Wednesday, March 16, 2005

Joe Carter has a great post on why boycotting, for the Christian, is questionable. The one point that rings with me:

In a fallen world, though, uses of power – both violent and nonviolent – can sometimes be legitimate and necessary. But the righteousness of a cause cannot be imputed to the tactics. Even when nonviolent means are called for, boycotts are an improper abuse of power. Rather than being a loving rebuke, boycotts are a form of moral extortion. By cutting off economic ties with a corporation or business, the boycotters are using coercion to force a person to do something they would not willingly do on their own. While Christians may have legitimate reasons for not using a certain product or associating with a particular business, banding together to cut off legitimate commerce has no Biblical warrant.

I agree wholeheartedly and it is why I have never boycotted for the cause of Christ.