comic Book Store to their third large location in a hot part of town.

When it comes to "Fairness ordinances" the management is right in the forefront, fighting the way.

Yet they have things you can't get anywhere else....certainly not Circuit City and Walmart.

Do I shop there? Will my 200$ a year purchases really make a difference?


I just read a story, that, if true, will make Walmart even stronger:

Wal-Mart announced today that it will start a test program in Florida, where it will sell generic prescription drugs for $4 for a 30-day supply. The test will start tomorrow in 65 Tampa Bay-area stores and is to expand to the whole state by January.

In a statement, CEO Lee Scott says the world's largest retailer intends to "take the program to as many states as possible next year."

Do you realize how big a DENT that will put into ANY pharmacy in town?
Do you realize how much a benefit that would be to low income people?

[MOREGODlessme]

My wife and I both work for Wal*Mart. They helped us out so much when our house burned down, The people do not make up the company. Home Office in Bentonville, Ark. makes the rules. I worked 13 years for American Airlines. Many gays and lesbians there. But, it was still a great place to work. Trust me, the rank and file of Wal*Mart doesn't like this policy. But they still create more jobs than any other company in the world...except for the government.

[Steve]

OK, so this begs the question that my wife and I asked each other. How far would it have to go before you would stop supporting an organization? (a retail place like Wal-Mart for example) What if they said that they were so committed to promoting the gay lifestyle that they were going to have a special "gay interest" section? What if they said that Christianity was not compatible with their "diverse" corporate policy so they would pull all inspirational items like books, CD's etc from the shelves? Would this make a difference?

I am not saying that these things would happen, I know it is very unlikely. I just wonder what kind of things would have to happen to move folks to stop shopping there. I have pretty much decided to that I will not shop there because of this move. I may reconsider, but I don't know. I just think that at some point we have to make a stand.

This may be like the "meat offered to idols" kind of thing....

[Jamais Vu]

I would stick with shopping at Target. They are less crowded, and have really good sales on release days for dvds and video games.

But seriously, it would have to go way farther than just supporting gays to stop shopping at a place such as walmart. Gay people have the right to have jobs and support the economy just as much as we all do. What they do with their money is their business. I see no problem spiritually buying goods or services from a gay person or gay supporter.

There is a clear difference in supporting homosexualitiy, and purchasing essential goods or services from someone who supports homosexuality.

[jinjer]

So, what about all the places you shop that you don't know about the "offensive" policies? How far would you go to find out before giving them your business or withholding your business? Just a couple of thoughts.

Jinjer

[TW]

I would stick with shopping at Target. They are less crowded, and have really good sales on release days for dvds and video games.

But seriously, it would have to go way farther than just supporting gays to stop shopping at a place such as walmart. Gay people have the right to have jobs and support the economy just as much as we all do. What they do with their money is their business. I see no problem spiritually buying goods or services from a gay person or gay supporter.

There is a clear difference in supporting homosexualitiy, and purchasing essential goods or services from someone who supports homosexuality.

Jamais Vu,

If you think that shopping at Target is a better alternative, as far as supporting gays would be concerned, them read this from the official Target Web Site:

Our Definition
Diversity is individuality. It’s a wide spectrum of traits, including personal style, age, race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, language, physical ability, religion, family, citizenship status, socio-economic circumstances, education and life experiences. We see diversity as any trait that makes someone unique and does not interfere with effective job performance.

Our Commitment
Target has a strong commitment to diversity and we work hard to make diversity an integral part of our culture—from the way we relate to each other as team members, to the way we serve our guests and communities, to the way we deliver for our shareholders by pursuing the right business opportunities. In fact, we believe so strongly in the importance of diversity that we have made it one of our core values.

We respect and value the individuality of all team members and guests. We know that valuing diversity makes good business sense and helps to ensure our future success.

Personally I have a problem with at least two "traits" listed. First, sexual orientation, the very thing we are discussing here. Second, citizenship status, in other words they will knowingly hire illegal aliens.


TW

[Pastor Bill]

This may be like the "meat offered to idols" kind of thing....

Go with your convictions man, I think you are right on with this one, If this causes you to feel uncomfortable shopping there, then you shouldn't, but I don't think we can say that for everyone either.

I would stick with shopping at Target. They are less crowded, and have really good sales on release days for dvds and video games.

But seriously, it would have to go way farther than just supporting gays to stop shopping at a place such as walmart. Gay people have the right to have jobs and support the economy just as much as we all do. What they do with their money is their business. I see no problem spiritually buying goods or services from a gay person or gay supporter.

There is a clear difference in supporting homosexualitiy, and purchasing essential goods or services from someone who supports homosexuality.

My problem is, it wasn't that long ago that Target was the one that "all good christians" should boycot. and tomorrow it will be someone else. I don't know of a single large corporation that I agree with every one of their polices. I can't even say that for the College where I work, but I do do everything I can to change those things (I was recently elected as a representative to the General Faculty Assembly, I am just one voice, but I do have a big mouth!)

Then comes the real questions on where we draw the line. Is Homosexuality the only sin we should avoid "supporting" with our purchases? What about Adultry, couples living together out of wedlock, false religions, etc. to really carry this one out and follow through on it, maybe we should only purchase from Christian Companies? Unfortunately there aren't enough big ones out there, and many that started with good moral values, have changed hands and leadership enough that it isn't the way they are today (Walmart probably being a good example on that.

[MrDanger]

I haven't researched this claim to make sure it is true. Some of these conservative sites love to throw out statements like this without checking to make sure they are true.

What I do know is that just this summer, Wal-mart received an award for supporting a lot of conservative causes. They were recognized as given the largest donations to conservatives running for public office.

So, for me, I don't jump on these band wagons with guns a'blazin' on these things. I were one of those, I would still be trying to write letters fighting O'Hare and her efforts to ban christian programming....even though she has been missing for years and presumed dead.

[Shellie]

I think if we stopped shopping in all places whose corporate offices support anything offensive to Biblical principles we would have to dig a well, raise our own meat, raise our own veggies, grow our own cotton and raise our own sheep in order to sew our own clothing. Oh yes, the pump for the water, the jars for the canned veggies, the needles for the sewing and the hoes for the plowing must all be handmade.

I'm thinkin' Amish.

[Pastor Bill]

I think if we stopped shopping in all places whose corporate offices support anything offensive to Biblical principles we would have to dig a well, raise our own meat, raise our own veggies, grow our own cotton and raise our own sheep in order to sew our own clothing. Oh yes, the pump for the water, the jars for the canned veggies, the needles for the sewing and the hoes for the plowing must all be handmade.

I'm thinkin' Amish.

No actually the Amish around here shop at WalMart!

[Shellie]

No actually the Amish around here shop at WalMart!

LOL...