(10/2/2002) If you are a company or public entity and want a chain letter to be forwarded far and wide about your, simply take a well known phrase or literary work containing the word God, leave "God" out and let misinformation and misunderstanding do the rest.

SAMPLE CHAIN LETTER TEXT Today was 9/11/02, and while in Tyler, we decided to eat at Golden Corral. We don't eat there often, but have been there many, many times since it first opened years ago. As we were leaving, we noticed the windows decorated with patriotic colors and one picture of Uncle Sam with his finger pointing just like we remember from WW2 posters. The inscription read, "Bless America." When we got home, after stewing about this half the way, I called Golden Corral and asked to speak to the manager. He came to the phone and the conversation went something like this...... "My husband and I ate at your place today, and as we were leaving we noticed the sign that said 'Bless America'. I wondered why you omitted the word God from the familiar saying." "Why I put God Bless America?" "No, why you OMITTED the word God." "Well, I didn't put God's name up there because some people might be offended by it." "What about those of us who are terribly offended that you omit God's name? Without God, we have no blessings. When you omit His name, you offend an awful lot of people." "Well, what about those people who would be offended if I put God's name in there? It's not necessarily how I feel about it, but that's the way I have to do it to keep from offending people." "Well, sir, you have offended me, you have offended God, and I'm sure you have offended many, many others. We have enjoyed eating in your establishment many times, but we have eaten our last meal there. When you stand against God, I will not put money in your pocket again." "But, lady, we are a corporation, and I have to do what the corporation says." I answered one last time, "Then if that's the way your corporation feels, I feel it my duty to tell as many of my friends as I can about it. I won't be back, and I'm taking as many of my friends and family with me as I can." End of conversation. We sat around thinking one woman could not get prayer taken out of our schools..........but she did! We cannot allow God to be taken out of our country!!!!! Please stand up for God, let these people, regardless of what business it may be, that you will not support anyone who omits God from our pledge, our money, our lives!!!!!! ONLY GOD CAN BLESS OUR NATION!!!! Golden Corral can pass out food, but they cannot pass out blessings and I hope you join with me in letting our business, our lawmakers and our nation, that we won't stand for turning our backs on our Creator! If you feel the same way I do, please let others know. Sincerely, Jody Ashley END CHAIN LETTER TEXT

We don't know who Jody Ashley is, but we do know the events she describes took place. We also know that her conclusion and call to action are based on miscommunication, misunderstanding and her boycott is unnecessary.

Since the Summer, 2002, California Federal Court decision that the Pledge of Allegiance was unconstitutional because it contained the phrase "under God," people have been hyper-sensitive to any omission of His name. Dr. Pepper was targeted earlier this year, then Pepsi was accused through a false extension of the facts. Now, national steakhouse/buffet chain, Golden Corral has become the focus of an informal Christian boycott as a result of misunderstanding and miscommunication.

Here's what we know about the chain above:

• Golden Corral is one of the most religious corporations out there. Their motto is "Profiting by the Grace of God." Further, the company is founded on and operated by 10 beliefs, including: "We remember to give thanks to God for the opportunities given to us."

• The author of the chain letter did not speak to the store manager, but to a store employee. It is very possible the employee said the things attributed to him, but he was not speaking as a representative of the company. The employee in question has not been identified.

• It is correct that the sign in the window contained only the words "Bless America." It was painted by a local painter who made a personal decision to omit the word "God." It had nothing to do with corporate policy.

Ken McMillan, Manager of the Golden Corral district that includes the Tyler, Texas store, told BreakTheChain.org that the problem was promply remedied as soon as they heard of it and assured us that God is very important to his company.

Unfortunately, there's no way to recall boycott chains like this one. The truth is out there, but rarely travels as fast as the much more scandalous fiction. BreakTheChain.org recommends against forwarding any boycott chain for this reason and many more outlined in our primer on Armchair Activism. Break this Chain!

Category: Armchair Activism
References: HoaxInfo.com

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