Arken

You're stating a common misconception about thrift stores- that they are for poor people to shop in. It's actually the opposite- they are for everyone to shop in and the money gained from the thrift sales goes to helping the poor. That's why a lot of thrift stores have special 'botique' sections with designer clothes they think will appeal to a richer, but more frugal clientele.

As far as the suggestion to go to other thrift stores, I already do. It's just that this one happens to be so incredibly close to my office that I can go to it and be back within fifteen minutes so it's simply a matter of convenience. I'm still not sure whether or not it's ethical for me to do it as well though.

chanoc

I had to shop at a thrift store for items for my apartment, retail was too expensive.

Example: A kettle for boiling water was 32.00 at the retail store, yet only .50 at the thrift store.
I got all my kitchen ware for 9.00, it would cost me easily > 100.00 in a retail store.
Even though I do not approve of the Catholic church, I see nothing immoral with buying "junk" that society donates.

I know the money goes to homeless families and feeding the hungry.

* At least my money is not going to missionaries!

Rusting Car Bumper

Arken,

One can paint a similar picture with regards to any product you buy. Simply because you shop at store X which does not claim to explictly supporting Xian fundamentalist this or that does not mean that you are not supporting an owner that does or an employee that does.

The only difference here is the explicit nature of the claim that they are supporting these causes.

DC

Kandeda Trefil

Sure you should shop there! We atheists deserve bargains too! If your ethical considerations swamp your amygdala, consider proselytizing atheism to the people who serve you...It can't be more boring and ineffectual than their efforts...and you'll feel better!

Kandeda Trefil

Burn a Bible! Blasphemy! Don't burn them; steal them! I found one in Europe replete with numerous translations...a good way to learn language and at the same time acquaint yourself with the enemy...

Arken

Sure, and generally I don't support such businesses when I find that out about them... I don't know... I guess I've made my decision since I still go there, but I still feel bad about it.

Phaycops

I definitely agree with DC in that you really have no way of knowing when you support some idealogy you don't agree with. Sure, you could spend all day on the internet trying to find out which companie's CEOs donate to Xtian charities, but wouldn't it be easier to do your part to try to combat nonsense yourself?

Indeed. And the thrift stores I frequent never seem to have a shortage of stuff. I truly do not see any reason to buy tee shirts for $10 each when I could buy them for $1 each at the thrift store, especially if all I'm going to be wearing them for is working out in! Oh, and I TOTALLY agree on the kitchenware stuff. I have a whole set of mugs from the thrift store ($0.17 each), and all of my extremely interestng serving pieces are from the thrift store. I love the thrift store!

brighid

I have just begun some volunteer work with a secular organization, but the space for meetings is donated by a Church in the area. I also teach at our local YMCA and it is definately a Christian organization, but I do not mind supporting it because no one proselytizes and they do a lot of good things in our community. We also donate food and/or money to a local food pantry that is run by a Christian organization.

I don't mind any of those things, but if any of those organizations discriminated against non-religous or non-Christian people (or gays) I would not donate any of my time, money or materials to them ... or if they proselytized.

I think Christianity is wrong, but I also know that many Christian people actively work for the betterment of others (as well as atheists, and members of minority faiths) so I don't mind supporting worthwhile organizations even if our belief systems are different.

Brighid