Does anybody here shop JC Penney?

[DaughterOfaKing]

The ad doesn't state they are a same-sex couple. Just 2 men playing with kids.

They are a couple. Saw them on a tv interview. And this ad is in the Father's Day edition. We need to wake up. :/

[DaughterOfaKing]

I want to ask a question.

First, I will say that the only thing I shop for there are undershirts for my husband. Stafford makes extra long/tall. I had already been looking for a brand that was equal quality with this fit because when I went in there a few months ago, they had gone from 4 shirts down to 3 in the last few years, and now they are down to 2...same price. I just have not found another company yet who makes them in this cut, but I am sure that if I pray about it and ask, the Lord will show me!

So here is my question, and I ask because the list of problematic businesses is growing. There are times when I wonder if I will be able to eat, feed my family, shop anywhere anymore because of all this stuff plus all the other issues with various businesses, and on that note: if we stay out of all these places, which are also full of lost people who need Jesus and whom we might end up sharing Him with them, do you think that we are doing any damage to witnessing for the Lord and being about His business?

I know it's an odd question, but I am thinking about all of Paul's instructions and also the Lord's about what we are doing. When folks got saved say in the first 100 years following the death and resurrection, many were single lights shining for the Lord in a dark world. Think about those who got saved on the first Pentacost and went back to their nations to spread the Gospel. I am not trying to justify continuing to support any businesses who deliberately are going out of their way to influence unBiblical issues, but the question is on my mind and I am wondering, as I read my Bible, what the Scriptures say to us about this issue.

John 17:15, Jesus prays over us, " I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one." I am studying this prayer and Paul's letters and thinking on this. I would love to hear what anyone else has from the Word on this.

When reading why you shop at this place and that there's no where else, I couldn't help but think that this is the same thing people will say during the trib so they can provide for their family. Its about standing up for what is righteous... And if necessary stand OUTSIDE a store to share the gospel. Where do we draw the line?

[HeIsEnough]

I think some Christian "light" in those stores could help open eyes.
How about putting tracts throughout the stores?

Absolutely, get to the people, thats what matters. Pluck em out of this world, one at a time if necessary.

[HeIsEnough]

When reading why you shop at this place and that there's no where else, I couldn't help but think that this is the same thing people will say during the trib so they can provide for their family. Its about standing up for what is righteous... And if necessary stand OUTSIDE a store to share the gospel. Where do we draw the line?

I'm reminded of believers who lived around pagan temples that sold meat sacrificed to idols. Protesting in some fashion wasn't really on the agenda. Of course its different today, christianity has sort of grown roots into this world, and maybe we should start thinking like we are just sojourners here, passing through to get to glory, to go home, and dragging as many as we can with us along the way.

[araj54]

Some good posts!!
The people who are pushing the gay agenda will be held accountable. Matthew 18:6 comes to mind.
Introducing little children to this lifestyle, especially in schools, is abhorrent.
Can a teacher who is a born again Christian go along, or will they be forced out?
The sheer number of lawsuits and the $$ this agenda will cost will be immense.
So sad.

[angelka71]

Well, I have a question. Why do you guys think this gay lifestyle is being so overly promoted?? I think if you were an alien from another planet and just watched television, movies and apparently now, looked at store ads, you would assume that at least 30% of the population is gay.

The truth is, only 1-3% of the population is actually gay. With such a small number, it can't be that these industries are trying to reach that demographic to sell movie tickets, get ratings and sell products.

Is it just that they're deliberately trying to create controversy and therefore increase attention for free publicity? Are they actively trying to push a political agenda and defiantely poke their fingers in the eyes of most Americans who do not agree with the lifestyle? Naturally, as a Christian I understand that the world is lost and that they live in direct defiance of God but have we actually gotten to the point that businesses are so lost that they don't even care that they are being so offensive that they will actually lose sales and business from consumers? I know most companies aren't out to please the Lord but only their bottom line, in the past that has been enough of a concern that they've stayed away from anything so controversial. Now, it seems like they either don't care, or they don't believe they'll lose business.

[araj54]

I think the "god of this world" has them so blinded they can neither see or think rationally anymore. The demonic forces are very busy these days.

[carol1948]

It's true that only a very small percentage of the population is gay, but there is a very large percentage of the population that wants to be seen as tolerant of everything, and they will bend over backwards to support any person or business that supports the homosexual lifestyle. Having said that a recent court decision ruled that a Christian photographer was guilty of illegal discrimination for refusing the business of taking pictures of a wedding between two lesbians. The basis for the ruling was either Title V or VII, the one that makes it illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation. Remember, sexual orientation was added just a few years ago. So now, any business that is open to the public must accept business from any sexual orientation, not just those they agree/approve of. This of course will affect Christians, but is not likely to be a problem for any other groups. Christian business owners must be prepared to accept the business or go out of business. That is the law as it now stands. If Chik-Filet caters parties and refused to cater a party for a gay couple or person, it would be illegally discriminating against that person and be liable for a very hefty fine and perhaps even a more severe penalty.

[UntilHeComes]

Our family will no longer be shopping at JC Penny's

[Acts5:41]

Well, some points:

1. No one is going to hell for shopping at JCPenney.

2. It is not a salvation issue - it's a conscience issue.

3. Each believer has to take it on a case by case basis. For instance, I don't have any alternative to Home Depot - it's the only thing close to my home and when someone's picking up supplies, I can't say 'You have to drive 50 miles out of the way because a they hire lesbians". I know one, lovely, sister-in-Christ who's husband works there, so I prefer to view it as supporting Mr. Cathy, than the gays. My husband and I will also see it as a rich field for witnessing. He will hand out at least one tract while shopping. Last time, he handed out several.

4. Now, that said, if I have a choice between Sears (somewhat supporting gay lifestyle for employees) and JCP (actively promoting gay lifestyle worldwide), well, Sears is going to get my money. Actually, the last time I went shopping, Family Thrift Center got my money, and please, if you have any dirt on them, don't tell me! I guess I just nailed my own argument. I went with a neutral, rather than an active "player" in the gay political arena.

[organgrinder]

Good post acts 5:41.

God bless.

-Speedy

[As_Caleb_Says!]

3. Each believer has to take it on a case by case basis. For instance, I don't have any alternative to Home Depot - it's the only thing close to my home and when someone's picking up supplies, I can't say 'You have to drive 50 miles out of the way because a they hire lesbians". I know one, lovely, sister-in-Christ who's husband works there, so I prefer to view it as supporting Mr. Cathy, than the gays. My husband and I will also see it as a rich field for witnessing. He will hand out at least one tract while shopping. Last time, he handed out several.

My company has a contract with Home Depot, so you actually help Christians feed their children, thanks.

"I wrote you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolators since then you would need to go out of the world." 1 Corinthians 5:9-10

[iSong6:3]

My company has a contract with Home Depot, so you actually help Christians feed their children, thanks.

"I wrote you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolators since then you would need to go out of the world." 1 Corinthians 5:9-10

We are to judge the members within the Body, not the world, re: sin.

[IMSAVED]

I think the "god of this world" has them so blinded they can neither see or think rationally anymore. The demonic forces are very busy these days.

Yep,working overtime.Time and 1/2.They know that their time is short.They have a goal.To get as many as they can away from Jesus Christ.

[HeIsEnough]

My company has a contract with Home Depot, so you actually help Christians feed their children, thanks.

I actually took gruff from the other side before, I worked for a defense company and unnamed people would say I 'develop instruments for death', so even liberals have their list of companies they don't like.

There are believers who work for JCP, Sears, and any other large company we could name. Some will say boycott them, some will say don't boycott them I work there! Theres just no good answer to this, and we don't really have any biblical grounding to do the protest-strong arm to get these companies to do what is right.

[orinsolem]

There are believers who work for JCP, Sears, and any other large company we could name. Some will say boycott them, some will say don't boycott them I work there! Theres just no good answer to this, and we don't really have any biblical grounding to do the protest-strong arm to get these companies to do what is right.

Thank you for pointing this out. I thought we were commanded to be examples not boycotters? If you think that style of Christianity works ask an Amish believer how many converts they get. I'm not picking on the Amish, I have nothing but respect for their beliefs. But they don't really get anything accomplished for the Great Commission because they are basically boycotting everything. How can you be an effective example when you hide from the world?

A homosexual owns the local flower shop where I get flowers for my wife. Shopping there does not mean I condone his lifestyle. If I went with the "boycott everything that doesn't publicly proclaim Jesus Christ" mentallity I never would have had the opportunity to befriend and witness to this man. When he finally asked me what I thought of his lifestyle I told him it was absolutely sin. He was amazingly receptive to it because he knew I cared about him. Isn't that the goal? I guess we should repremand Jesus for hanging out with prostitutes, thieves, tax collectors, etc.

Should I boycott my place of employment because (I'm sure) somewhere along the way some money from the company gets donated to a homosexual cause? Isn't that just a symptom of sin from a company that is owned by unsaved people? That's like being angry at a fish because it doesn't know how to walk on dry land.

No, I think I'll continue to work my job and do my best to be a living example of Jesus Christ.

Sometimes we sound more like Pharisees than Christ.