Be holy in all your behavior. 1 Peter 1:15
Every action contributes to culture. While we passionately and deliberately vote every few years, the accumulation of our thousands of smaller actions ultimately contribute more to shape our culture and our country. Our economic actions have far greater impact on our culture than does our biannual votes. And the results of those actions? In general, conservatives are losing American culture. Related, although I don’t know whether Christians had ever “won” American culture, cultural respect for and deference to Judeo-Christian morality wanes in the U.S. While diligent in how we vote, Christians and conservatives, myself included, have been far less conscientious in our daily purchasing decisions than we have been in our infrequent political votes.
To promote his apparently strong beliefs favoring gay marriage, Amazon.com boss Jeff Bezos donated $2.5 million dollars to promote gay marriage in his State of Washington. Hurrah for Bezos coming out strongly in support of his beliefs. I have strong beliefs also, premised in God’s revealed word, as taught in the Bible. Those beliefs clearly teach that homosexuality is wrong. The fact that two men feel strongly and passionately for each other no more make it moral than when a man feels strongly and passionately for a woman other than his wife.
I’ve been a loyal fan of Amazon.com for nearly 15 years. I remember buying a book from Amazon.com in 1998 from my dial-up modem and thinking “how cool is that!” … For the last five years, at least, we’ve purchased “Prime” memberships and did most of our Christmas shopping online through Amazon.com. No more.
While I support Mr. Bezos’ right to spend his money in support of his beliefs, I’m not going to spend my money to further his profits, which he uses to undermine Biblical values in our laws and culture. I have not purchased anything on Amazon since I learned of Mr. Bezos’ efforts in support of gay marriage. With disappointment, we did not renew our Prime membership. It’s been over a month now, and not only has it not been difficult, I’ve found more cost-effective websites from which to make my online purchase. I’ve been particularly pleased with Walmart.com where the books are often several dollars less than at Amazon.com, the shipping is less (though no “Prime” type membership, yet), and you can have items delivered for free to your local Walmart store for pick up.
Best “general” online store: http://www.walmart.com
Best online bookstore, used and new: http://www.bookdepository.com
Best sites to purchase Christian stuff like books, movies, toys, apologetics, and generally Christ-centered, counterculture merchandise:
http://www.answersingenesis.org/store
http://www.visionforum.com
http://www.christianbook.com
http://store.lamplighter.net/storefront.aspx
Happy Shopping!
Sapphire Sky 