Dear Larry,

Thanks for the question.  

It is not a sin to buy products from companies that share different values (though it can be in some cases), or even sponsor immoral behavior or policies. You are not responsible for the choices that people in the corporation make with the proceeds from their sales.  If they do not make an evil product, then you are not obliged to avoid them.

Owning stock is more problematic if you share in the profit from something that is immoral.  For example, if a company makes birth control products like the pill, those profits are blood money.  

In the case of Apple, they are not producing something evil per se, they are just using their proceeds to support something evil. In the latter case, you can choose to voice your opinion to the company, boycott it, or do whatever you can to discourage them from sending money to the evil, but if they do not, you are not responsible.

In today's context, where companies like Anheuser-Busch, the L.A. Dodgers franchise, Target, and others, are openly promoting gravely immoral and often extremely profane LGBTQ agendas (cf. the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence), as well as a host of other offensive products, ideologies, and anti-Christian sentiments, it is wise to boycott them and support alternative businesses.  Many companies are starting to provide a good alternative to the "woke" agenda sponsoring Main Street elites that dominate the marketplace.  When companies go so far down the path of sponsoring such evil, and there are good alternatives to their products, go with the more wholesome company.

As I type, I am using an Apple product, and I don't have any issue with it.  Computers, phones, watches, iPADs, and the like are morally neutral, and if the execs choose to take the money and use it for evil, they will answer to God for it, and I will not be held responsible.

Peace,

Bob Kirby

Dear Larry,

Yes, follow your conscience but form it properly.  

In dealing with the objective nature of whether you are complicit in sin, it definitely relates to when you profit from a sinful product, like stock dividends.  

In the case you mentioned (an abortion-assisting employer), you are not profiting, nor are you assisting anyone to profit from something unlawful; the products they are producing are licit and good.  The principle is the same—they are taking "won profits" and using them unjustly.  That is not your sin.  The employer, employees, and the stockholders who voted on this policy will be held accountable.

• The matter now turns to one of prudence; is it prudent to support such a business?

This is where conscience meets homework—doing your best to look at the situation as objectively as possible and weigh the facts.  You are doing that, and if your conscience is well-formed by knowing how to differentiate moral acts and culpability, you should be at peace.  

In the example you posted about Apple, I would say that if their product serves your needs best, that is not simply a matter of "convenience" but "prudence" to use their products.  If and when something should supplant that, in both efficiency and moral underpinnings, I would consider making the leap. I wouldn't be stuck in a moral quandary about it unless something became evident, where they were beyond the pale of redemption.

Peace,

Larry,

I just wanted to pitch in my two cents on your question.

Bob and I may have different views on this.

While I agree with most of Bob's answer, on the issue of iPhone or Android, we may have a difference of opinion though we may both have our own bias as he has an Apple and I have an Android. That said, our different views fall into the category of theological opinion and are not a matter of doctrine.

Bob said:
In the example you posted about Apple, I would say that if their product serves your needs best, that is not simply a matter of "convenience" but "prudence" to use their products.  If and when something should supplant that, in both efficiency and moral underpinnings, . . .

It's my understanding that Apple works in China and works very closely with this Communist dictatorship that threatens our country. I personally don't want my money going to support an Atheistic Communist government and think there are enough moral underpinnings to re-think the smartphone preference issue, but that's just my opinion.

I've only had my phone for two years and still don't understand why our country does not have any American entrepreneur who would be willing to start an America First company that builds and distributes smartphones in the United States of America!

Thanks!

Mike

Hi Larry,

Thanks for the National Catholic Register/EWTN article!

I thought it was a good read.

Mike