Abunga.com Takes a Stand Against Leading Online Book Retailers
by Staff
May 6, 2008
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., (christiansunite.com) -- In response to some of the most popular online bookstores also being among the leading suppliers of pornographic materials, Abunga.com was created to serve as a safe alternative, providing families with abundant selection and low prices, while also empowering decency.Abunga.com filters books by a pre-determined inventory classification system to remove selections of pornographic and illicit materials.
"Many consumers are unaware that by purchasing books from these major online retailers, they are unknowingly supporting the growing Internet pornography industry," said Abunga.com Chairman Lee Martin. "In addition, people should not have to worry that they - or their spouse or children - may be one book search away from unwanted materials when shopping for books on the Web."
Recognizing the definition of "family-friendly" is subjective and that not all books are properly classified by publishers, Abunga.com gives its community members a voice and choice. The site puts power into the hands of its consumers by allowing them to block any items they feel are offensive from their personal profiles. If site administrators see that a large group of people have blocked a particular selection from their profiles, Abunga.com will eliminate the book from the overall site.
One such book Abunga.com removed from its site was "The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials, Book 1)," by Philip Pullman. The book was thrust into the spotlight surrounding the release of the film adaptation last December and sparked controversy among conservative groups who opposed its atheistic message. As a result, a number of Abunga.com community members blocked the book from their individual profiles in late December, showing site administrators that this was not a book its consumers wanted Abunga.com to offer.
"With more than 1.6 million books in our inventory, we know that there may be items that some still find offensive," Martin said. "Therefore, we listen to our consumers and respect their opinions on items they wish not to see on Abunga.com."
In addition to offering a safe shopping environment, Abunga.com also provides competitive pricing and prompts every consumer to donate 5 percent of their purchase to a Favored Abunga Nonprofit (FAN) of choice, including humanitarian organizations, ministries and schools. Consumers are asked to choose from the existing list of FANs or nominate a nonprofit that upholds the ethical and moral principles that coincide with Abunga's core mission of empowering decency.
"Our desire is to reward nonprofit organizations which are also working to advocate family-friendly values and causes," Martin said. "By standing together, we can make a difference and bring awareness to this issue of decency."
Abunga.com is a family-friendly online bookstore founded in 2007 to empower decency. Offering safety with family-friendly products, savings through distributor-direct prices and support to nonprofit organizations, Abunga.com is headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn. For more information, visit www.Abunga.com.
