halacha - May I shop at a church-owned thrift store?

1. May I shop at a thrift store owned by a church, such as the Salvation Army Family Store?


2. What if the only other thrift store is half an hour away?

Answer

I asked these questions to one of the rabbis who worked for a local synagogue. He's a charedi Ashkenazi rabbi.

He said the following:

• 
  

  I shouldn't shop at a church-owned thrift store — that it's supporting idol worship. The only exception would be if it's one of the few denominations which treats Yoshke as a prophet, not as a god.

  
  


• 
  

  Even if I would have to travel half an hour to get to a non-church-owned thrift store, it makes no difference. I still can't do it.

  
  

Keep in mind that there are lots of other places to get cheap merchandise, though, including:

• Garage sales.


• Craigslist.


• Ebay.


• Refurbished-electronics stores.