Should Christians boycott companies that support anti-Christian policies?
Question: "Should Christians boycott companies that supportanti-Christian policies?" Answer: Some Christian organizations have declared boycotts of companies with anti-Christian policies. Starbucks, Amazon, Nike, and
other corporations have been the target of such boycotts. Those
calling for the boycotts want to get the attention of business
executives and decision-makers to communicate the fact that
Christians will not support an ungodly agenda. Many who are
involved in boycotts are also trying to be good stewards of their money: “Why should I feed a company and help it stay in business,”
they reason, “knowing that it is going to use some of my money to
support an anti-Christian agenda?” The Bible says nothing regarding boycotts. Of course, Scripture
contains no direct command to boycott or not to boycott a business.
However, at least two passages are relevant to the discussion. First,
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 5:9–10 that, although we are “not to associate with sexually immoral people,” we are still part of the
world and therefore cannot disassociate ourselves from all immoral
people. To totally avoid all corruption, “you would need to go out of
the world.” Paul’s focus in 1 Corinthians 5 is the church. Christians should not
partner (or even eat) with a person who claims to be a Christian yet
lives contrary to Christ’s word. The only way to avoid contact with
immoral people in this world is to leave the world. To apply this
principle to the boycott issue, the only way to avoid businesses that
support ungodly practices is to leave this world completely. A second passage is Romans 14:5–12, which deals with doubtful issues, or “gray areas.” One principle here is that “each one should be
fully convinced in his own mind” (verse 5). Whatever one does, he or
she should do it “in honor of the Lord” (verse 6) and give thanks to
God. “For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the
Lord” (verse 8). Believers are to follow their conscience in the gray
areas, because “each of us will give an account of himself to God” (verse 12). If God’s Word has not clearly spoken on an issue,
each believer has the freedom to seek God’s will and be fully
convinced in his own mind. This “matter of conscience” principle applies to many issues, including
boycotting. Some Christians feel strongly about not supporting a
business due to particular moral issues, and they are free to take their
business elsewhere. Other Christians may be just as concerned about
the moral issues yet not share the same conviction about boycotting.
They are free to not join the boycott. If one does join a boycott, there are other questions that should be
answered: for example, how far should the boycott extend? What
about subsidiaries of the parent company? Should vendors who sell
to the boycotted company also be boycotted? How will the
effectiveness of the boycott be gauged, or is that even a
consideration? And what about Christians who are employed by the boycotted company? Some Christians work politically, through the election process, to
affect the important social and moral issues. Some work financially,
through boycotts. Others work both ways. The important thing is to
pray about the issues of the day and take a biblical, principled stand
—and then do what one can.
Recommended Resources: Logos Bible Software and Living Above the Level of Mediocrity by Charles Swindoll.
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