Whataburger is a Christian company and posts

[meg]

'one nation under god indivisable' in all of its windows.

I called their corporate headquarters to ask why they post something that advocates the merging of church and state. The answer I got was that Whataburger is a Christian company.

I won't be going back to Whataburger. If they want to shove their church state beliefs, fine. I don't have to pay for it.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

1. They have stupid commercials, too.

[sam sarrha]

10. your mean the two really stoned gay guys.. that one..??

[TallahasseeGrannie]

24. Among others, yeah. Dumb. Aimed at dumb folks. n/t

[Taxloss]

2. But Whataburger isn't an arm of the state.

I believe they can advocate whatever they want, just as you can choose not to patronise their establishment.

[meg]

6. Yes indeed

I said the same to the person I spoke to in customer relations. I also said in my post 'If they want to shove their church state beliefs, fine. I don't have to pay for it.'

[Taxloss]

8. Exactly - that's your right.

I would rather that companies that felt this way stated so out in the open so that informed consumer decisions could be made, removing the risk that one might be funding an unpalatable cause "by stealth".

[KarenS]

3. well,,,,, dang.

There aren't any in Colorado but when I visit family in Phoenix ~ I always go,,,,, no more. I am soooooo done supporting whackos.

[Hobarticus]

4. Yeah, it's a private enterprise...they can do as they please.

Just as you can choose not to go there.

[meg]

7. Yes indeed

I said the same to the person I spoke to in customer relations. I also said in my post 'If they want to shove their church state beliefs, fine. I don't have to pay for it.

[Hobarticus]

12. It is too bad that they take such a public stance.

But I also wonder if they're donating food to a local food bank, or paying a living wage with bennies to their employees, under God. Guess that's the question of the hour, for me. The criteria for being a self-proclaimed 'person of faith' should take a lot more than beating one's own chest and spouting rhetoric, IMHO.

[meg]

17. It wasn't the Christian declaration so much as the

church/state declaration that I objected to. As AuntieM1957 has noted, Whataburger IS open on Sundays and many of their stores are open 24/7.

I don't like stores that advertise their religion, either, though. To me that store is saying that I should belong to their religion. The religious right has pushed the idea that being a Christian means that you are a fascist bigot. Of course, that is NOT the religion described by Jesus. However, if someone puts Christian in my face, then I jump to the conclusion that they are the fascist bigot sort. I don't want to support either type of business.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

34. Yeah like the rug cleaner with

the fish on the truck. But I guess it brings in a lot of Christian business.

I don't know..wonder what percentage it turns off, as opposed to brings in?

[TexasLinda]

36. Religious extremism has never been good for women.

I know that most of the Christians in this country are good, kind-hearted people who live the teachings of Jesus. However, religious extremism, stoked and exploited by power-hungry politicians and so-called "religious leaders" who get rich off the Jesus biz, is on the rise and scares the crap out of me. I don't care whether they're Christian, Muslim, Jewish, or whatever, historically women have suffered whenever religious extremists have managed to seize power. I see the "fish" people as primarily "power" Christians and refuse to support their businesses. It is particularly bad here in Texas, where politicians have turned "Christian" into a code word for "racist, sexist, homophobic bigot". It has to be frustrating for the real Christians, but I feel I need to avoid any business that advertises itself as a "Christian" business rather than risk supporting the extremists. I will no longer eat at Whataburger.

[Richard Steele]

53. So they are only "christian" until they see a chance to make money?

Typical BS from todays breed of Korporate Kristian.

How quickly would one of their MinWage employees
be FIRED if they refused to work on Sundays?

I agree, "if someone puts Christian in my face, then I jump to the conclusion that they are the fascist bigot sort"...
especially when that person is making their money on Sundays!

Chik-fil-a is also a "Christian-owned" fast food chain.
However, I suspect that they are REAL Christians,
since they don't feel any need for signs
announcing it in their stores.

And they are NEVER open on Sunday,
despite the fact that they could
boost profits by million$ if they were.

[porphyrian]

41. I think they do hire ex-cons...

...though they may require that they be "Christian," and I doubt that they ever get promoted too high up the ladder. That's something, anyway.

[havocmom]

5. So they won't be doing any promos for Good Night And Good Luck?

That "under god" thing added during the dark days of Terror by Tailgunner Joe, contrary to what Karen Hughs would have the world believe.

[AuntieM1957]

9. Mess with their heads next time

I've been peeved by their posting the "under God" nonsense, too.

Frankly, where I live in Texas it is so prevalent that I suppose I'm de-sensitized to the "loyalty to Christ" mentality.

Next time, if there is one, I'd suggest you ask the representative why a Christian company is open on Sundays. Chick Fil A, another "Christian" company, has chosen to remain closed on the Sabbath. At a cost to their bottom line. That I respect. They walk their talk. Their employees are able to spend Sunday at home.

Whataburger on the other hand is open 24 hours 7 days in most areas.

It seems to me that theirs is not a Christian company, rather that it's a money hungry right wing philosophizing company.

When you point that out to them, it really confuses those who are so used to intimidating others that they're never questioned. Kinda of like when Bush blinks and stutters when asked a genuine question.

Plus, making them think - really gives them a headache. Using all those grey cells that have atrophied due to lack of use is very painful.

[meg]

13. good idea

I wish that I had asked them why they are open on Sundays.

[RB TexLa]

32. and the funny thing about that is...

you see a letter to the editor from time to time from someone praising them for upholding Christian values and being closed on Sunday.


Usually is something like "While shopping at the local mall I was so happy to see the Chick Fil A closed for the Sabbath."

I just love the idea of "they are so great for doing that, now heathen give me a Big Mac meal supersized."

[susanr516]

47. And why are those religious right nuts

shopping on a Sunday, anyway? I was reared fundie, and we never went out to eat, shopped, mowed the lawn, etc. on Sundays. I couldn't even do homework on Sundays. Honoring the Sabbath meant it was a sin both to work on Sunday AND to force someone else to work, or at least it was in my father's opinion.

By the way, I knew someone who worked in the Whataburger corporate office, and she was miserably underpaid. Contrast that with Chick Fil-A founder Truett Cathy, who really does practice what he preaches. He set up a scholarship program for his employees, and contributes a large amount of his own money to charitable (although fundie) causes. I don't agree with his personal beliefs, but I must say he's not a hypocrite.

[AuntieM1957]

48. Hypocrite

A favorite fundie word, lifestyle, and apparently, based on your experience, a food choice as well.

[porphyrian]

11. That's a shame.

I used to like Whataburger. Oh well, they don't have them up here anyway.

[meg]

14. I like the burgers, too, but not enough to fund

their church/state beliefs.

[porphyrian]

15. What about Chick-Fil-A?

They're openly Christian (they're closed on Sunday because of it). Are they doing the same thing, trying to promote religion in our government? I'd hate to lose two of my favorite Southern junk food outlets in the same day...

[AntiCoup2K4]

18. At least they walk their talk (on one commandment anyway)

I'd give a "Christian" business that WAS closed on Sunday more credibility than one that wasn't. Unless they were 7th Day Adventists and closed on Saturday.

[PerpetualWinter]

33. We have a local restaurant...

that on its schedule says, "Sunday: Closed for Church and Laundry." They are actually under a current boycott by the local steel workers union (for putting signs up supporting Republican candidates), and well, up until I tasted their food, I used to take part in the boycott. However, since then I just decided that since they are the only gourmet Mexican place around (and trust me they are hardcore gourmet, especially for "fast food"), that I'd rather have their phenomenal food and ignore their ideology.

However, in most cases, I avoid places like that. We have a couple restaurants in town, including a former Godfathers Pizza that lost their franchise for their overtly fundamentalist mentality and messages on their billboard, that I will not give my money to. However, much like my tastes in music (I listen to plenty of racist and National Socialist metal) I seperate the producer from the product. If the product is superior to others than I will support and endorse the product competely seperate from the producer (other than the fact of course that the producer inherently benefits).

[AntiCoup2K4]

42. I hate it when the best food places support Repukes

We used to have a teriyaki place in town that blew away the competition, both in the quality of the food, and what you got for the money. They were catching on and building up a clientele, and then they put up a big "Linda Smith for Congress" sign.

Linda Smith was the most despicable, hateful right wing repressed Freeper bitch (sorry, but there's no way to avoid the word with her) who was ever elected to public office in this state.

I never went back to the place again. And they went out of business within three months after that, so obviously I wasn't alone. I still miss their hot & spicy chicken, but I don't miss their signs.

[porphyrian]

43. The only problem with separating producer from product...

...is that purchasing the product is still supporting the producer, via monetary contribution. Also, in the case of music, just by playing it you are supporting the producer via free advertising (unless you're wearing headphones). So, even if you steal the music, by playing it in your car, you're helping the producer of the product expose that product to a potential audience for free - you're volunteering to advertise for them without pay. The same goes for clothing with brand names. Do whatever you want, but keep this in mind.

[PerpetualWinter]

50. Didn't I say that already?

As I said I know that my actions inherently support the producer. The catch is, I feel that a superior product, generally, outweighs the ideologies of its producers. Like in the case of NS music. I never point out that a band is NS, I am promoting the music itself not the ideology (oh, and it doesn't matter if I wear headphones or not I play it ON THE RADIO as in I'M THE DJ WUPX Marquette Tuesday Nights baby!!!!). I generally go by this and you can apply this to just about anything, musicians have ideology not music. If I didn't listen to or didn't support anything where a producer holds different views than me... Well, my life would be pretty fucking boring.

[porphyrian]

52. You're not understanding what I'm saying.

"Like in the case of NS music. I never point out that a band is NS, I am promoting the music itself not the ideology (oh, and it doesn't matter if I wear headphones or not I play it ON THE RADIO as in I'M THE DJ WUPX Marquette Tuesday Nights baby!!!!)."

How can you promote the music WITHOUT promoting the ideology? The music itself is promoting the ideology. Every time you play it, it is advertising itself and the ideology of its producers, both directly via its lyrics and indirectly via gathering listeners, who then go out and buy the music, read about the band, etc. Pretending you aren't promoting the ideology by playing it is like saying you aren't responsible for firing a gun because you are only pulling the trigger.

What's even more obnoxious is that you are actually proud of the fact that you play it ON THE RADIO! How much more promotional can you get?! You're pimping hate music. How can you deny that you're promoting it's ideology? Stop lying to yourself or to us, whichever it is.

[pelagius]

16. In-and-Out Burger...

...is also a born-again Christian company. They're very subtle, they place a little scripture reference (like "John 3:16) on the bottom edge of their drink cups. Fine with me.

I work for a "Christian" company in that the owners are born-agains and try to practice Christian principles in their business. They are honest, good-hearted, pay decent wages and benefits (very hard for a small business these days), and encourage people to put their families first. They also are not overt in their Christianity and certainly would never have company Bible studies or the like.

Not all Christians are hypocrites, although I must admit that usually when I hear somebody bill their enterprise as "Christian" I make sure I'm holding tight to my wallet!

on edit: punctuation corrections.

[meg]

23. Good points!

I'm not complaining about Christians who actually follow the teachings of Christ. I like businesses to be honest and to treat their workers fairly.

However, I don't like to be proselytized when I'm paying for a service.

[pelagius]

27. I agree 100%...

...although, having grown up in the "born-again" community, I urge caution dealing with these folks since their business practices are not always reality-based. And when they hire other Christians of their ilk, they tend to pay lower wages and demand more of what I can "emotional labor" since they frame the company's operations as a "ministry".

On the other hand, my wife works for an outdoor gear manufacturer that appears on all the "best places to work" lists because they have onsite yoga classes, casual dress, flextime, etc. and they pay their contractors (who do about 70% of the company's work) very low wages. They count on the "groovy factor" to keep people on the low side of the pay scale, so it's not just Christians doing this. See also: entertainment industry.

[Neocondriac]

19. My Old Competitor....

always described themselves as a Christian Cabinetry Store and would tell customers that I was an atheist and that they should not deal with me. I heard this a number of times so I finally called the owner and inquired into the feedback I'd heard."Oh, no we would never do that. It's against Jesus's teachings". Christians, ya gotta love'm.

[elehhhhna]

20. Their food SUCKS. It figures.

[noonwitch]

51. That is ultimately what matters

If the food is good, I don't care what religious messages are posted there. When I'm in Grand Rapids, I eat at Russ or Arnies, both of which have stands with religious tracts in their entryways. Both have good food, especially Arnies. Russ is a dutch Big Boy. You can get a whole meal for $5, which is always a good deal.

[crispini]

21. How quickly people forget....

Whatburger was quite the fair-haired child around DU, what, almost a year ago this month. Remember the run up to the 2004 elections, when they pulled their aids from Sinclair Broadcasting, who was running "Stolen Honor," in response to activist pressure.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=2515199

Personally I have never noticed the "Christian" rhetoric, and since Whataburger is a politically neutral company, unlike MOST fast food places, I'll continue to eat there.

[WolverineDG]

40. thanks for posting that, crispy

i was about to point that out. i go there from time to time to show my support (as well as to get a damn good hamburger, much better than the crap they serve at mcd's).

dg

[Castilleja]

71. I think I'll join you in your statement,

I did notice the "under god" thing on their window, but as near as I can tell, they are politically neutral. It's not as though they have neon crosses up inside the store, or hand out tracts with each meal. As long as the food is good, and they don't have abhorrent employee practices, I will continue to eat there as well.

[FlaGranny]

22. I automatically distrust

ANY company that makes any public statement about religious beliefs. Won't shop there. Period. It is insulting to my sensibilities.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

26. How about a Kosher sign in the window?

[meg]

28. Aren't there some handling and health requirements for

a food to be labeled kosher? Yes, it is blessed. But I don't take a Kosher sign as proselytizing at all.

[FlaGranny]

46. A Kosher sign in the window of a restaurant

or a grocery doesn't count. In fact, Kosher would make me more likely to go in there. Kosher isn't advertising your religion, it is advertising that you sell a type of food. It's the same as a restaurant putting "organic" in the window. You don't have to be Jewish to sell Kosher food or eat it either. You do have to be Jewish to make the food Kosher in the first place. :-)

[TexasLinda]

39. It cheapens ones faith

to use it as an advertising ploy. That's how I saw the poster in the local Whataburger's window. I'm sick of people using the flag and God to push their merchandise. There's a local realtor who likes to stick little U.S. flags (with his business card attached) in everybody's yard for Independence Day. They're splashed by mud from passing cars and pissed on by every dog in the neighborhood, but the jerk feels patriotic (and would really like to sell your house). He's apparently not patriotic enough to join the Army and go help create an Islamic Republic in Iraq.

[Javaman]

25. Here's a tip, STOP EATING FAST FOOD!!

The stuff is crap, made with crap, process with crap and cooked in crap.
Make your own lunch, save money, save your heart and save your brain.

It totally amazes me, with all the studies being done, all the information out there, all the proof that fast food is colossal crap, people continue to eat it. This in a nut shell is why we humans are failing as a race.

[meg]

30. I don't eat burgers often

but I don't eat well either. I do know better as you point out.

[pelagius]

31. Gotta agree...

...I was overweight by about 15 pounds and I did nothing except stop going to fast food places (where I "only" ate 2 or three times a week) and lost it all in about four months. Even just not doing sodas (yes, even "diet" sodas) and fries is a huge help.

[progressivebydesign]

37. Stopped eating fast food years and years ago.

I never get sick. Ever. Even if I knew what Whataburger was, I wouldn't eat there anyway. They do have a right to their religious evangelizing, and I have a right to avoid those places like the plague.

[Javaman]

44. Here, here!!

[Tight_rope]

29. Damn...And I did so love their breakfast tacos!

[JitterbugPerfume]

35. Fast food is crap

ALL of it

and besides it gives me a tummy ache

[The Stranger]

38. They misspelled "indivisible" to boot.

[meg]

45. my bad n/t

[AuntieM1957]

49. You know I thought that was deliberate at first

and laughed my ass off, thinking it was a spoof.

Oh, well, I had fun laughing, at least.

[Heewack]

54. This is humorous

You are going to stop eating a burger you like because they have 'one nation under god indivisable' on their windows. Talk about being anal. Aren't their bigger fish to fry?

[meg]

60. Yes. I won't give them money

You take on your fights as you see fit and I will take on mine. Their throwing the merger of church and state in my face can only occur if I visit their establishment. I choose not to see their sign and I choose not to support them.

If you think that I am being anal, too bad. I don't really care.

[beam me up scottie]

64. Excuse me ? "Bigger fish" ?

I think the reichwing psychos trying to turn this country into a christocracy are about as big as they get.

Perhaps you're okay with that, but most of us have a problem with it.

And calling someone's opinion "anal" is a personal attack.

[Bluebear]

66. 'Aren't their bigger fish to fry?'

No, their aren't. Their is a movement underway to turn this country into a Christian Taliban society and I do NOT want to go their.

[ComerPerro]

55. Indivisible? Really? Because, right now

It sure seems awfully divided.

And who did the dividing?

Why, it was a Christian! (or, someone posing as one)

[Caoimhe]

56. While flipping through the yellow pages

I skip past any business with a fish symbol on their ad. I suppose we are to think they are somehow more HONEST because they are christian. What nonsense. They are more likely to molest your children is more like it. Ugh.

Thanks for the heads up about Whataburger.

Chik Filet .. isn't that the place where they make the employees wear those absolutely ridiculous uniforms?

[SunDrop23]

57. Your health thanks you for not going back.

That place serves shit.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

58. i am a christian male...

if a satanist makes a good plate of pasta he/she is OK in my book. But I can agree with the merging of church and state...not a good thing!

subjectProdigal

[Heewack]

59. Chick -Fil-A is out too I guess.

Our official statement of corporate purpose says that we exist "to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us and to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A." That's why we invest in scholarships, character-building programs for kids, foster homes and other community services. Come to think of it, it's also not a bad motive for striving to serve a really, really good sandwich.

http://www.chickfila.com/Company.asp

[OnionPatch]

61. I stopped going to

a store down the road because they had a sign that said "We support the pledge just as it is: One Nation, Under God."

I fully support their right to do this but I also have the right to not to go there anymore now that I know they support beliefs I'm opposed to. It's not really personal. It's just practical. It seems counter-productive to me to work my butt off fighting right-wing policies, and then let my consumer dollars flow to those who actively promote them.

Thanks for the info on Whataburger.

[meg]

62. I totally agree!

It seems counter-productive to me to work my butt off fighting right-wing policies, and then let my consumer dollars flow to those who actively promote them.

[beam me up scottie]

63. One more reason to be thankful

I'm a vegetarian.

[goodboy]

65. I used to eat their Taquitos all the time when I was at school in TX,

mostly at 2AM after heavy drinking.

I think they are confusing Patriotism with Christian Theocratic Fascism.

Yeah the Taquitos were good...but FUCK Whataburger.

[proud2BlibKansan]

67. Whataname

Whataconcept.

Whatalousy burger. :eyes:

[beam me up scottie]

68. ROFL!

:rofl:

[proud2BlibKansan]

69. My cousin used to live in a small town in Ohio

They had a Whatavideo store and a Whatapizza parlor. LOL

[beam me up scottie]

70. Are those divisions of

Whatamaroon?

[proud2BlibKansan]

73. I don't know

but we still laugh about the creative business names in that town.

There was a large Amish community nearby. We wondered if there was a connection to the whata businesses. . .

[Bluebear]

72. They tried "Holy Cow", but it never caught on. nt

[beam me up scottie]

74. *Snort !

People thought it was an Indian restaurant!

:rofl: