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Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
Does the FCM offer any type of advice or guidance to help a Christian-owned business navigate all the hazards and land mines out there today?
Ed |
friend2cptsolo Elite user Spent all this time on the Cafe' and all I have to show for it is 445 Posts |
What land mines specifically?
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Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
This world is not Christian-friendly. And often "worldly people are more clever than enlightened people in dealing with their own" (Luke 16:8).
There's a lot of stuff that I don't have the time to research or figure out. And I'd rather not stumble into things I just didn't think of. Ed |
themagiciansapprentice Inner circle Essex, UK 1381 Posts |
I attended two lectures by Jay Rumple (FCM 2012 about advertising and running a magic business)
also read Duane Laflin's Advance / Grand Magic magazine articles.
Have wand will travel! Performing children's magic in the UK for Winter 2014 and Spring 2015.
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MSaber New user 50 Posts |
Just stick with Christ and what he teaches. As long as that's your first priority, you should be good as a business owner. Be ethical, pay your workers a fair amount, don't take advantage of people, be forgiving, don't be greedy, give to the poor, etc.
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Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
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Just stick with Christ and what he teaches. As long as that's your first priority, you should be good as a business owner. Be ethical, pay your workers a fair amount, don't take advantage of people, be forgiving, don't be greedy, give to the poor, etc. Quite the non-answer. I'm sure the cake maker and florist did those things as well. The business world is of necessity part of this unsaved world's realm. And the darkness that controls this world would love to set traps for unwitting Christians. That's; why we are enjoined to "be sober and vigilant" -- in other words, watch where you are putting your feet. Unfortunately, there are always new legalities coming up, and it is all too easy to run afoul of them. I shut down my business operations because I don't have the time to study all the possibilities and potential legal challenges that come with doing business with the unsaved. Not saying "they are all out to get me!" But as a one-man operation, it would only take one person to get "offended" to ruin me and my family, and in the overflow taint my church family as well. Most bakers and florists operate for decades with zero issues. Each of us must decide the amount of risk we are willing to assume should suddenly we become "the target". And I have a hard time believing that "Just stick[ing] with Christ and what he teaches" is a "magic" (pardon the pun!) shield against problems. Ed |
servant Regular user Texas 101 Posts |
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On Jun 27, 2018, Ed_Millis wrote: First, if you are invited to perform magic at a gay wedding, I'd be truly impressed. If a gay couple knew you're a Christian magician and you teach Biblical principles alongside your illusions, and they STILL want you to perform at their wedding, what a great chance to share the Gospel message! I'd take that gig all day long. Wash, rinse, repeat. I would draw the line at a nudist wedding, but you shouldn't have to worry about a lawsuit in that arena since you aren't born as a nudist... oh wait... All jokes aside, I've never heard of a Christian magician being sued for refusing a gig. You're best bet is just talking to a lawyer and getting some good legal advice, as every state is going to be different. |
Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
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First, if a particular gay person wanted to "make a statement" - as many of these cases seem to have been all about - they might attempt to hire you just to put you in a no-win situation: either you back down and compromise your personal moral position, or you refuse and they get to sue you. Please note that I did NOT say "ALL 'gay' people do this"; just as I'm sure there are several LBGQT people that I work and live around each day and the subject is never an issue, I am also sure there are many transactions that occur in the business world with Christians and gays on both sides of the counter and the subject is never the issue. After seeing how the "issue-pushers" are willing to absolutely destroy someone's life just to make their point, I'm very hesitant about swimming with the sharks. Everyone has their own "comfort zone" .... Second, putting up a surprise sermon and altar call at a gay wedding is like strapping on a pork chop vest while strolling through the lion safari! While there are times and ways to present the gospel to anyone and everyone, regardless of their particular color of the rainbow, I can't imagine in this day and age that all the guests at such an event would be totally cool with your presentation of the gospel when they've already made choices to actively live against it. Again, there could be all but one who would say "That was a very impressive illusion. I wish he hadn't said *that* -but otherwise it was great." That one, though .... At the end of the day, if you present yourself as a public performer (not as a performer generally restricted to church and gospel settings, but open to discussing any reasonable offer of a gig from the general at-large public), then there are certain questions as a Christian that you must be willing to wrestle through. Would your appearance at an event that goes violently cross-grain with your Christian stands reflect negatively on you, your family, or your church? Must I blunt my saltiness and hide my light for these people? As a Christian making stands concerning the holy and sacred, right and wrong, truth and error, I am an offense to hell and therefore a target for removal: am I putting myself in the cross-hairs by having an open-to-any-public business? I am a sheep walking in lion country (1 Peter 5:8 - https://biblehub.com/1_peter/5-8.htm ). I am either vigilant and armored - or I am 'Meals on Wheels'! And if I go down, what happens to my family? Ed |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Paul was a tent maker. Do you think that he only made tents for fellow Christians?
- Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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feldeiniw New user 1 Post |
Great performance though.
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