Mormon Custom Order from My Printables Business

[AJoyfulHome]

Forgive me if this is the wrong place to ask this question, but I really need some guidance on a business matter that I am struggling with.

I run a small Etsy shop that sells printables (word art that I send through e-mail to customers who can then print it off and hang it in their home). I feature scripture, prayers, quotes from the faithful and hymns in my shop. I also have a custom order listing that allows customers to request custom printables of their favorite faithful snippets.

Now, I have no problem with protestants ordering a verse in a Bible translation not acceptable to Catholics, though I do use an acceptable translation for my pre-made pieces. I think this practice is acceptable.

Tonight, however, the inevitable happened. I received a custom order from a Mormon requesting a printable of a Doctrine and Covenants verse. (“Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love” Doctrine and Covenants 6:20)

I gotta say, my gut is saying to refund the order in as polite a manner as possible explaining my reasoning. It would be one thing if it were an order for a quote from someone of a different religion that was generally inspirational, but a quote from a book that the Mormon church holds at the same level as the Bible is blasphemous, am I right? I don’t see how this can serve God in any way. The quote itself seems pretty harmless to me in its contents, but the fact that others will view it as scripture is troubling deep in my soul.

Am I right to refuse this type of business?

 

[DexUK]

Personally, I don’t see anything particularly harmful in that quote. In fact it seems rather nice actually on its own even if the book from which it came is not particularly good…

I would supply it on the basis that it will not hurt anyone. If you were requested to supply an artwork that read “kill all babies” then yes, you would be supplying something that had the capacity to harm and offend and you’d be within your rights to refuse the business, but in this case, I’d go ahead. PERHAPS… given that Mormons make a habit of proselytising, you could write something nice about yourself and your Catholic beliefs and pop in with the order this as a bio of the artist… with luck they might read it and be impressed with your work and your niceness and come to think more favourably of the One True Church as a result?

Remember… you might be the only experience they get of the Church. Don’t lose an opportunity to witness to your faith.

 

[JM3]

Forgive me if this is the wrong place to ask this question, but I really need some guidance on a business matter that I am struggling with.

I run a small Etsy shop that sells printables (word art that I send through e-mail to customers who can then print it off and hang it in their home). I feature scripture, prayers, quotes from the faithful and hymns in my shop. I also have a custom order listing that allows customers to request custom printables of their favorite faithful snippets.

Now, I have no problem with protestants ordering a verse in a Bible translation not acceptable to Catholics, though I do use an acceptable translation for my pre-made pieces. I think this practice is acceptable.

Tonight, however, the inevitable happened. I received a custom order from a Mormon requesting a printable of a Doctrine and Covenants verse. (“Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love” Doctrine and Covenants 6:20)

I gotta say, my gut is saying to refund the order in as polite a manner as possible explaining my reasoning. It would be one thing if it were an order for a quote from someone of a different religion that was generally inspirational, but a quote from a book that the Mormon church holds at the same level as the Bible is blasphemous, am I right? I don’t see how this can serve God in any way. The quote itself seems pretty harmless to me in its contents, but the fact that others will view it as scripture is troubling deep in my soul.

Am I right to refuse this type of business?

Unless you have specifically stated where the “faithful snippets” come from, you may be inviting litigation by refusing a mormon. You need to consult with a lawyer.

 

[Allegra]

I don’t see a problem with it. You are not personally approving the quote or the source. You are merely quoting it.

 

[AJoyfulHome]

I am going to fulfill this order. I am then going to add a snippet in my shop’s information section about reserving the right to refuse an order if I feel it is in conflict with my religious beliefs.

I don’t think the quote itself is a problem, it is a rather nice sentiment. The only problem I saw was the source.

I appreciate all the replies. I sometimes tend to get overly cautious about situations like this, and it is nice to have a place to get some faithful feedback.

God Bless!

 

[agnes_therese]

It would be one thing if it were an order for a quote from someone of a different religion that was generally inspirational . . .

But that’s exactly what it is. I don’t see any problem at all.

If it troubles you to use quotes from other religions’ writings, then your etsy page should give your conditions. That would only be fair.

 

[estesbob]

I don’t see a problem. The only people I will not do tax returns for are peoplewho have income from any organization that provides abortions.

 

[Khalid]

Even a blasphemous book can have good sayings, even holy sayings, in it, regardless of how it was created or how it’s viewed by its followers. I wouldn’t throw out “In the name of God, the Merciful, the All-Merciful” from every surah of the Koran, nor much other wisdom in it, even if the book is idolized, and contains other blasphemy in the next sentence, such as “Say, he is Allah, one: he does not beget, nor is he begotten.” I would print it, and I do not see how it is sinful: you are not enabling sin by printing for a Mormon, a quote from the Mormon scriptures, any more than you are enabling sin by not successfully evangelizing every man you meet.

Plus, you probably could end up in court for religious discrimination of some sort if the customer really wanted to push it.

 

[JM3]

I am going to fulfill this order. I am then going to add a snippet in my shop’s information section about reserving the right to refuse an order if I feel it is in conflict with my religious beliefs.

God Bless!

U.S. Code Title 42, Chapter 21 – Civil Rights
Title 42, Chapter 21 of the U.S. Code prohibits discrimination against persons based on age, disability, gender, race, national origin, and religion (among other things) in a number of settings – including education, employment, access to businesses and buildings, federal services, and more. Chapter 21 is where a number of federal acts related to civil rights have been codified – including the Civil Rights Act of 1866, Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act.

I will repeat what I said, consult a lawyer.