Posted on 08/19/2025 4:54:37 PM PDT by Morgana
A coalition of 80 faith leaders from congregations across Ohio has appealed to the interim CEO of Kroger, the country's largest supermarket chain, to step back from supporting LGBT initiatives and remain neutral in the "culture war."
In a letter dated Aug. 6 addressed to Ronald Sargent, the clergy accused the Cincinnati-based company of alienating its core customer base by aligning with what they described as "diabolical" and "extremist" positions associated with the LGBT movement. The signatories, primarily from Presbyterian, Baptist, Foursquare, Lutheran, and non-denominational churches, warned that ongoing involvement in pride events and similar initiatives could lead to financial repercussions similar to those faced by other corporations.
The letter highlighted Kroger’s ongoing commitment to what the clergy called “radical LGBT policies,” and referred to an online petition from parental rights group One Million Moms calling for a boycott against Kroger over its “loud and proud” policies.
“It has come to our attention that your Kroger Company has been deeply entrenched in the culture war promoting radical LGBT policies and political causes,” the pastors wrote. “As a result, the group One Million Moms and even local churches are now boycotting your grocery store chain. These radical ‘woke’ positions are divisive and contrary to orthodox Biblical teaching, and in many cases, contrary to federal law,” the pastors said.
The faith leaders argued that Kroger's participation in pride month celebrations this year, including campaigns promoting LGBT inclusion, comes at a time when many corporations are scaling back such efforts. They contrasted this with the U.S. Department of Education's recognition of "Title IX Month" in June to honor girls' sports and ongoing Ohio legislation, HB 262, which would establish "Natural Family Month" between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
"A cultural shift is taking place in our country and your company, which is headquartered in Ohio, is ‘late to the dinner table,’" the letter stated. "As the saying goes, ‘When you go woke, you go broke.’"
The pastoral coalition pointed to the backlash over recent corporate LGBT campaigns, including a nine-year boycott of Target over its policy allowing men into women's bathrooms and changing rooms, which saw the retailer lose over $2 billion in market value before the campaign ended in February.
Calling the company’s former policy “misguided,” the clergy pointed out Target’s response to the boycott, which included adding single-occupancy restrooms, scaling back its pride-related products, and discontinuing its participation in the Human Rights Campaign's LGBT index.
“These radical ‘woke’ positions are divisive and contrary to orthodox Biblical teaching, and in many cases, contrary to federal law,” the letter added.
Kroger — which operates stores under a variety of brands, including King Soopers, Ralph’s, Dillons and City Market — also has roots in the Christian faith. The letter referred to Kroger's origins and how founder Bernard "Barney" Kroger, a Cincinnati native, quit a job at age 13 to honor his Bible-believing mother's objection to working on Sundays. This, the clergy said, instilled in him the work ethic to build the company.
"In closing, we are aware of your grocery chain’s humble, hometown beginnings," the letter read. "A 13-year-old boy, forced to quit school and to take a job working to help his family. But when the boy heard he had to work Sundays, his mother objected.”
The letter continued, “Respecting his mother’s wishes, Barney quit and took another job where he could control his days and hours. Cincinnati native Bernard ‘Barney’ Kroger would credit his Bible-believing mother with instilling in him a deep sense of self-discipline, enabling him to manage and expand his company."
In closing, the coalition quoted 1 Thessalonians 4:11, “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,” and urged Sargent to “please stay out of politics and do not alienate your customer base.”
Kroger did not respond to The Christian Post's request for comment on Tuesday.
Named as one of the “best places to work” for LGBT-identified people in 2019, Kroger offers an “allyship guide” on its website that promotes LGBT books, films and other media. In an effort to be more “inclusive,” the guide also encourages employees to avoid phrases like “Choice, preference or lifestyle in reference to someone’s sexual orientation” and “Boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife [...] if you do not know the gender of the partner/spouse.”
Why any corporation would target less than 5% of the American population is beyond me. Of course this is a rhetorical exercise, as we know that much of the corporate executive hierarchy is socially activist.
We used to shop at one, but when they were gonna start pricing grocery items by one’s posltion in society: instant price change of items depending on race, etc., that was the final straw for us.
I don’t think they ever finally implemented it, but it was enough for us to say “see ya later” for good.
They’d rather go out of business.
I order Kroger every week. They deliver. We do not have a brick and mortar store in the area. Absolutely no gay crap on the website nor trucks that deliver. No dumb pride pins or any pins for that matter on their uniforms. I wonder if he went to the wrong website.
Well see that’s how it’s supposed to be. Shareholders should be taking the bosses to task when it’s not.
Well see that’s how it’s supposed to be. Shareholders should be taking the bosses to task when it’s not.
Problem is, everybody serves on each others’ Board of Directors....”I’ll scratch your back, and you’ll scratch mine.”
The Fred Meyer (Kroger) store in my area is fully supportive of LGBTQ. For example, all of the aprons worn by the cashiers have the gay rainbow patch sewn on them. Kroger is Woke.
You can see it in their ci generated cartoon commercials. Pretty sick.
Same. We shop there both delivery and pick up. I have not seen any LGBT+ stuff from Kroger.
Same here as well. I live in central Indiana and haven’t seen any of that garbage.
I tried to find an anniversary card for my wife the other day and could not find any normal anniversary cards at Kroger. There was a whole section of deviant relationship cards however.
Luckily in Florida they don’t have stores and only deliver from warehouses. We’re lucky! Sorry yours went crazy.
“they were gonna start pricing grocery items by one’s posltion in society”
That is very strange. You said it never was implemented, but it seems like it would be a logistical nightmare.
Yes. Their animated commercials are the worst. Offensive.
Asking for deletion on that first one
[Why any corporation would target less than 5% of the American population is beyond me.]
SaxxonWoods got it correct:
THEY ARE INDOCTRINATING
The “Homosexual Agenda” is the most important thing.
Ultimately, this is open rebellion against Almighty God. They’ll NEVER admit it, of course.
That’s EXACTLY what the “Hunky Jesus Foxy Mary” homosexual rally in San Francisco is all about. Mocking God...
Should the Lord tarry, probably
MUCH division THIS NFL season
Matthew 10:33-35
Amplified Bible
33 But the one who denies and rejects Me before men,
that one I will also deny and reject before My Father Who is in Heaven.
34 “Do not think that I have come to bring Peace on the Earth;
I have not come to bring Peace, but a Sword
[of Division between Belief and UnBelief].
35 For I have come to set a man against his father,
and a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2010:33-35&version=AMP
Luke 12:51-53
King James Version
51 Suppose ye that I am come to give Peace on Earth?
I tell you, Nay; but rather Division:
52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house Divided,
three against two, and two against three.
53 The father shall be Divided against the son,
and the son against the father;
the mother against the daughter,
and the daughter against the mother;
the mother in law against her daughter in law,
and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2012%3A51-53&version=KJV
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