Tainted Businesses

[theBelgianDuke]

Some people are of the opinion that Catholics shouldn’t work for companies that donate to causes contrary to the faith. (There are many such companies: Nike, Microsoft, Starbucks, etc.)

**On the contrary, I think Catholics should work for such companies.
**
What these organizations need are good, principled people at the helm, and faithful Catholics fit that bill. If these companies were more Catholic, they wouldn’t donate to such causes. However, having Catholics in influential positions is possible only if a (good) Catholic works for the company in the first place.

The fact is we as Catholics are in a better position to change a company’s conduct by becoming involved in the institution. Refusing to be involved actually just makes it more likely that organization will just continue doing what it’s doing.

For example, consider a situation in which a company matches its employees’ donations. The bottom line is, if more devout Catholics worked there, there would be more pro-life employees in the company. If more pro-life people worked for the company, there would be fewer donations to pro-choice causes. Fewer employee donations to pro-choice causes means the company matches fewer donations. Thus, places like Girls Inc. or Planned Parenthood take a hit in revenue.

Any thoughts?

 

[Gertabelle]

I’m a teacher in the public schools and a member of the teacher’s union.

And you are absolutely right about making our voices heard in the workplace!

Our school vision statement includes the phrase “protecting the innocence of our children.”

We also focus on family and community involvement, and protect parental rights (sex ed, etc.).

Our faith matters. Jesus told us to be salt, light, and leaven in the world. We can’t do that if we’re only ever hanging around the salt, light, and leaven ourselves.

Some of us are dumped into the middle of it all.

Others are called to hang about the edges.

But very few (cloistered religious) are called to cut ourselves off from the world.

Well, that’s my very exhausted two cents’ worth. Hopefully it’s a bit coherent at least.

:yawn:

 

[theBelgianDuke]

I’m a teacher in the public schools and a member of the teacher’s union.

And you are absolutely right about making our voices heard in the workplace!

Our school vision statement includes the phrase “protecting the innocence of our children.”

We also focus on family and community involvement, and protect parental rights (sex ed, etc.).

Our faith matters. Jesus told us to be salt, light, and leaven in the world. We can’t do that if we’re only ever hanging around the salt, light, and leaven ourselves.

Some of us are dumped into the middle of it all.

Others are called to hang about the edges.

But very few (cloistered religious) are called to cut ourselves off from the world.

Well, that’s my very exhausted two cents’ worth. Hopefully it’s a bit coherent at least.

:yawn:

Indeed, thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut on this! I’m interested in what others might say
Stay tuned

 

[joeybaggz]

Some people are of the opinion that Catholics shouldn’t work for companies that donate to causes contrary to the faith. (There are many such companies: Nike, Microsoft, Starbucks, etc.)

On the contrary, I think Catholics should work for such companies.

What these organizations need are good, principled people at the helm, and faithful Catholics fit that bill. If these companies were more Catholic, they wouldn’t donate to such causes. However, having Catholics in influential positions is possible only if a (good) Catholic works for the company in the first place.

The fact is we as Catholics are in a better position to change a company’s conduct by becoming involved in the institution. Refusing to be involved actually just makes it more likely that organization will just continue doing what it’s doing.

For example, consider a situation in which a company matches its employees’ donations. The bottom line is, if more devout Catholics worked there, there would be more pro-life employees in the company. If more pro-life people worked for the company, there would be fewer donations to pro-choice causes. Fewer employee donations to pro-choice causes means the company matches fewer donations. Thus, places like Girls Inc. or Planned Parenthood take a hit in revenue.

Any thoughts?

Good post, Duke!