Sarah Mitchell
The owners of Hobby Lobby, the Green family, are not Catholic. They are evangelical Protestants. David Green, the founder of Hobby Lobby, is the son of a preacher and grew up in a religious family. He is a major financial supporter of evangelical organizations in the United States and has built his business on biblical principles. Hobby Lobby is closed on Sundays to allow employees time for family and worship. The company has also taken a stance against certain contraceptives and abortion-causing drugs, citing religious beliefs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Religion | Evangelical Protestant |
| Religious beliefs | The Green family's religious beliefs forbid them from participating in, providing access to, paying for, training others to engage in, or otherwise supporting abortion-causing drugs and devices |
| Religious freedom | The Supreme Court ruled that Hobby Lobby's religious rights outweighed the rights of their female employees to obtain full contraceptive coverage provided by the law |
| Founder | David Green |
| Co-founder | Barbara Green |
| Owner's father's profession | Christian pastor |
| Owner's siblings' profession | Pastors or pastors' wives |
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What You'll Learn
Hobby Lobby's owners are evangelical Protestants
The Green family, who are the owners of Hobby Lobby, are evangelical Protestants. David Green, the founder of Hobby Lobby, is an American businessman and the son of a preacher. He grew up in Altus, Oklahoma, where his father was a Christian pastor with a congregation of 35. All five of his siblings are pastors or pastors' wives.
Green is a major financial supporter of evangelical organizations in the United States and has funded the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. He has also written a book, "Giving It All Away...And Getting It All Back Again," which discusses his belief that tithing secures God's protection and highlights God's focus on future generations, an aspect of prosperity theology.
Hobby Lobby, as a company, incorporates American conservative values and Christian media. The company website states that it aims to "honor the Lord by following biblical principles." All Hobby Lobby stores are closed on Sundays to "allow employees time for family and worship".
The Green family's religious beliefs have influenced their business practices, including their stance on abortion and contraception. They have been involved in legal cases, such as Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., where they objected to providing certain contraceptives and abortion-causing drugs as part of their employee health insurance.
The Hobby Lobby owners have also been accused of antisemitism, homophobia, LGBTQ discrimination, and illegally smuggling artifacts. However, they have publicly stated that they are grateful for the Supreme Court's affirmation of religious liberty, which they see as a victory for their family business and all who seek to live out their faith.
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The company was founded by the Green family
In 1970, while working as a store manager at TG&Y, Green took a $600 loan and started a home business with his partner, Larry Pico, assembling and selling miniature picture frames. The business was called Greco Products, and it capitalised on a decorating trend at the time. Eventually, Green bought out Pico, and the growing business staffed a small factory with cerebral palsy patients, paying them ten cents per frame.
By 1972, the focus had shifted to arts and crafts, and the success of the business allowed Green and his wife, Barbara, to open the first Hobby Lobby store in northwest Oklahoma City. The store was just 300 square feet. In 1975, Green left his 13-year career with TG&Y and opened a second Hobby Lobby location, this time with 6,000 square feet of space. The business continued to expand, with a third store opening in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1976, and by mid-1982, there were seven Hobby Lobby stores. The first store outside of Oklahoma opened in 1984.
David and Barbara Green's three children are also involved in the business. Their eldest son, Mart Green, is the founder and CEO of Mardel Christian & Education bookstore and Every Tribe Entertainment. Steve Green is the president of Hobby Lobby and the founder and primary funder of the Museum of the Bible. Daughter Darsee Lett is the creative director for Hobby Lobby stores.
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The Green family's religious beliefs
The Green family, founders of the Hobby Lobby chain of arts and crafts stores, are evangelical Protestants. David Green, the founder and owner of Hobby Lobby, is the son of a pastor and grew up in a religious family. He is a major financial supporter of evangelical organizations in the United States and has funded the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C.
Hobby Lobby's stores incorporate American conservative values and Christian media, and they are closed on Sundays to "allow employees time for family and worship". The company also provides coverage for contraceptives and sterilizations as part of its employee health insurance, but objects to specific drugs that cause early abortions.
The Green family has expressed their religious beliefs in other ways as well. For example, in 2013, a shopper reported being told by a store employee that Hobby Lobby did not carry merchandise celebrating Jewish holidays. In response, David Green issued a formal apology to the Anti-Defamation League, and his son, Steve Green, stated that the stores had carried Jewish items in the past and would be testing the market to do so in the future.
Overall, the Green family's religious beliefs are a central part of their lives and they have worked to incorporate them into their business, Hobby Lobby.
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Hobby Lobby's stance on abortion
Hobby Lobby is an American retail company that owns a chain of arts and crafts stores. The company was founded by David Green, a businessman and son of a preacher, in 1972. Green is a major financial supporter of evangelical organizations in the United States and has built his business on biblical principles.
The Green family, owners of Hobby Lobby, are evangelical Protestants and incorporate American conservative values and Christian media into their business. They have stated that they aim to "honor the Lord" by following biblical principles and creating a work environment that strengthens individuals and nurtures families. All Hobby Lobby stores are closed on Sundays to allow employees and customers time for worship and family.
The Hobby Lobby decision has sparked debates about religious freedom and conscience rights. While some celebrate the ruling as a victory for religious liberty, others criticize it for allowing businesses to control employees' access to basic healthcare. The company's stance on abortion and contraception has also been called into question, with some claiming hypocrisy due to their investments in pharmaceutical companies that produce morally objectionable drugs.
In summary, Hobby Lobby's stance on abortion is informed by its owners' religious beliefs and values. The company has actively opposed the provision of certain contraceptives and abortions, citing religious objections, and has influenced policy through legal action. The impact of their stance has had repercussions for employees' access to healthcare and sparked discussions about the role of religious freedom in business.
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The company's work culture and employee treatment
Hobby Lobby's work culture reflects these religious values, with stores closed on Sundays to allow employees and customers time for worship and family. The company's mission statement and practices emphasize following biblical principles, strengthening individuals, and nurturing families.
Employee reviews of Hobby Lobby's work culture vary. Some employees praise the cheerful environment, rewarding customer service, and friendly coworkers. They also highlight the competitive compensation, benefits, and discounts as positive aspects of working for the company.
However, other reviews describe the work environment as extremely stressful, with hostile treatment towards lower-level workers and unfair management practices. Some employees feel that they are taken advantage of, overworked during busy seasons, and not given adequate scheduling or support. There are also concerns about a lack of work-life balance and inconsistent treatment of employees, with some terminated for minor infractions.
Overall, while some employees have found Hobby Lobby a decent and rewarding place to work, others have experienced significant challenges and negative treatment. The company's religious stance and closed-on-Sundays policy may appeal to some employees but could also contribute to the perceived lack of work-life balance for others.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the owners of Hobby Lobby are not Catholic. The owners, the Green family, are evangelical Protestants.
The Green family is deeply religious and has worked to preserve and promote their own brand of religion. They are against abortion and certain contraceptives and believe in following biblical principles. No Hobby Lobby store is open on Sundays, allowing employees and customers time for worship and family.
The Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. was funded by David Green, the founder of Hobby Lobby, and his son, Steve Green. Steve Green is also the president of Hobby Lobby and the patron of the Green Collection.
The Green family's religious beliefs forbid them from "participating in, providing access to, paying for, training others to engage in, or otherwise supporting abortion-causing drugs and devices." They sued the federal government, arguing that their religious beliefs protected them from having to provide certain contraceptives to their employees under the Affordable Care Act.
The Green family's religious stance has been both celebrated and criticized. Barbara Green, co-founder of Hobby Lobby, stated that the Supreme Court's decision to uphold their religious rights was "a victory, not just for our family business, but for all who seek to live out their faith." However, some have accused the family of hypocrisy, as Hobby Lobby invests in companies that produce drugs they find morally objectionable.
