Starting to see it yet?
Because Christians learn early (and wrongly) to dance around the peripheral of an issue rather than getting to the heart of the matter, many of them spend a lifetime chasing the wrong things.
Aside: Before Joe blog reader gets to smug about Christians, you do it too. It’s just that you don’t know any better which makes me go a little easier on you.
Sometimes this whole idea of ‘dealing with the symptoms’ rather than the disease, is minor — even comical, often stupid. For a prime example of this, take the many defcon 5 boycott causes Christian “leaders” try so desperately to paint in the same light as say, the apocalypse. Here are a few examples from the recent past:
- boycott Disney for promoting homosexuality
- boycott American Express for supporting abortion
- boycott Ford for promoting gay marriage
- boycott AMC, Regal cinemas and any other theater chain for showing; The last Temptation of Christ, the Da Vinci Code, The Secret, yada, yada, yada (<— you missed that one didn’t you?)
- boycott all businesses that boycott the Boyscouts of America (say that 5 times fast!)
- boycott all Democratic candidates because, they reason, if it’s moral, they’re against it (lol)!
I’m racking my brain right now to pinpoint the major victory Christians can claim using this method.
Hmm…Thinking…Thinking…
I get nothing. You?
I can’t think of any good, but I can sure see some bad. For example, some of the best advertising these otherwise pathetic movies got was from all the Christian protesting. The movie executives couldn’t have dreamed of better, cheaper promotion!
Ok, ok, so what’s the point? Only this; despite valiant efforts over the last century the fact still remains. You can’t legislate morality.
Oh Contrar! Some will quickly protest. Where do you, Mr. Smart____ preacher, think we would be today if it weren’t for all these boycotts?!
You really want my opinion? I’m honored. Frankly, I thought it far more likely I begin to hear about a “boycott Rob Singleton” movement. 
But I’m willing to give it.
Where would we be without the boycotts?
See tomorrow’s post for the answer.
P.S. Yes, it all eventually connects to the “shelf Life” of your average Christian commitment.
Rob Singleton is the lead pastor and founding pastor of 
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I cannot wait to read tomorrow’s post. I too have been moved lately to pray in earnest that my commitment “shelf life†to being a Christ follower will never expire. Actually since we have eternal salvation in Him we should always think that way, we will never cease to praise Him. Isn’t that awesome!
On a side note, sort of related to boycotting, I have also seen a disturbing trend lately. My wife was watching Oprah and I happened to stop for a second to listen what they were talking about. I am secure enough in my manhood to say that I watch her from time to time. Anyway, they were having a town meeting and one topic was about the recent Imus debacle. They were talking about how low our society has sunk into name calling and other moral turpitude. They talked about how some recording “artistsâ€, sports figures, celebrities etc. keep perpetuating that decline. This is not the first time I have heard people speaking out about the various social problems in our country but little is ever said about how to fix it. After thinking about it an idea came to me. It might be simplistic but what we need is a countermeasure to combat all the negativity in our society. Jesus would be the first of these countermeasures, of course, but I also think everyone needs to take a class on civic or moral responsibility. Everyone should take it, in public schools, just like a driver’s ed. Again, I know this sounds simplistic but I want to at least get some discussion on how to start to fix the problems we have in our country today. I have created a website that I hope will eventually go “viral†and kick start some real change in our country, God sized change. The site is still in “rough draft†form, here is the link, http://www.itaffectsall.us/ check it out.
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Thank you! I have been sniped at by “Christian” because I refused to boycott Disney, Ford, etc. My explanation is this…”WHEN did Disney, Ford, etc EVER claim to be a Christian organization? WHEN?! ummmm…NEVER!!!!!! Then why do we expect them to act like Christ Followers???!!!! Of course they support all of this worldly crap – THEY ARE THE WORLD…..DUH! (Can you tell I am a little hot about this issue?) They really don’t care if a bunch of “Christians” boycott because they get exactly what you said FREE ADVERTISING!!!!! Now, if Southbrook Church suddenly began supporting abortion or some other thing then we have a problem and I would come and have a “comin’ to Jesus” meeting with you. I don’t think you really want to go there. (haha)
I am interested to know where you are going with this blog series so don’t keep me waiting!
Very interesting as always. I also never understood the boycotting. These companies are so huge and if I go to boycott and not take my family to Disney, are they really going to be affected? I don’t think so!
I know my own shelf life as a christian has expired and renewed and expired again over the years. But I think….no i believe…that i was waiting for the experience of ‘Southbrook’ to tell me I need a longer shelf life with this whole christian thing.
[...] here is part two from Rob. And here are my [...]