Christian businesses . . .?

Question

I've seen an increase in businesses that have crosses or fish on their signs. What, exactly, is this intended to do? Is it to encourage Christians to do business there? These aren't places like Christian bookstores and such. That makes sense. They're like laundromats, credit counseling agencies, etc. Businesses that have nothing to do with religion.

As a non-Christian, I'm immediately turned off by things like that. Is that the intention? Do the owners wish to avoid doing business with non-Christians? If that's the case, it's certainly working with me.

Could someone explain this to me, please? I honestly don't get it. But I get a bad vibe from it.

"Actually it's to let people know that they operate their business upon Christian principles. It may give you a bad vibe but I like the idea of doing business with someone who feels that it''s a sin to lie or cheat."

I'm all fine and good with people who wish to express pride in their Christian principles, but . . . I would never assume that just because they have a cross or fish on their sign means they are honest. I've made that mistake with some Christians before, and I'm never making it again.

Besides . . . isn't pride a sin, anyway?

Answer 1

As a Christian, I am embarrassed to say that I also get a "bad vibe" from businesses that openly promote themselves as being staffed by Christians (unless it's a Christian book store, community support center, etc.). There are several reasons why people advertise they are Christians.

First, some Christians beleive it is their duty to support Christian-owned business, and wherever they can, they will only patronize those establishments that advertise themselves as Christian. I've never understood why these people think that someone who advertises themselves as a "Christian" plumber is more skilled as a plumber than one who does not advertise himself as a Christian, or why they believe a plumber who does not advertise himself as a "Christian" is actually not a Christian. Plumbing is a trade; it is not a religion. Some businesses realize these people are out there, so they advertise they are Christian, whether they are or not, to help increase business.

Some business people actively advertise they are Christians, whether they are or not, so to create the impression that they will work hard and refuse to take advantage of their clients. Some fulfill that impression. Others do not.

Some small communities have local churches so powerful that any business that does not advertise itself as Christian will not be able to succeed. (The churches actively discourage the parishoners from patronizing businesses which do not advertise themselves as being "Christian.") In those communities, every business (whether run by Christians, Jews, Moslems, Hindus, or atheists) advertises itself as a "Christian" business. That is hypocracy.

I've probably not received poor service or even been ripped-off by more "Christian" businesses than "non-Christian" businesses. People are people. However, I always seem to remember the "Christian" businesses with which I was not satisfied more than the "non-Christian" ones. As a businessman, I have learned to put my hand on my wallet when I hear someone is a "Christian." As a Christian, I am ashamed to admit that.

I know very devout people who advertise themselves as beiong Christian and very devout people who do not. Some from each side are great people with whom to do business, some are horrible, and most are average. I know hard working atheists whose word is their bond and who will do whatever it takes to make the customer satisfied to the utmost degree.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that being religious and being a good business person with whom to deal are not related. One is a matter of faith. The other is a matter of business.

BTW, zmj is right; your avatar is awesome.

Answer 2

For the most part it's kind of like keeping it in the family, yet it has nothing to do with anything against non-believers. It sometimes helps to know that the people you're doing business with aren't trying to do you wrong in order to fatten their own pockets. It helps to know that the person you're doing business with have your best interests at heart as well as their own. On a regular day, I don't believe or should I say it hasn't been my experience that when most people pick a business for their need they decide that they pick due to the business' lack of religion. To know that God is on your side is an added bonus, extra security you might say. Now of course nobody is forcing anyone to frequent any religious business', however to be uncomfortable with them is a personal matter. To try to change it to fit your needs would be discrimination in a forum where there is clearly freedom. This is what makes America free. It's called choice. As a christian I'm very thankful to be able to step into a place of business and not have to hear alot of the things we hear everywhere else that infringes upon our beliefs, such as loud cursing, rap music speaking of the things that are degrading not only to self but to the soul as well. It pays to be able to go into different places that hold the same principles in public as you do at home in private. It's a blessing to both the believer and non- believer.

Answer 3

Any business that has a Christian Symbol of any kind either in their advertising or on their store fronts, do so to attract other Christians, I am sure. But a true Christian would not want to exclude non-Christians. First of all it would be bad business and more important it would be saying that they don't care about a lost world that is without Jesus. A true Christian would want to attract the non-Christians to have an opportunity to witness to them. If you get bad vibes from this then shop somewhere else. But you should be assured that any business that displays these symbols, will give you the best "bang for your buck". If you are ever mistreated or given a raw deal, ask to speak to the person who put that symbol on their business and explain your situation to them. If you do not get satisfaction, then you are not dealing with a true Christian.

Answer 4

Actually it's to let people know that they operate their business upon Christian principles. It may give you a bad vibe but I like the idea of doing business with someone who feels that it''s a sin to lie or cheat.

Answer 5

I take it to signify the corporate is ethical and truthful, treats the staff properly and with comprehend, is closed on the Sabbath so everybody can worship. I view it as an extremely good element!! I certainly have labored for places that weren't christian based, and because i'm a christian i replaced into taken care of like crap. One place had 40+ workers and particularly some might get the week end off yet i might in no way be allowed the Sabbath off. everybody else replaced into allowed to bypass to their spouses Christmas occasion , i replaced into no longer allowed to bypass. My husband replaced into injured at artwork and referred to as me from the ER to get a journey abode; I wasn't allowed to bypass away!! A Christian based company is telling people who they are going to be truthful.

Answer 6

As a Christian, I am turned off too. One business that does such things (their name is formed into a cross) owes my father a few thousand dollars. Turns out he owes a lot of people a lot of money.

Answer 7

I agree with Sylvia. They're doing it to identify themselves to potential Christian patrons, signaling them that the proprietors run their business according to "Christian principles" (as though non-Christians lie to and steal from everyone). It doesn't bother me to see a cross or fish on a business' sign, though. What WOULD bother me is someone, or the government, trying to tell them that they can't do so.

As a non-Christian, does it make me feel unwanted or unwelcome? Yes, I'll admit that it does.

Mindy, you're wicked! LOL

Answer 8

Doesn't really matter if you take your business elsewhere. Freewill is a great thing, isn't it. If a business gives the best service or goods for the best price, I'm using it as long as I choose to. As long as they make enough money to stay in business, good for them. If not, they'll change.

I'm not so sure your $1 will make a difference to their bottom line anyway.

Answer 9

Someof it is too lure in Christian customers. I know several business owners who display crosses, fish, scripture not to alienate anyone, but to express who they are. In truth, most of it is an expression of the owner not directed at you.

Answer 10

I haven't noticed anything like that. I don't know that anybody else has either. If fish you cross are starting to imagine fish you see cross these fish emblems fish cross everyfishwhere maybe fish you cross and should see fish a psychologist to fish talk cross about it.
No one else has noticed fish it.