Editor’s note: The following is a letter to the editor. The opinions expressed in this letter are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Mendocino Voice. If you would like to submit a letter to the editor feel free to write to info@mendovoice.com.
Dear Editor,
Does your spending reflect your beliefs?
The spending of David Green, billionaire owner of the Hobby Lobby (which opened a few months ago in Ukiah), sure does. A large portion of his annual profit goes to organizations supporting his vision of the United States of America as a white Christian nation. Over the years, he has funneled hundreds of millions of dollars by way of donor-advised funds such as the National Christian Foundation and the Servant Foundation (aka the Signatry), claiming that he has no influence over how they allocate the money.
Your purchases at Hobby Lobby help fund three groups:
- The Alliance Defending Freedom funds lawsuits, including the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, abolishing women’s right to abortion. Other lawsuits they won allow discrimination against GLBTQ+ people.
- The Family Policy Alliance is a lobbying operation and an official partner organization promoting Project 2025, the blueprint for a white supremacist authoritarian regime in the USA that Trump, Vance, and Miller have been implementing since the 2024 election. It is also behind state and city policies that demonize gay and trans people.
- Ziklag funnels millions of dollars to fund far right political campaigns and influence elections, even though it’s registered as a charity.
If your beliefs are aligned with those of David Green, fine. If you support the separation of church and state, women’s right to health care, and civil rights for all residents of the United States of America, please stop funding a business that attacks our fundamental rights. There is nothing we need to buy at Hobby Lobby. Michael’s may have higher prices, but if you sign up, they offer a lot of good coupons. And there are great online alternatives, like Dick Blick for art and many craft supplies.
This information comes from publicly available sources including IRS filings (form 990s), REC records, ProPublica, Human Rights Campaign, and opensecrets.org.
Janet Rosen
Ukiah
Note. Christians are all nationalities. Christian is a religion, not a race. All over the world, people are, Christians. White label, is a stereotype….light skinned people, also Norwegian, French, Swedish, Austrian, German, some spanish, Brittish, Irish, Scottish, and many other nationalities. It’s strange to put humans, into bulk groups, to diminish their value, as an insult, to not treat them, as equal. Humans are snowflakes. No two alike. The rest of letter is a personal choice. But skin color is what people are born with, not a choice.
Well said!
Christianity isn’t the problem, over consumption of heinous cheap crap for momentary pleasure, is.
Im a fan of hobby lobby, but I agree, most of it is trash
Contrary to the authors rant, the Supreme Court did not abolish abortion. The Supreme Court ruling on abortion is Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022), which overturned Roe v. Wade and eliminated the constitutional right to abortion. This ruling returned the authority to regulate or ban abortion to individual states.
Thanks for pointing that out. People actively choose to ignore this FACT. Appreciate that.
Thank you for clarifying for the uninformed!
Moot point, technicality. Because Roe v Wade was overturned with the knowledge and expectation that many states would ban abortion. Dobbs v Jackson was passed with the intention of abolishing abortion. And that’s exactly what has happened in many states. Abortion is a human right and it should be protected by the federal government.
I have NEVER shopped in a Hobby Lobby and I NEVER will. Hobby Lobby is behind Citizen United and the owners are sexist, racists, bigots. They deny their female employees birth control under Citizen United as not aligning with their Christian values. Since they believe life begins at conception, a woman could possibly become pregnant in between pills and then just have a period ending the pregnancy. The same goes for the IUD and other forms of birth control. They also refuse to hire anyone they believe to be gay or lesbian under those same beliefs. I also believe they refuse to hire and fire single mothers or mothers who are not married as against their religious beliefs. I’ve never understood why the population that has made them their wealth, Women, have continued to spend money with them and support a corporation that is against them, their daughters, their granddaughters and sees them as second class citizens.
Quite the soapbox you’re up on there! Have you tried looking in the mirror lately? It actually says do not judge someone else lest ye be judged yourself. If you wonder what that means, look it up. I would almost be positive that there are people that do not like you and the way you live your life. I would also might think it’s possible that people don’t like the way you drive or the way you do your hair or the shoes you wear etc etc. Stop judging other people and try to make your own life better. If you don’t want to shop somewhere then don’t shop there but also don’t say anything to people that do because it’s honestly none of your business!
Most companies back big political issues, it doesn’t matter the party or the affiliation. I for one hope Brandt’s like this doesn’t take much traction. We should be thankful that a store like Hobby lobby was willing to invest in our decaying decrepit town. I’m thankful for the job it has provided for community members. If you’re so self-righteous that politics are more important than people then I think you’re a hypocrite because isn’t that exactly what you’re against?
It’s true. Unless you’re weaving your own cloth from fiber you raised from magic sheep or flax on a distantplanet’s s land, we are all guilty.
You aren’t my neighbor. Thank Buddha for that. I’d rather live next to those persecuted by Hobby Lobby, than live next to its patrons. I certainly won’t shop there. I will leave it to the reichwing…
Will not shop at Hobby Lobby; it’s all plastic and fake, totally temporary, disposable, needless items.
Do we need items or want items is the question- nothing in that retail box store is necessary, nor enhance my life.
There are good art supplies there. Paint, canvas, brushes, pens, beads, paper, things for baking, .. supplies for crafts and….hobbies! 🤗….at honestly the best price ive seen…im sorry youre so uninspired to find creative outlet, “useless”
Thanks for the reminder to support organizations that give to charity! Love hobby Lobby! 😊
You will never find me in that store for the obvious reasons. Beyond the politics, cheap gaudy crap makes me feel sad.
It’s telling how quickly some cheer the bashing of a business simply for being openly Christian. Imagine if the roles were reversed and a Muslim-owned or Black-owned store was attacked for living out its faith-based values—people would rightly call it bigotry. Yet when the target is white, conservative Christians, it’s apparently open season. This isn’t tolerance; it’s just a politically convenient double standard.
They can be Christian all they want, just don’t have them advocating cruelty on their fellow humans.
This discussion is NOT about criticizing a business for being Christian. Christianity as a religion is not the issue. The concern being raised is about Christian nationalism, which is a political ideology that seeks to use one specific interpretation of Christianity to shape laws, policies, and public life for everyone.
It is important to separate the two.
Christianity is a personal faith practice.
Christian nationalism is a political project that attempts to impose those religious beliefs on people who do not share them.
Pointing out the influence of Christian nationalist funding or policy goals is not bigotry against Christians. It is a critique of an ideology that can limit the rights and freedoms of others. Treating Christian nationalism as simply “Christianity” can create confusion and make it harder to have an honest conversation about how political power is being used. The distinction matters because individuals should be free to practice their religion, but no religious group should have the authority to dictate another person’s beliefs or rights.
Well stated.
I presume that RightsandReasons would also be concerned about Muslim nationalism or Black nationalism. Am I right?
Complainers are going to complain
For all those saying you would never shop at or step foot in a Hobby Lobby, have you ever eaten at In-N-Out Burger? Also a very Christened-based business. I am sure they have similar beliefs as David Green’s company. Hypocrisy is all around us.
I know that and i don’t go there. The heiress who owns the company has something like five failed marriages.
The writer of this celebrated Charlie Kirk’s death…
So did I!
That does not speak well of either the writer or Hill-dweller.
Imagine if every liberal business in this county was dragged through the mud because conservatives don’t like where their money goes…
Can you tell me some “liberal” businesses? Need to know.
That’s been going on for years, so your comment is pointless.
Did you miss the Bud Light debacle?…or the GOP toddler tantrum over the Cracker Barrel logo?…& Target, Disney?…the list is long.
Any company that does something perceived as ‘liberal’ throws the GOPs into a ridiculous crybaby fury.
Thank you for speaking up. You can read my comment below.
Reporting in 2024 has highlighted that The Servant Foundation, also known as The Signatry and funded by Hobby Lobby founder David Green, has donated millions of dollars to the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which the Southern Poverty Law Center has designated as a hate group. The ADF is known for its anti-LGBTQ+ legal activism, including efforts to oppose the Equality Act.
Instead, spend your supportive dollars at Michaels, 1215 Airport Park Blvd, Ukiah. Michaels carries Pride merchandise and cares about human rights.
Some people consider the Southern Poverty Law Center itself to be a source of hate.
Interesting that you mention SPLC labeling the ADF a hate group because the SPLC lives in a house of mirrors. People who live in glass houses shouldn’t stow thrones.
It’s good to see many people commenting, that understand Hobby Lobby is supporting an oppressive, fascist agenda & needs to be boycotted. Those who make excuses for spending $ there are complicit in the scourge of White Christian Nationalism & the hate they spread. Shame on them!
Will not set foot in that store.
So I take it that this Democratic / liberal news agency would rather a business supported damn instead of someone Republican. That is the most ridiculous blessed thing I’ve ever heard in my life and one of the most prejudicial! If any of the Republicans said that about a democratic supporter all hell would break loose! You would start having more blessed protests in our little towns. How idiotic can the person writing this article be and how one-sided. I am for one getting sick and tired of this one-sided news agency! I hope there are others out there like me that are sick of it too and that will say something
Hi Marcia – Thanks for being an ongoing reader of The Mendocino Voice. The publication is not affiliated with any political party or preference. We welcome letters to the editor from readers of all stars and stripes! If you feel passionate or strong about another letter (like this one!) or another news matter, please send a letter of 250 words or less to info@mendovoice.com. That way your views or opinion can be shared with our 1.5 million readers around Northern California. We hope to hear from you and other readers! Have a great holiday!! -Sarah
Micheal’s has had human rights issues, discrimination, labor issues, racial profiling, questionable sourcing of materials.
Class action law suits in California. The list goes on. Pick your poison.
Thank you for the motivation to shop at Hobby Lobby even more often!
Fortunately, sane people go there for quality items at affordable prices, and don’t pay attention to kooks spewing hateful garbage (while claiming to be “against hate,” LOL).
@RightsandReasons. So what you are saying is that Republicans and conservatives are to Christian Nationalists as Democrats are to Antifa.
As an avid crafter, I am THRILLED about hobby lobby. WAY better than jc Penney. I frequent ukiah a lot and find the shopping lackluster. Much less expensive than michaels. This is a win….and you dems put out tuck friendly bathing suits for children at target…get over yourself