The world’s largest retailer issued a statement in November indicating it would avoid embroiling itself in divisive issues, averting a two-day boycott called by AFA.

Wal-Mart had dived head first into hot water with pro-family groups by taking a number of steps that clearly aligned the company with the homosexual agenda. For example, the retailer had joined the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and given money to the group, which vigorously supports efforts to legalize same-sex marriage.

As a result, AFA had asked its more than three million online supporters to avoid shopping at Wal-Mart during the two days after Thanksgiving, which are traditionally huge shopping days for retailers.

On November 21, Wal-Mart issued a statement insisting that the company would continue to stand against all forms of discrimination and to treat all of its customers “fairly and equally,” but then addressed the matter of controversial issues.

“Wal-Mart will not make corporate contributions to support or oppose highly controversial issues unless they directly relate to our ability to serve our customers,” the statement said. “Wal-Mart does not have a position on same-sex marriage and we do not give preference to gay or lesbian suppliers.”

Earlier in the month, the retailer had also announced that it would be quite liberal with its use of the word Christmas during the Christmas season, including it in advertisements and in-store promotions. The move stems from a consumer backlash last year, after numerous retailers opted for a more generic “holiday” promotion and purposefully excluded the use of the word Christmas.

The two November statements from the company may very well have had an economic motivation. Wal-Mart had announced earlier that it expected sales would drop in November, the first such decline in a decade, according to BusinessWeek.com.

Meanwhile, some AFA supporters were dubious about Wal-Mart’s decision to no longer dip its toe into controversial waters. In response to those concerns, AFA President Tim Wildmon said: “AFA is convinced that Wal-Mart understands the issue that our 3.4 million online supporters have brought to their attention and that Wal-Mart will honor its public commitment.”

Wildmon added that AFA would “continue to follow the actions of Wal-Mart closely as we do other major corporations as well.”

More information about the actions of Wal-Mart, including answers to frequently asked questions, are available at www.afa.net.