I'll have a tall skinny boycott
I read this Time cover story last week in the airport on the way to Atlanta. Around the same time, I was hearing and having conversations about some Christians' decisions to boycott Starbucks because of their support of gay pride events.
Some personal observations:
- Being a homosexual teenager in 2005 America is worlds apart from being homosexual in (place your favorite time period here) America. It just is.
But do Christians do the hard work of approaching the two differently?
- The article mentions that many of the teenagers coming out as homosexual in today's world have no desire to adopt overtly homosexual lifestyle indicators. The image of the "flaming" homosexual is of no interest to them. They're disappointed that there aren't camps where gay teenagers can do the same recreational sports and traditional camp activities of other camps.
It's possible now - and will be more so - to interact on an accquaintance level with someone who's gay, and not recognize it.
Is that reality compatible with the rhetoric/ministry approaches we've used so far?
- To boycott means not just that I stop consuming some product: it also means that, to one degree or another, I make it known that I am not consuming a product, and why. So, how do I, on one hand, be vocal about avoiding a place of business because they support gay pride events, and then on the other hand, love a homosexual the way that Christ loves them? Doesn't the attitude necessary to pull off the former spill into the attitude of the latter?
- If I'm going to draw attention, at any level, to my avoiding a place of business because of their connections to the homosexual community, then doesn't my pursuit of integrity dictate that I do an inventory of my life and remove every single other element that has similar connections? And if, for instance, I find out that my couch was made by a company with such connections, am I not obligated, not just to take the couch down to Goodwill or something, but to put it out on my front lawn and burn it?
Just wondering.
And I'm wondering as someone who really has a burden for this subject and this area of culture. I don't even know why - I've documented the only conversation I've had where someone was open about their homosexuality and I haven't had one since. But I can't get it out of my head.
Some personal observations:
- Being a homosexual teenager in 2005 America is worlds apart from being homosexual in (place your favorite time period here) America. It just is.
But do Christians do the hard work of approaching the two differently?
- The article mentions that many of the teenagers coming out as homosexual in today's world have no desire to adopt overtly homosexual lifestyle indicators. The image of the "flaming" homosexual is of no interest to them. They're disappointed that there aren't camps where gay teenagers can do the same recreational sports and traditional camp activities of other camps.
It's possible now - and will be more so - to interact on an accquaintance level with someone who's gay, and not recognize it.
Is that reality compatible with the rhetoric/ministry approaches we've used so far?
- To boycott means not just that I stop consuming some product: it also means that, to one degree or another, I make it known that I am not consuming a product, and why. So, how do I, on one hand, be vocal about avoiding a place of business because they support gay pride events, and then on the other hand, love a homosexual the way that Christ loves them? Doesn't the attitude necessary to pull off the former spill into the attitude of the latter?
- If I'm going to draw attention, at any level, to my avoiding a place of business because of their connections to the homosexual community, then doesn't my pursuit of integrity dictate that I do an inventory of my life and remove every single other element that has similar connections? And if, for instance, I find out that my couch was made by a company with such connections, am I not obligated, not just to take the couch down to Goodwill or something, but to put it out on my front lawn and burn it?
Just wondering.
And I'm wondering as someone who really has a burden for this subject and this area of culture. I don't even know why - I've documented the only conversation I've had where someone was open about their homosexuality and I haven't had one since. But I can't get it out of my head.
posted by pastor mike at 1:11 AM
7 Comments:
i find it interesting that the pharisees boycotted just about everything while jesus showed up at all the boycotted parties. just something to think about...
verveben - would you be willing to give us an example of Jesus at a "boycotted" party?
Mike:
Believe it or not, (since I seem to be the burr under your saddle here) I have a huge amount of interest and compassion in this topic.
First, If I can easily find it, I'll email you a copy of an article I wrote (unpublished) on the topic of ministry to gays.
Second, I think you misunderstand the purpose of boycott. I'll be brief here--we can talk more about this face to face (where it'll be more productive) on Saturday if you're still coming.
Boycotting (if that's the right word for it--I'm not sure) on a personal level is about money. I may mention my personal choices to other Christians for the purpose of their thinking about who is spending their money, but I don't post on my blog or get on a soap box about them.
If you bought a soda from me at an outrageous markup and then figured out that I was spending the profits by hosting an anti-red-headed pastors paraade that included the forced dyeing of hair for any read-heads that showed up, would you want to keep spending money there? That's what this is about. Those of us choosing not to shop at Starbucks, Target, etc. are merely saying--if that's how you're going to spend your profits, you're not going to get *my* money.
And it doesn't spill over into personal practice of evangelism. I've had quite a few more than one conversation with gay peeople, been to gay bars and will continue to reach out to gays with the Gospel in every way possible.
I read your words it seems like you think that anyone who boycotts Starbucks would mention that in the first 5 minutes of finding out someone is gay. I may be misreading you, though.
Just yesterday, I was thinking about gay people. Seriously. As I was cleaning up Ben's bay, my mind jumped to a friend who refuses to watch Finding Nemo because Ellen Degeneres [spelling?] is one of the voice actors. Ellen is gay. Thus, it translates in his mind that by watching Finding Nemo he is advocating gay pride- which is something he doesn't want to be known as doing.
And I thought, "Uh, whaaaaaaat?"
I'm going to come out and say that I'm pretty homo-phobic. That comes from being hit on by guys too much. Seriously. A few years ago, at Red Lobster... I'm fairly certain you've heard that story. When I went to Milford, Ohio with Opey, Renee, and Mrs. Dickie I stepped into a Starbucks and was asked out by one of the dudes there. Naturally, I took his picture. Candace and Morgan tell me he's cute, and I should have gone out with him. Numerous other experience like this leave me... not affraid, so much as uncomfortable around homosexuals.
They're still people though, and they still need Christ. People like my friend have an attitude about gays that is, more or less, I don't like them and I don't agree with what they are doing, so I will simply ignore them and pretend that they do not exist and that will take care of that. I can't imagine doing that. I can't see being cold and harsh with someone just because you don't agree with their lifestyle. Sin is sin, and we're none of us perfect. I don't agree with treating anyone indifferently simply because of their sexual preference.
Yet... I concur with the boycotting. It may sound extreme, but you don't buy needles for a junkie, do you? I don't. While I don't agree with the attitude involved, I do agree with not lending monetary support to sin. I think it's more about, "I don't agree with my money being given to support gay pride parades and rallies and such" and less about, "I just don't like the gays, and I haven't since they came to this country from France."
Always pickin' on the French, forever fanning the flames of prejudice. [sighs.] Pray for me.
I guess my point is that... it's not a pursuit for integrity so much as just... not wanting to feed the fire (so to speak). I don't think it says everything about how we show Christ's love. While I'm sure there are some who do it out of something almost resembling strife, there are some who just... aren't doing it to have an attitude. They're just not wanting to aid sin. They can quietly make their decision not to support a company that supports gay pride events and still approach homosexuals with something resembling Christ's love.
I feel like I'm rambling and talking myself in circles- something I do quite frequently... so I'll just shut up now.
Mike,
I understand what you are saying about boycotts. I have been involved in pro-life work for over 25 years and have frequently seen the lists of people who support Planned Parenthood etc. passed around, hoping we will boycott.
Truthfully, it would almost be impossible to shop if you boycotted all the places that support people and causes with which a Christian might disagree.
And then, really, what if you shop the local mom and pop shop and don't know that the owners financially support a gay son in college who is an activist or even give money to help Planned Parenthood build "health" clinics in black neighborhoods?
And then, to make your head spin even more, why is it that abortion and gay rights are the big causes, the really big sins? Who decided those were worse than the sins of pride or envy or gossip? I mean, what if someone decided to boycott Christian ministries because, gasp, sinners worked there?
If you are going to boycott businesses you know financially support evildoers, then is it not your responsibility to find out where all business establishments that you frequent invest their money? It seems hypocritical to not check out the backgrounds of everyone if you are in to boycotting.
By the way, Mike, I still remember that article you wrote about the gay woman who helped your family. It was an awesome story and one I won't forget. Sometimes I am amazed at how gracious and lovely a nonchristian can be when I have felt the bitter "slap" of fellow Christians one too many times.
Good blog entry.
As a side note, as I've just read 6 comments and have thoughts galore-
In economics, Ford, GM, and Chrystler would get absolutely no support (monetary or otherwise) if a church or if a Christian purchases a used bus or van. Since the company itself is not selling it, they'd make no profit that could then be spent on gayfulness.
On the other hand...
Basically, homosexuality falls under the same warnings of sin as... girls wearing pants. They are both abomination, no?
So should we boycott every place that sells ladies pants, or supports ladies that wear pants, or will sell to ladies that wear pants?
Wait.
THis just in, as of 11:53 AM, Saturday, October 15, 2005, I have an interview at Goodwill.
Where I will [probably] sell things I shouldn't sell to people who shouldn't have them.
But hey. Howabout this. Why don't we smile and act like Christians as we buy what we buy from other people, and pray that our attitudes and testimonies will work in the homosexual heart more than a dollar bill.
Hi Mike,
Just thought you'd like to know that you inspired me to blog about Christians and boycotts.
Have a blessed day.
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