[CS-FSLUG] Christians taking action...

[veritosproject at gmail.com]

Amen!

On 8/19/06, 'Mash <mashdot at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi everyone,
>
> I have not posted in ages and true to myself when I do it has little
> to do with technology.
> For the past week I have been thinking about how that as a Christian I
> can profess to love Jesus and his teachings yet live my life in
> complete contradiction to this. In contradiction in the choices I make
> regarding being part of a larger evil.
>
> Let me explain.
> I recently found out that my local Supermarket here in the UK is
> actually owned by Walmart.
> Now from my limited understanding and I am starting to learn more,
> Walmart appears to be horrendous in the way it operates regarding
> employees, product acquisition, contracts etc.
> After some more research the whole Walmart company appears to be
> abusive and corrupt, a systemic evil that is hurting people all over
> the world except those who shop there.
>
> Now this whole thing started me thinking about the bigger picture. Why
> is it as Christians we can sit back on Sunday, absorb the joy and then
> go out and commit "indirectly" the most heinous evils known to man.
> That we will buy certain products , support certain companies which we
> all know are destroying lives. It is possibly the most selfish thing I
> have ever heard of. How dare we profess to love God yet suck up the
> luxury of certain products which are causing abuse to hundreds of
> families in other countries. Why is it that as Christians we are
> accepting this , being a part of this and not standing up for justice.
> Why as Christians are we living in the lap of luxury yet only a few
> hours away people are dying from lack of water. YET WE ARE NOT DOING
> ANYTHING AS CHRISTIANS !
>
> I know full well that it is an almost impossible task to live outside
> of some circle of corporate abuse but I see little evidence that
> Christians even care. Why are we not taking the time to talk about
> where we should be shopping, who we should be supporting, what we
> should not be part of.
>
> Here is an example which has fallen on my heart. At some point, God
> willing I will be at a point in a relationship where I should be
> thinking of buying an engagement ring. I do not believe I will be
> purchasing a diamond. That is unless I know exactly where that diamond
> was mined. If my wife really wants one then we will spend as long as
> it takes to find one that comes from the correct source. I am not and
> will not let my wife wear some luxury item with which hundreds of
> people have shed blood over. Moreso I dont see why we should actually
> spend a huge amount of money on a diamond in the first place. I pray
> that the sort of women God has for me would rather give that sort of
> money away then wear it on her finger.
>
> What I am getting at is that I want us to stop for a minute and think
> about what we have, where it came from. What we are buying tomorrow
> and the next day. Which companies we support, which companies we have
> the option to not support. Spend time looking for alternatives, those
> which encourage people, help people and even build the kingdom.
>
> Lets start living Jesus rather then just talking Jesus.
>
> Somewhat ranty
>
> 'Mash
>
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