Our beliefs and our values are the most powerful place to demonstrate who we are in the marketplace. We make consumer choices every day, but how does your faith affect these choices? Have you ever considered the practices and viewpoints of the companies you buy from? How do they recognize and treat your preferences?
We live in a world where a small group who want to deny us our convictions can drown out tens of millions of believing, practicing, committed Christians. It’s time for a change.
Faith Driven Consumers rates each company on its stance on an array of issues, including the sanctity of human life, wholesome entertainment, non-pornographic materials, charitable nature, sexuality and the family, and corporate responsibility, among others.
No company is perfect, just as there are no perfect humans. . We are not called to judge but to provide the facts so that you can make a more informed decision as a consumer. If who you spend your money with is important to you, Faith Based Consumers has rated companies from Airlines, Banks, Electronic Retailers, Home Centers, Retail Speciality, Warehouse Clubs, Auto Mfgs, Department Stores, Fast Food, Grocery Stores, Pharmacies, Wireless Carriers, to name only a few.
For example: One of the nation’s most popular department stores, Kohl’s has made strides to improve its standing on some of the issues that are most important to faith-based consumers. It stopped donating to Planned Parenthood in 2011, and its policies apparently indicate “a corporate stance that leans toward the natural and traditional family.”
Belk is known for touting Christian values through its foundation (the Belk Foundation). The company is committed to its employees and customers and has earned four stars in terms of leaning toward a Biblical worldview. Some of the company’s ads are apparently suggestive, but this has not disqualified the company from being considered “faith friendly.”
The Kroger grocery chain gives to various charitable organizations including Feeding America, the nation’s largest network of food banks, and The Salvation Army. They also partner with United Way and Susan G. Komen, which give to Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the nation. Kroger is a significant supporter of the homosexual lifestyle through sponsoring and promoting events.
Whole Foods gives 5% of total net profits each year to communities across the nation. It also has core values and standards to ensure the best natural and organic products within the marketplace. They have a past corporate philanthropy dedicated to Planned Parenthood, the leading abortion provider in the nation. Whole Foods, like Kroger, sponsors various GLBT events across the nation.
Big Box retailer Walmart has taken steps in recent years to become more faith-friendly. They gives millions annually to various charitable organizations, supports family-friendly entertainment programming, and promotes “Christmas” in its advertisements. While they have taken active steps to support family-friendly programming, it still sells some books, movies and video games that conflict with Christian values. Additionally, Walmart is now a donor to the left-leaning Center for American Progress, a progressive public policy think tank that espouses ideas often hostile to a biblical worldview and religious freedom.
The Blaze also listed five Christian companies that joined Chic-Fil-A in proclaiming their Bible based views – Forever-21; Interstate Battery Center; Tyson Foods; In-N-Out Burger, and Hobby Lobby.
As the war against Christians intensifies, I think it is more important than ever that we spend our money with companies that share our values.
