I just knew the Rupert Murdoch/”News of the World”/phone hacking scandal that has been exploding in England over the past week, had to have poisonous tentacles reaching somehow into the Christian world. I was sure there must be an angle on this story that would serve as a wake-up call, or at least a challenge, to the church.
I don’t know enough about the English tabloid press to have discovered for myself where the overlap might be between this story and the Christian world. But, it turns out my instinct was correct.
Will Braun, former editor with “Geez” magazine in Winnipeg, Manitoba has uncovered a deep ethical dilemma for Christians in the modern morality play that is currently unfolding in England and around the world.
It has to do with Bibles, religious books, and the biggest Christian publishing house in North America.
Any Christian who is interested in living ethically in the complex world we currently inhabit, needs to read Will Braun’s probing piece, “Rupert Murdoch: Bible mogul” at http://www.geezmagazine.org/blogs/entry/rupert-murdochs-big-bible-business
The way we spend our money has implications. We need to be aware that the dollars we use to purchase the goods we buy may be going to support undertakings we find less than savoury. While not wholly responsible for every use our money is put to after we spend it, we are surely responsible to do what we can to try to ensure that our money is used, as much as possible, to support things that are congruent with our most deeply held values.
The more informed we can be about the trail our dollars follow when they leave our wallet, the more hope we will have of living with a clear conscience in the consumer world.
5 comments
Comments feed for this article
July 18, 2011 at 3:33 pm
Harry Eerkes
And Zondervan, a ‘chirstian’ publishing bouse with a wide range of books to its credit, refused to publish my book – now, I’m not sure whether to be pleased or insulted
Harry
July 18, 2011 at 3:58 pm
Rob
Harry,
You do know that the majority of new authors will get reject letters nine out of 10 times and sometime one must publish your own to get it on the shelves. It is a hard life,perhaps start small, get it it on the Anglican Pages or UK or tyr and try again as Canada Post does need to recoup their lost earnings.
Blessings /Rob
July 18, 2011 at 4:11 pm
Rob
News of The World is a combinationof many compnies and includes many valued news areas elsewhere and just cannot go and kill all the limbs beciase one has fallen ill.
Bad enough a lot of folks have lost jobs becuase they were tainted with blood from folks they worked with and trusted.
Who are we to say how God works in getting his word out as many companies diversify to ensure profit across the spectrum.
We bought our childrren bibles wriiten in a lanuage they would relate to and much more in comical pictures than words . Their familes are in church with us and have not turned into monsters.
We should ensure we are taught and practice ethics but we are human and God forgives us so can we not move on and learn not mow down eberybody because a connection exists in the tree somewhere.
July 18, 2011 at 10:02 pm
Kim
Well said Rob. I get your point.
July 18, 2011 at 11:46 pm
jaqueline
Zondervan connected with the hacking scandal? Gives the phrase ‘a direct line to God’ a whole new significance doesn’t it…..