Reader claims Christian Brothers Automotive story was anti-Christian
Christian Brothers Automotive technician Andy Gibson.
A faithful yet highly critical reader of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch emailed this morning with numerous complaints about Monday’s front page, including an assertion that Tim Townsend’s story about Christian Brothers Automotive was anti-Christian.
An excerpt from the email:
“…Then we have another Townsend anti-Christian front page story. Is this Mr. T’s anti-Christian week at the PD? Ironically, you all should take a note from these companies that “market to Christians.”
“You could learn something positive from them. As I see it, the PD only attacks Christians…”
VALLEY PARK - Some customers of the new Christian Brothers Automotive get more than an just an oil change or a new transmission.
“If the opportunity arises, and if someone shares certain details of their life, I might pray with them,” said Kip Bynum, the garage’s owner. “We’re led by what God sees fit to do.”
Catering specifically to Christians - who make up nearly 80 percent of the U.S. population - has become a legitimate and profitable marketing strategy for large and small companies.
There are Christian bookstores, moving companies, record labels, debt-consolidation agencies, health insurance companies, clothing brands, dating websites, and film companies.
Some companies target Christians overtly, while other businesses founded on Christian principles favor a show-by-example policy. Their target market may be wider, but such companies use the tenets of their faith - especially the so-called Golden Rule - to attract consumers.
“There is a very strong network of Christians marketing to Christians and really creating goods and services for that group,” said Mara Einstein, a professor of media studies at Queens College in New York. “There’s nothing wrong with deciding your market is a Christian market, but the issue becomes if you find that’s not a big enough target and then you have to appeal to a wider audience.”
Steve Parker is the deputy managing editor for news, and oversees the Post-Dispatch's front page. STLtoday's online news editors are on his newsroom team. Parker has been at the paper since September 1980. 
You couldn’t hit the delete button on the email?
It was a good idea to move this story from the news menu to the blogs.
I didn’t think this story was unfair to Christians, but it fell into a category I have often commented on: Stories about Christianity that give readers a chance to take gratuitous pot shots at the faith. Many times, I have posted on the news side that stories about Christianity are always accompanied by a message board. (One reader insists ALL stories are accessible to comments, but that’s not true, as anyone who wants to take the time to glance at a few stories can see.) Encouraging people to comment on stories like Archbishop receiving a vestment from the Vatican and other non-stories only brings out the anti-Christian bigots who seem to have an axe to grind. But I can appreciate the Post’s dilemma: You doesn’t want to ignore Christian readers’ interests.
the reader was totally off-base in his criticism. I am a Christian myself and I saw nothing wrong with the article. All this story does is report on a trend. It’s a good topic of discussion for believers and non-believers alike.
Some people just see what they want to see.
This story was not anti-Christian. It covered a growing trend of Christian related businesses. It asked the questions that most of us thought of when we read the story.
I would say the reader demands blind faith when it comes to discussions related to faith.
Steve,
–Over a week since your last piece, and this is what you come up with.
No wonder Liz is kicking your —.
–Here is a clue…you spell I.G., I.G.
I read the whole article, and I couldn’t figure out what was anti-christian. Oh, wait, it was the comment section, doh!
Boy you all missed this one. I agree that this article had the typical snarky undertones from Mr. Townsend that is atypical of the P-D. Read it again and note the little pot shots taken. Otherwise it would have been a nice local human interest story for the Community section.
I did not see an anti-christian sentiment in the story.
The use of faith and the Lord’s name to promote a business is another question.
Jesus was clear what was his, the church, his faith, and his relationship with us and his Father.
Paul’s words to the Colossians is to belief, purpose, and gratitude in our hearts, not above our doors.
“….with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God.”
Regarding the use of the Lord’s name there is a commandment, “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”
Any business or activity of this world will misbehave. It it is the nature of people. One view is that to put the Lord’s name on it is not acknowledging what is of this world and what is not.
Then there is Jesus’ words, “”Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them.”
And, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
We each have a name. Use it to the glory of God.
I am saddened by that comment. That comment that this is anti-Christian does not make any sense at all…I find no common sense to that comment. I was so happy that this article was written…This country was founded on Christian principles..God help us if all American’s were this negative..
Our country is the greatest country in the world and it is the greatest because of our belief in God.
If you can’t be positive and uplifting to others, keep you negative comments to yourself. We don’t need them, don’t want them.
Sorry your not a happy person, but please keep it to yourself.