Fed up of businesses aligning themselves with politics!

[thehorsehasnowbolted]

I was about to grab a turkey and cranberry sandwich yesterday at a major retailer when I noticed on the package that 5% of that purchase would go to Shelter.

Why are we being increasingly forced nowadays to contribute to causes we may not necessarily agree with in this way? Why don't businesses stick to selling goods? Why the constant virtue signalling? It's annoying

I do not intend to comment on this charity in particular, but I have seen my fair share of pensioners being out of pocket to evict problem tenants who were in a position to pay the rent and look after properties but simply didn't want to and just played the system.

The results of charities activities are not always 100% positive, so customers shouldn't be forced to contribute in this way.

Why do businesses assume that their customers agree with the charities they pick? The constant virtue signalling is patronising and insulting.

I never donated money to big name charity although I donate goods and buy goods from them
Charities I support with cash donations are
The Hospice who cared for a close relative
2 local cat rescues operated solely by volunteers
British legion, I buy a poppy every year

Honestly though. Imagine believing that Jesus Christ would have been on the side of landlords rather than homeless people. I feel like you surely must have missed quite significant sections of the Bible to arrive at that conclusion...

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Struggling to believe OP is a Christian. Sure this thread is a wind up

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We have precisely zero idea how charitable the original poster is. All we know is that she has had to avoid a sandwich in order to not donate to a charity she disagrees with. There are many charities I don't agree with and I would have to do the same in those cases.

OP strikes me as similar to many Christians I have met. Jesus would have hated their views,

Lockheart · Today 11:52

So basically OPs argument is "I refuse to donate to a homeless charity because those absolute bastards at said charity help stop tenants being screwed over by rogue irresponsible landlords and all those poor pensioners hoarding more property than they need might actually have to abide by the law and face the consequences of their actions?"

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I wonder if OP has checked whether their church supports the homeless? It could lead to a shocking revelation (and reduced charity donations in future..!)

@DozyFox there's such a thing as Prosperity Gospel, though it's mainly a US thing - people who believe that if you're very rich, it's because you're in favour with God, and conversely if you're poor, you aren't and therefore you deserve to be poor. It's an extreme offshoot of hardcore evangelical beliefs - wonder if OP's church is one of these but in the UK?

Personally I think there's nothing Christian, humane or decent about people who believe this.

@antipodeancanary but would you then start a thread on MN complaining and stating that businesses should not be doing this at all? It's been pointed out to OP that she is free to not buy the sandwich, but apparently that isn't good enough. It's a bit OTT.

We have precisely zero idea how charitable the original poster is. All we know is that she has had to avoid a sandwich in order to not donate to a charity she disagrees with. There are many charities I don't agree with and I would have to do the same in those cases.

meh. OP came on here to moan about it instead of just keeping quiet about it and just getting on with her day. But she had to indulge in Anti-Virtue-Signalling.

It takes all sorts.

@pointythings oh yes, heard of them. Very much share your opinion on them. As a church-going Christian I'm embarrassed to somehow share the same religion as them.

It's madness really - it's like someone joining the We Love The Colour Blue religion but starting the Blue Hating offshoot branch 🤷‍♀️

@Brefugee we need a better term than 'anti-virtue signalling'.

I'm thinking 'Twatsignalling' but I'm open to alternatives.

OP might be - ironically considering the sandwich issue - a 'buffet Christian' who'll pick & choose a bespoke selection of beliefs from those on offer and ignore the ones that aren't to their taste, however officially Christian the distasteful ones are.

@DozyFox I'm a fairly hardcore atheist but I donate regularly to a church group in my area because they provide their building and facilities for our support group for relatives of people in addiction. They also run a food bank and ultra low priced food shop and support people back into work. I think they're brilliant. Good people come in all shapes, sizes and beliefs and sadly the same is also true for the not so good ones.

Jesus Christ OP what is going on in your life that you resent 5% of the retail price of something you've bought to go to a homeless charity? Homeless people live on streets, have mental health problems, are vulnerable to sexual trafficking and violence, will spend the winter freezing and along if they don't die in the cold weather...and you resent donations to them that'll probably equate to little more than a blanket anyway?

Also where is the politics in donating 5% to charity? That is literally totally non political. It sounds to me like you've been reading a lot of social media about 'lefties' or something where giving to charity is somehow evil. You need to reassess what the hell got you to a place of resenting a tiny bit of help going to those less fortunate than you because it's really bad.

She says she donates to her church, i.e. she is a church-goer

In which case she should be well aware of the importance of charity in the Christian faith

It's ridiculous to donate to your church and then turn around and complain about a homeless charity, it makes no sense

I agree with you, OP, but looking on the bright side at least "opting in" to their latest cause is still kept pretty low key

I recently returned from the US and there's a thing spreading where you're asked to your face if you'll donate your change to whatever it is ... coming to a UK store near you anytime soon

Make your own sandwiches. Cheaper, better for the environment, better for your health and NO political donations. Simples!

I have just eaten that exact sandwich and when i bought it i was pleased to see some of the money is going to Shelter. Why does a company trying to do something decent have to be vilified? Most big businesses give to charity in one way or another. I guess in a big retailer it is just more obvious given the nature of the business.

@binglebangle567 Maybe the OP rents out a house and was breaking the law, tenants went to Shelter and Shelter helped the tenants to make the OP follow the law?
She certainly seems to have a personal grudge against the charity.

This thread is hilarious. I'd give a grand to Shelter before I'd give a single penny to the church.

I misplaced my tiny violin for all the mortgage-free pensioner landlords. I'll let you know if I find it.

"Demonising landlords".

There'a an interesting social media thread somewhere of a photographer who went out and photographed all the mould that tenants are living with.

Yeah, given the news about a young toddler dying of black mould, all the 'poor landlords' stuff is a bit tone deaf.

Until we have legislation that forces landlords to keep their rental properties safe and fit for human habitation, they don't get any of my sympathy. Two of my relatives are landlords - they feel exactly the same. The (many) bad ones have far too much protection.

Shame my nearest M&S is so far away, I fancy a sandwich.