While Christians continue to be drawn in public and media circles as preoccupied with the politics of abortion and gay “marriage,” Christians have also proven passionate on causes that include concern for the environment, and most recently, fair trade.
"People who come to church regularly hear the message of spreading God's love – with fair trade there is a tangible way of putting their faith and love into action," explained Lutheran World Relief fair trade projects coordinator Kattie Somerfeld, according to Business Week.
Many companies, recognizing the potential business in catering to faith-based, fair trade minded churches, have moved in to fill the void and meet market demand.
Equal Exchange, a Massachusetts-based organic coffee company, is just one of the many companies that has capitalized on the growing concerns of Christians to support fair trade causes.
Through special relationships and ties to churches, a percentage of all the profit that Equal exchange earns goes to support fair trade causes and Christian charitable organizations.
At present, nearly a third of the company’s annual $30 million sales reportedly come from churches, according to Business Week, a figure that church groups are proud of.
Churches have a responsibility to "speak out with one voice against injustice, to confront structures of power, practices and attitudes which deprive human beings of dignity and to offer alternative visions based on the Gospel,” the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, an organization of over 100 churches and charitable organizations, said in a statement, while explaining the importance of churches in supporting fair trade.
Melanie Hardison, a fair trade coffee project member at Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), said she believes that fair trade is a cause that many young people can relate to and could help church attendance figures.
"When people who are doubtful or cynical see these proactive messages of direct support for these types of programs, they can relate better to the church. It's an upbeat message that they can make a difference," she said.
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Mike wrote:
"to tamna - you probably have multimillion $$ home & always vote for republican who enjoys money power & greed. "
Sir, you are a ______. I don't live in the U.S. I don't live in what would be described as a fully developed nation. I live in a country that is in a MAJOR trade dispute with the U.S. about an FTA right now. I don't even own a house, I rent a place that is probably smaller than you could possibly imagine.
My comment was in response to how poorly the article was written. But of course, that thought probably never even entered your mind. It was much more fun for you to engage in generalizations, jump to conclusions and make assumptions. I bet you're out of breath from all that engaging, jumping and making, aren't you?
Fair Trade is an excellent start to ensuring that producers of coffee, cocoa, tea, sugar, bananas and other products are paid a livable wage and treated right. However, even the Fair Trade certification system has flaws. The Fair Trade system only works through cooperatives of producers (farmers). That means not every farmer has access to Fair Trade. An alternative to Fair Trade is Direct Trade. Direct Trade is not a certification. It is a method of trade. Companies that offer Direct Trade goods will spell out the details for what that means for their products. It usually involves a 25% premium above the Fair Trade payment rate directly to the farmer. Currently, the ICE market through which most commodities are traded, has the price of coffee listed at $1.43/lb. This is twelve cents above the Fair Trade rate. In this case, Direct Trade companies will then raise their payment to coffee growers to 25% above wherever the market is at. The idea here is that through Direct Trade, there will always be a premium to whatever else is out there that is paid to the farmer. Another aspect of Direct Trade is that it is always accomplished through direct and personal relationships between the farmer and the roaster (in the case of coffee). This relationship is foundational for the name of Christ to be glorified. There are just a few Direct Trade companies out there who desire to represent Christ in their work. But they are out there. Research online. These are Business As Mission companies. They are working for God's Kingdom. They have social justice on their minds and they have the gospel written on their hearts. And they have found a way to take Fair Trade to a place where there is no way that God can be missed in all the shuffle. And some of these companies will even invite you on a trip with them to visit their farmers. Blessings!
“Free Trade” is trade free of State control and regulation. “Fair Trade” is a euphemism for Mercantilism, Socialism, Interventionism, i.e., State control and manipulate of voluntary relationships between consumer and producers. Socialism--Christian or otherwise--destroys the poor wherever it is applied. We Christians need to read some books on economics before we start pontificating and implementing our well-intentioned social actions!
Mike,
You speak imprudently and falsely. Are there some Christians like you describe? Yes, unfortunately there are. If you drop the bias glasses you will find there are just as many if not more who espouse fair trade (maybe with other terms), economic justice (as long as it isn't the Bernie Sanders, materialism) and many of the causes that reach out to those in need. Many believe the government shouldn't be the focus of His church's efforts while some think the government should be an equal partner. There is much diversity within Christianity and making false and imprudent generalizations certainly isn't productive for the conversation or for you.
Grace and Peace,
Jim
A link to this article has been posted on the website GoodNewsNow.com.c
mike, a majority of International Missionaries of the Southern Baptist Convention who serve in third world countries wear two hats. They not only serve God to meet the spiritual needs of the locals but physical needs as well. We have people serving in about any area you can imagine, medical, educational, engineering, and so on. You are correct with regards to our involvement in political issues on the whole our missionaries stay away from those issues so they will not jeopradize their ability to be allowed to minister to those people who desperately need the help and assistance they offer.
When you talk about INJUSTICE, GREED & POWER, you are labeled a LEFTIST, COMMUNIST & unpatriotic. christians are too preoccupied with morality like gays lesbians & abortion. what about suffering in a third world country cause by economic injustice & political power.
to tamna - you probably have multimillion $$ home & always vote for republican who enjoys money power & greed.
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After reading this article I have only one thing to say: Huh????