Morality of patronizing a business re: gay "marriage"

LotusCarsLtd · #1 May 15, '11, 3:54 pm

A local record store I used to frequent had a poster in their store window a few months ago advertising a protest that was held outside our cathedral awhile back, the purpose of which was to criticize the Cardinal for his condemnation of gay "marriage" and state legislation relating to it.

Since it's a record store they post numerous ads and posters in their window for local bands, venues, businesses, and events. I would suspect that most people walk in, ask the manager if they can post the poster, and then walk out. I'm not certain who the owners are or if they are the ones who ultimately approve the requests to place the posters, so I am unsure if the posters necessarily reflect the views of the owners, managers, or employees.

I stopped shopping there because of the poster despite the fact that they are an otherwise good business who I otherwise like. Would you think it is acceptable to shop there regardless? I also tend to have issues with scrupulosity, so that's why I ask.

Pax!

Fr Michael Grac · #2 May 15, '11, 4:03 pm

I think it would be worth making your objection known to the manager, and infroming him you wont be shopping there (at least while the poster is up). As for the morality of it, it is not sinful to shop there.

josephback · #3 May 15, '11, 4:09 pm

I sometimes have this question about a local business that sells pornography. Do I really want to enrich them by shopping there. I also regularly patronize a store that sells alcohol. Should I? Probably not. I guess no one's forcing you to shop at the store.

I also have this question of the world in general. What does it mean to, as the Scripture says, "keep oneself unspotted by the world"? What does that entail? Still figuring it out.

**Holly3278** · #4 May 15, '11, 4:11 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fr Michael Grac

I think it would be worth making your objection known to the manager, and infroming him you wont be shopping there (at least while the poster is up). As for the morality of it, it is not sinful to shop there.

I agree Fr. Grace.

Fr Michael Grac · #5 May 15, '11, 4:38 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by josephback

I sometimes have this question about a local business that sells pornography. Do I really want to enrich them by shopping there. I also regularly patronize a store that sells alcohol. Should I? Probably not. I guess no one's forcing you to shop at the store..

Again, you might make your objection known. If Christians in general did this, there would be far fewer stores which sell pornography. There is no moral problem with selling alcohol. However, I don't know about where you live, but every service station (gas station) over here sells objectionable magazines. It is unavoidable. If you know a place where, without undue inconvenience, you can buy what you need, which does not sell porn, then it would be great to support that shop. But I know of nothing that compels you to do this, in church law. If however the pornography is so in your face as to constitute "the near occasion of sin" or even its presence is a temptation, then you should shop elsewhere if at all possible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by josephback

I also have this question of the world in general. What does it mean to, as the Scripture says, "keep oneself unspotted by the world"? What does that entail? Still figuring it out.

It simply means that we should not to be involved in worldly / sinful activity. Our focus should be on serving God, we are "in the world, not of the world"

anthonyR · #6 May 15, '11, 5:16 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by LotusCarsLtd

A local record store I used to frequent had a poster in their store window a few months ago advertising a protest that was held outside our cathedral awhile back, the purpose of which was to criticize the Cardinal for his condemnation of gay "marriage" and state legislation relating to it.

Since it's a record store they post numerous ads and posters in their window for local bands, venues, businesses, and events. I would suspect that most people walk in, ask the manager if they can post the poster, and then walk out. I'm not certain who the owners are or if they are the ones who ultimately approve the requests to place the posters, so I am unsure if the posters necessarily reflect the views of the owners, managers, or employees.

I stopped shopping there because of the poster despite the fact that they are an otherwise good business who I otherwise like. Would you think it is acceptable to shop there regardless? I also tend to have issues with scrupulosity, so that's why I ask.

Pax!

O.K. Brother here's how I handle it.
I am walking down a footpath and I spy a big lump of cow dung sitting right there in the middle of the sidewalk. What do I do? just step aside and carry on. Like Apostle Paul said, we cannot takeourselves out of this world we got to adapt ourselves to it. Turn a blind eye to porn mags in stores, do your shopping and get out.
Hope this helps you.

SRT

SummitJim · #7 May 15, '11, 6:18 pm

Unfortunately, I think SRT is right. Depends on where you live though. In the Bible Belt, speaking to the manager might have some effect but I live in a county (Marin County, California) with the lowest church attendence in the state, and I'm talking all churches, not just RC. Here speaking up gets you branded as strange, with no results. So just best to "step over it" and go on. C.S Lewis was right when he said we live in enemy territory.

TimothyH · #8 May 15, '11, 6:36 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by SummitJim

Unfortunately, I think SRT is right. Depends on where you live though. In the Bible Belt, speaking to the manager might have some effect but I live in a county (Marin County, California) with the lowest church attendence in the state, and I'm talking all churches, not just RC. Here speaking up gets you branded as strange, with no results. So just best to "step over it" and go on. C.S Lewis was right when he said we live in enemy territory.

So just give up? That's it? Ignore it and let Satan win because someone might think you are weird? Is this really what Christ taught us to do? Then what? Homosexuality becomes normalized and the next thing you know your son walks in and announces his impending civll union with his boyfriend. Wonderful!

There is a reason why Catholicism is flourishing here in cities like Atlanta, Birmingham, Greenville and Charlotte. The reason is that those in the Bible belt have traditionally stood up to things like this, saying "No, we do not want you promoting homosexuality in our neighborhoods and if you do, we will not shop at your store." The city of John's Creek in Fulton County, Georgia drove a porn store out of town on a rail and good for them.

Maybe no one attends Church in Marin County, Californian is because a few good Christians refuse to take a stand.

-Tim-

valentino · #9 May 15, '11, 6:42 pm

If you can find another store that as comprable as this one shop there.If not why don't you ask the person in charge about the poster?Sometimes people just come in to a store a post without anyone's permission.

benidict · #10 May 16, '11, 11:53 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by LotusCarsLtd

A local record store I used to frequent had a poster in their store window a few months ago advertising a protest that was held outside our cathedral awhile back, the purpose of which was to criticize the Cardinal for his condemnation of gay "marriage" and state legislation relating to it.

Since it's a record store they post numerous ads and posters in their window for local bands, venues, businesses, and events. I would suspect that most people walk in, ask the manager if they can post the poster, and then walk out. I'm not certain who the owners are or if they are the ones who ultimately approve the requests to place the posters, so I am unsure if the posters necessarily reflect the views of the owners, managers, or employees.

I stopped shopping there because of the poster despite the fact that they are an otherwise good business who I otherwise like. Would you think it is acceptable to shop there regardless? I also tend to have issues with scrupulosity, so that's why I ask.

Pax!

I agree with several others here. Let the manager know, you like his store, but this rubbed you the wrong way. He may in the future, not allow controversial movements like this to be advertised. Then again, maybe he does not care if he loses customers. If It were me. Id rather keep you as a repeat customer. Make sure you talk to a decision maker though. You may be surprised at the response you get. It may be positive.

nodito · #11 May 17, '11, 4:11 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by josephback

I also regularly patronize a store that sells alcohol. Should I? Probably not.

There's nothing wrong with buying or selling alcohol. Where would we be as Catholics without businesses or organizations to sell us wine for consecration?

Siochan Leat · #12 May 17, '11, 8:40 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by nodito

There's nothing wrong with buying or selling alcohol. Where would we be as Catholics without businesses or organizations to sell us wine for consecration?

Not to mention that there's nothing wrong with consuming alcohol provided it doesn't cause one to sin. If you know that one drink will lead to twenty, then you shouldn't consume alcohol. It doesn't mean that everyone else should avoid it as well.