A group of 80 pastors—Baptists, Lutherans, Pentecostals, Presbyterians, and more—are taking a stand against Kroger.

The coalition of clergy sent a letter to interim Kroger CEO Ronald Sargent with an ultimatum: Drop the LGBTQ+ agenda or face a boycott. Kroger is already closing 60 stores over the next year and a half, so it’s bad timing for the grocer.

But is the boycott warranted? Well, Kroger has a long history of going head over heels on LGBTQ+ issues.

On the company’s website, it plainly states, “We proudly stand with our LGBTQ+ associates, customers and vendors in making our company brighter and better” on a page dedicated to “LGBTQ+ brands” or products with rainbow packaging and an admonition to “join us in celebrating the LGBTQ+ community with fun pride apparel, rainbow food ideas and much, much more.”

The company also touts its “strong alliances” with the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and array of rainbow and Pride-themed merchandise.

A video from 2019 still on its website shows Kroger’s first float in the Cincinnati Pride Parade. Kroger’s headquarters is in Cincinnati. The Ohio pastors’ letter points to other examples and warns, “As you may not be aware, these radical ‘woke’ positions are divisive and contrary to orthodox biblical teaching and in many cases, contrary to federal law.”

One Million Moms has also launched a petition rallying mothers to refuse to shop at Kroger until the company stops celebrating Pride Month, like other companies that have decided to ditch the rainbow.

Kroger is an American grocery store chain with a large customer base in red states and rural areas. In fact, that’s the bulk of their customer base. Kroger is not Whole Foods in Washington, D.C., or Trader Joe’s in Manhattan. It’s Kroger. So, how is a store with a conservative customer base getting away with the LGBT push? Well, maybe they aren’t anymore. We’ll see. Target certainly learned the hard way.

Here is the pastor’s warning, from the letter:

“Mr. Sargent, out of respect to your company’s founder, please consider directing your company to not pick sides and to exit the culture war. With the closure of 60 underperforming Kroger’s stores nationwide over the next 18 months, we believe your company would benefit by not ‘upsetting the applecart.’

“As 80 lead clergy, we are looking after our congregants [who] happen to be your potential customer base. We are also hopeful Kroger’s as an employer can prosper; However, with the current radical ‘woke’ policies in place, Kroger will not succeed. The Bible says, ‘And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.’ (1 Thessalonians 4)

“For what it’s worth, please stay out of politics and do not alienate your customer base, otherwise your customers may just walk out the door and never come back.”

Originally published by The Washington Stand

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>>>Editor’s note: Kroger owns a variety of other supermarket brands across the United States. Some of the most well-known include Ralphs, Dillons, King Soopers, Fry’s, OFC, and Harris Teeter. It also operates under the names City Market, Owen’s, Jay C, Pay Less, Pick ‘n Save, Metro Market, and Fred Meyer. Additionally, Kroger owns Foods Co. and Food 4 Less grocery warehouses.