Chick Tracts given out at auto insurance company!

[Jim]

Since Jack Chick’s tracts are always twisting scripture the wrong way, I thought this thread belonged here. If not, I’m sure the moderators will kindly place it in the right Forum area!

Anyways. . .

Today I was walking in a strip mall and I saw something that made me almost choke on my bologna sandwich! There was a small office of a major (at least here on the west coast) auto insurance company whose identity I won’t reveal. Right inside, was a big metal kiosk filled with-Chick tracts! They had just about every one I’d ever heard of (plus some apparently new ones as well) in both Spanish and English. I specifically saw the Spanish Versions of THE DEATH COOKIE chick.com/reading/tracts/0074/0074_01.asp
And THE LAST RITES chick.com/reading/tracts/0082/0082_01.asp

I was enraged! My first impulse was to take photographs along with a forceful letter stating my offenses and send them to the corporate headquarters of this major insurance company, and that surely would get them removed from there.

But then I thought there might be a more creative way to do so, one that might be cause for me to evangelize the Catholic faith to these most likely very ignorant owners of this store.

So what do you guys think?

 

[mkw]

In todays Hyper Sensative climate, you might want to remind them that the Chick tracts represent a HATE CRIME to Catholics, and that these tracts spew lies which can be proven.

OR, ask them in fairness to side by side the Chick garbage with Catholic Answers Tracts. Then let he people decide.

 

[FCEGM]

If you do contact the company’s headquarters, be sure also to notify the property managers of the mall itself. I doubt that either would think that this is something they want to distribute among their Catholic customers.

Yes, it is a good moment for evangelization.

 

[RCCDefender]

Well they definately are targeting the Spanish ones to a Catholic audience by having The Death Cookie and The Last Rites in Spanish. Did they have those particular ones in English, too?

There was a recent thread on here about Jack Chick in which someone said that Chick tracts were not allowed to be passed out on military bases specifically because they were considered hate literature.

 

[bankerdavid]

Since Jack Chick’s tracts are always twisting scripture the wrong way, I thought this thread belonged here. If not, I’m sure the moderators will kindly place it in the right Forum area!

Anyways. . .

Today I was walking in a strip mall and I saw something that made me almost choke on my bologna sandwich! There was a small office of a major (at least here on the west coast) auto insurance company whose identity I won’t reveal. Right inside, was a big metal kiosk filled with-Chick tracts! They had just about every one I’d ever heard of (plus some apparently new ones as well) in both Spanish and English. I specifically saw the Spanish Versions of THE DEATH COOKIE chick.com/reading/tracts/0074/0074_01.asp
And THE LAST RITES chick.com/reading/tracts/0082/0082_01.asp

I was enraged! My first impulse was to take photographs along with a forceful letter stating my offenses and send them to the corporate headquarters of this major insurance company, and that surely would get them removed from there.

But then I thought there might be a more creative way to do so, one that might be cause for me to evangelize the Catholic faith to these most likely very ignorant owners of this store.

So what do you guys think?

I think you should talk to the sales manager in the shop and tell him that these pamphlets constitute hate speech. And that you’re going to tell all your friends about it at church just in case any of them use the insurance services of this company. Let the word get around, and either the office will fold or get rid of them.

 

[JCPhoenix]

From what you describe, you are actually talking about an Insurance AGENCY, not the insurance company itself.

The major companies have huge headquarters in certain areas…Cleveland, IN, Macon, GA, Lincoln NE.

Each may have large or small claims offices staffed by adjusters and their management structure. That’s on the claims end and these people work directly for the individual insurance companies.

Then you have AGENCIES, those are offten small offices found in strip malls, maybe as a part of a corporate complex, or in an office in a residential neighborhood.

While agencies may have a large header, for example “American Family”, that agent may also sell insurance for other companies…basically an agent’s job is to get the best rates for their customers. (There’s more than that to the job, so agents, don’t throw things at me!)

Anyway, most agencies are not owned by teh company, but an individual or possibly a group of agents. They are self-employed.

1. Now, keeping that in mind, it would be extremely important for you to notify the owner of the business you saw of the hate literature. You can call the business and find out.
2. Notify the Catholic Defense League if you have one in your area.
3. Still notify the name of the insurance company which happens to be listed on the agent’s sign…clearly that agent writes policy for X company, and they do NOT want to lose customers due to this agent’s actions. Guaranteed they will act swiftly.
4. Since the agent has opened the door, if you will to “dialogue”, then you may want to consider dropping off some CA tracts and let this person know that if they are serious about the truth, they will find it in the RC, not in the hate literature put out by Jack Chick. Offer to pray for him/her. (And do so!)
5. Keep in mind that the agent may actually not really be a Catholic-hater and may not have actually paid attention to the brochures which are there. (Maybe a sneaky employee or a trusted friend took advantage of a clueless owner)

 

[VociMike]

First, I’d tell them what I was going to do (see what follows), and then if they didn’t remove their bigotted trash, I’d contact all the insurance companies they represent and tell them about their highly offensive anti-Catholic bigotry (probably anti-Muslim as well, and that might get their attention even more). I’d also talk to the mall management (again, the Muslim angle might get more response). Heck, even call up the local TV news, and the Spanish-speaking media. They might like a little sensational piece.

Bigots need to be confronted.

 

[John_Henry]

…you might want to remind them that the Chick tracts represent a HATE CRIME to Catholics…

…they were considered hate literature.

I think you should talk to the sales manager in the shop and tell him that these pamphlets constitute hate speech. …

1. Now, keeping that in mind, it would be extremely important for you to notify the owner of the business you saw of the hate literature.

Accusing people of “hate speech” or “hate crimes” is nonsense. The person is simply exercising his right to free speech and, no doubt, doing what he thinks is right by his God. Talk to the guy, sure. Do business elsewhere, sure. But trying to intimidate someone by accusing them of “hate” one-thing-or-another is simple bullying. One of these days, such things will be used against Catholics to shut up our speech about homosexuality. To sink to their level is…really lame.

 

[JCPhoenix]

Accusing people of “hate speech” or “hate crimes” is nonsense. The person is simply exercising his right to free speech and, no doubt, doing what he thinks is right by his God. Talk to the guy, sure. Do business elsewhere, sure. But trying to intimidate someone by accusing them of “hate” one-thing-or-another is simple bullying. One of these days, such things will be used against Catholics to shut up our speech about homosexuality. To sink to their level is…really lame.

Uh…have you ever READ a Jack Chick tract?

This isn’t just something which conflicts with our beliefs…it is an outright ATTACK against our faith, it is a complete MISREPRESENTATION of our faith, and it’s being ADVERTISED at an agent’s office. Keeping in mind, also, that what that agent puts out, he or she at leasts gives the impression of support. Keeping in mind that said agent likely has Catholic customers.

If he wants to exercise “free speech”, his place of business wherein he represents several other busineses is NOT the place to do it.

Why is it never “HATE SPEECH” when Catholics are the target?

You seem to need a lesson with regard to what hate speech is:

dictionary.reference.com/browse/hate%20speech

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source hate speech
n.
Bigoted speech attacking or disparaging a social or ethnic group or a member of such a group.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1) - Cite This Source
hate speech

speech that attacks a person or group on the basis of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

 

[John_Henry]

Uh…have you ever READ a Jack Chick tract?

Yes. And they are grotesque!

This isn’t just something which conflicts with our beliefs…it is an outright ATTACK against our faith, it is a complete MISREPRESENTATION of our faith, and it’s being ADVERTISED at an agent’s office. Keeping in mind, also, that what that agent puts out, he or she at leasts gives the impression of support. Keeping in mind that said agent likely has Catholic customers.

I’m not saying it’s a good thing and that there should not be consequences (e.g., pulling your business). I’m merely saying that pulling the “hate speech” card is super-lame. It is trying to bully someone into your view, pure and simple.

If he wants to exercise “free speech”, his place of business wherein he represents several other busineses is NOT the place to do it.

Sigh. See previous comment.

Why is it never “HATE SPEECH” when Catholics are the target?

It should never be “hate speech”. Whether it is directed at Catholics or homosexuals. Let it just be speech you disagree with. Speak to the person. Try to enlighten them. Tell them you will no longer do business with them, and encourage others to do the same.

And, ooooh, hate speech is in a dictionary. Therefore, Catholics should engage in the bullying tactic of intimidation. Maybe you need a refresher on the Sermon on the Mount.

 

[LSK]

I would take the time to research the laws in your area. Free Speech does NOT guarantee the right to spread viscious lies or to slander a specific group of people - even Catholics. I would also consider contacting the Catholic League. This kind of hatred has gone unanswered by Catholics for too long. You can confront bigotry with love and non-violence and within the full extent of the law.

Holding someone accountable under the law is not lame.

 

[John_Henry]

Holding someone accountable under the law is not lame.

It is if the law is lame. Christians are always moaning that “hate speech” laws are unfair. That they are attempts to silence views that people don’t like. And then, we turn around and start doing that to others? That is lame.

And this is no endorsement of Jack Chick, Protestantism, or any other such thing. It is simply practicing what you preach.

 

[neophyte]

Accusing people of “hate speech” or “hate crimes” is nonsense. The person is simply exercising his right to free speech and, no doubt, doing what he thinks is right by his God. Talk to the guy, sure. Do business elsewhere, sure. But trying to intimidate someone by accusing them of “hate” one-thing-or-another is simple bullying. One of these days, such things will be used against Catholics to shut up our speech about homosexuality. To sink to their level is…really lame.

Indeed!

I’d go even farther than that. “Hate speech” is a catch-phrase invented by liberal neo-fascists who have the specific intent of silencing speech with which they disagree and who have managed to codify in law penalties for unpopular speech. It’s a despicable concept, and it’s despicable to make or threaten to make a legal complaint under such a law (which is what you’re doing by using that phrase).

Try to reason with the guy, tell him it’s offensive and ignorant, complain to the owner and the parent company, do all of that other stuff - but don’t stoop to fascist tactics. In the marketplace of ideas Chick tracts lose big, but using fascism in an attempt to silence those who are fooled by them will only lend them an air of legitimacy.

 

[MrS]

Ten or more years ago, my newly “born-again” Baptist son was leaving Chick Tracks in the stalls of the men’s rooms at the University of Michigan. I only found out because I happened to make use of the facility, and saw his “church” stamp on the back cover.

Now, I could have flushed it and given it the respect it deserved… , but instead, I took it and a few feet of tp (clean) and gave them to my son. I bluntly told him that only one was fit to wipe with, and I was both ashamed and angry that he would buy into that garbage.

I picked a couple of tracks, went through them briefly … words just poured out in defense of Catholicism.

He no longer distributes the tracts.

As for your insurance company… and not knowing who it is, I can only offer the following wit&wisdom&sarcasm:

Demand that he remove them… The Constipation guarantees us

Separation of anti-Church and State Farm

.

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

Go in for a quote on everything you own or rent, car, home, boat, life insurance, whatever, after the sales person has done all the work except getting you to sign on the bottom line, take notice of the tracts. At that point refuse to do business with them because you found those tracts offensive. Lost sales speak louder than words. Make every catholic in your area that you know aware of this hate speech and not to do business with them. Email the corporate company since they do represent them, and frankly, the corporate company is not going to want to lose sales because of these tracts. And, yes tell the mall owner too.

In fact, list the company here along with email address, so others can email the corporate company to complain. The more people who complains to the corporate office the better.

 

[Jim]

Well they definately are targeting the Spanish ones to a Catholic audience by having The Death Cookie and The Last Rites in Spanish. Did they have those particular ones in English, too?

I didn’t notice at the time. I plan on going back over there after work hours and taking a couple of photos. The kiosk and its contents are right behind the plate glass front of the store.

Thanks for all your advice everybody. I’ll give you an update tomorrow.

P.S. yes, it was an Agency, I just couldn’t think of the word at the time!

 

[SemperJase]

yes, it was an Agency, I just couldn’t think of the word at the time!

If the business had the name of one insurance company on their sign it must be an “exclusive agency” meaning the agent is under contract to sell policies from only from that insurance company.

Instead of making charges of hate crimes (which attempts to use the force of law to silence opposing views), I suggest you exercise your rights. Notify the insurance company of what the agent is distributing in its name and that you choose not to do business with them. This is even more effective if you already have business with them. If you aren’t already a customer, then they really aren’t losing business.

There is a good chance that the agency’s contract prohibits them from distrubiting publications that are not specifically related to their insurance business.

But stay away from the “hate crime” rhetoric. It does not reflect well on our rationality as catholics. It does come across as bullying.

 

[RobHom]

You might also want to get in touch with the local “Knights of Columbus” and bring this to their attention… That could generate some interesting responses. Any Jesuits in the area?

Were I you…I would not bother with emailing an insurance company, but instead…google the company or get in touch with a stock broker and find out who the Chairman of the Board of the company is, the CEO and CFO as well. Write a very determined concise business letter to each of them…stating your case, and the fact that if they are unwilling to correct this abhorrent situation immediately, if not sooner, you will be sending them copies of the letters that you will be sending to every Catholic Church, Catholic organization and individual Catholics you can locate seeking economic boycott of that company.

I disagree with people who say that “Chick-tracts” are not basically “hate-crimes”. They are. Just because “Chick”, like the American Nazi Party…has 1st Amendment rights…does not mean its right. Chick tracts are less than “bovine feces”, and anyone who buys into them…deserves their fate.

I also think you should post the name of the company, the manager’s name (at the agency) and their address. I might be inclined to write a letter to him or her.