Welcome back, Uncle Herschel (who was a real person).
So where does that leave us?
A familiar place, actually, with more flashpoints in the culture wars inevitable.
See past controversies involving Target (woke and post-woke versions). And American Eagle. And Tesla. And Chick-fil-A. And Starbucks. And Disney. And numerous others caught in viral headlines, by their own volition or not.
Since I’m (apparently) a glutton for stirring up social media, I asked my Facebook friends if they’ve ever boycotted or simply avoided a business for political or cultural reasons.
I got a mix of feedback — and not just about the quality of Cracker Barrel’s fried okra.
“I have not boycotted anything,” said Kim Davis Leatherwood of Stephenville, Texas. “If I stopped shopping everywhere that I disagree with, then I would have very few choices for shopping. That said, I would avoid going somewhere that blatantly went against my religious beliefs.”
Trent Wheeler, a missionary in Panama, said he has boycotted companies, including Target “because of the push to indoctrinate children in the LGBTQ movement. When corporate monsters start messing with our kids’ values, that crosses the rubicon of political correctness endangering the future of our children.”
Deana Hamby Nall of Little Rock, Arkansas, said she listened to a recent episode of the “Stuff You Should Know” podcast in which the point was made that boycotting consistently is impossible.
Nall said she agrees with that.
Still, she said, “Having acknowledged that, there are some corporations I just don’t want my money going to, such as Chick-fil-A, and more recently, Target. And it’s not because I think I can singlehandedly drive a company out of business. It’s just that once your child comes out to you as a member of the LGBTQ community, those things become deeply personal.”
Shawn Freeman, a minister in Houston, said he doesn’t boycott because he has no idea where to draw the line.
“How much research do I do to make sure the businesses I am supporting align with my way of living?” he asked. “I have found that I often don’t agree with myself as I change year after year — should I boycott myself?”
I grapple with similar questions.
If I oppose gambling, can I fill up my gas tank at a convenience store that sells lottery tickets? If alcohol abuse concerns me, can I shop at a supermarket with a beer-and-wine aisle?
If I maintain Sunday should be a day of rest, can I go out to eat after church at, say, Cracker Barrel? At my house, that means my wife has to work. No one begs me to cook.
But that’s enough contemplation — for now — on my detour to this week’s culture war.
Inside The Godbeat
I love it when a plan comes together!
The Religion News Association will take its 2026 annual conference to Atlanta. The dates: April 23-25.