Wow. A new reason to hate Wal-Mart, as if I needed one.

Someone from the local Wal-Mart's advertising office just dropped by my study to tell me about this new program their Optical Department is having. If I get my parishioners to go there for their eyecare, the evil corporation will donate 10% of the profit from my parishioners' business to the church.

I told her I wasn't going to help Wal-Mart a)undermine local businesses or b)take profit from this community and send it to Arkansas. I also pointed out that one of the ODs in town, one of those that Wal-Mart is trying to drive out of business, is a member of my congregation. And (granted, unlike most of my members) he tithes. So, we're getting 10% of all of his business. Why should we settle for a measly 10% of a few customers of the evil corporation.

I then gave her an earful about using churches for advertising. I don't think she'll stop by the office again any time soon.

Oh, and yesterday I learned that the manager of Wal-Mart has been hired as the part-time youth minister of one of the churches in town. I shudder to think what he'll be teaching them.

So, my morning's been interesting.

Critters
The Radical Reverend (as our mayor calls me)

Also, I'm curious about tithing. How do people afford it?

"We're part of the community, and we're just trying to give back." Said the profits stay in town, in the form of employees' wages, buying power, etc. I pointed out that wages in communities drop when Wal-Mart moves in, so they're not doing us any favors. I also asked if she was in a union. She responded that "unions create more problems than they solve". I reminded her that this is a pretty union town, and she should talk to members of the glassworkers' union to hear about how the union protects them.

As to tithing, people cut back in other things. My congregation is pretty well-off, so those who do aren't really at a hardship, though I have one couple where one woman is seriously ill and living on SSI, the other working an hourly job so she can take her partner to the doctor when necessary. And yet, they give a full tithe. I've even told them I don't expect that of them. But they do. I find that awe-inspiring.

I give a half-tithe, and try to come close to that for other charities. I buy a lot of things at resale shops.

That's despicable. But, unfortunately, not surprising coming from Wal-Mart.

Maybe she'll get the hint. :D