Buying from Stores/Companies that Sell Objectionable Items

[Coder]

I seek to understand moral considerations regarding shopping at stores that also sell items like pornography. For example, I recall seeing pornographic materials in the video section at Best Buy. Also, don’t some of the music albums (rap etc.) depict disrespectful wearing of the cross?

I also sometimes avoid Sony products for example.

 

[Coder]

Perhaps if I ask this: Does anyone avoid shopping in stores that sell items that are not in line with Catholic values (to a serious extent)?

 

[Reepicheep]

I think it would be very difficult to completely refrain from shopping at any and all stores that sell anything objectionable. The best we can manage is to decide where to draw the line.

Example: I can’t refuse to buy medications at any pharmacy that offers pornographic magazines on its magazine rack, if every pharmacy in my city does so, and I need the medicines.

What I can do is stay away from the porn.

If I become aware of a pharmacy that refuses to offer pornographic material, then I can, and ought to, go there for my purchases.
I ought also to tell the management of both the old and new places, why I made this choice.

 

[kim3260]

I agree, it would be almost impossible to not shop in any store that doesn’t sell anything questionable.
For example many stores sell books, movies, tasteless clothing, birth control, the list goes on and on.
The best thing we can do is just not buy these things, and encourage others not to, if sales fall off then maybe companies will change their minds on what they carry.

On the subject of tasteless clothing, parents especially of young girls need to refrain from buying these “sexy” outfits for their young daughters, only then will the designers stop making them.

 

[1ke]

If there is an alternative available then I try to patronize that store. It’s not possible to avoid stores carrying objectionable materials completely.

I do participate in boycotts-- for example when the American Girl Doll company was giving money to an organization that advocated for abortion, I wrote letters stating I would not buy American Girl products until/unless they stopped supporting this group. My niece has American Girl and was going to get that from me for Christmas last year, but I bought something else.

American Girl was boycotted and picketted at their flagship stores in NY and Chicago by a major pro-life group… and they did in fact discontinue the relationship with the objectionable group within 2 months of the campaign against them starting.

So, boycotting can work-- but you have to tell stores why you are boycotting. I always write to them and tell them why.

 

[dafalax]

You can almost always boycott stores that sell porn. You have a duty to let them know that you are boycotting them, though, because otherwise they may not know that they could have more money by not exploiting girls.
I can’t buy groceries without shopping in a store that sells condoms. You pick your battles and do what you can. Try to avoid places that support planned parenthood. That’s usually a small sacrifice. Hope this helps.