 Chefs with Issues is a platform for chefs and farmers we love, fired up for causes about which they're passionate. Virginia Willis, a graduate of L'Academie de Cuisine and Ecole de Cuisine LaVarenne, is the author of "Bon Appétit, Y’all" and "Basic to Brilliant, Y'all." As a chef and food writer, I rarely eat fast food. The quality is generally atrocious and much of it is radically unhealthy. The menu offerings are the polar opposite of local and seasonal. There are dire implications concerning worker’s rights and wages, as well as animal welfare and factory farms. It doesn’t matter where you are in the country, every interstate exit is identical with the same usual suspects offering the same sad sacks of chemically laced, artificially flavored fare, all swimming in high-fructose corn syrup. Cheap, fast food is at the core of what is wrong with our food system. Yet, there’s one thing that trumps my French-training and chef sensibilities; I love Chick-fil-A. My favorite sandwich is the classic fried chicken sandwich on the buttered bun. The steam from the slightly sweet, golden brown chicken condenses inside the foil-lined package and wilts the bread, just enough. I prefer plain, no lettuce, no tomato, just mayonnaise, and the perfect pop of sour pickle. I’ve always known that founder Truett Cathy was a religiously conservative Christian. I applaud the fact that he’s closed on Sundays and strong in his faith. The outlets are part of the local community, supporting the schools and sports teams. I admire the work of Chick-fil-A’s WinShape Foundation in regards to foster homes, scholarships and education, food donations for disaster relief, first responders and the military. Service, volunteering and giving back are at the heart of Chick-fil-A, qualities I aspire to, advocate and admire. I, too, am a Christian. I am also a lesbian. And while many religious conservatives think I am going to burn in hell and my existence is a crime against nature, I refuse to believe that God doesn’t love me because I am gay. I refuse to believe that God made a mistake. I refuse to believe that something is wrong with me and I need “conversion therapy.” I refuse to call those anti-same sex marriage groups "pro-family" because that doesn’t include my very real family, my love and my commitment to my partner. I also absolutely refuse to believe that if I choose to marry another woman that I am somehow harming the institution of marriage. Controversy erupted last summer with Chick-fil-A president and chief operating officer Dan Cathy's remarks about being against gay marriage, “guilty as charged.” It led to Mike Huckabee’s crusade, Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day and the subsequent boycott of Chick-fil-A by gay, lesbian and like-minded individuals, myself included. The Chick-fil-A website states that the corporate giving has been “mischaracterized.” Well, there’s nothing “mischaracterizing” about their – now former – funding of the ultra-conservative groups such as Family Research Council, Eagle Forum and Exodus International, all aggressively anti-homosexual. Just this week, gay rights organization Campus Pride issued a statement claiming that Chick-fil-A gave the organization's executive director, Shane Windmeyer, access to recent Chick-fil-A tax documents. After reviewing the company's 2011 and 2012 financials – which have not been released publicly – Windmeyer said Chick-fil-A no longer gives funds to “the most divisive anti-LGBT groups.” For a long time, I cast a blind eye towards Chick-fil-A's corporate giving and, through my patronage, contributed to the very religious conservative groups that abhor my existence. Ah, the power of a chicken sandwich. But, when it all came to a head last summer, I could no longer ignore it. I quit supporting Chick-fil-A and said farewell to my favorite beverage, the perfect thirst-quenching combination of a half-and-half tea. The truth is that Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day was not about freedom of speech. It was simply a thinly veiled protest against homosexuals, period. Those swarms of conservatives weren’t lining up around the block getting waffle fries and chicken sandwiches to protest such lofty ideals as upholding the constitution and protecting the First Amendment. I believe they were showing that they are united against same-sex marriage and against gays, in general. So, earlier this week I drew a shallow breath of relief when the news surfaced that Chick-fil-A wasn’t as aggressively homophobic and had quit funding the groups. The company website states, “Our intent is not to support political or social agendas.” The recent news may have influenced me subconsciously stopping and picking up a half-and-half tea just this very morning, the first I’ve had since summer. I enjoyed it thoroughly, but going forward, I’m honestly not certain what I will do - if I will continue my renewed patronage of Chick-fil-A or not. Truthfully, I now have a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth and sadly, my once perfect half-and half tea just doesn’t taste as sweet. Previously - Opinion: Why I’m celebrating Chick-fil-Gay Appreciation Day and Fast food with a side of faith and Chicken and politics |
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Gays and Lesbians were not banned from Chik-Fil-A, the owner just voiced his opinion, we are allowed to have those in this country still right, oh that's right, if it is not the same as your opinion than it is wrong and should be squelched. He is entitled to disagree with Gs and Ls points of view, and you and all of your friends are entitled to not eat there if that makes you happy. There are plenty of plenty of Conservatives and non activists that enjoy their food and will buy it. Stop saying that your G agenda is what America wants. less than 50% of America wants it, the other 50+% want to keep good old Christian American values
Is this post being censored by Cnn
We people don't try to keep birth control or abortions away from you. We try to keep our tax dollars from funding it for your social agenda. Abortion is Murder, plain and simple. If a man were to walk up to a pregnant woman and stab and kill her baby would it not be murder? Or is that legal and we just call it assault? Big question to ponder. Gays and Lesbians were not banned from Chik-Fil-A, the owner just voiced his opinion, we are allowed to have those in this country still right, oh that's right, if it is not the same as your opinion than it is wrong and should be squelched. He is entitled to disagree with Gs and Ls points of view, and you and all of your friends are entitled to not eat there if that makes you happy. There are plenty of plenty of Conservatives and non activists that enjoy their food and will buy it. Stop saying that your G agenda is what America wants. less than 50% of America wants it, the other 50+% want to keep good old Christian American values
Gays have a little problem reproducing so hopefully they die out.
What an ignorant post! Don't you realize that homosexuality has been a part of the human experience since we came down from those African trees more than 2 million years ago? So as far as them dying out, I wouldn't hold my breath.
I have bad news for you: gay people will never die out as long as people (gay or straight) keep having babies.
Well, the excessive hormones in fast food meat products may be adding lots of new members to their teams
Have you ever considered what you would do if a member of your family came out as gay?It happens you know.Would you accept him/her and change your hateful attitude or would you try to beat the gay out of him/her?Think before you shoot off your idiotic trap next time...Sheesh!
Someday, maybe, enough of us will realize that minorities are discriminated against and oppressed simply because they are a minority, the particulars of which matter very little. The "accidental majority" (straight & white) could certainly learn a bit more consideration for those born with different DNA. But, if you're feeling put upon by the world at large, I suppose all you really want is for others to be at least as miserable as you are, especially if they're different through no fault of their own.
Unfortunately, the fact that their publicity group is saying that they no longer have a "political agenda" just means that they were feeling the heat and decided to pay lip service to being inclusive, not that they are actually becoming more accepting.
Pretending that somehow their philosophy has suddenly changed just because they were hit in the pocketbook is a great way to be able to patronize them again. Great and hypocritical.
They weren't hit in the pocketbook. Revenue was up 14% in 2012, by far their best year ever.
What Heat? they had an increase in profits by 14% last year, If anything they would still be riding the wave. The owner is entitled to his Christian beliefs. He never said that Gays and Lesbians could not work for his company, could not dine at his restaurants or that he would not serve them. Next you will be bashing him for honoring the Sabbath.
when people put their lifestyles and opinions on display for the world to see then they subject themselves to everyone who cares to give an opinion.. Homosexuality is a sexual perversion in which people in most cases choose to be with the same sex for intimacy..a person can be loved by anyone so that excuse is a moot point.. sex should be intimate and behind closed doors.. Why do i need to know that a person is gay? Heterosexuals don't have parades saying hey i like the other sex lets skip for joy.. Heterosexuality is natural.. thats how 99% of us got here minus the test tube babies..but still the biological process of man and woman has to come together.. When a homosexual person passes on their legacy is gone biologically...it is a selfish perversion on many levels.. I'm surely not introducing religion because its importance isnt relevant to me.. Nature speaks volumes and its far more tangible.. I believe some people who are gay are great people surely but i think thats their personal business it should be kept that.. i dont need to see them kissing, skipping, grabbing ass on tv or the street.. it isnt normal and frankly the world doesn't need to accept what goes on behind their doors once they are closed.. too much of forced homosexuality is going on especially on tv. but when profit can be made on something obviously tv or media doesn't care about values and what kids are exposed to.. think im typing too much..lol i could go on about this but simply put i think its a personal issue that should be kept personal and doesn't need to be broadcasted or made ok when it directly doesnt influence the giving of life...it ends it essentially..
What Heat? they had an increase in profits by 14% last year, If anything they would still be riding the wave, but this whole thing was blown out of context by the liberal Media trying again to push their agenda. The owner is entitled to his Christian beliefs. He never said that Gays and Lesbians could not work for his company, could not dine at his restaurants or that he would not serve them. Next you will be bashing him for honoring the Sabbath.
As a gay person, I wasn't just offended by the fan appreciation day, I was very bothered by the gay kiss-ins. GOSH AM I THE ONLY GAY PERSON who thinks that on both sides there are some seriously twisted people? Just eat the chicken or don't. I don't eat chick-fila because I don't eat fast food. Supersize Me took care of that.
I have the perfect solution: Why doesnt Chick Fil-a start offering their version of a Hot Fudge Packed Sundae?
Grow up.
That was hilarious lmao!
Why eat chicken when you can eat....sausage
It's crap food anyway. I wouldn't eat there if it was free.
I appreciate the article's honesty. Over and over she says, "I refuse to believe – I refuse to believe – I absolutely refuse to believe". Of course, that doesn't make the things she refuses to believe any less true.
on the flip side of course, that doesn't make the things that others believe in true
Of course. My point being – her believing or refusing to believe something doesn't make it any less (or more) true. To say "I refuse to believe" is not much of a rational argument for or against something. I can refuse to believe in gravity – but if I jump off a 50-story building, I'm still going to splat. My refusing to believe changes nothing.
Freedom of speech: The author has her opinion, Dan Cathy has his opinion. It's a free country and people can eat wherever they want. After the media drove this "controversy" farther than it ever should have, the "boycott" resulted in CFA revenue up 14% in 2012, by far its best year ever.
The author should eat there, though, even though she disagrees with CFA's opinion. I watch TV and movies even though I know liberals run the show there. She should eat at CFA knowing that conservatives manage the business.
I for one will never eat there. I'm not gay but I support the gay and lesbian community whole-heartedly. Militant Christians should be opposed at every opportunity.
Us Christians have been around a long time and plan on taking back "OUR" country from you Secularlists. GOD love each and everyone of us and hopes that we Christians can keep up the fight to keep this a Christian nation as our Fore Fathers planned it to be. Quit trying to get rid of Christianity, we outnumber you 2 to 1. His word will prevail. God bless you!!
The original 7 founding fathers were NOT Xtians and it was their intention to set in place an impenetrable wall between religion and government. This country was founded by Deists upon humanitarian principles. Xtianity came to be a synonym for "religion" in the 1950's. So far as the "gay" issue goes, The Bible says we should take our example from nature. Any one with animals such as dogs, cats, cows,etc. has observed both gay and hetero behavior in "nature. It is absurd to worrying about who goes to bed with whom. DNA clearly defines preference.
I'm out as a gay man to all of my brothers but I keep it to myself, as far as work or neighbors go. When all that Chick-fila (sp) was going on, I just ignored it. My feeling was the founder/owner can believe what he wants. The fan appreciation day wasn't on my mind when it occurred, until I happened to walk by my neighbors house when there son ran past me with Chick-fila bags. I felt crushed and hurt & finally understood why these neighbors didn't like me. Now, I'm still pleasant to them but only the wife returns the pleasantries. Again, people can believe what they want but that day walloped me upside the head with hurtful and angry feelings.
I'm pretty sure the neighbor's kid did not have you on his mind at all when he was holding a CFA bag. He was probably hungry.
True. I just wish I'd somehow not encountered him at that moment . . .
Fido, any man that says "pleasantries" is definitely gay. Of course the wife is the only one that would speak to you, women are the main reason why slavery was abolished, blacks are everywhere now, and the whole gay thing is spreading like a disease. Women do control the world with the vitamin "P"
"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."
This is one scripture of many in the Bible which states that homosexuality is wrong. Among other things... This is why Christians are so adamant about denouncing homosexuality – especially when our society is pushing for it to be looked at as something good. Clearly in the Bible, homosexuality is identified as wicked, wrong, perverse, etc;
If I were a thief, would anyone openly accept me if I began informing everyone that I liked to steal from others and it was my lifestyle... and that I was born that way? NOPE!
Well, to God a sin is a sin, from lying, stealing, sex before marriage, homosexuality,etc; There is no degree – It's all forgivable because God is gracious and He loves us sooo much – but our sin separates us from Him.
For all sinners who want their lifestyle to be seen as normal and/or right ... It will never be normal or right in the eyes of God no matter how much the laws are changed in our county. The Bible is clear ...
Yes you can eat there but you have to go through drive thru and eat in the parking lot.
I'm christian. I recognize homosexuals as God's children who are as equal in his eyes as anyone else. I eat at Chick FilA. All is good.
NO you can not eat at Chick-Fil-A. Just go to a bar and have a cocktail.
Virginia, as a gay man myself, here's how I look at it: Certain states in this country have very anti-gay laws in place; in some states there are NO legal protections for gays AT ALL. Would you refuse to buy a product from a business just because they happened to reside in that state? Would you refuse to stay in a hotel there if you stopped on a road trip to another state? I mean, tax dollars from your purchase are going to the state government that made those anti-discriminatory laws. When California passed Prop 8, did people move out of California because they didn't want their tax dollars going to the state government?
My second point is: I think your view that the Chik-fil-A Appreciation Day was ONLY about anti-gay bigots is misguided. Certainly many of the people who participated belonged in that category. But you're overlooking another element: Many of those who frequented Chik-fil-A on that day are people who are simply tired of being told what to do. It was a lashing out at political correctness for many who attended. For others, it was a feeling that the boycott of Chik-fil-A represented a certain hypocrisy: GLBT are free to do what they want in their private lives, but the owners of Chik-fil-A are not free to do what they want in their private lives (which is to donate money to whatever organizations they wish). In any case, I don't think the reasons behind the success of Chik-fil-A Appreciation Day were as simple as you make them out to be.
Finally, the voice of reason. Thank you.
Thank you so much Superbu!
I am so tired of gays and atheist can voice and FORCE views and we Christians can not.......what is the deal? Are you that far out there as to believe that you are the only ones on Earth? I could care less if you are gay or what you believe, but leave me alone......If I have to accept your crap, accept mine and move on with your pathetic little drama filled attention needing lives. Grow up for a change,,,,,,,
You people try to keep me from having birth control or abortion. Gay people and atheists don't try to force you to do anything but mind your own business, nor prevent you from practicing your religion as long as it's not using the money and time of our government. There's a big difference there.
We people don't try to keep birth control or abortions away from you. We try to keep our tax dollars from funding it for your social agenda. Abortion is Murder, plain and simple. If a man were to walk up to a prgnant woman and stab and kill her baby would it not be murder? Or is that legal and we just call it assault? Big question to ponder. Gays and Lesbians were not banned from Chik-Fil-A, the owner just voiced his opinion, we are allowed to have those in this country still right, oh that's right, if it is not the same as your opinion than it is wrong and should be squelched. He is entitled to disagree with Gays and Lesbian points of view, and you and all of your friends are entitled to not eat there if that makes you happy. There are plenty of plenty of Conservatives and non activists that enjoy their food and will buy it. Stop saying that your Gay agenda is what America wants. less than 50% of America wants it, the other 50+% want to keep good old Christian American values
amen to that. I fear RR is an inbred hillbilly on welfare.
You make no sense. Free speech means that you can say whatever retarded, mythological, crap you want (with some limits) and I can counter your ignorance and even call you ignorant. My disagreeing with your absurdity is in no way forcing my (lack of) beliefs on you, dolt.
"Chick-fil-A wasn’t as aggressively homophobic"
Huh? So being "non-aggressively homophobic" is ok, then? Look, eat wherever you choose, but frankly I would not want to eat there if I were gay...KNOWING that I am giving money to someone who hates me, regardless of whether or not they donate that money to a hate group!
RR....cry me a river!
me an my gay atheist buddies are gonna troll the streets looking for xtians to beat up. then were gonna make laws banning xtians from getting married or adopting kids. We'll also force them to have at least one abortion a year by making them pregnant. then we'll make laws where you'll get fired if ANYONE finds out your a xtian.... you better shut your ignant mor0nic bigoted pie hole you p o s xitan...
Ooh... Kenny is an angry gay atheist.
I'm sorry to learn you were not able to refill your medications. Perhaps a nice Xtian church will take up a donation for you so you can afford them. Just be polite when you ask for help and don't act gay while you are there. On the way out though, with cash in hand you could just let it rip.
jeez Christians are a whiny bunch.
Did you just say that christians are not allowed to voice their opinion? Really?!
Give us all a break from your lunacy. You've been spouting your opinion for 2000 yrs. "We say Merry Christmas in America!" "Honk if you love Jesus" "repent! For the End is near" "Life begins at conception, except for when we our hospital is being sued by a in Canon City, Colorado couple for wrongful death in the death of a "Fetus". Then life just begins at birth. Shut the **** up. We are sick of the religious wrong crying foul after your centuries of treating mankind with suck ill will in the name of your Jehova.
I agree. It's always those with the biggest mouths that force the rest of us to change our NORMAL ways. I am OK with people being gay as long as they keep it to themseves in public. I don't go around yelling about my sexual preferences. Why can't we have STRAIGHT day at or a straight parade. When we go over our friend's house, he and his partner do not kiss and show any sexual advances toward each other just as my husband and I don't do it in front of them.
People have a right to their beliefs and YOU gays and atheists have no right to try to get the rest of the world to accept yours. You can't imagine a man going with a girl and I can't vision a guy's privates going in another guy's,,,.,, So just live your lives and shut up.
RR, I'll tell ya what. You "Christians" have been FORCING your dogma down everyone's throats for some time now. Most recently, the "Defense of Marriage Act." That's Christian dogma. Period. End. Dot. Your perception of "war" on your faith is simply an expression that, gosh, there are a LOT of people who don't agree with your view. How would you like it, RR, if this nation passed a law that REQUIRED you to marry a same-sex partner, hmmm? It amuses me (in a cynical way) that most conservative Christians bray loudest about Constitutional rights (like, um, guns), but when it comes to challenging their religion, all of a sudden, the only religion that counts is theirs.
I dont see gay people or even atheists 'Crusading' and invading and killing millions to espouse their views. If anything, people should be scared the hell out of Christians than any other type of person on this planet!!!!! Bible = Bibble = Babble
How can one be a Christian and a lesbian? One cannot be the other. Liberal theology is such a sad thing.
Mr. Conservative,
How can one be a Christian and not support slavery?
How can one be a Christian and not support discrimination against women?
How can one be a Christian and not support discrimination against the handicapped?
Christian hypocrisy is such a sad thing.
This "liberal theology" is like string theory. When people don't have the capacity to understand it, they just assume it doesn't really exist.
Evolution is another good example of this.
Really? So are they imaginary Christian Lesbians?
They are Lesbians who believe in Christ, ergo they are Christian Lesbians. It's interesting that you're judging someone on her sexuality...because I can't imagine Christ doing that. Perhaps you are an imaginary Christian yourself!
more like mr. ignant mor0nic old fool... life must be rough for someone soooo stuuupid....
There ARE Christians with sin problems other then lesbianism. Unfortunately, the biggest problem with Christians is that they are imperfect human beings to begin with. God is dealing with some damaged second rate merchandise here. Sort of like what you find at a scratch and dent sale.
Sometimes a sin problem is just more obvious then others.
The "Christian" who beats his wife and kids may not be discovered for years.
The kleptomaniac who sits way in the back row of the church wants to be "saved" but can't seem to control the urge to grab things. A stretch in prison will stop the grabbing of things.
Speaking of grabbing things, there is the preacher who likes to grab women and convince them to get romantic with him. He wants to be "saved" too.
Then there's the guy on death row who can't control his temper. He totally lost it one time during a traffic stop and killed a police officer with his bare hands. He wants to be "saved".
The really amazing and yet frustrating aspect of it all is.....we don't get to decide who is "saved". That is up to God. He sees EVERYTHING. He knows things we don't know. He knows why the guy beats his wife, why the klepto steals, why the preacher commits 'adultery', why the criminal killed with his hands.
He has all the background information that explains how people came to be what and who they are.
I learned long ago not to tell someone they are going to hell because I am not a perfect being therefore my judgment may not be accurate.
Leave it up to someone smarter then all of us put together. Stop trying to play God. It doesn't become you.
You're not going to hell because you're a lesbian. You're going to hell because you're not a Christian. In the Christian faith there are several key pillars to their belief system. Above all, we believe in Creation over Evolution. We also believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. Although sodomy is frowned upon in Christian beliefs; even as a Christian I don't believe this "one" sin alone would send anyone to hell. However what concerns most Christians is that you consider the "unnatural" to be normal or natural, or Christian. Women were created for man; this is a key pillar of Christian beliefs. "The man and the woman will come together and their flesh shall become one..." (offspring). Which brings me to my next point; we don't believe in creating babies through science; thus taking God out of the creation process all together. Whereas heterosexual couples do this, for couples of the same sex; children were never meant to be. Period.
If I were to go into the Synagogue and start singing praises to Jesus; I would expect to get a few odd glances. If I persisted or even went as far as trying to convert anyone into Christianity, I would expect them to ask me to leave. If I refused to leave, I would find it well in their right to have me forcibly removed. Why? Because I would not be practicing the key pillars of Judaism. Therefore, they are allowed to discriminate against me for my beliefs. Would I call them hateful or accuse them of discrimination or even go as far as to say that they are abusing my human rights? Not at all. The truth is, I'm not Jewish; It's reality and I have no delusions about who I am. I have a genetic condition called male pattern baldness. It is a genetic imperfection that most people don't like about themselves and most women choose partners who don't have this genetic feature. Would I be delusional if I said that I wasn't bald? Would I be delusional if I accused people of being "baldists" if they called me bald? Yes I would; because they are telling the truth. Even if it hurt my feelings, it wouldn't take the truth out of the reality. Should I go to the government and DEMAND that they provide me with a hair transplant simply because I don't feel as normal as everyone else? Wouldn't I be delusional?
The gay community needs to accept the truth about who they are. They have a genetic imperfection no more significant or insignificant than anyone else with any other kind of imperfection. You're not special because of this imperfection, nor do you deserve civil rights protections for being gay any more than I deserve protections for being bald. Some people in the gay community may consider themselves Christians, but the reality is, you're no more Christian than I am Hebrew.
"I refuse to believe that God made a mistake." Yer right, He doesn't and He didn't make mistakes. Man did and contiues to do so. The way I see it, is even IF being a homosexual is genetic it's because of all the in breeding that man has done for a very long time, AND IF it is genetic, man still has a CHOICE, (it's called free will), and CHOOSING that llifestyle is still a sin against the flesh. That simple.
Very thoughtful article... and the final summary is "Truthfully, I now have a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth and sadly, my once perfect half-and half tea just doesn’t taste as sweet." ? What a *rough* life. In some countries if you are gay you get killed. In America if you're gay, sometimes your food doesn't taste as good as it used to.
Honey, homosexuals are killed in this country, too! Have you been living under a rock??
Gays with their drama and emotions on their sleeves....it's really getting tiresome. You didn't want us in your bedroom, now you can't write an article without mentioning what you do in the bedroom. Get over yourselves already.
Elliott,
Get over the phony superiority.
When gays get equal rights like blacks and women did, the controversy will go away.
Gays are more equal than black people, people are mean to gay individuals, black people get disproportionally harsher sentences, more police brutality, and are forced to take refuge in black communities to get away from racial hostility. If you think black people are equal somehow, or more tolerated than gay people, you really are a fool.
billybill,
"If you think black people are equal somehow, or more tolerated than gay people, you really are a fool"
Speaking of being a fool, please list laws against blacks versus laws against gays
No one said blacks are treated completely equally to whites yet, but there are no blogs here with people saying that all blacks will go to hell. Do you see any Biblical commands to kill them? Get serious.
You are my new hero.
It sounds like you are referring to the Bible when you are talking about "gay people going to hell." If that's what you're quoting, then you're probably familiar with many other sins the Bible lists alongside homosexuality, which are also deserving of hell. There are plenty of other sins that the Bible speaks out against. That makes your argument (homosexuals are the most persecuted minority) false.
So then I guess only blacks and women can be gay or lesbians? Last I checked being gay crossed all ethnic groups across both sexes.
Why would you eat there ever again? Simply because there was an economic backlash and now they will tolerate you because you are Gay just to get your money back? Chick-fil-A would still give money to anti-Gay causes if they could and their followers would applaud it. Actions have consequences and I shall not eat there again for what they've done.
Exactly!!
I personally would love to find an eating establishment that every gay would boycott. Then I'd be certain I could take my family there without exposing my kids to them. So.. yes .. please.. boycott Chick-fil-a! I don't think a gay person should go within 100 yards of the place! According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "the fast-food giant took in $4.6 billion in sales in 2012 - up 14 percent from the previous year – and opened 96 new stores." The more gays stay away, the more regular, normal families will continue to support them. Keep the boycott up!!
If their money goes to anti-gay groups, then I'm supporting all day everyday. :) Where do I sign up?
Chic-fil-a has the freedom to donate to whatever groups they want. And I have the freedom to not eat there because I disagree with them. And... their chicken sandwiches suck. I don't know what the author is talking about... their food really is lousy.
Agreed! I can't speak for the chicken because I'm a vegetarian, but the waffle fries have absolutely no taste and are wicked greasy. I'm wondering why a chef would want to eat there! Yuck.
I WILL NEVER GO BACK TO CHICK FIL A AGAIN UNTIL THAT CEO GUY RESIGNS
Nobody cares where you eat or don't eat.
Oh, really? That's interesting because when the CEO found that gays were boycotting the place, he sure changed his tune! (Conveniently). SOMEone cares where this person eats or doesn't eat, b/c it is ALL about the Benjamins, baby.
This was entirely about freedom of speech and thought. If someone's anti gay comments disturb you to the point that you want freedoms limited, then you are not ready for true freedom. I want to see marriges for everyone, but I also want to sit back and enjoy that anyone in this country has the right to speak their mind.
There has never been free speech and there never will be...there have always been ramifications for making public statements. Martin Luther King paid with his life. BTW, sounds like you support Westboro's right to picket funerals...and the right to yell fire in a crowded theatre. Maybe that's because your son and his purple heart are lying in the grave and it isn't your child trampled in the threatre.
First of all, hate speech is not covered by the Constitution.
Second of all, people have the RIGHT to vote with their wallets.
No-one, absolutely no-one, said that the jass CEO couldn't be a bigot...they just said they will not give him any more money!
Do you even know where that money was going? To help fund a bill in Uganda that would make killing gays legal!
I'm impressed with your writing skills and willingness to do a bit of that nasty digging called research to support your thoughts. You should continue writing on issues that have great impacts on humans (and life) rather than just write about food which to me is but one facet of out-of-control excessive & wasteful & destructive American consumption.
You can spend your money where you like, but as long as Mr.Cathy runs Chick-fil-A, any money spent there supports homophobia.
Where do we draw the line? What if a Chick-fil-A employee donated to an anti-gay group? Should we not go to Chick-fil-A because some of our money goes to someone that's going to use it to fund an anti-gay group? Their support was publicly available for years before it became a hot topic. Did the fervor over Chick-fil-A's hate message inspire any of us to examine our other favorite eateries, bars, hot dog stands and food trucks to make sure they don't contribute to anti-gay groups, or do we relish in our blissful ignorance and wait to get riled up until it hits the front page of the news outlets? If you want to make a difference, donate a dollar to a pro-gay rights group each time you eat a chick fil a sandwich. That will more than offset the 0.0000001 cents that end up in a hate group's pocket because of your sandwich.
Its a principle. If you do business with the devil knowingly, then you support the devil. Living without principles may impact nothing since most people are a drop in an ocean of humanity...but cumulative expression of principle is powerful.
Dear Christian Lesbian
There's one group out there that doesn't irrationally hate, bigot or discriminate against you.
We're Athiests. We believe in things called logic and facts.
Try us out for size. We welcome you away from those that despise you for no reason.
God didn't make a mistake with you because god doesn't exist. And your sxual orientation is your own business, nobody else's.
When an athiest gives to a charity or performs a good deed, they do it out of kindless. When a religious person does the same, they may be doing it out of fear of a lake of fire in the afterlife. Therefore Athiests are morally superior to religious folk, because we do good as a choice. Not out of fear.
<3 all you relgious people out there who hate others on this earth.
To think that Athiest don't discriminate is silly. All people discriminate in one form or another. Secondly, I am sure the fact that charitable donations are a tax write off have nothing to do with your giving habits.
Get off your morally superior high horse. Not all Christians hate Gays, and not all Athiest are good people
Atheists are every bit as prone to bigotry and irrational thought. Look at you, you just tried to convert someone from their faith going as far as calling them morally inferior. Claiming that atheists are "morally superior" means that anyone else is inferior. Being an atheist doesn't mean that that you are intellectually, morally, or in any other regard superior to anyone. To think otherwise is BIGOTRY. I'm an atheist myself, but I'm getting really tired of other atheists making these arrogant statements on public forums. Your atheism is no more valid than her Christianity. You aren't smarter than her, you aren't a better person, and you certainly aren't qualified to be speaking on all of our behalf. From a fellow atheist, please just leave others to their own beliefs.
*sigh* Your wrong on all of your points. :P But honestly, I really don't want to argue in front of a computer screen...it'd be pointless, and cowardly for both sides. One more thing though and I'll totally leave you alone, next time tell it to their face and not a computer screen! :P :/
Speaking of hate, bigotry, and discrimination: look in the mirror you hypocrite.
LIke everyone else giving to charity, it is about making yourself feel better about yourself or making you feel superior to those who do not give to charity because obviously if you giving to charity is good not doing it is bad making you better than those that do not give. There is no true altruism, it is all internal motivation for self, for the religious or the athiest, tell yousefl whatever you want but eveyone does it to feel better about themselves.
First, if this author is a chef, they should be able to make their own chicken sandwich and perfect tea and do it much better than any fast-food franchise. I've had Chick-fil-eh a couple of times before I knew about their ultra-conservative views and believe me, *I* can make better in my own home and I'm no chef. And really, how hard is it to add LESS sugar to your tea to make it just the right sweetness? There is absolutely NO reason to go to this abomination of a fast food restaurant. I'm all for speaking with my wallet and believe me, fewer and fewer restaurants are getting my business these days because of their conservative views. Probably a very good thing for my wallet; not so good for theirs as I tend to be very outspoken and have converted quite a few to boycott Chick-fil-eh, Cracker Barrel, Domino's, Papa Johns, and Applebees, just to name a few.
Never.
He's gay and he wants to eat at the place that wants to hang him? Let him.
He's gay and he wants to eat at the place that want to hang him? Let him.
Its not funny that gay men live 10 years less than other men (not even factoring in aids). They need help,and such help is available thnakfully.
The lifespan of gays is shortened by AIDS for some. Since this results from promiscuity and marriage reduces that probability, gay marriage will help.
Ye gods, you're ignorant.
What? "Conversion therapy" or "Jesus"? Or both?
People are BORN gay and there's nothing wrong with that. if you think it's a choice, when did you decide to be straight?
There is no such thing as kosher pork. A person who practice homosexuality is not a christian from a biblical definition.
Give an animal a brain full of creativity and superior intelligence and it will eventually find a way to destroy itself in the name of "rights". Why do we need marriage at all? What right does the government have to tell me how many, what gender, what age, what anything? Just let me have my rights...to destroy myself and all of civilization along with me.
Freedom of Speech goes both ways so it belongs to both sides. When anti-gay rights organizations boycott and protest JC Penny’s, Ellen Degeneres, DC Comics, Electronic Arts, Starbuck’s, the Lifetime Networks, Toys R Us, etc., they are exercising their freedom of speech. But when gay rights activists boycott Chick-Fil-A, they are infringing on the company’s freedom of speech??? Does that mean that anti-gay rights organizations only have freedom of speech, but gay rights don't????
If one were to only buy from companies with fairness/integrity, one's choices would be extremely limited. Being anti-gay is very minor in the grand scheme of things when looking at corporate misconducts. Some oil companies take lands from indigenous tribes in South America and ravage the land, and cause severe misery to those people. Other corporations corrupt governments and make them go to war in order to increase their profits. They cause many deaths. Others enslave people with debt in a predatory way. These companies are ones that you may be doing business with everyday without realizing their dark side. My point is that the author is probably buying stuff from companies that do much worse. Being anti-gay is a petty offense compared to corporations that cause misery, death, and destroy our planet. I think that writing about that would be more worthy.
Sure they will serve GAY – they merely do not ENDORSE GAY as normal. They will tolerate you and they will not discriminate against you but unlike the president they will not endorse your choice as moral. That is their right under the first amendment. They can say that they think gay is immoral. The bible agrees with them.
Frank,
The Bible considers slavery to be moral. It considers discrimination against women to be moral. It considers discrimination against the handicapped to be moral.
What was your point about the Bible and morality?
Darwinians like yourself should have no problem with racism, slavery etc. We're all just evolving, some more than others...and only the strong survive. So if some oppress others, then this is the natural order of things, right?
oops.
Wow. You really know absolutely nothing about Evolution.
Elliott Carlin,
Your first assumption that I am a Darwinian was false and your logic escalated downhill from there.
Ooops.
The bible is a mythological book written for idiots.
fugg you,mikie.
Do you eat shellfish?
Do you wear garments made of two different kinds of cloth?
etc etc etc
Eat anywhere you want. Now, I ask that you take a trip to Saudi Arabia and protest their customs. See how far it gets you.
CNeder,
Yes. Saudi Arabia follows many of the same practices commanded by God in the Bible.,
If the government cannot tell you whom to marry, can they tell you how many you can marry? Do polygamists have rights too? If I am a wealthy man and I want to marry three women (consenting adults), can I do it? What if I want to marry my dog?
Dogs cannot consent to marriage, for one thing.
For another, you're not my type.
Arf.
Wow. What a GREAT argument! And so original and logical, too!
That was sarcasm.
Because gay people? Are not dogs. They are fellow human beings who deserve love just as much as anyone else. If two consenting adults want to spend the rest of their lives together legally, what's it to you? Please tell me know this affects YOUR life in any way, shape, or form!
Gabe- as long as its a female dog, I'm sure your bunch is OK with it
No. You cannot. Stick with licking your "santorum" off of whatever sicko and stay away from decent people.
People pull your heads out of your ass...again! This isn't about freedom of speech. It was about millions of dollars being devoted to divisive and anti-gay groups. Perhaps the tides have shifted; however, I'm with Willis. I proceed with caution and haven't been back since June of 2012. My 30 year affair with CFA ended.
Bobby
Bobby,
You're brainwashed like the rest of the liberals in our country. I pity you :'( CFA's founder responded to a question honestly. He wasn't out burning rainbow flags or obnoxiously attacking pro-gay people by having sit-ins kissing his wife at gay establishments like you and your gay lovers have done. The fact that he disagrees with your stance doesn't mean he's a bigot like you. It means he has a moral standard that is different than your "relativism morality". You need to accept it.
Frankly, I think homosexuality is gross. Thinking of a man penetrating another man's anus with his penis is the most disgusting and vile image imaginable. Does that make me a bigot since it disagrees with your gross view? I'm sure you think so, but I have gay and lesbian friends who would disagree with you in a split second. I feel sorry for you that you think it's beautiful. I also feel sorry for you that you can't see past the brainwashing the liberals have given you. Poor you : ( Remember... poop on a stick isn't sexy. It's gross!
I'm not gay myself, but have no problem whatsoever with gays, lesbians, cross dressers, etc, etc. I also happened to take a class on religion in college to finish off my electives (thinking it was an easy A). It seemed pretty clear to me that being gay was an abomination. Again, that's not how I feel, but it was clear in several books that male on male or female on female was classified this way. That being said, how in the world was the writer of this article surprised or shocked in any way when Cathy made those remarks? Stop the presses!!! A Christian organization is against homosexuality! Come on.
I went to a gay bar with some friends once, and I'm not gay. Sure, eat where you want.
Please eat, you never had to stop.
God Bless
From a Christian who is a Mennonite
Romans 10:9-10
So it's ok for her to make someone who hates her wealthy, huh? That's super.
Do you even know where this man was donating his money? It was to fund a bill in Uganda that would make it legal to kill gay people?
God bless? Who is this god who would bless such a thing?