I’d like to take a moment today to share about an organization Robin and I have personally supported for over 25 years. It’s the American Family Association or AFA. It was founded by a United Methodist Pastor Don Wildmon from Tupelo, Mississippi. He was watching television with his family one evening when there were only three major networks (ABC, CBS and NBC) in America. He was frustrated to discover there was not even one channel his family could watch that didn’t have objectionable material.
God challenged him to do something about it. He left the pastorate and began a small ministry out of his home.
His strategy was to impact television programming in America by contacting the networks and asking them to promote moral and helpful programming. He soon learned that though he may get written responses from the networks, it didn’t impact their decisions concerning programming. He had to get to their wallets, so he began accumulating data about the use of profanity, sexuality, violence, etc. per program and wrote the sponsors of those programs. As other Christians joined in, he did begin to make an impact. As I recall, he was instrumental in getting Phil Donohue off the air among others several years ago.
Over the years, he has learned that Christians united together can make a significant impact on our society. We can be the “salt and light” that God calls us to be. One of the most effective tools has been boycotting businesses that promote destructive programming on TV with their advertising dollars. I have personally boycotted Circle K and K-Mart over their sale of pornography, Mennen products for promoting sleazy programs, etc. Once they have changed their positions; I have returned to using some of their products, though not always.
As a business, they have a right to support what they choose and as a consumer, I have the same right. Today, July 3rd, The AFA has initiated a boycott against McDonald's. The reason? Their active support of The National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). McDonald’s donated $20,000 to this organization and is listed on their website as a “Corporate Partner and Organizational Ally” of The NGLCC. Richard Ellis, The Vice President of Communications for McDonalds USA, can be seen on their website promoting McDonald's support of the Gay lifestyle and Gay Pride events.
I love McDonald’s French fries, as well as The Dollar Menu; but I love God’s Word so much more. I cannot support an organization that promotes a destructive unbiblical lifestyle. From a purely business standpoint, he doesn’t make sense for them as a business that is supported primarily by families. I am not even asking McDonald's to promote a biblical lifestyle, but simply to be neutral in the cultural wars. This is my conviction. I’m not asking you to adopt my convictions, but I do want you to be informed and active in your Christian witness – however God would lead you. We must stand for something or we will fall for everything. For more information you may want to check out www.AFA.net. Bless you!
Have a wonderful and safe Fourth of July! We’ll be here celebrating from 4:00 on this Friday evening, so if you’re in town come join us! We’ll also have a special patriotic worship service this Sunday.
Yours in Christ,
Mark
Posted on Thursday, July 3, 2008
by Mark McAdow
filed under