Actively Fighting For Christian Values

We can be sensitive to the fact that there are battles that are occurring throughout our world - truth vs. falsehood, light vs. darkness, life vs. death - and we are uniquely equipped to use the resources, spiritual and otherwise, that God has given to us in order to advance the Kingdom of God. 1st Corinthians 4 states this:
1 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

It's June - it's a month marked by summer celebrations, family vacations, and outdoor activities. It marks the lead-up to arguably our unique American holiday known as Independence Day, the Fourth of July.

But, it has been co-opted by certain activists, supported by corporate interests, and labeled "Pride Month." You will no doubt see retail stores pushing rainbow-themed merchandise, which reminds us that those who embrace a warped view of sexuality have corrupted the sign of God's covenant. 

Last year's Pride Month demonstrated a huge consumer backlash, and a recent Washington Stand article noted that:

Target’s CEO Brian Cornell, who flaunted the stores’ chest binders and tucking swimming suits for kids as “progress,” finally counted the cost of his social extremism late last summer. By the end of a dismal August, he didn’t apologize, but he did admit that it was time for some soul searching. As his first and second quarter earnings tanked, he hinted at changes ahead. “As we navigate an ever-changing operating and social environment, we’re applying what we’ve learned to ensure we’re staying close to our guests and their expectations of Target.”

What Cornell learned, Americans will be pleased to know, is that trans activism is the fastest road to financial insolvency. After thumbing his nose at Christmas shoppers with shelves full of LGBT pandering, the full weight of consumer outrage started to sink in. Like his counterparts at Anheuser-Busch, Nike, Disney, Planet Fitness, RipCurl, and Doritos, he sent shoppers running for the exits.

Target's answer, according to the article: "a significant reduction in Pride products." The company even "wanted people to know that this summer’s LGBT merchandise will not only be limited but designed with adults — not children — in mind."

In a May article, The Daily Citizen, referencing a Wall Street Journal report, said that "shareholder activists question the financial risks of backing divisive sociopolitical agendas."  The Daily Citizen article said that, "Shareholders are asking major companies to analyze how aligning with 'public and politically divisive positions' — like donating money to support transgender medical interventions" being performed on minor children, "has affected their financial stability." It went on to say:

Each company’s shareholders must vote in favor of the proposal before a risk analysis must take place.

Target, Dell, Intel and snack giant Mondelez will vote on similar proposals this year. Levi Strauss voted against one last month.

Some companies managed to skirt a vote entirely. According to the Journal, Walmart and Verizon “argued successfully to the Securities and Exchange Commission in recent weeks that they don’t need to hold votes on the proposals at all.”

Writer Emily Washburn says that "The National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC) and the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR) have lodged most of the shareholder proposals emphasizing fiduciary responsibility."  One example of this type of "shareholder activism" affected the policies of Best Buy; the article relates:

The NCPPR created a proposal late last year requesting that Best Buy analyze whether its partnerships with and donations to radical advocacy groups were hurting its business.

The proposal specifically cited Best Buy’s donations to the Human Rights Campaign, which supports children undergoing transgender medical interventions.

To avoid a vote, Best Buy promised the NCPPR it would no longer support the causes it “identified as concerning.”

Also, "The NCPPR introduced a proposal at Intel’s shareholder meeting...requesting the tech company “create a committee to assess the extent to which Intel is undermining its financial sustainability by aligning itself with a type of radicalism that is rejected by large swaths of the market." And...

The NLPC is hard at work campaigning for a proposal that would “create a study subcommittee to examine the risks and consequences of Mondelez’ associations with external organizations, to determine whether they threaten the growth and sustainability of the company.”

The Daily Citizen notes that, "Mondelez owns Oreo, which has a strong partnership with PFLAG — Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays," adding, "PFLAG lobbies against laws banning doctors from performing transgender medical interventions on kids under 18 years old and supports kids’ access to sexually-explicit, LGBTQ books."

Consumer actions against some companies have been motivated by the Alliance Defending Freedom Viewpoint Diversity Score, which has taken banking companies JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America to task for "debanking" certain entities who engage in religious activity and has challenged Apple for free speech concerns. 

This is important to recognize.  On yesterday's program, Mark Christian highlighted large-money entities that have been involved in pushing agendas that are contrary to a Christian perspective.  But, he let us know that even though Christian organizations may be outspent in our promotion of Biblical values, we have the power of God and the truth on our side.  We can recognize, as 2nd Corinthians 10 says, the weapons of our warfare are not carnal - not of this world. We have mighty resources that can be used to advance the cause of Christ, and I am thankful that there are organizations out there that are taking the fight to those who promote godless principles. 

We can also speak against those in the corporate sector who are tilting the playing field against people of faith. We can challenge corporations that are involved in ESG - environmental, social, and governance, investing. Some may choose to examine where their dollars go - and support laws that prevent such a philosophy from being implemented.  There is great power in the pocketbook, and we can be wise stewards of what God has given to us to use our resources wisely, affirming what is consistent with our values.