Dawson, Mark ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1928-7254 (2019) Justice and demonstration of Christian principles: why churchgoers support Fair Trade. The Expository Times.

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Abstract

From the outset, church support for Fair Trade has been encouraged by what Cloke et al. have termed
the Fair Trade ‘evangelists.’1 These church-based Fair Trade activists have promoted the concept to
their congregations, and to the wider community, in a vocal and determined manner. This article
examines the motivation of Fair Trade ‘evangelists’ and how they articulate the connection between
Fair Trade and their Christian faith. In the face of criticism and indifference, why do these individuals
persist? Drawing on my research interviews with nineteen church-based Fair Trade activists, I identify
two clear findings. Firstly, that the activists view support for Fair Trade as an integral part of the work
for justice, and secondly, that the action that they carry out for Fair Trade provides an opportunity to
demonstrate the outworking of core Christian principles. The activists position support for Fair Trade
as central to their faith and view it as contributing to the fulfilment of the core mission of the church.
Keywords
Fair Trade, justice, love of neighbour, Christian ethics

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications
Status:	Published
DOI:	10.1177/0014524619888852
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BJ Ethics B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BL Religion B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BR Christianity B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BV Practical Theology B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BV Practical Theology > BV4485-5099 Practical religion. The Christian life
School/Department:	School of Humanities
URI:	https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/4251

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