Why Integrity Counts

Due to the following information received April 10, 2008 from American Family Association, our family has decided we will not patronize McDonald's restaurants until they publicly retract their disrespect of family values.

McDonald's has signed on to a nationwide effort to promote "gay" and "lesbian" business ventures.

According to McDonald's CEO Jim Skinner, McDonald's will aggressively promote the homosexual agenda. In remarks on McDonald's Web site concerning the company becoming a member of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), Skinner wrote: "Being a socially responsible organization is a fundamental part of who we are. We have an obligation to use our size and resources to make a difference in the world...and we do."

The company gave an undisclosed amount of money to the NGLCC in return for being recognized as a major promoter of the homosexual agenda. In return, NGLCC placed Richard Ellis, vice president of communications of McDonalds USA, on the NGLCC Board of Directors.

Ellis was quoted as saying: "I'm thrilled to join the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce team and ready to get to work. I share the NGLCC's passion for business growth and development within the LGBT community, and I look forward to playing a role in moving these important initiatives forward."

McDonald's refused to comment to World Net Daily on the placement of its executive on the board of the "gay" advocacy organization but did send an e-mail confirming the corporation's support for the agenda of the homosexual business lobby.

"McDonald's is indeed a Corporate Partner and Organizational Ally of NGLCC. Our vice president of U.S. communications, Richard Ellis, was recently elected to its board of directors," said Heidi M. Barker, senior director of media relations for McDonald’s. NGLCC describes itself as promoting the LGBT community first and always, including same sex marriage.

NGLCC gives credit to sponsors such as McDonald's for its financial and other support that helps in its work. "Through the commitment of our corporate partners, the NGLCC has been able to advance the ideas and causes of the LGBT business community," the Chamber said.

As parents raising children with biblical values, occasionally Dan and I have had to remind our oldest daughter that it is not ok for God's people to break the rules that are in keeping with His Word, even when it looks like everyone else is doing it and the consequences seem insignificant. If mommy isn't there to help her remember the right thing to do, God sees her actions and expects her to obey Him because He loves her.

There are many Biblical examples of uncompromising integrity but my favorite one to use with my children is Daniel and not just because it's Daddy's name!

In Daniel chapter 6, King Darius made Daniel second in command in the whole kingdom of Babylon. Because Daniel was a man above reproach, the other rulers in Babylon decided to trick Darius so Daniel could be eliminated.

Daniel 6:6-10

6 Then these commissioners and satraps came by agreement to the king and spoke to him as follows: "King Darius, live forever!

7 "All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the high officials and the governors have consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be cast into the lions' den.

8 "Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document so that it may not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked."

9 Therefore King Darius signed the document, that is, the injunction.

10 Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.

Daniel knew he would be seen praying to God. He knew he was disobeying the order of the king, but he remained faithful to God. Daniel also knew God would be glorified in whatever the outcome.

Daniel 6:16-24

16 Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions' den The king spoke and said to Daniel, "Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you."

17 A stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would be changed in regard to Daniel.

18 Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him.

19 Then the king arose at dawn, at the break of day, and went in haste to the lions' den.

20 When he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?"

21 Then Daniel spoke to the king, "O king, live forever!

22 "My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime."

23 Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

24 The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had maliciously accused Daniel, and they cast them, their children and their wives into the lions' den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

So why did we decide to boycott McDonald's since loosing our visit once a month will hardly make a difference to their financial bottom line? Not for fear of being thrown to the lions, but because it's important for our kids to know their parents can "walk the talk". That we are "set apart for the Gospel of God" (Romans 1:1). Our actions need to be in line with what we say because God sees us. Our family needs to do what is right in God's eyes as commanded in His Word and our obedience is expected, even in seemingly insignificant things like where we eat lunch.

Update 8/12/08
As a Christian, it was very important to me to let our local McDonald's know why we would not be frequenting their restaurant. I personally went into the restaurant and told the manager in a straight-forward but loving manner that the corporate public stance on promoting homosexuality was offensive to Christians and we would not be eating there. The manager gave me the e-mail address for the owner who she said was also a Christian (the main reason the manager was working for this particular restaurant).

I sent a cordial letter that day to the owner of our McDonald's outlining the above reasons for our family to boycott all McDonald's restaurants.

It's been almost two months with no response.