The lesser of evils?

By: American Decency Staff

Earlier this week we alerted you to the fact that Subway has become a frequent sponsor of television programming that undermines the values of millions of families and has a deleterious impact upon our culture at large. We have developed a list of 15 network shows that we believe are the most offensive and concerning – shows which commonly flood the airwaves with gratuitous sex, vulgar language, and the promotion of illicit lifestyles and destructive behavior. Of this list of 15, Subway and Yum Brands (KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut) have sponsored nearly all of these shows in the last six weeks, with Subway actually nosing out Yum Brands as the most frequent advertise of trash TV.  Subway has regularly sponsored 12 of the 15 worst of the worst shows while Yum Brands advertised on 11. Our analysis also showed that McDonald’s is a very close third, also sponsoring 11 out of the worst 15, although with just a bit less frequency than Yum Brands.  With Ronald McDonald, Happy Meals and Play Lands, McDonald’s portrays itself as a family-friendly corporation, yet its choice of advertising undermines family values, empowering destructive messages sent to those billions served. Of the remaining fast food chains, Burger King advertised the least, sponsoring just two of the shows, and advertising very infrequently.   On a national basis, Arby’s and Wendy’s advertised on these 15 shows with much less regularity and on fewer shows than did Subway, Yum Brands, and McDonald’s.  Also worth noting, our data shows that most of the Arby’s and Wendy’s ads we recorded were local advertisements running during local affiliate ad time. It can be overwhelming to know which businesses to support and which are not worthy of our patronage.  While TV advertising is only one aspect of a corporation’s reputation and cultural impact, this information can be a tool to help you be salt and light.  Often, it seems, it’s a matter of “the lesser of two evils.â€Â However, we are called to be good stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us.   Part of that, we believe, is not empowering the corporations that in turn empower shows which attack our faith and values.  The money we give for that bucket of fried chicken or pan pizza will be used in part to undermine the family and our culture. On another note, in closing, I’d like to take a moment to ask for your support for American Decency Association.  Our finances are getting tighter, but we are hungry to serve. We desire to be light in a dark world.  Will you stand with us?  Your support of any amount would be of great help at this time, keeping us in the battle for righteousness. To donate online click the link below: https://secure4.afo.net/ada/donate.php Or mail your gift of support to: American Decency Association P.O. Box 202 Fremont, MI 49412 =============================================== Your support is important to our ability to make a difference: donate online at: https://secure4.afo.net/ada/donate.php American Decency Association Bill Johnson, President P.O. Box 202 Fremont, MI 49412 ph: 231-924-4050 www.americandecency.org http://www.twitter.com/billwjohnson

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