Should Christians Watch NASCAR Instead of Football?
Faith Driven Consumer, an organization that evaluates corporations, TV and film, says NASCAR is a better representation of Christian values than the National Football League.
Representing a reported 41 million American consumers, FDC's Faith Equality Index ranks how well a brand represents and embraces the values of Christian consumers and employees.
Put on a scale of 0 to 100, in the most recent rankings announced Thursday, FDC gave NASCAR a 50, versus a 24 for the NFL.
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Chris Stone, certified brand strategist and founder of Faith Driven Consumer, noted in a statement how NASCAR pulled ahead of the NFL in the rankings.
"Like the NFL, NASCAR is significantly made up of Faith Driven Consumers at all levels of the organization. But unlike the NFL, NASCAR is in a strong position given its initial Faith Equality Index score of 50," stated Stone.
"With this foundation, we believe NASCAR will close the gaps and increase its score — and its relationship with the faith community — in very short order."
Stone added that he and FDC "look forward to working with NASCAR, professional sports organizations, and major sponsors alike to help them improve their standing with the faith community."
NASCAR's ranking was based off of a combination of scores from four categories: "public commitment to faith driven consumers," "faith-compatible corporate actions," "equal application of equal protections," and "corporate competency in the faith driven consumer market segment."
NASCAR faired strongest in the faith-compatible corporate actions category with 28 out of 30 points and weakest in the equal application of equal protections category with 5 out of 20 points.
By contrast, the NFL did poorly in all four categories, its best score being in faith-compatible corporate actions with 11 out of 30 points, and worst score being in corporate competency in the faith driven consumer market segment with 2 out of 20.
According to its Facebook page, the goals of Faith Driven Consumer are to provide: "Information resources for making more faith-conscious consumer decisions;" to encourage "companies to meet the unique needs of Christians," and to provide "a national voice for under-represented Christian consumers."
"Faith Driven Consumers choose to carefully, constantly aim the dollars we spend directly in support of the companies whose values and behaviors match ours," stated FDC on Facebook.
"This is action every one of us can take, every day. We can advocate for and grow values-driven businesses all over America. Whether you are looking to change the world or simply for a place that is comfortable for you, Faith Driven Consumer is your resource."
FDC's Faith Equality Index ranking for NASCAR comes as the racing organization gears up for the Daytona 500, scheduled to take place on Sunday.
