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Banner Ads on Crosswalk - 11/12/2007 6:32:54 PM
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TonyRush
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Some of the banner ads that appear on Crosswalk amuse me. The one at the top of the screen right now says "Affordable Biblical Healthcare".
Really? Biblical healthcare? How exactly does that work?
I'm really just venting about a pet peeve of mine....and that is the number of companies and people who love to use the Bible, Jesus or Christianity as a way to make sales.
I don't think there's anything wrong with Christians being in business (obviously). But, it's one thing for someone to do business....and it's another thing for someone to do business in a way that implies that they have a "Christian" product or service.
As far as I'm concerned, only people are "Christians". And the only way a business would be "Christian" is if they are selling some Christian-based products of some kind (Bibles, music, etc.)
Health insurance, car sales, vitamins, etc. might be Christian-owned. But they are not "Christian businesses".
Tony Rush
_____________________________
"The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same quality of thinking that created them" -- Albert Einstein
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RE: Banner Ads on Crosswalk - 11/13/2007 1:09:57 AM
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APZR
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From: GA
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Yeah, I agree with you Tony. A couple of big churches in the ATL are being hammered to open up their finances for the public to see. Pastors driving around in their Rols touting "The Word", and selling advertising. I knew we were in trouble when I started seeing Ads in the bulletin, and Starbucks in the Narthex. To be honest, for the past 3 years we've "visited" many, and have yet to find one where I feel the drive is anything other than the wallet.
_____________________________
Ya can't keep trouble from visitin, but you don't have to offer it a chair.
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RE: Banner Ads on Crosswalk - 11/13/2007 12:42:21 PM
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P31W
Posts: 3005
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Can a "church" as in an assembly be considered Christian Church if it's made up of Christian people?
Can a "family" be considered to be a Christian Family if the members are all followers of Christ?
Can a business be considered a Christian business if the owners view the business as something God has simply entrusted them to run for Him and they are not the actual owners?
quote:
Really? Biblical healthcare? How exactly does that work?
Without knowing a thing about the banner my guess would be that it's based on 2 Corinthians.
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RE: Banner Ads on Crosswalk - 11/16/2007 1:33:41 PM
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10SNE1?
Posts: 179
Joined: 4/19/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: TonyRush
I'm really just venting about a pet peeve of mine....and that is the number of companies and people who love to use the Bible, Jesus or Christianity as a way to make sales.
Tony Rush
This was a huge pet peeve of my FIL's as well. People who would advertise as a "Christian" plumber, painter, candlestick maker.
He always said: " If you are truly conducting your business in a Christ-like manner, you won't need to "advertise" the fact, word will get around on it's own."
He also saw it as using Christianity to make a buck.
I have a bigger issue with the Christian-ghetto mentality. You know "Christian" cruises, "Christian" aerobics, "Christian" coffeehouses etc.
How about we just take a plain ole pagan cruise and use the opportunity to strike up a conversation with our dinner companions? Is your faith really that fragile the you can't handle other people drinking, dancing and listening to "secular" music on the same boat as you?
Why do we support this stuff anyway?
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RE: Banner Ads on Crosswalk - 11/16/2007 3:11:17 PM
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P31W
Posts: 3005
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quote:
Why do we support this stuff anyway?
My guess would be that you are both using this "for profit" business - Christian forum because it's cheaper than a pagan forum. ROFL
quote:
How about we just take a plain ole pagan cruise and use the opportunity to strike up a conversation with our dinner companions? Is your faith really that fragile the you can't handle other people drinking, dancing and listening to "secular" music on the same boat as you?
ROFL why do you view Christians with such negativity. Maybe people want to vacation with Christians because they spend the "rest of their time" in a real pagan world. Maybe they need to "get off the mission field of the world" and find some encouragement from like minded people who every day of their life go to work with people who "beat them up" over their faith.
You also mentioned things like coffee houses. Believe it or not Deb many of us "enjoy" hanging out from time to time with other believers in coffeehouses. For some people it's the "only" time in their day they are able to be around another believer. Not everyone is fortunate enough to live with people who share their faith. Some spouses/parents even "mock" at their faith.
ROFL so Deb why do you hang out in a Christian forum? You can't handle talking to "pagans" or do you fear the cursing? LOL 
< Message edited by P31W -- 11/16/2007 4:06:44 PM >
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RE: Banner Ads on Crosswalk - 11/16/2007 3:59:35 PM
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Consecrated2God
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I'm not sure about that particular ad, but I know there is a group (I think it's called Medishare or something like that) where they all pitch in to pay for each other's medical needs. You can only sign up if you are a Christian and live a godly lifestyle, too. The idea is that you know your money is going to help other believers. So (assuming it's the same or a similar approach) I would consider it "Biblical Healthcare". I don't think it's quite the same thing as Christian candy bars or Christian dish soap or whatever.
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<--Plantation house in Louisiana
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RE: Banner Ads on Crosswalk - 11/17/2007 9:36:35 PM
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10SNE1?
Posts: 179
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quote:
ORIGINAL: P31W
quote:
Why do we support this stuff anyway?
My guess would be that you are both using this "for profit" business - Christian forum because it's cheaper than a pagan forum. ROFL
quote:
How about we just take a plain ole pagan cruise and use the opportunity to strike up a conversation with our dinner companions? Is your faith really that fragile the you can't handle other people drinking, dancing and listening to "secular" music on the same boat as you?
ROFL why do you view Christians with such negativity. Maybe people want to vacation with Christians because they spend the "rest of their time" in a real pagan world. Maybe they need to "get off the mission field of the world" and find some encouragement from like minded people who every day of their life go to work with people who "beat them up" over their faith.
You also mentioned things like coffee houses. Believe it or not Deb many of us "enjoy" hanging out from time to time with other believers in coffeehouses. For some people it's the "only" time in their day they are able to be around another believer. Not everyone is fortunate enough to live with people who share their faith. Some spouses/parents even "mock" at their faith.
ROFL so Deb why do you hang out in a Christian forum? You can't handle talking to "pagans" or do you fear the cursing? LOL
ROFL! Actually, I don't " hang out" here much anymore but I got here the same way you did, which you know very well anyway. Mostly, I hang out here cause, honey, you can't buy entertainment like this at any price  Start hanging out in some of the other areas you will understand.
Coffeehouses? I LOVE coffeehouses! In fact, one of my favorites is a local chain which was started by a Pastor. I'm not sure how he has managed to do this, but so far all of his local franchisees are Christians. They are committed to having a "community gathering place" for folks. Heck they even like you hang your VBS flier on the window. But what they don't do is label it a "Christian" coffeehouse or promote some "safe haven" from those scary, evil worldly types. 
Do people actually pay to use forums?  That reminds me of what my friends hubby said when their dd told them how much it was going to cost to join her sorority...." Honey, that's a darn expensive way to buy you some friends!"
So, seeing how you are sounding mighty defensive and all....how was that cruise? 
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RE: Banner Ads on Crosswalk - 11/17/2007 10:58:05 PM
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bzirk
Posts: 2915
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From: Where the deer and antelope play
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quote:
ORIGINAL: rhippie
quote:
ORIGINAL: TonyRush
Some of the banner ads that appear on Crosswalk amuse me. The one at the top of the screen right now says "Affordable Biblical Healthcare".
Really? Biblical healthcare? How exactly does that work?
I'm really just venting about a pet peeve of mine....and that is the number of companies and people who love to use the Bible, Jesus or Christianity as a way to make sales.
I don't think there's anything wrong with Christians being in business (obviously). But, it's one thing for someone to do business....and it's another thing for someone to do business in a way that implies that they have a "Christian" product or service.
As far as I'm concerned, only people are "Christians". And the only way a business would be "Christian" is if they are selling some Christian-based products of some kind (Bibles, music, etc.)
Health insurance, car sales, vitamins, etc. might be Christian-owned. But they are not "Christian businesses".
Tony Rush
Tony we may disagree about a lot of things (and we do ) but I agree with you completely on this one. Nothing galls me more than for a business to claim that they are "Christian" as if they expect that to help generate sales
Count me in on that too. It has the distinctive feel of someone trying to use Christianity to make a buck.
I think we can be Christians in business. No question about that, and I don't only think but know that when you conduct yourself in a Christian manner, people will know without being told. Basically, it's the opportunities to share with people about the Lord -- by word and deed -- that make it evident.
_____________________________
may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Great quote: I just ain't God and don't know it all. -- SonInMe1
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RE: Banner Ads on Crosswalk - 11/19/2007 12:01:37 PM
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P31W
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Copy and paste from "about us" located to the right under RESOURCES
"Vision
We are a for-profit religious corporation dedicated to building up the Church, which is the Body of Christ.
Mission
As a Christ-centered, for-profit corporation, we will create value for our customers, employees and shareholders by: ............"
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My pet peeve is for people to "lump" entire groups of people together based not on "fact" but on a hunch. (especially Christian people) For example: People who are Christian and who promote the business they are allowed to operate for God a Christian business ONLY do so inorder to "turn a buck".
Preachers who live or drive such and such a car/home (often times one nicer than I can afford) are simply in it for "the money".
Christians who desire to frequent Christian coffeehouses, Christian exercise classes or the like are "fearful" people.
ROFL.
People do that with any other "groups" of people and you are going to find yourself in some hot water. I think there is a word for doing that but I can't spell it....
Do I agree that it's wrong for people to be in the "ministry" inorder to get wealthy....yes
Do I agree it's wrong for people to advertise their business as a Christian one when their goal is to make "personal profit" at the expense of honoring God.....yes
Do I agree that people who cut themselves off from the lost world due to fear are probably immature in their faith........yes
Each of the three examples given above also have a "flip side" that is just as bad......
....the Christian who "hides" the fact they are a Christian because they don't want it to cut into their "profits"
(nor do they want to be called to the mat for unChrist like conduct in their business dealings --- this is from my experience a much more common problem than Christians advertising their business as a Christian one and not living up to those high standards.)
....the Christians who does not want to go to Christian coffee houses because they are living in sin and in the regular coffee house their conscious is "****ed". (again in my life this is a much more common problem than the other one of Christians be afraid of going out into the secular world....they "love the secular" world - they have one foot in the Christian world and the other in the secular world....they don't want to give up their old life)
or the pastor who drives the nice car may be doing so because of an inheritance and take "no money" from their ministry. (in my experience over 90% of the pastors I know don't even make a higher than average living though most have a higher than average educational level and put in more than a 40 hr work week)
__________
BTW we don't advertise any. my pastor is bi-vocational otherwise he would starve to death and I've never been part of a Christian arobics class, visited a Christian coffee house or been on a Christian cruise. I just don't like judging people I don't know based one or two things they may do that "I" don't do.
< Message edited by P31W -- 11/19/2007 12:10:51 PM >
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RE: Banner Ads on Crosswalk - 11/19/2007 2:06:39 PM
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10SNE1?
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Ok, but I still don't understand why would advertise as a "Christian" plumber, coffeehouse, or whatever unless it was to profit off the use of the word.
Why even give that appearance? Why not just advertise: " World's Best Coffee" and run your business ethically, treat people nice and be open to discuss if it comes up naturally?
Now if your business is to sell only Christian music or books I can understand, you are advertising the product you offer.
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RE: Banner Ads on Crosswalk - 11/19/2007 3:16:33 PM
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bzirk
Posts: 2915
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Unless a company is selling something that is specifically related to Christians (such as the products that have been referenced so far), what other reason could there be for using the word 'Christian' than for marketing? Maybe I'm stupid, but I see no other reason.
_____________________________
may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Great quote: I just ain't God and don't know it all. -- SonInMe1
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RE: Banner Ads on Crosswalk - 11/20/2007 10:50:33 AM
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P31W
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quote:
Ok, but I still don't understand why would advertise as a "Christian" plumber, coffeehouse, or whatever unless it was to profit off the use of the word.
To let people know what this particular business is about.
Another reason is Atmosphere Deb Atmosphere.
I use to belong to several "health clubs"..... I ended up leaving all of them because they were "meat markets". ROFL Not only meat markets but they were filled with very wealthy materialistic people who were extremely "self centered". (to the point they would "laugh" about forgetting that Sunday was Easter or that their child's birthday was last week....yes it was BAD) God not me is the one who told me to "get away" from those people and those types of places. At the time there was no such thing as "curves" in our area. All the health clubs were pretty upper class and cost alot of money to be a member.
"IF" someone would have opened up a club that was a Christian Health Club I would have jumped at the change to go. Not only would "I" have gone but my SIL would have joined as well. We were both sick and tired of the "garbage" the health clubs in our area had to offer. Because ALL the clubs in our area had the "reputation" of being nothing more than a "meat market" for the wealthy and men with more "body than brains" (yes that was a saying going around) the very title Christian would let the client know the "type of atmosphere" this health club was going to promote.
Today we have a Christian hunting club in our area. Back when my husband was young hunting clubs were nothing more than places were men would hunt during the day, drink at night and prostitutes would come to the club to service the men. My husband grew up seeing this. He never wanted to be part of a hunting club because of that. However when a group of men decide enough is enought they formed a "Christian Hunting Club" so that like minded men would know they had a place to go that would not be filled with drunk hunters and hookers at night.
A Christian Coffeehouse would let people who are seekers "know" that hey if I want to know about Christian people I can probably sit in that coffeehouse and find out about them. Or a new convert who is seperated from their "old friends and old livesytle" has a place to go where they are almost certain to meet other Christians.
Ever been to a Biker Club or a Gay Bar? I have. I don't care for those places. But the gays and the bikers sure do. They enjoy one anothers company. Do the bars advertise "just for the profits" or do you think in some situations they are people who desire to have a "place of their own' for people who are like them and understand them?
Could the "biker Bar, Gay bar or Christian health club make more money if they took off the first word that told the public what the atmosphere of their club is like? Maybe yes and maybe no. I've seen it go both ways. Sometimes it hurts them in the pocket book other times it helps them.
________
I can't go into detail because I don't know the details or the law well enough to comment too much. But I believe that by setting the business up as a Christian business it helps protect you as an "employer" when it comes to who you can hire, fire and ask certain religious questions to. My friend use to own several homes for children in FL. Because he could not by law ask his employees about their religious beliefs he was sued a couple of times by employees who were offended when he would ask them to drive the children to the local church or ask one of them to be "present" when they asked the blessing over their meals. So there may be some "legal" reasons to advertise and set your business up as Christian.
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I use a Christian lawyer. He will only advise his clients to do what is in keeping with scripture. By advertising his biblical approach he cuts out many wasted hours of his time trying to "convence" lost people to do certain things or why he won't do certain things. This same man has a "ministry" to the lost. But his practice is made up mainly of Christians or people who respect his beliefs.
My friend takes her son to a Christian Psychologists. My friend and the Christian Psychologist share the same "philosophy" of life. Before she wasted thousands of dollars on a psychologist who told her son he "needed to smoke" and "sex was ok as long as he used protection".
< Message edited by P31W -- 11/20/2007 11:06:18 AM >
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RE: Banner Ads on Crosswalk - 11/20/2007 7:52:04 PM
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Ellie-Mae
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quote:
Do people actually pay to use forums? That reminds me of what my friends hubby said when their dd told them how much it was going to cost to join her sorority...." Honey, that's a darn expensive way to buy you some friends!"
I find this statement rather strange. I don't find anything wrong with paying to use forums (although i am glad that we don't have to). I fail to see how that is buying friends anymore than paying for the use of a phone is buying friends. It isn't the friends that I would be paying for, it is the tool for communication that I pay for.
I also do not like people marketing something as "Christian" just because they think that it will bring in more money. I don't mind Christians declaring themselves as a Christan run business or a business rum by Biblical principles. I would hope that would say something about the service that I get and the ethics that govern their business practices. It should give us a clue as to what we can expect.
Every year, my husband and I go a little out of our way to have our taxes done by a guy that we know to be a Christian and runs his business as such. We first went there because he is a Christian. His commitment to his faith through his business is why we keep going back. We like to support our brothers and sisters in Christ when we can, especially when they act it. I can't remember how we found out about him though. Being a Christian does make a difference to me (that is not to say that non-Christians can't be fine moral people too).
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Please do not PM me about this message, discuss it at the water cooler, or include it in your church bulletins. If you have questions, please keep them to yourself. ~Kerrlaw
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RE: Banner Ads on Crosswalk - 11/26/2007 2:00:47 PM
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bzirk
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I also take my taxes to a CPA who is a Christian. I know that not because he uses "Christian" for marketing purposes, but because his demeanor as a Christian very much precedes him.
Sadly, too often Christians in business cross the line into using "Christian" as a marketing tool and not so much about glorifying the Lord. That makes me sick at my stomach and motivates me to generally keep a distance from people who are so quick to tell me they're a Christian business. Perhaps I react this way because I come from the land where it's socially advantageous for everyone to be a Christian, and I've run into to too many who use "Christian" to help their pocketbook and little else. Let me put it this way. Some of the most treacherous business people I've ever met are "Christians."
edit:
I'm not saying all people who advertise their Christianity are treacherous, but I've met enough who are that I generally keep my distance or a red flag goes up at the least.
_____________________________
may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Great quote: I just ain't God and don't know it all. -- SonInMe1
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RE: Banner Ads on Crosswalk - 11/26/2007 2:25:19 PM
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Ellie-Mae
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i have met my share of people who where like that too. 
I have also met people who advertised (usually not strongly) because they wanted to do more business with other Christians. Not because they were avoiding non-Christans but because they saw their business as a way to build up the church and relationships.
_____________________________
Please do not PM me about this message, discuss it at the water cooler, or include it in your church bulletins. If you have questions, please keep them to yourself. ~Kerrlaw
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Banner Ads on Crosswalk - 11/27/2007 6:06:22 PM
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Kath
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What's really bugging me is I can't see the title of this thread to get in here so I had to click on a user name and get to it that way. Conspiracy?
It's not just Christian mechanics, health care and so on, it's all the candy that is marketed for Christians. Like the Testamints, Harvest Seeds - Candy Corn, sour candy wrapped in KJ verses, and jelly beans with the following prayer on the package:
"Thank you, Lord, for jelly beans. They remind me of your love. Speckled represents the effects of sin Separating me from you above. Red is for the blood you shed A sacrifice only you could pay. White represents the cleansing of my soul as you wash my sins away. Blue is for water baptism. An outward expression of faith. Yellow represents heaven above, A long awaited place! Green is for the growth that I must do. As I study your Word to gain closeness to you. "
It just seems like a gimmick to get people to buy their product. I know gimmick is the name of the game, but still, it seems sort of crass to me.
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RE: Banner Ads on Crosswalk - 12/11/2007 11:23:23 PM
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Annie64
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From: Indianapolis, IN
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I don't like for people to call themselves Christians just to get my money. But I like it when Christian merchants aren't ashamed of Christ and let me know that they are Christians. Because it is a little hard to tell which is which sometimes, I generally give people the benefit of the doubt. I believe in supporting my brothers and sisters. I do not automatically assume that a person advertising as a Christian plumber or whatever is only trying to get my business. Nor do I always blindly assume that they are real Christians.
I was recently invited to a party where extremely overpriced products were sold by a professed Christian company. Their catalog seemed to be more interested in recruiting salespeople than in selling their products. My mind said "pyramid scheme," and they didn't get my business.
At the same time, my husband and I are planning tomorrow to take my in-laws, who are visiting from another state, to a particular Chinese restaurant. The owner of this restaurant has recently become a Christian and has rid his restaurant of all Buddist paraphenalia and replaced it with Christian symbols, art, and music. I have heard that other Chinese restaurant owners are watching his restaurant to see what happens, and so I want him to have a booming business. He has put up far more Christian decorations in his restaurant than what you would be likely to see in a business run by an American Christian, but I don't think for a minute he is using it to drum up business. He is merely being as blatant in his Christianity as he was in his former Buddism.
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RE: Banner Ads on Crosswalk - 9/3/2008 4:19:11 PM
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JimboFletch
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Consecrated2God
I'm not sure about that particular ad, but I know there is a group (I think it's called Medishare or something like that) where they all pitch in to pay for each other's medical needs. You can only sign up if you are a Christian and live a godly lifestyle, too. The idea is that you know your money is going to help other believers. So (assuming it's the same or a similar approach) I would consider it "Biblical Healthcare". I don't think it's quite the same thing as Christian candy bars or Christian dish soap or whatever.
This post goes back several months but I'm also curious if anyone knows anything about Medi-Share?
http://www.medi-share.org/
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RE: Banner Ads on Crosswalk - 9/3/2008 10:00:48 PM
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zoebob
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My parents used medishare for a while and were pleased with it.
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RE: Banner Ads on Crosswalk - 9/4/2008 12:02:51 AM
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