We Knew It Was Offensive

I hate urban legends. I rarely go a day without getting one in my email. Someone received an email about some company or some politician attacking Christians when such attack never took place. Some evidence supporting our cause comes out when such evidence never existed. Snopes is my constant friend and I'm amazed that people don't evaluate slander before they send it...especially Christians who should actually care about the truth.

All of that being said, I am going to post something that will almost sound like an urban legend, but it is an email from a pastor I know in Utah regarding an experience he had with Wells Fargo Bank. Read the email, and do whatever you feel right, if anything at all.

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Hello All,

I first want to let you know that this email is not meant to offend anyone. If you read this and are offended please accept my personal apology and delete this email. If you receive this it is because I think you might be someone who is a friend and would want to know.

This is not a scam or an urban myth. This is a conversation I had myself with Wells Fargo Bank. I talked to customer service, online service and their executive office. I am still in contact and have more to do, but I wanted you to be updated on what Wells Fargo Bank sees as inappropriate.

If you have an account with Wells Fargo Bank, you can customize your debit or credit card to fit your personality or needs. That is the way they advertise it.

“The Wells Fargo Card Design Studio service is a free feature that lets you customize the design of your personal and business credit and debit cards. Customizing your card online is easy-and free. We'll provide a library of images for you to use, or you can upload your own. Simply make sure you have your digital image ready to upload, then get started below.”

I went online to do this for two of my cards that I use for the Church account and the Missions account. That way I could at a glance know the different cards. I read the rules and saw nothing wrong with the pictures I submitted. I submitted a picture of our Church building (which has a sign of the Church name on the building) and a picture that I took of our flag stand that we have for missions. Both of these pictures were denied without reason. So I called the customer service person and she said it was because those were religious and political images and are inappropriate. I asked her why and she said because they might offend other customers or retailers taking the cards. It might be perceived that Wells Fargo indorses our church. I asked her if she saw how ridicules her statement was? She said “no”. Here is their rule that they used to deny my pictures copied from their website:

Imagery or messaging that is violent, offensive, or anti-social; contains nudity or obscenity; or is political or religious in nature

It is sad to see that an American company that began as a home town Bank thinks that a picture of my Church building is offensive in the same line as nudity and obscenity! I would understand if I had a cross (burning or not), swastika, or an anti-America slant – but the picture of the front of our building… come on!

I do not want to do anything rash or harsh or start a political faction of anti-Wells Fargo, but I do want to inform as we see our country going further and further away from our heritage. I will be reviewing our options as we go forward and see where this leads me. If you have any thoughts, comments, or ideas please feel free to let me know.

Serving Him Because Of Who He Is!
Blake Alling
Pastor
Springville Baptist Church