The Truth and Nothing But The Truth

Businesses come in all shapes and sizes. And Christians who own them express their faith through them in different ways. Like this private business owner (whose name has been withheld from publication)…

The business is a private, family-owned educational resources center in Florida. The Center provides curriculum, educational materials and meeting rooms to support existing homeschool curriculum, plus tutoring and other activities, as well as meeting rooms for community events.

The owner was approached by a member of the community who wanted to use the facilities to show a film. The film was entitled, “Caesar’s Messiah: The Roman Conspiracy to Invent Jesus.” The business owner gave permission for the showing of this film. The advertising for the film, however, became another matter altogether.

As per the usual custom, the community member sought to advertise the film on the business owner’s website. The problem came when the film promoter wanted to advertise the film under a different title: “Caesar’s Messiah Documentary (History of Christianity).” Making it seem like the event was a documentary about Christianity, when, in reality, it was a film asserting that Christianity is a sham.

The business owner asked that the film promoter post a more accurate description of the event on the owner’s website. The showing was then held as planned.

Following the patron’s use of the owner’s facilities and a showing of the film, she filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Rights (FCHR) and alleged that she had been a victim of discrimination. Why? Because the owner asserted control over the content of the patron’s advertisement which was posted on the owner’s website.

Please note the “crime” in question: The business owner insisted that the misleading title of the film be changed to accurately reflect its content. In keeping with the Center’s guidelines for truth in advertising.

The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) intervened on behalf of the business owner, in response to the FCHR complaint… explaining that the owner did not engage in discrimination, and that he maintains the right to exercise editorial control over the content of his website.

The FCHR agreed, rendering a determination of “No Cause.” The FCHR accurately concluded that “the requests [made by the center] were to ensure that the nature of Complainant’s event coincided with [the center’s] guidelines, and not an intent to discriminate.”  https://aclj.org/equal-access/victory-for-liberty-defeat-anti-christian-activists

Truth in Advertising. A revolutionary concept? Hardly. But this scenario might have had a very different outcome.

What do you think?

What if the business owner had just acquiesced to the film promoter’s false advertising?

What might the implications have been for the Center’s reputation? Or for the movie-goers who thought they were seeing an objective documentary?

Please post your comments below.

Diana Furr, a.k.a. Abba’s Girl

This blog may have raised questions for you. If you’d like to connect, engage, or get further help from me, you can…  EMAIL me at [email protected]; CALL me at 863-446-1660; or request a complimentary initial CONSULT with me at  http://tinyurl.com/DianaFurr.

2 Comments

  • Debbie L says:

    What I thought about as I read this were the scriptures warning us about deception. There are so many but these two seem to fit this scenario: Proverbs 12:22 “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.”
    Proverbs 10:9 “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.”
    It’s so important for us believers to be discerning. This could have had long term and far reaching implications if the owner had not been diligent.

    • Diana Furr says:

      Great comments, Debbie! God’s Word is full of wisdom that will keep our footing sure as we walk by faith. Like Isaiah 40:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you… I will strengthen you and help you…” AMEN and AMEN!

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