Posted on 07/14/2012 10:18:58 AM PDT by CHRISTIAN DIARIST
One of my writings this week concerned Fortune 500 corporations that support causes like same-sex marriage and abortion that are antithetical to evangelical Christians and social conservatives.
That prompted a request from a reader that I follow up with a post listing corporations that embrace Christian values; that evangelicals and social conservative can support with their pocketbooks.
Well, I’ve long known that the Christian business sector is large. But I’ve known of only a few major corporations guided by Christian values.
That includes, of course, Chic-fil-A, which started-up in Georgia before spreading throughout the country; which is so unabashedly Christian, it doesn’t even open its more than 1,600 fast-food restaurants on Sunday, the Lord’s Day.
And it used to include Alaska Airlines, the nation’s seventh-largest carrier, which promoted Christianity by handing out prayer cards printed with Bible verses before meals, but which, disappointingly, discontinued the practice this past February.
Those were the only two corporations I could think of that included Christ in their business plan.
So, I did a little research. And one of the best sources, surprisingly, was CNN’s “Belief Blog,” which published a list last year of “religious” companies.
After deleting companies like Whole Foods, whose co-founder and CEO is a Buddhist, and companies like Tom’s of Maine, that used to be controlled by Christians, but were bought out by faith-less corporations, I came up with this short list of companies worthy of support by evangelicals and social conservatives:
Chic-fil-A, God bless them.
Forever 21, a fashion-forward clothing store favored mostly by young women. The bottom of its signature yellow shopping bags are emblazoned with John 3:16, which, according to a company spokeswoman, is a “demonstration of the owners’ Christian faith.” Forever 21 also sells ladies T-shirts unapologetically displaying Christian messages.
Herman Miller, manufacturer of modern office furniture. Known for its famous Aeron chair, Noguchi table and Marshmallow sofa, the company was founded in 1905 by D.J. De Pree, a Christian evangelical, who named it after his father in law, Miller. De Pree was succeeded by sons Hugh and Max, who considered themselves servant-leaders, just like their father.
Hobby Lobby, a chain of arts and crafts stores. Founded in 1972 by David Green, a Christian entrepreneur, Hobby Lobby’s ethos is, “Honoring the Lord in all we do by operating the company in a manner consistent with Biblical principles.” Like Chick-fil-a, its more than 500 stores are closed on Sundays.
In-N-Out-Burger, which boasts some 275 restaurants throughout the western United States. Founded in 1948 by devoted Christians Harry and Esther Snyder, the chain continues to promote the couple’s faith by inscribing scripture on its cups, wrappers and packaging.
That includes not only oft-cited John 3:16, but also Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock,” and Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Interstate Batteries, which boasts the nation’s second-largest chain of of franchised retail battery stores. The company is unbashful about its Christian moorings. In fact, company chairman Norm Miller moved out of the presidency to give himself more time away from day-to-day operations to offer testimony on “how he learned to apply Biblical principles to create a more successful business.”
Interstate also happens to be the primary sponsor of a NASCAR racing team owned by Joe Gibbs, a devout Christian.
ServiceMaster, which owns such brands as Terminix, TruGreen, American Home Shield and Merry Maids, which has more than 5,100 company-owned and franchise locations around the country. The company’s name comes from the Christian concept “service thy master.” It continues to practice the principles of founder, Marion Wade, who, according to company historians, “had a strong personal faith and a desire to honor God in all he did.”
Tyson Foods, the largest meat producer in the world. Company Chairman John Tyson is an interfaith Christian. He has 128 part-time chaplains on the company payroll. They “provide compassionate pastoral care and ministry” to employees at Tyson’s corporate offices and production centers.
Walmart, the world’s largest retailer. Founded in 1962 by Sam Walton, who subscribed to the Christian servant leadership model, his heirs have a 48 percent stake in the publicly-trade corporation. That enables the family’s to continue to hold sway over Walmart’s business practices.
That’s why the company carries the kind of Christian books that bricks-and-mortar bookstores like Barnes & Noble choose not to. And that’s s why the Walmart’s music department refuses to sell music requiring parental warning labels.
For those keeping count, this list includes only nine corporations. Nominations of other corporations deserving love by evangelicals and social conservatives are welcomed.
I would take Tyson Foods off the list. Tyson was involved with Bill and Hillary clinton in a number of corrupt activities down in Arkansas, and I suspect is probably still a big Democrat donor.
Also, clinton made a deal with him to send the food inspectors in to his rivals, but never to really inspect any Tyson factories. So I don’t trust their products, either. But from what I’ve seen, it’s factory farming and crony capitalism at its worst.
Clinton waved a Bible around, but I wouldn’t call him a real Christian. I suspect the same of Tyson.
I can’t imagine the problem with giving airline passengers prayer cards before meals unless it reminded them of this:
Rumack: What was it we had for dinner tonight?
Elaine Dickinson: Well, we had a choice of steak or fish.
Rumack: Yes, yes, I remember, I had lasagna.
We are moving away from Walmart when possible, now that they have dropped ALEC. Thanks for posting this though-good info.
Does anyone have similar info about mutual funds that support conservative Christian values? How about mutual funds that support Israel?
We were JUST going to say the same thing!
Stopped buying anything Tyson years ago because of the Clintons....and have missed many good sales!
We are moving away from Walmart when possible, now that they have dropped ALEC. Thanks for posting this though-good info.
Does anyone have similar info about mutual funds that support conservative Christian values? How about mutual funds that support Israel?
Our Wal-Mart allows religious groups to hold Gospel singings in the parking lot. They even allow them to hang a large banner across the front of the store that says “Jesus Saves”. :-) We have a lot of Amish and Mennonites in our community and they even attend. They tie the horses to light posts and sit in their buggies and wagons to watch the singings.
My city is still a small friendly town that allows horses in town. We even see people on horseback in the drive-thru at Hardees. I live on a farm just outside of Athens Tennessee, home of the famous Battle of Athens.
We had a very bad experience with American Home Shield. A one year warranty from AHS came with the purchase of our condo.
The waterheater flooded our new flooring on a Saturday. “Sorry, the only plumber we use isn’t available on weekends.”
The igniter broke on the furnace on the first cold morning of November on, you guessed it, a Sunday. “Sorry, the only HVAC company we use isn’t available until Tuesday.”
They do not reimburse you if you are forced to call another company and pay the bill yourself.
They refused to honor our daughter’s request for service on her air-conditioning because it was working at the time of the inspection.
AHS may be a part of ServiceMaster, but you could have fooled me. I can’t recommend them.
It is my understanding that Tyson also instituted a prayer break for Muslim employees per a friend who lives in Arkansas.
U.S. Plastics, Stanley Tam
http://www.usplastic.com/content/aboutcorporation.aspx?clickid=footer
“Trusting God as your savior is the most important item we promote at United States Plastic Corp. We would like to help you learn more if you have accepted Christ as your personal Savior because of this web page. Email us today so that we may send you a one time package of literature.”
Brim’s Snacks
Mission Statement
• Working in harmony in a God honoring, God fearing atmosphere.
• Manufacturing and distributing snack foods that are superior in quality and value to consumers.
• Striving to help our distributors and customers attain their financial goals. “Brim’s Snacks becoming Number 1 in the Memphis Market.”
• Providing customer service to all customers in a professional and courteous manner.
May our actions and words honor God.
They also have a page on their website that tells how to have a personal relationship with Christ.
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