You’ve probably seen the viral memes or the heated Facebook threads every time a new holiday rolls around. Hobby Lobby isn't just a place to grab cheap frames or some floral foam for a DIY wreath. For a lot of people, the store represents a massive cultural flashpoint. The company is inseparable from the Hobby Lobby political views of its founders, the Green family. It’s one of the few massive retail chains in America that wears its heart—and its politics—directly on its sleeve, regardless of how that might affect the bottom line.
They don’t just donate to candidates quietly behind the scenes.
They take things to the Supreme Court.
David Green started this whole thing in a garage back in 1970 with a $600 loan. Today, it’s a multi-billion dollar empire with over 1,000 stores. But unlike most CEOs who try to stay neutral to keep every possible customer happy, Green has been very open about the fact that he believes he’s operating the business for God. This "faith-first" approach is the engine behind every controversial headline you’ve ever read about them.
The Landmark Supreme Court Fight That Changed Everything
If you’re looking for the moment Hobby Lobby political views became a matter of national law, you have to look back at 2014. This wasn't some minor local dispute. The case, Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., fundamentally altered how we think about the "personhood" of corporations.
The Greens argued that the Affordable Care Act’s mandate—which required employers to cover certain types of contraceptives in health insurance plans—violated their religious freedom. They didn't object to all birth control, but they specifically targeted emergency contraception like the morning-after pill. They viewed those as abortifacients.
It was a mess.
Protests outside stores became a daily occurrence. The legal community was split down the middle. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court actually sided with the Greens. The court ruled that "closely held" for-profit corporations could be exempt from a law its owners religiously object to if there’s a less restrictive way to further the law’s interest. This was huge. It basically gave companies a "conscience."
Critics were terrified. They argued this would open the floodgates for companies to discriminate against LGBTQ+ employees or refuse other medical treatments based on "religious" whims. Supporters, on the other hand, saw it as a massive win for the First Amendment. It established that you don't lose your soul just because you started a business.
Keeping Sundays Sacred (And Keeping the Doors Locked)
One of the most visible ways the company's ideology manifests is their "Closed on Sunday" policy. In the world of retail, Sunday is a goldmine. It’s when most people have time to shop. By staying closed, Hobby Lobby leaves hundreds of millions of dollars on the table every year.
Why do they do it?
Green says it’s to allow employees time for worship and family. It’s a classic "Blue Law" move that feels like a throwback to the 1950s. While some employees love the guaranteed day off, it’s also a constant reminder to the public that the store’s schedule is dictated by a specific religious calendar. This isn't just about rest; it's a political statement about the role of the Sabbath in American life.
The Full-Page Ads and the "Christian Nation" Narrative
Every Fourth of July, Christmas, and Easter, you’ll see something interesting in your local newspaper if you still get one. Hobby Lobby buys full-page ads. These aren't ads for 40% off yarn. They are usually filled with quotes from Founding Fathers, intended to argue that the United States was founded as a strictly Christian nation.
These ads are a staple of the Hobby Lobby political views that frustrate historians and secularists alike. Groups like the Freedom From Religion Foundation often point out that these ads sometimes use "selective" quotes that take the Founders out of context.
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But for the Greens, these ads are a form of ministry. They aren't trying to sell you a glue gun in those moments; they are trying to sell you a worldview. It’s a very deliberate attempt to influence the cultural and political direction of the country toward traditionalism.
Artifacts, Smuggling, and the Museum of the Bible
Sometimes, the politics of a company get weird. Really weird.
The Green family spent years amassing one of the world's largest collections of biblical artifacts. This eventually led to the creation of the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. While the museum is technically a separate entity, the funding and the vision are pure Hobby Lobby.
The controversy hit the fan when it was discovered that thousands of ancient clay tablets and seals purchased by Hobby Lobby had been smuggled out of Iraq. The Department of Justice stepped in. Hobby Lobby had to pay a $3 million settlement and forfeit the artifacts.
The political fallout was intense. Critics argued that the Greens' zeal to "prove" the Bible’s history led them to fund what was essentially an antiquities black market that potentially funneled money to extremist groups in conflict zones. It was a massive blow to their "moral" branding, though the company claimed they were just "new to the world of collecting" and made mistakes in the paperwork.
How Hobby Lobby Views LGBTQ+ Issues
It’s no secret that the political leanings of the company’s leadership lean heavily toward the "traditional family" model. This has led to friction, particularly regarding transgender rights.
In a notable case in Illinois, a trans employee named Meggan Sommerville fought a years-long legal battle because the company refused to let her use the women’s restroom. The Illinois Appellate Court eventually ruled against Hobby Lobby, stating that their policy was discriminatory.
For many in the LGBTQ+ community, Hobby Lobby isn't just a store with conservative owners; it’s a company that actively fights against their civil rights. This has led to long-standing boycotts from various advocacy groups. When you shop there, you're essentially interacting with a business that has historically put its weight behind the legal definition of gender being tied to birth sex.
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The Minimum Wage Twist
Interestingly, while their social politics often alienate the left, their labor moves sometimes surprise people. Hobby Lobby was one of the first major retailers to voluntarily raise their internal minimum wage well above the federal limit.
Long before "Fight for $15" was a mainstream slogan, Hobby Lobby was pushing their starting pay for full-time employees higher and higher. As of recent years, it’s been around $18.50 an hour.
David Green’s logic? He believes in "blessing" his employees. This creates a weird political paradox. You have a company that fights against contraceptive access but pays a higher-than-average wage for the retail sector. It doesn't fit neatly into a "Republican vs. Democrat" box, even though their primary alignment is clearly conservative.
The 2020 Pandemic Friction
During the early days of COVID-19, the Hobby Lobby political views on government overreach came to the forefront. When most states were ordering non-essential businesses to close, Hobby Lobby initially tried to stay open.
There was a leaked memo where David Green mentioned a message from God that his wife, Barbara Green, had received, suggesting the company would be fine. They eventually closed after several state attorneys general sent "cease and desist" letters.
This period highlighted the company’s skepticism of government mandates—a hallmark of modern American conservatism. It wasn't just about the money; it was about the principle of whether the state has the right to tell a private, faith-based business when it can and cannot operate.
Navigating Your Next Trip to the Craft Store
Whether you love them or hate them, Hobby Lobby isn't changing. They’ve proven they are willing to lose money, face lawsuits, and endure public shaming to stick to their guns.
If you are a consumer trying to align your spending with your values, here is how to navigate the Hobby Lobby situation:
- Check the labels: If you object to their sourcing or their political stances, look for alternative brands. Many of their "house brands" are exclusive, so you won't find them elsewhere.
- Understand the impact: A portion of the profits from your purchase will likely fund the Signatry or other Green family foundations that support conservative and Christian causes.
- Look for the pay gap: If you prioritize fair wages for retail workers, Hobby Lobby actually scores higher than many of its competitors like Michael’s or Joann Fabric.
- Consider the local impact: Remember that despite the corporate politics, the people working the registers are your neighbors.
Politics in 2026 is inescapable, even in the scrapbooking aisle. Hobby Lobby is the ultimate example of "conviction-based" business. They don't want to be everything to everyone. They want to be a specific thing for a specific kind of person.
If you're looking for an alternative, stores like Michael's or local independent craft shops tend to stay out of the political fray entirely. But if you want a company that isn't afraid to tell you exactly where they stand—for better or worse—Hobby Lobby is the gold standard of corporate transparency, albeit a very polarizing kind.
Next time you walk through those automatic doors, you aren't just entering a store. You're entering a carefully curated world built on the Green family’s specific interpretation of faith and American freedom. It's up to you whether you want to buy into it.
Actionable Insights for the Values-Driven Shopper:
- Research the "Green Collection": If you’re interested in history, the Museum of the Bible’s transparency reports show how the family has attempted to pivot after their legal troubles.
- Compare Wages: Before boycotting based on social issues, look at the local economic impact of their $18.50/hour starting wage compared to other retailers in your zip code.
- Follow the Money: Use resources like OpenSecrets to see where the Green family’s personal political donations are headed in the upcoming election cycle if you want to see their current priorities.