Strawberry

I don't know if this is the right forum for this, but here goes.

Lately, I've found myself becoming less than excited about rabid American consumerism. And I like quirky clothes. So I've taken to shopping at the Salvation Army simply because that's the only second-hand store with any selection that I have easy access to. My question is, am I being a hypocritical atheist by indulging my anti-corporate-consumerism like this? I don't generally like what the Salvation Army does with its money, but at least it's not tying half-starved children to machines in 3rd-world factories like, say, Wal-Mart or Abercrombie & Bitch. The one I go to does hire people who can't normally hold down jobs, etc. even if they aren't xtian, and it does other good things for the community as well (although it does its share of proselytizing too).

Which ought to weigh more heavily in this case, my non-theism or my anti-consumerism? Which is better for the world as a whole, not buying into the xtian missionary cause or not buying into the destructive mass corporations? Any thoughts?

seebs

Is your non-theism a jealous god? If not, then why worry? There's nothing wrong with supporting people who are providing a product or service you like through acceptable mechanisms. Unless you have a very strong objection to the existance of theism, this shouldn't matter. Live and let live.

Amos

Anti-consumerism is the evil here and Bush wants you to spend all your money and then some on new stuff.

As for me, I'd say go ahead and think that your name even suits your quirky clothes.

Ronin

WTF!!! seebs, you've topped out.

Strawberry ~ I'm a strong atheist and buy stuff at the America's Thrift Store (Homes of Grace) all the time.

I also thoroughly enjoy going to the Hobby Lobby (which is a Christian owned knick-knack and furniture shop) because they have the coolest stuff.

I get nice goods for reasonable bucks...the profit they recieve from me goes toward paying their power bills, the christian money goes towards further proselytizing...LOL



PS ~ Mmmmmm Chick-fil-A...

seebs

Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

I don't know how that came across; my intent was just to point out that "non-theism" doesn't sound like a belief system which should demand loyalty to the extent of avoiding businesses associated with "competing" beliefs.

southernhybrid

At the risk of being persecuted by our more evangelical atheists, I will confess that I have given perfectly good used clothing and other household goods to the local Salvation Army. I don't agree with everything they do but they have given food, shelter and clothing to a lot of people in my community that are in great need of help. Shit, I've even given money to Habitat for Humanity. It's a well run Xian charity that seems to exemplify the more positive qualities of Xianity. I don't care what people believe. I'm more interested in how they live their lives.

I must be really evil because I even buy lunch at Chick-Fila, which is always closed on Sundays, the Lord's day. Who the hell cares! They have the best fast food in town. I guess I just don't understand this need for some atheists to consider anything associated with Xianity as evil. Bigotry is unattractive regardless of the direction it's coming from. Go ahead and buy from the SA, if they have what you need. You could drive yourself crazy if you need to think about the morality of each and every purchase you make. Life's too short.

Dark Jedi

I prefer to donate and shop at the ARC thrift stores, myself.

They're pretty big out this way.


Edited to add;

Mmmm... Chick-fil-A ....


I'd almost pray with them for those nuggets.

Probably would if they offered half off! (As long as they don't ask me to believe it, who does it hurt?)

Strawberry

So the general consensus is that shopping at SA isn't going to bring about the end of the world. Very interesting. It's nice to hear what other people have to say about my moral dilemmas every once in a while. And I guess I really can't say no to cheap clothes, anyway, at least until after I finish giving all my money to my #$(&%^* university.

Strawberry

never been there

In decreasing order of good feelings, my choice in thrift shops goes:
Goodwill - not much to object to,
Sally Ann - I have secular alternatives at Xmas in view of their lobbying against human rights legislation here in Canada, and finally
Value Village - because they're a for-profit company that gives a cut to the charity that makes the begging phone calls.

Growing up in Montreal, there was only the SA, and what a thrift store - a single HUGE outlet for the whole city. That meant you could go there not to browse but to actually buy a couch, or dresser, or whatever because there would be a choice of 10-20.

Recycling being big in my family back in the 1970s, I thought that was what "salvation" referred to - saving perfectly good stuff from the dump. It was a pretty secular childhood.

Bree

I must be really out of the loop - I didn't know you could buy stuff from the Salvation Army. We have St. Vincent DePaul's and Goodwill here - but then again, this IS Wisconsin .

I generally stay away from frequenting places that offend my sensibilities (such as they are). For example, our Salvation Army bus/wagon thing is slathered with anti-abortion stickers and "No Jesus, No Peace/Know Jesus, Know Peace" crap. It is also interesting to note that while I can dump money in the little tin at Christmastime, I cannot stand next to the tin and ring the damn bell because I'm a lesbian. Therefore, I don't give up a dime.

Does that make ME a bad person? Nah.