‘Would Jesus shop at Wal-Mart?’ ad asks

updated 4:29 p.m. ET Dec. 13, 2006

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - A new television ad by the union-backed group WakeUpWalMart.com features a pastor asking, “Would Jesus shop at Wal-Mart? Should you?”

Accompanying the ad, is a letter to Wal-Mart Stores Inc. CEO Lee Scott that was signed by more than 130 clergy members. The letter asks Wal-Mart to provide a “higher standard for its employees and their families,” which the letter says would reflect “the best of Christian values.”

WakeUpWalMart.com provided the ad to The Associated Press on Wednesday and said the spot is to run in 43 media markets.

Pastor Joe Phelps of Highland Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky., asks in the ad, “Can we continue to shop at Wal-Mart without insulting God?” He lists allegations that Wal-Mart has violated child labor laws and engaged in gender-based discrimination, and says half the company's 1.3 million U.S. employees aren't covered under the company health plan.

Wal-Mart spokesman Dave Tovar said the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union is backing negative attacks while Wal-Mart is creating jobs.

“The fact is, union leadership is wasting millions of its members' dollars on a failing campaign against a company that is good for working families,” Tovar said.

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