Etchison Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 I've been wondering for awhile whether or not serious atheists might become more "Activist" by boycotting corporations that overtly announce their religious affiliations. Here's a short list of companies that I have heard are religious: Chick-Fil-A In-N-Out Burger Starbucks Apache (Server software stuff) Voodoo (Server software stuff) Blockbuster Video Salvation Army (duh) I want to bring this up as a possible way to build influence. Christians pressured Wal-Mart into using "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays" a few years ago. Maybe we could pressure In-N-Out Burger to stop putting scriptures surreptitiously on their cups? Your thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Moderator florduh Posted December 16, 2008 Super Moderator Share Posted December 16, 2008 An atheist boycott would not be noticed at the cash register. If such a boycott was publicized, the religious would no doubt rally to show their support. Besides, it seems rather a petty ploy to me - I get disgusted with Christian boycotts of everything they deem ungodly. Also, I really like Chick-Fil-A sandwiches but I'll be happy to boycott Starbucks. Their overpriced coffee isn't any better than any donut shop's brew available at half the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amethyst Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 How are Starbucks and Blockbusters Christian corporations? Proof please, before I boycott. Although technically I'm boycotting Starbucks out of economic necessity anyway. MN does have Caribou as an alternative. I do boycott the Salvation Army at this time of year. I do not want to knowingly give my hard-earned money to companies that discriminate. There are other charities that don't, like Second Harvest, that could use it. Perhaps the time is right for an Atheist charity to spring up? Call it Secular Humanist, Pantheist, whatever if you want, I don't care. But it would be nice to see a highly-advertised charity that is not religious in nature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwc Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Perhaps the time is right for an Atheist charity to spring up? Call it Secular Humanist, Pantheist, whatever if you want, I don't care. But it would be nice to see a highly-advertised charity that is not religious in nature. Dollars for Demons? Darn that still has religious overtones... mwc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. S. Martin Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Perhaps the time is right for an Atheist charity to spring up? Call it Secular Humanist, Pantheist, whatever if you want, I don't care. But it would be nice to see a highly-advertised charity that is not religious in nature. I'm not sure if this is what you have in mind but here are a few I found some time ago and posted on my forums: Atheist Volunteers lists many opportunities for atheists to help make this world a better place without condoning religion by association. If you want to sponsor a child, a refugee family, support an atheist in a foxhole, contribute to research for autism or MS, or donate blood on national prayer day, this site might provide the connection you need to do your good deed without religious connotations. I should mention, those are just a few of the items listed on how you can help make this world a better place by volunteering or donating time, money, or other resources. FTC Canada (Feed the Children Canada) and Feed the Children U.S. are two other secular venues through which one can contribute charitable works without supporting religion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sokudo Ningyou Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 The Salvation Army makes me cringe. I wouldn't knowingly give money to an organization that believes: "1. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and that they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and practice. 2. We believe that there is only one God, who is infinitely perfect, the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of all things, and who is the only proper object of religious worship. 3. We believe that there are three persons in the Godhead - the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory. 4. We believe that in the person of Jesus Christ the Divine and human natures are united, so that He is truly and properly God and truly and properly man. 5. We believe that our first parents were created in a state of innocency, but by their disobedience they lost their purity and happiness, and that in consequence of their fall all men have become sinners, totally depraved and as such are justly exposed to the wrath of God. 6. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has by his suffering and death made an atonement for the whole world so that whosoever will may be saved. 7. We believe that repentance towards God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit, are necessary to salvation. 8. We believe that we are justified by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that he that believeth hath the witness in himself. 9. We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ. 10. We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 11. We believe in the immortality of the soul; in the resurrection of the body; in the general judgment at the end of the world; in the eternal happiness of the righteous; and in the endless punishment of the wicked." Yeah, I don't think so. Then there's their marriage ban, as my own state of Wisconsin was recently in the news for, and their homosexual discrimination. They want to claim faith-based discrimination, I'll claim my non-faith-based anti-discrimination in not giving them my money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OpheliaGinger Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 :ditto: I think I understand why a homeless person would avoid shelters. They'd probably turn me away simply because I am an unbeliever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amethyst Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 I'm not sure if this is what you have in mind but here are a few I found some time ago and posted on my forums: Well, we need a charity that is not only secular in nature but also in the spotlight. The Salvation Army gets a lot of publicity this time of year because they are aggressive at going out and ringing bells at stores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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