Companies and Religious Freedom

Many civil rights activists today press for more ‘religious freedom.’ Their idea of this term really means less public display of religion – For these activists, the Ten Commandments outside of a courthouse, a Christmas tree in a public school and a cross as a memorial of an American tragedy all infringe upon their right to ‘religious freedom.’

As these activists gain power, the term ‘religious freedom’ is slowly being redefined and the mistreatment of Christians in America is becoming more prevalent.

Apple Inc. used to be a company that valued the ideals of those with a Biblical worldview. However, Apple has not defended its Christian customers in its recent decisions.

Exodus International app

In the case of an Exodus International app for the iPhone, Apple responded to more than 150,000 signatures demanding Apple remove the application. The argument for the change.org petition was that the application “was instituting a potentially ‘devastating’ double standard by banning racist and anti-Semitic apps from iTunes, while ‘giving the green light to an app targeting vulnerable LGBT youth.” According to the Huffington Post, Apple removed the Exodus International app because it “[violated] [the] developer guidelines by being offensive to large groups of people.”

The Manhattan Declaration app

Unfortunately, for Apple, this would not be the first application it has pulled due to pressure from a petition claiming the applications were violating their rights to ‘religious freedom.’ In 2010, Apple pulled the Manhattan Declaration app because civil rights activists called the application “’anti-gay’ and ‘anti-woman,’” according to Christianity Today. Further, Apple also pulled its promotion of iTunes from the Christian Values Network because of the same pressure.

Recently, PayPal was pressed to ‘stop handling donations made to a group of organizations that promote family values.’ The New American said PayPal responded to the campaign that gained over 37,000 signatures by suspending 10 of their accounts. A spokesman for the company said “that while the company bans groups and individuals who promote hate and violence, ‘we also take into account the rights of free speech and religious freedom.”

The marketplace was once a place that valued the opinion of those with a Biblical worldview. However, the marketplace changed when the demands of the consumer changed. Faith driven consumers need to become more active in order to encourage a marketplace that listens to Christians.

Please take a look at our company reviews today to see if the companies you support align with your Biblical values and if the companies have made decisions to protect the religious freedom of Christians.