"Made in China"? Am I just too scrupulous?

[Guest :: justfran ::]

So I've heard of China's persecution of the Underground Catholic Church, and I'm trying to refrain from buying things I don't need that are made in China. But even if I'm buying things that *aren't* made in China, I know that someone who works at the place or the company I give my money to will probably buy something that is made in China, even if they don't have their own products made there themselves, since China makes so many things. I'm only 17 and a newcomer to the faith and I don't know many Catholics at all - the only ones I do know are still pretty much strangers to me, so I find it hard to feel any support. So I'm still feeling as though I'm trying to take up more than I can handle. I'm thinking maybe I shouldn't worry about having to live like the ideal life and give up anything I don't absolutely need just yet, because buying something from someone who doesn't get their products made in China would be like buying from a someone who's not pro-choice who doesn't eat at McDonalds at all or watch Disney cartoons, or uses Microsoft products...I mean, that rules out a lot of non-Catholics...

[cappie]

this is a very good question. In the past the Church has sold it's shares in companies that have traded in immoral goods e.g. contraceptives, arms etc.
South Africa and the then Rhodesia were the target of trade sanctions as was Iraq. Whether this has an effect on a particular regeme or just hurts the people is still debated. So there is no easy answer.

The votive candles that are used in the church where I was parish priest before came from China!! And many holy objects such as statues I bless are also made in China.