Short version: Drew, their employee with the most public facing role and known to be a chill guy and left-leaning, left the company with some celebration but zero explanation. This got folks looking, and they saw that the Goulets are heavily involved with planting (think “franchising” or may more accurately “metastasizing”) a new church that was growing out from a larger one that has all the usual disgusting anti-LGBT+ rhetoric, and the new church has a mission statement that includes bible literalism and explicitly places men above women in home life and church roles. Also, Reddit being Reddit, the mods handled it all very clumsily and in a way that makes it look they’ve traded their integrity for a couple of pens.

    • wjrii@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      6·
      1 month ago

      For those not inclined to watch, here’s a selection from the transcript:

      [Brian]We would never judge someone for who they are we simply do not agree with anyone who does um we firmly believe that all people should be treated with dignity compassion and love and be embraced for who they are and that absolutely includes the LGTBQ+ community.

      [Rachel]Brian and I are having ongoing conversations with each other within our company and within our church community to ensure that we all do our part to continue fostering a safe and welcoming environment for every member of the community customers and employees alike.

      Notably present: Denials that they hate anyone or would treat people with disrespect, specifically including the LGBTQ+ community.

      Notably absent: Any serious suggestion that they will leave this church.

      Take it for what you will. I dunno. I doubt they’re different people than they were two weeks ago. They’re certainly not frothing-at-the-mouth old school homophobes, but when you fundamentally, deeply believe that your God considers certain lifestyles are sinful, your brand of inclusion can feel hollow and calculated.

      Too much for me to unpack, and shame on anybody who thought they knew well enough to threaten them (if that happened), but they also need to acknowledge that placing faith, especially politically active American Evangelical Christianity, at the forefront of their brand might eventually affect their perception among segments of their customer base.