{"id":2584,"date":"2013-03-27T14:27:23","date_gmt":"2013-03-27T18:27:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/activistfaith\/?p=2584"},"modified":"2013-03-27T14:27:23","modified_gmt":"2013-03-27T18:27:23","slug":"fair-trade-is-only-fair-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/activistfaith\/2013\/03\/fair-trade-is-only-fair-7.html","title":{"rendered":"Fair Trade Is Only Fair"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>I’ve been doing a little research lately on Christian involvement in the fair trade movement. Here’s what I’m learning:<\/p>\n

1. Christians are woefully lacking in support fair trade efforts:<\/strong> Christians are doing a lot of great things, but fair trade is not really among them from what I can find. Considering the emphasis in Scripture regarding ethical treatment of workers and loving your neighbor as yourself, this is really concerning to me.<\/p>\n

2. Christians involved in fair trade are amazing people:<\/strong> Rather than just giving money to the poor, long-term thinkers are working to empower those in difficult situations to make an income and have some dignity in the process. People with disabilities, refugees, people with leprosy, HIV\/AIDS, and other terminal illnesses, and former slaves are all involved in Christian run fair trade efforts that are changing lives now and for eternity. Good examples include Worldcrafts<\/a> and Pura Vida Coffee<\/a>.<\/p>\n

3. Churches and Christian retailers must lead the way:<\/strong> Tough questions remain for leaders of churches and Christian retailers. Here are a few to consider:<\/p>\n