 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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This was blown out of proportion from the very beginning. I live in Atlanta and have been eating at Chik-fil-a for thirty years. They have the most polite, well mannered people working there. I wish they were open Sundays but respect that they don't. When I was a kid, MANY stores were closed Sunday. Dan Cathy, the founder's son, made a speech where he simply spoke to his belief, and he has the right to do so. If you're gay, you don't have to eat here, and, as this article says, they give very generously to good causes. They try to do the right things and they are slowly coming along here, but don't expect the founding family to change their religious views. You'll have to agree to disagree. Remember, fundamentalist Christians take a literal view of the Bible. If they start to agree that some portions of the Bible aren't true, the entire concept of the afterlife is threatened, and that is their primary purpose here on Earth...to serve God in a way that will ensure a place in Heaven. Some of us, myself included, do not believe that, but along with the incorrect and sometimes hurtful thinking comes so very good things. I believe you are born gay (it's pretty darned obvious to me), but others do not and are threatened by it, so the best you can hope for is tolerance, and I think Chick-Fil-A is try for a compromise here. The gay community should do the same. If you expect them to fly rainbow flags out front and give to your causes, you be waiting for a very long time. Compromise.
Again, why should folks be tolerant of companies and people who actively seek to make gays second class citizens? Why should folks be tolerant of those who try and enact constitutional amendments forbidding gay folks from having the same civil rights as straight folks?
Why should folks be "required" to be tolerant of c-suckers and c-lickers?
It's always blown out of proportion when it isn't your rights on the line. Chick-fil-A gave money to charities that actively and aggressively sought to limit the rights of homosexuals. Period. And so people protested. Now they don't, so they are calling off the protests.
And I'd say it IS compromise since Chick-fil-A still gives to religiously based groups that do still have anti-gay positions, like the FCA, but that don't actively and aggressively seek to pursue anti-gay initiatives or limit legal rights of homosexuals.
I always wondered how much money the people who "supported Chik-fil-A's use of free speech" last summer donated to Rev. Wright's church. Remember, he has also been attacked for his use of free speech.
The first amendment guarantees our right to practice our religion as we choose. It means that we cannot be made to pretend that "gay" is "normal" or "acceptable".
And anyone who disagrees with that is the REAL bigot. Religious bigotry.
I don't believe country music is good music. I don't care if you like it, but if I have to submit to the country music agenda by seeing it on TV, in advertisements, on the radio, on t-shirts, online, and at my local music store, that is a violation of MY freedom.
Sorry, but it's not a violation because nobody forces you to watch TV, go to music stores or otherwise participate in anything aside from paying taxes and death at some point or another. Go live in a box where nobody will care what you do.
This seems to be the far right's answer to everything. Atheism is a religion. POinting out your bigotry is bigotry. The ability of you people deliberately lie to yourselves knows no bounds. "Im not a bigot, YOU ARE!" HAHA! Take that." I mean..wow.
Atheism, by definition, is NOT a religion. It is as far from a religion as one can get. It is a philosophy. Religion is a hypothesis, not a theory. Go take a lesson on what the difference between those to things are (I know you won't) and go look long and hard at the definition of religion. Religion is a cult....belief in something that may or may not be real....faith based. Atheists simply do not believe in any of that and don't rely on myth to dictate their lives.
You say religion is based on faith, and atheism is not a religion? Atheists have to have faith that nothing is out there. Therefore, it is a religion, an unfortunate religion, but a religion. Thank Jesus I am not a part of a religion, im just a part of God's church and spreading Christ's name
No....Atheism is as much a religion as the others, as it serves an almost direct antithesis. Your semantics mean nothing to the fact that no one has any clue, and even the atheists use faith (faith in logic and scientific findings) to adhere to their "no god exists" credo. Don't get me wrong, spaghetti monsters are just that, but I am a spiritualist...i don't think anyone knows, and I have faith that science and spiritual awarness combined are the key to figuring it all out....but that is my BELIEF. Atheists BELIEVE there is no God, and all religion and spiritualness is bunk. They have no proof, and therefore they are not that different. Source: Father, Sister, and good Friend...all Atheists, 2 of them brilliant scientists.
Atheism is a religion like NOT playing football is a sport.
@The Real Truth
I do not believe there is no god, rather I merely lack a belief in god. There is a difference in simply lacking a belief and actively believing the opposite of a belief.
I reject your claim that there is a god based on your lack of evidence to support the claim. How does that single rejection of your single claim constitute being "a religion" in ANY way?
It is no more a "religion" and takes no more "faith" merely to reject your claim than it is for me to reject the claim that Shakespeare was the greatest writer of his day or that your mom makes better pound cake than my mom does.
Huh? Atheism is a religion? So the belief of non-believing is a religion? You are a lost soul, my friend. Now go sue someone to force them to remove a cross b/c it offends your non-belief.
Religion is believing in something that may or may not be there, with faith. Atheists do the same thing, they believe that there is no belief in a God, something that may or may not be true.
Matt...the definition of religion is simple...
re·li·gion
/riˈlijən/
Noun
The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, esp. a personal God or gods
Linden...according to Dictionary.com...Religion is this
a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2.
a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3.
the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4.
the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5.
the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
Matt, you must not understand the definition of Atheism. It is a DISBELIEF of religion and gods. Which requires a "faith" that isn't the same as religious faith. You are blinded by your dogma. It is NOT a religion it is a disbelief in religion.
Linden, in order for them to have the views, they have to BELIEVE and have FAITH in their DISBELIEF, therefore, they are a religion. Your disproving your own argument
Sooo.....If I say that I don't believe in fairies because there is no evidence that tiny magical beings with wings and pixie dust exist....then I'm part of a religion? The "religion" of not believing in fairies?
I also don't believe in goblins or trolls or the tooth fairy. Does disbelief in all magical creatures fall under one "religion" or is there a separate "religion" for each magical creature? How about the religion of not believing that 2 + 2 = 5? I don't believe in that....is that a religion?
Oooo....I know, Matt doesn't believe in the god of Islam, so does that mean that he is in the religion of not believing in god? I mean, we are ALL atheists to one degree or another....some of us just go ONE god further.
Pointing out bigotry is not bigotry. Boycotting because you disagree with someone's religion or politics ... THAT is bigotry.
major: no one is asking you to pretend that being gay is normal. as far as acceptable goes, your church has every right to deny their blessing to whomever they choose, for whatever reason they choose. this goes for whether you are a follower of the ted haggard (male escort/ crystal meth) congregation or st. pedophilia. the government has to provide equal protection under the law. if you want to deny others their civil rights, it is bigotry. if you want to hide behind your bible to do so, it is pious bigotry.
My religion requires human sacrifice...is that protected under the first amendment?
To put it plainly (in case that goes over your head), you are free to believe what you want, you are free to practice your religion – but your religion says absolutely nothing about denying people rights because they are what you would call a "sinner". You are also denying them their religious practice of getting married. It's not the beliefs, it's the actions, and the actions are a violation of civil rights.....something i think should be taken away from people who are not civil...you for example.
Major, here is where you and your statement go off the rails. It is when because of your religious beliefs want to try to oppress those who don't believe what you do. People who are fighting for gay rights could care less what you believe or don't believe. What they want is to be able to have the same rights and protections as everyone else which isn't any different than what people of color fought and are still fighting for. The fact is denying gays the right to marry is just wrong and is a violation of the 14th amendment. All they are asking the right to legally marry, not for churches to have to marry them. As someone who is not gay I will fight for them to have that right just as I will fight for the right of a church to marry or not to marry who they want but the government cannot selectively choose who they will give rights to or not if they are citizens.
Yes, you are allowed to practice your religion as you choose. You cannot be made to pretend that gay is normal or acceptable (why youre throwing "quotes" around any of that, I have no "idea"). But you should not be allowed to discriminate against people. If you can discriminate against homosexuals in public life, why not discriminate against women? There's enough text in the Old Testament to religate women to 3rd class citizenship. Discrimination is wrong, we are all human and deserve the same respect. And if you must discriminate against anyone, then you should, if you are a "Christian" expect EVERYONE to discriminate against you.
You ever heard of doublespeak? Yah, your words are the definition of that. You are a bigot, the end.
Actually, you can be made to "pretend" for legal purposes–like not being able to discriminate against them in hiring or in equal application of the law–and that is no more "religious bigotry" than saying a Muslim cannot discriminate in hiring against a Hindu or woman or anyone else he or his religion may deem inferior.
You, personally, can still hate the homos.exuals all you want...personally. But you cannot use religious belief as a valid reason to discriminate legally.
Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day was about two things: Freedom of speech and freedom of religion. The attack on Chick-fil-A was no tbecause of "sexual orientation equality". Rather, the was a thinly-veiled, and blatantly obvious, attempt to try and control what some Christians believe. To try and edit what is in their Bibles and their hearts. That's outrageous, and it's a FAR bigger and more important issue than "gay rights" because it affects EVERYONE and this effort to control and censor us strikes at the fundamental heart of our constitutional liberty.
really, major? my religious beliefs tell me that marijuana and magic mushrooms are gifts from god, and to be used to clearly see god. to ban them is to deny me my religious liberty. as a believer in religious liberty, i am sure that you will agree with me
Here is the difference Sam. God founded Christianity. Man founded whatever you believe in. You can choose not to beleive in gravity but it still exists. Truth is truth . Period. And by the way, I'm in favor of gay marriage as a civil right.
For some reason this is a hard concept for some people to accept.
You say you are a Christian and a lesbian. Cool, but that would make you a Christian that doesn't except all of the Bible as truth. You are not alone on that, there are a lot of Christians that don't hold that the entire Bible is true. It doesn't make it any less true, however. I wish it did, there are a few things I wish weren't in there myself. However, if you are a Christian, that means that you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior and that His death on the cross paid the penalty for your sins. Jesus confirmed the scriptures when He was alive and it is not our place to pick and choose the parts we want to believe.
Save it for the Kansas Board of Education. Even Jesus knew there were higher rules at stake than what was written down, otherwise he would have stoned that woman in John chapter 8 just like Moses wrote that he should. Everyone picks and chooses. Fundamentalists think they don't, but they do. They say, "Love the sinner, but hate the sin." But Leviticus says that you not only hate the sin, but you kill the sinner. The difference of course is that Fundies have the reasons they pick and choose explained away. The day fundamentalists start dragging their children into the public square and stoning them for disrepecting their parents is the day they stop picking and choosing. (Leviticus 20:9)
Oh wait, that's the old law and you don't have to follow that anymore... we'll pick something else and make sure we choose that instead.
Jesus overrides Levitical law. No dietary requirements, or killing as punishment. His 2nd Great Commandment: Love Your Neighbor as you love yourself. He was very clear in his example of sparing the fallen women from stoning:
It is not our place to Murder in the name of God, or bring someone to judgement.
We can discern sin, and call others and our selves on it, but Judgement is for God alone. No murders in the street in the name of God. Jesus overrides Levitical ordinances, but not the 10 Commandments. He says, "...Neither Shall I condemn you. Go and Sin no more." That means Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultry.
Learn it or pay the price of sin: (sexual) disease, and emotional suffering.
Me, I reject adultry. I'll keep my 30 year marriage.
I. Veritas
You obviously have no read the parts of the NT override the Old Testament.
No one is going to stone anyone.
Oh please, your "holy" book is responsible for more nonsense and has caused more suffering than anything else I can think of. Please, grow up and enter the 21st century.
All that suffering that it has caused has led people to Jesus, Thats the beauty of it. Knowing people will enter into Heaven to see Jesus after being at rock bottom. I bet you Atheists at the bottom of those Twin Towers when they fell would have said "Oh God, please help me"
Really? Like feeding the poor? Housing homeless? Risking their lives to reach out to third world countries and provide food, water, schools, etc? How many atheist groups are doing ANYTHING to help to the poor around the world.
you are not serious in taking these old ass versus that were written thousands of years ago literally? SAD!
I thought we were over this whole Chik-Fil-A thing. It's so 2012. Moreover, the fact is It's a privately owned company, and they have the right to do whatever they like with their profits. I support their right to put their money into causes that will be on the wrong side of history if that's what they want. I prefer supporting those who are on the RIGHT side of history (like 2/3 of the companies in the Fortune 500 that support LGBT equality), and let the dinasours like Chik-Fil-A die out.
c-lickers and c-suckers already have the exact same rights as everybody else. They want more rights than everybody else has.
You are a slimy, yellow discharge of a person
Spoken like a true c-sucker.
what a brilliant an-alysis, gurgyl
REALLY?!?!? They are allowed to get married in all 50 states and all US territories like everyone else is? And YES, marriage is a right, not a priviledge, like a driver license. AND I'm just waiting for the fun Supreme Court trial when a homosexual couple married in a state that allows gay marriage, moves, and gets refused some marriage benefits by another state, since the marriage is a contract and according to the Constitution, a contract made in one state is valid in the entire country.
I hope someday we will find a cure for Homosexuality, just as I hope we can fix Downs Syndrome. Maybe through Gene Research we can fix these things before the child is even born.
You're a moron
i hope one day, we can find a cure for the stupid... and all you crazy jesus freaks who think you know everything...
news flash... when you die, you end up in the same place as an athiest or agnositc... burried and dead
Wow! That's ignorant! Sadly it's about what I'd expect from a bible-thumping Christian.
GOD doesn't make mistakes! We are here for a reason..maybe to show That you are not following the true teaching s of Christ! Better get rid of all you hatred before you go before God ...cause brother you are going down down down to fire town!
Right....that's a fair trade...burn forever for less than 100 years of living in "sin" according to a book written by mortals over 2000 years ago that had no idea the earth was even round or not at the center of all things...and that had no understanding of science, biology, astrology, physics....and I can go on. The bible is fiction, and today's religion is tomorrows fable, just like Zeus was finally found to be a bunch of baloney, so will Jeebus.
god doesn't make mistakes? the perfect god made imperfect humans. was it a mistake, or is he a pr1ck?
fvck you and your empty proxy threats
Brother Samuel, you have a lot of hate and anger in your words. I pray for you to find the Lord.
Selling out to Jesus is the cure!!
We can find a cure for stupidity, but BOBO won't want that. BOBO wants to remain oblivious.
I'm a straight man and still would never set foot in a Chick-Fil-A. Wendy's chicken is far more superior anyways...
Eat at home. Don't be flaunting your disgusting habits in public.
And yet, here you are in public, flaunting YOUR disgusting habits.
Pablo
Your ignorant comment is like me telling you to go back to Mexico and eat tacos.
Yes, you became a tool of media sensationalism and other peoples ambitions. If you follow the herd mentality in any group you will be come a pawn in someone else's scheme. To think that by not buying a sandwich you are making an heroic public statement about your rights for freedom is ridiculous. If you want to be a free individual than do what you want and to hell with what anyone thinks, even your peers. But that is much more difficult than going along with what is popular at the moment. You have always had permission to eat where you want, why are you asking for it now or are you just afraid that people in your social group will look down on you? That is the marking of a coward.
You put this very well. I found that whole fiasco last summer totally ridicules. I myself am an Atheist, but I don't belong to any organization. I believe everyone has the right to do what they want with their money. If Mr. Cathy has a strong belief in his religion, he has the right to, and say it if he wishes to. In my opinion, he did nothing wrong. I believe the Gay Organization went way over with this one, as well as Rahm Emanuel, along with the person from Massachusetts (can't remember his name). That was just plain ignorant to get involved, telling Chick fil A that they are not welcome. Anyone that feels offended, just don't go there. If we all know who supports whom and what, we would starve and never buy anything, because we don't agree with their views. Everyone should make up their own mind, and do as they want, not follow like a sheep.
Fast food is still one of the fewer and fewer industries that still has true competition. Banks don't, oil companies don't and we're about two weeks away from cell phone companies competing. If you don't agree with anything about a restaurant you don't need to go there. There's reason to vilify the company because they donated to an organisation which on the surface may have supported their point of view. I donate to charities what they do with the money only God knows for sure.
A Chick-fil-A opened by me here in Chicago and I went to it once to see what all the hype was about and the sandwich was not worth the trip. Never went back.
I'm pretty sure that Chick-Fil-A will ultimately be seen as standing on the wrong side of this issue as history progresses, but I still find this article & so much of what the Left espouses to be equally as hypocritical, judgmental, and blind as the people they denounce. And the whining about it all is getting old.
I think Dan Cathy's point is that despite his personal beliefs he doesn't want Chick-fil-A standing on either side of the issue.
Andy, I agree with you.
Let's the filthy monsters enjoy a chicken sandwich on this Earth. Make a dollar off these subhumans. They have an eternity in the pits of fire for being an affront to God. Might as well get some use out of the trash in their time here on Earth.
You're an affront to God. More so if you're truly a pastor.
What a caring person you are – you must be related to "Reverend Phelps" and his haters.
You fail as a human being.
Don't you buy gas that sold from Middle Eastern countries??
That's a good point. The middle east is very anit-gay. . . .
It's even illegal to be a gay LOL, they put you in a jail for that.
So gay people, stop buying gas from Middle Eastern countries. LOL.
This doesn't hold up when you consider that we get most of it from Canada and our own land. Sure we buy it from OPEC which also include South American countries.
Oh yea? how about all those stuff you buy 'made in China' LOL
Homosexuality is illegal in China LOLOLOLOL
Oh yea? how about all those stuff you buy 'made in China' L O L
gay is illegal in China LOLOLOLOL
What's the alternative?
You an also go to jail in the middle east for preaching Chrsitianity
Being gay is not a human rights issue. Why do you people use that excuse?
Folks – this whole Chick-Fil-A issue was nothing more than a well-planned and well executed bucket stir during another election cycle. The right leaning conservative party needed this particular block of voters stirred up to counter Obama's GLBT support. It was definitely a calculated risk for Cathy: sales shot through the roof as conservative voters joined together to defend their beliefs. Yes, the whole thing was a ploy. Yes, everyone was played like a fiddle.
That said, the election is over and the residual impact is a lingering polarization of beliefs and political parties – which again plays right into the hands of those wanting your vote.
As for Chick-Fil-A, who cares! The local store is just another offering in the clump of fast food drive thru joints in the area. I rarely ate there before (or after) the brouhaha – and find little reason to raise my hackles or cloud my focus with some perceived wrong headedness by some wealthy ding-dong who felt compelled to interject his crapola into the American psyche. I am not so mentally weak as to insert a ring in my nose for the "other side" to yank on. And, in this case, Chick-Fil-A has slandered the concepts of Christianity to woo voters.
However – I do not shop or eat at ANY establishment that advertises their religious standing. God doesn't need any PR campaigns...and belief in any religion is NOT a requirement for life. Leave my head alone, and be gone with your cup of KoolAid if you want to sell my your product...but MY beliefs are NOT up for sale.
Very well put Mark. Excellent points.
It was the OWNERS statement! Can he not express his feelings? Is he free to speak?
bob – of course he is entitled to speak whatever he wants. But don't let your defense of his rights obscure his reasons for turning it in to a complete media circus that served no purpose other than to pander allegiance.
I have absolutely no beef with religious belief. Folks will always seek out what they need to bring some sense to the harsh and sometimes violent world around us. Different strokes is A-Ok. But! I find it horribly wrong when anyone tries to twist the 'belief' to gain a vote.
Yes, the owner is allowed to express his feeling and is free to speak. Nobody denied him that. And when he expressed that feeling, everyone else had the right to express their feelings back at him. What is your point?
My point is that his pronouncement was intended to stir up conservative voters. He didn't announce any plans to build an orphanage or feed homeless or advocate church attendance or anything else. He put forth a 'statement' that intentionally "rounded up" the voters to "do something about it".
(FWIW – I think everybody on both sides over-reacted .... which is what the whole affair was about. Knee-jerk re-ACTION.
I am saying he intentionally "provoked" Christians to political divide – all under the guise of exercising his first amendment rights. He didn't yell "fire" in a crowded elevator. He climbed up on a mountain top and just yelled 'fire'. And you have to wonder why he felt compelled to do so.
The stupidity of some of these remarks provide great fodder for pro-LGBT groups. "Go fellate a chicken wrap!" "Go to Iran!" "Your (sic) sickos!" Te few intelligent anti-LGBT responses are lost in a sea of ignorance. And this is exactly what's wrong with the Republican Party overall – it needs the uninformed, uneducated masses for their votes, but those are the ones who prevent an intelligent discussion and galvanize the left, who frequently present as shrill harpies. As a moderate, I hate being caught in the middle.
I'm with you, JK. I treat anyone from either end of the spectrum who can't discuss things without spewing insults as background noise. The religious plurality and diverse cultural background of this country demand that we all turn a slightly blurry, if not blind, eye to others' beliefs, just to get along. But there has to be a line for each of us, an action that forces us to say; 'Oh, wait, no – I can't support that,' or we start to condone oppression. It's an important topic, and I liked the article. The knee jerk reactions of people terrified that the world isn't going to be the way they like it are sad.
Yeah, it just isn't the same now that they have aggressively marketed themselves as the place to be if you want to eat chicken AND hate your fellow man in the name of God. Their food is good, but I will spew them out of my mouth from now on. Who needs turmoil and agitation when you are hungry?
I'm sure you got plenty spewing out of your mouth
Why do people always have to make such a big deal out of things. The owner is a Christian and follows his faith. Good for him. Some people are gay. Good for them. Nobody said gay people can't eat or work there. Now y'all can just shut up and eat some chicken. Man, some people just have to complain, it's like oxygen to them.
I still think the food sucks. I don't eat there for that reason.
This isn't about what the owner personally believes or does with his own money. This is about what a huge corporation does with millions of dollars of its profits.
Are you free to eat there? Sure. Black people can send money to the KKK, Jews can vote for antisemitic politicians, women can and do join misogynist organizations. But is it a good idea to support an institution that is spending millions of dollars to hurt you or people you care about? Seems like a dumb idea to me.
No, no one said gays can't eat or work there, but they do want to ensure that gays do NOT have the same rights as heterosexuals. Based on nothing but their religious beliefs. Stripping/withholding civil rights based on religious convictions in the United States...wow...slippery slope there.
It's not about prosecuting Christians or not allowing people to believe what they want. The writer said she knew for a LONG time that Chick Fil A was owned by a deeply Christian family. She still ate there. It was not a big deal. She knew they didn't agree with her lifestyle, yet she still ate there without issue. The PROBLEM came about when it was revealed that the company uses its profits to support groups who want to keep the LGBT community from enjoying the same civil rights you and I have. Now, again, no one is saying that Chick Fil A doesn't have the RIGHT to do this. They can give their money to whoever they want. But it also the public's right to choose which companies they spend their money at, and if I knew someone was supporting legislation to harm MY livelihood, I wouldn't spend my money there either. It's simply a decision not to spend money there – NOT any type of support for legislation stripping their right to spend their money as they wish.
That's the difference. You can scream and yell about Christians being "persecuted" all you want, but no one wants to take away their rights. No one wants them to lose any civil liberties or not be able to donate to whatever group they want to. On the other hand, Christians are the only group actively trying to suppress the rights of others. What about that do you not understand? Why is this so hard? No one wants to tell Christians who to marry or who to give money to....but Christians, stop doing it to everyone else!!!!!
Yes. That. Exactly. Christians are not satisfied with practicing their religion. Everyone else has to like their religion, too, or they are being 'persecuted.'
The restaurant can do as it pleases, but there are a number of things my conscience prevents me from supporting, and it has nothing to do with persecuting people. Christians want to believe that gay people are evil, unnatural mistakes of God (I thought He was infallable? What?) – ok, whatever. But I am perfectly well within my rights to look up the organizations this restaurant supports, cringe at how they spend their money, and decide it is unethical to contribute to it. This does not make me a religious persecutor. I am not stopping The Flanders Family from having a creche on their lawn or going to church every day and twice on Sundays, or eating all the chicken sandwiches they want, or denying that it is a charming and wonderful that their church donates warm coats to orphans, or anything.
I just spend my money where I feel I can best justify the grey morality we all have to juggle every day. Like, as another poster mentioned, the foreign oil people put in their cars. Or the diamonds I am wearing. Or the cheap, throw away fashion we wear. How many Christian ladies donate to save those sad little children overseas, and then brag about the bargains they got in stores that exploit those children's labor?
Life is an endless series of morally grey decisions. It's nice that some people can get their sense of steadiness, their lighthouse beacon, from a religion and its rules. Whatever helps you sleep at night. But taking that a step further and ripping down other citizens? This is not helping.
The chick-fil-a issue is not and was not about human rights, it was about the militant homosexual lobby trying to destroy and/or take over another institution. The homosexual militant strategy is to put continuous homosexual activity in all of America's face 24/7. It's an attempt to make their choosen lifestyle legitimate, which it will never be.
"Choosen." ROFL. That's funnier than the rest of your statement.
Fail.
WHY MUST WE BE TOLERANT OF LESBIANS BUT NOT OF DEEPLY-BELIEVING CHRISTIANS???
That is like saying "WHY MUST WE BE TOLERANT OF BLACK PEOPLE BUT NOT RACISTS!" See, homosexuals are trying to get equal rights the rest of us have. Conservative christians are trying to oppose those rights. No one is trying to take away conservative christians rights to marry, do their thing and be happy with it. That is the difference here, but I think you already knew that.
I know quite a few conservative christians that remain neutral in this whole war. Please don't stereo type them all.
you can believe absolutely anything you want. no issue with that. but don't stop me from being able to believe what i want. and don't stop others (including the LGBT community) from being able to pursue love & life equal to the rest of the country. it's not a matter of you agreeing with it. no one is persecuting you for believing what you want to believe.
No one is stopping you from believing or living any way that you want. Stop trying to force others to accept you. So tired of this gay agenda that says we are not going to be tolerant of you and your beliefs but you MUST be tolerant of ours. Hypocrites.
wow. what part of my comment "you can believe anything you want" didn't you understand? no one is forcing you to do anything. but stop trying to keep the LGBT community from getting equal rights. their rights do not impact you.
Because lesbians aren't trying to trample on Christian rights, instead it's vice-versa. That's the difference.
"WHY MUST WE BE TOLERANT" of people who can't find the CAPSLOCK button? Hey, get back to me when the lesbians start pooling their money and using it to get laws passed against being Christian. In the meantime, you could stop pooling your money and using it to pass laws against them. Kinda like the Golden Rule, ya know? Do as you would be done by? Live and let live?
You're a fool.
The CAPS was to make a point Hugh Jass.
WHY DO CHRISTIANS ALWAYS HAVE TO TYPE IN ALL CAPS? You poor persecuted majority.
as a persecuted bunch...Jesus said to rejoice for GREAT is our reward in HEAVEN...So we will accept the persecution now and have joy in ETERNITY which is permanent by the way!!
Well, the lesbians are not trying to enact laws preventing the fundiot nutters from having civil rights.
good point!
My GOD Liberals are fast becoming the whiniest, crybabiest group of people...they've even taken the top spot from actual babies that cry a lot. It's amazing. The logic here makes no sense. In a country where everyone is free to believe what they want...we have Liberals trying to say that freedom is wrong.
If a head guy at Chik fil A doesn't like wearing white shoes, but you do...then I guess you have to question whether you can eat there. If a head guy there doesn't like brussel sprouts, but you do...then I guess you have to write an article if it is ok that you eat there.
Get over yourselves, Liberals. No matter how hard you try, you will NEVER take away everyone else's freedom to believe whatever you want to believe. And here is the most important part I really really really really really wish you would understand....JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE BELIEVES SOMETHING DIFFERENT FROM YOU DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO TAKE OFFENSE TO IT. Yes, I know this is very difficult for you but with practice I'm sure you can learn not to cry and whine just because someone may not believe what you believe.
actually, the issue here is not whether or not someone believes something else. the FUNDING of it is the crux of the issue.
if you decided you don't like black people, i don't think they would care. but if you then starting FUNDING efforts to remove the right to marriage from the black community (or one of the other inalienable rights that we take for granted), i do think they would care and rightfully so, and many of the rest of us would be right there with them. that's what this is about. it's not about the LGBT community wanting dan cathy to accept them and their lifestyle (though that would be nice). the author makes this point abundantly clear in her article.
Liberal postulate #1: If they don't believe what I believe, it is called hate and bigotry.
Sorry, but what you are asking of liberals is way too much for them.
It's all about money. I don't like what they do with the money I spend there, so I'm not spending it there. And yes, I'm sure I spend money at a lot of other places that use the money in ways I don't agree with, but they're not flaunting it as Chick-fil-A has done. I stopped going to Chick-fil-A over a year before this big brouhaha started, because I saw them headlining a huge conference against gay marriage in Pennsylvania.
Flying your high and mighty God flag is bad business. Sell your chicken and shut up about the rest of it. That's why.
I absolutely LOVE Chick-A-Fil-A food but the owner is an absolutel @$$, a bigot and a homophobe! Therefore, my wife and I refuse to go there, no matter what, and we encourage all of our friends not to patronize the business either.
As an African-American, I cannot rationalize supporting homophobes and bigots.
thats part of the whole problem right there . people HAVE to make it known that are a certain race, sex , religion . " I am a lesbian , why cant i eat there " .... " I am african-american , so that offends me " .. noone gives a crap ..
The owner of Chick-Fil-a has made it clear he does not believe homosexuals deserve the same rights as everyone else in society and he does not believe they should be protected legally from discrimination. He also puts his money, i.e. money spent by his customers, into anti-gay efforts. He has the right to do all of that and more power to him.
As an African-American who does NOT believe in discrimination, or that homosexuals should not hold an equal status in our society, that gay is bad, etc., like the owner of Chick-Fil-A, I have a right not to give my money to him so that he can use it to support ANTI-GAY causes!
Therefore, I NEVER eat at Chick-Fil-A and I encourage anyone who does not support discrimination against gays, or discrimination at all, NOT to support Chick-Fil-A.
Exactly. Mark, no one cares what race you are. You are an American.
So, you know Dan Cathy personally? It's statements like yours.. "he's an a$$, bigot, homophobe" that display the utter ignorance and hypocrisy of so many in this debate. For Cathy, his faith is integral to who he is. It's a faith based on the bible. You don't have to believe it but 2.3 billion people on the planet do! And in this bible it is clear that marriage is sacred and that it was intended to be between man and woman. I have no hatred in my heart towards those who struggle with homosexuality. We all have struggles and it's not my place to judge my fellow man. But in your eyes and in the eyes of anyone else who agrees with your stance, I, like Dan Cathy and many others are simply called "haters". It's preposterous! I may prefer a different brand of car than you, but it doesn't mean I hate you! Christians are quickly becoming the real victims of hate and intolerance. But it comes as no surprise. We are warned in scripture that this will happen.
The US is not a theocracy. So whatever it is that you think your version of a god wants, needs, desires, or demands is only relevant in the context of your church and home. Your god has no standing in my secular laws. Marriage is a fundamental CIVIL right. No god or gods needed for marriage. Cathy, and these other fundiot nutters support groups who actively seek to make gay folks second class citizens. They actively suport groups who demand that the 14th amendment not cover gay folks.
And you wonder why so many of us think you nutters are idîots?
I wish your religion was simply like a car club. People meeting to talk about things they have in common and how they think the same car is cool. Then you shake hands and go home to live your own life. Your "club", unfortunately, claims to know everything about everything and attempts to radically alter the way people live their lives, even when they're not part of the club.
Funny, in the bible King David had 8 wives and many concubines. King Solomon (the wise) had 700 wives and many concubines. Sarah, the wife of Abraham, could not have children so encouraged him to have sex with her handmaiden to have an heir. Marriage could also be a way for a rapist to ""make it up to" his victim. Sounds to me like the Bible supports marriage as between one man and however many women he feels like, plus he can have sex with whoever else he feels like.
They are NOT homophobes, they are going to stand for what the word of God says about marriage because they are true christians. And not only that GOD himself stands with them, so they don't have anything to worry about GOD will send the people to buy from them like he has been doing for years. Go CHIK FIL A you are covered!!!
Nobody ever said they could not eat at Chick-Fil-A. That is if you just want to eat it and not get a bag full and shoot up some place.
The lack of tolerance and outright anger directed towards Christians for following the foundational tenets of what they believe never ceases to amaze me. Life has rules for a reason....otherwise it is called anarchy. The world is not, and will not be, a better place with the "do whatever you want with no consequences" strategy. Yes, people will be hurt and offended but man, take a stand someplace and live with it. End of file
Christians today, Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists tomorrow. The objective of the Left is to erase all religion and replace it with the morals they abide by and are on prominent display in places such as Chicago, Cleveland, Philly, Baltimore, LA....
Exactly...people need to stop cowering down and take a stand.
Christians are persecuted? You sir, are a moron.
Agreed. This is a carryover from the Tebow-and-Bush-era evangelism that was so prevalent in the offensive "OK To Be Christian" agenda. In my life is was always Ok to be Christian, but it was not OK to be even a little different. Putting a pretty slogan on something does not hid the Truth.
I couldn't have said it better, thank you !
Let's turn this around. If a corporation were spending millions of dollars from its profits to hurt you and people you care about, would you support that business?
This isn't just about gay marriage. I've been boycotting this chain for over a decade because it (not the owner, but the company) was donating millions to hate organizations that supported criminalizing homosexuality. If a company was working to have you and people you care about thrown in jail – innocent people whose only "crime" was that someone else's religion felt they should be living differently – would you support that business?
Wait, wait – life has rules, or it is anarchy. Ok, true. Explain how gay people engender anarchy? I am missing the connection there. Do you think they ignore traffic lights and don't pay taxes?
If thinking moral people didn't rail against your foundational tenets we'd still have slavery and women would still be bare-foot and in the kitchen. You majority bullies force your cult onto the population, into politics, and when those you demonize trod underfoot raise their bloodied heads and dare request the same liberties that only Christians are allowed, you Christians scream persecution. I find you Talibangelicals most repugnant.
Why should gay folks, and those of us who support equality be tolerant of people who actively seek to make gays second class citizens, and prevent them from having the same CIVIL rights as the rest of us?
Wow, JC, you sure have fallen off that cross. Remember all that stuff you said about the woman taken in adultery? I guess you have a huge pool of sin-free Republicans to cast the first stones these days.
The lines at the Chick-fil-a in every mall I have seen in Florida are always long. Longer than any other mall restaurant, I have seen dozens of gay couples eating there. No one seems to care except the media.
And gay people and people with too much time on their hands. Homeless kids, battered women, poor neighborhoods and that is just 3 of the things that are on my list of 238,547 things that take priority ahead of gay people and a fast food restaurant...or, quite honestly, gay people and their oppression. Sorry. Too much on my plate
Good points but those things you listed are not what we have been told to care about.
I am not in the media, I am not a left wing liberal (I am a corporate lawyer), I am married to a woman, and I go to church. But I have not eaten at Chic-Fil-A since this began, because I do not believe in hate, oppression, or exclusion.
Me too, plus I just don't want to think about irritating stuff while I eat. Chick-Fil-A needs to give its charity money to those kiddy camps they are already working with and forget the other stuff.
You're probably a crappy lawyer because your argument doesn't make sense. Guy did none of these things. Just simply stated he does not believe in a few things. But it's ok for you to believe he is all of these things? Hmmmm seems like a double standard. Which is always typical of these arguments. You people need to move on. Just because he doesn't like fudge packers doesn't mean he won't feed them fudge brownies.
Give in and Chick-fil-A and Dan Cathy will be right back giving money to groups who want nothing more than to marginalize the LGBT community.
If i had the space i could list a hundred companies that support funding abortion clinics in minority areas. Thousands of children are killed each year and burnt up in an oven without ever having a name. We both can exorcise our right not to spend what money we have left at such establishments.
just because they say they don't give money to these hate groups doesn't mean that they don't anyway. "here are documents that prove we don't support hate", yeah right.
This is the hilarious part about Liberals. If you do not agree with them, they want to marginalize you. But then try to defame you for trying to marginalize them.
Liberal motto:
"Everything is ok unless you do not agree with us."
"Liberal motto: "Everything is ok unless you do not agree with us. " Kid, do you know the meaning of "irony?" Because you are saying the exact same thing. Welcome to America, where opinions are not only allowed but encouraged.
That's his point DA.
Hi Liz,
to a point I agree with you but as a gay man I will still eat at chick-fil-a. Not because I believe in what those groups represent but because more than anything I believe they have the right to believe it. I feel that we in the gay community have become very hypocritical. We are fighting for our rights to be equals but at the same time are working a nasty campaign to tarnish those who disagree with us or how we live our lives. What good is equality if we end up becoming the bully? That equality will not come from a true belief of conviction but from fear of being ridiculed and harassed and targeted for disagreeing with us. I for one as a gay man would rather have that equality come from a true conviction than fear of retaliation.
Well said. As a straight man I couldn't agree with you more.
Get a real problem. I don't have a job and I'm about to get evicted and I've been on LinKedIn since 4AM. Don't eat the stupid sandwich...problem solved. Move on.
Exactly. I mean, If an owner of a business works hard to establish a large corporation, and decides he wants to invest in groups that align with his personal beliefs, who is anyone to tell him he can not? Who is anyone to tell him his beliefs are wrong, and theirs are right? So its okay for groups like LBGT to force their lifestyles on others, demand laws be changed to include them, and demand more than tolerance from society at large, but it is not okay for large numbers of others to say "no, we don't agree, we believe your actions to be immoral.. We'll serve you and respect your wishes to live your life the way you do, but you shouldn't get special treatment just because you think you should". Yes the topic is way more complicated than my statements, but in a nutshell, its also as simple. Tolerance. If you live a certain way, you are going to have to sometimes accept the fact that others (in many cases many others) will tolerate, but not agree with your choices. And that's the best you can hope for in some cases in life.
You do realize this is about more than tolerance this is about my Daughter being born in Brooklyn NY a citizen of the USA with a Constitution that guarantees all Americans certain unalienable rights and yet because she is gay she is denied Equal Protection and Equal Rights on a daily basis. I demand the same rights Dan Cathy's straight children have for my gay child or for that matter any LGBT person.
I don't understand why people make such a big fuss about a private company supporting the belief of it's president. I think a bigger issue should be the fact that religious beliefs are influencing our government's policy. I have several gay or lesbian family members, including my sister, whom I love, but it isn't Chik-Fil-A who says they can't marry their partners.
I don't understand why people make such a big fuss about a private company supporting the belief of it's president. I think a bigger issue should be the fact that religious beliefs are influencing our government's policy. I have several gay or lesbian family members, including my sister, whom I love, but it isn't Chik-Fil-A who says they can't marry their partners.
But it is groups like this, and fundiot nutters like Cathy, who pay big bucks to get laws passed that forbid gay folks from having the same civil rights as us straight folks.
Liz, not sure if you know this, but sexual orientation is NOT a protected class under the Equal Protection Clause doctrine, either under the 14th Amendment or as incorporated under the 5th Amendment. Should it be a protected class? Good luck getting a consensus on that. I find myself unable to decide and I'm only one person. So if this article was meant to argue that it should be a protected class, the author never raised that issue. So the only thing left to infer is that this was all about tolerance, or intolerance as the case may be.
As the mother of a gay daughter, I am certain you think they should be a protected class. I would too in your shoes (Heck I'm not in your shoes and a lot of days I still agree with you). But I'm curious as to what you think about the dangers of allowing a trait which is not proven to be immutable (unlike race, gender, age, etc. . .) to be a grounds for equal protection. Does this seem like something that would be practicable in trying to apply an equal protection standard? Or do you think they will ever get around the split in opinions about whether sexual orientation is a choice or and inherent characteristic? If we allow equal protection for this choice (if it's found to be a choice) what other choices must we provide protection to?
Please don't take these questions as an attack, I'm actually curious what your inside viewpoint is on these issues. Regardless of the legal outcomes, I hope your daughter is happy in life, wherever it takes her.
the LGBT community is not forcing their beliefs on the community. i have not met any LGBT member try and convert a straight person to be gay – that would be the "forcing" you talk about. instead, they are just looking for equality... just as minorities & blacks & women have done in the past. it absolutely is no different. if your church doesn't agree with homosexuality, that's fine. they are not asking you to. and they are not asking to get married in your church. they want to get married in their church or in a courtroom. that does not impact you or your own marriage's sanctity.
on the other hand, you and others like you are very clearly trying to impose your beliefs on the rest of us. that's not freedom and that's not what our country was founded on.
What? You must be insane! We are in a recovery. GDP is going up, people have good paying jobs and our collage grads have years of gainful employment to look forward to. We dont even need the Presidents Jobs Counsel anymore.
If you would only Believe in Hope and Change we can all move Forward.
Always fun watching atheists become theologians before your eyes as soon as one of these articles appear. It's almost like they're used to bsing people!
The Atheists i know can quote bible scriptures better than a Southern Baptist. But they quote it only to support their own bigoted and hateful feelings and not as a way of teaching or debate.
the athiests quote your bible to show the lunacy of the unfortunately common argument "the bible said so". the bible says a lot of things – many of them crazy and ridiculous, which is completely understandable since it was written 2000 years ago and things have changed. and that's the entire point.
instead of relying on useless arguments like "the bible says so", try speaking from knowledge and the basic universal morals that virtually everyone can agree on: "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." how about we start there.
You have "beliefs" about atheism that you hate being contradicted on, like that it's a church and Dawkins was the pope, etc, and I know better than to try to change anyone's "beliefs." But most atheists started out as believers, and found atheism at the end of a long road of disillusionment(finding your fellow Christians unashamedly beating up someone for being gay or reading books) and after a lot of Bible reading
If you pay taxes, you are supporting an organization that will eventually screw you.
God doesn't hate anyone. That's why He sent His son to save us.
God doesn't make mistakes. We do.
Good Article.
"If you pay taxes" Render unto Caesar, remember? You need to support the country you live in, unless, of course, you want to go live somewhere else?
Of course you can. That whole brouhaha was just for the irrationalists out there who couldn't understand that rock isn't paper isn't scissors to save their lives.
You can eat anywhere gay or straight. Why is it that people can't have a right to their beliefs. I don't believe in same sex marriage, but that doesn't mean I hate gay people. It just means that is my belief. The whole world doesn't have to believe the same way. People should just quit getting upset when someone doesn't believe in an issue the same way that you do.
But you do believe they are not entitled to the same privileges and rights as you though...that is just your belief, based on the fact that they are gay. You don't hate them though...but you think of them as less deserving of the right to marry. Just trying to understand you.
"I don't believe in same sex marriage, but that doesn't mean I hate gay people. It just means that is my belief."
I don't hate "colored" people, I just don't want them marrying us white folks. It's just my belief. Sound familiar?
It's hilarious how you f_a_g_s try to portray yourselves as exactly the same victims as the blacks who had water hoses turned on them in the 1960s. On second thought, it's actually pathetic. If you don't want to be "discriminated against" (whatever that means), then quit stuffing a_ _ . You have a choice in that regard–people couldn't choose the color of their skin.
It's hilarious that you pretend everyone who is concerned about this is gay. Ha ha. Of course, you sound really insecure about yourself.
It's not about what they believe, it's that they are, in effect, hiring someone to beat up on gay people. Nobody says you have to hug them, but how about you try to keep your hands off them?
"It wasn't about freedom of speech it was a thinly veiled protest"
Isn't a protest exercising freedom of speech?
Nobody cares that your gay, just STFU about it already. Suck what you want and eat where you want, but I DON"T NEED TO HEAR ABOUT IT!
LOL..amen!!
"... your gay ..." should have been you're gay – cuz you are and are afraid to admit it. So angry; sooooo jealous.
your funny!
NO,you still cant eat at chik fil a because we dont want to watch you fellate the chicken wraps
I'm sorry but that's just bad, hysterical but bad.
Ohhh and now i know what im doing @ lunch today. If anyone wants to watch the staff be very uncomfortable I will be at Chik fil a in San Antonio.... Blanco and 1604.......gonna be a good day.....woot
Can you please tell me how someone can call themselves a Christian, but not follow what it is all about! Second of all ,it is not YOU that God hates, it is the SIN! If you do not repent and turn away from what God hates ( in this instance, your sexuality) than that's why you would end up in hell....
Also, I don't remember EVER going into a restaurant or store, etc. and being asked about my sexuality, so I am not sure why people that choose to live the gay/ lesbian lifestyle seem to be making such. Big deal about being discriminated against ! Just because certain businesses support things that I personally do not believe in does not make me write stories about why I feel dicrimated against because they don't beleive in the same thing I do! I shop there and leave ! If that is the life you want to live , live it .... But most of all-own it! Just leave those of us that choose differently to our lives and stop trying to force your beliefs on us.
Hey moron, Chick-fil-A has never, ever prevented you, or any other deviants, or anyone else from eating at any of their locations.
Since Chick-fil-A has done absolutely NOTHING wrong, I was somewhat surprised that the company has moderated its contributions policies.
Oh well! Stay tuned...
No Jerry, they have not. People chose to stop eating there because the bulk of their philanthropy goes to organizations that are not tolerant. So shut the f*ck up with your snide, smarmy bullsh*t response. Any questions jerk off?
A lot of people would consider sponsoring laws in several African countries criminalizing homosexuality and making it a capitol offense wrongdoing.
And what should we call someone who calls someone else "moron" and refers to gays and lesbians as "deviants?"
Leave Jerry alone. His whole life is based on a fictional character...give him a break
sounds like your love life
and what is your life based on, hmmmmmmm?
Who cares if the owner hates gays or not, they have great chicken,In the end we as the public don't care about the personal lives of the people who make the product we consume. Take Chris Brown for instance, people love his music , so they look past the part where he is a wife beater.
CB has never married.
Ew. It's not good. It's tolerable at best. It's amazing how you can pay someone to schill for you.
Thank you OP for this piece. I applaud your sensible discussion, and think it would be silly of any of my fellow Christians to not only welcome you to CFA, but to love on you the way we should love on anyone. The Bible is all about love and, in a significant part, forgiveness. That said, I applaud you for being open about your lifestyle, but dismay at your lack of how it aligns with the Bible.
Unless you have a completely physical intimacy-free relationship, then you are in sin if you are "laying with a man as one lies with a woman". The point is made for both genders. However, that does not give any Christian the right to blast away at you and cast you out. The sin committed by those acts are no different than the sin anyone else commits, pretty much on a daily – if not hourly – basis. And we all know what should happen when we, as Christians, drag someone out into the street for a good stoning... "Those who have not sinned..."... Yeah, my rock drops immediately.
Any way you look at it, it needs to be about love. Sometimes love is a bit harsh...sometimes it is corrective, but most of all, it should be to the betterment of our lives. We may not like the changes it calls us to, but if we are truly living our lives in accordance with our faith, in the end it's the right thing to do.
Non-Christians, feel free to fire away and disagree all you like.
Christians, you were not made to be of this world, so you certainly shouldn't act like it.
The profit from your purchase directly or indirectly fund Hate Groups. That's not a very Christian thing to do.
Well said!
And herein lies the rub: this constant tension between the realization of your own hypocrisy and abject moral failures as a Christian and the mandate to declare the righteousness of God. At times, it's a fine line.
Well said, unfortunately most of us are blind to there own sin while judging others at the same time.
Really? Now lets see, we have to boycott Target, Chic Fil A, Walmart, StarBucks, Coors, geesh the list goes on. Can you not just understand the not every one has the same set of beliefs? I am gay and I do not expect everyone to embrace my lifestyle, if they speak out against it, well that is what is called freedom of speech. If I can speak out supporting my ideals, then they have equal rights to have opposing views. Since when do we have a single view point all must adhere to? Grow and appreciate everyone for their individualism and diversity.
There is no need to expect anyone to support your beliefs. However, it's absolutely *backwards* to spend money with an organization who will take the profit from your purchase and use it against you.
You may choose to tolerate anyone and any belief you like, even ones with which you disagree. But the owners of Chick-fil-A don't tolerate you or homosexuals in general. They are actively trying to deny you the right to marry. And they would probably deny you the right participate in homosexual sex if they could, and would probably define your orientation as a mental disorder and mandate conversion therapy for you. It sounds nice to call for tolerance, but does it really make sense to tolerate intolerance?
Sid
CFA still supports Hate Groups. If your beliefs don't mesh with theirs, the profits from your purchase are being used against you. Give them your patronage at your own peril.
who cares if you are gay... So sick of simple people... gay people work for chick, but it doesn't mean anyone has to except your way of life, they only have to respect as they would anyone one else. people get a life... no one cares about your private life...
Then why are gays denied equal rights? I'm sorry you're uncomfortable. Perhaps you needed to be offended. Once you're sufficiently uncomfortable, them maybe you'll act to change the status quo.
I am a devout, conservative Catholic. You should know God loves you and he doesn't make mistakes. That said, I was one of those folks who stood in line for hours at Chick Fli A. And there were some who were there to protest legalizing gay marriage, but most were not. Like me, they were there because they felt that the CEO of Chick Fil A had a right to say he was not in support of it, and that didn't make him a hater. There are those who believe that marriage is a sacrament between a man and woman, instituted and annointed by God. I'm not going to try to convince you of this, but there is a precedent for this that is not founded or fueled by hate. These folks are not crazy, angry people, and you seem smart. I'm sure if you put your feelings aside, you get this too. So eat Chick Fil A knowing it is run by people who may disagree with you, but who will do their best- broken and sinful as we all are- to love you anyway.
I so tired of gays wanting to ram the fact that they are GAY down everybody's throat. Go to Iran and tell them you’re gay. They seem to care about that over there.
It's my country just as much as yours so hell no I'm not going anywhere. You're the one so fond of organized religion forcing their judgemental and obnoxious views on people. Iran sounds like just your kind of place. Be sure to tell people how your sky god can beat up their sky god when you get there. They just love that.
well spend more time paying your taxes and working than having us worry about you playing with something you've already got.
I'm straight ..and you're a first class a-hole. The *only* reason anyone makes anything of it is because ignoramuses such as yourself see them as *different* and worth *less* than yourself. Until that changes, this straight guy is gonna cram gay squarely down your freaking throat.
I promise not to push my views and beliefs on you if you don't push yours on mine. I respect your right to be different without being judgemental. Can you do the same for me?
CFA gives money to Wingspan (it's charitable organization). In the past, Wingspan gave that money directly to the anti-gay groups. Now, CFA is giving money to Wingspan, and Wingspan is holding fundraisers for the same anti-gay groups, but asking the donors to write checks directly to the anti-groups at these fundraisers, to avoid the trail back to the fact that Wingspan, and CFA, are still organizing these things.
CFA = still evil. Campus Pride = mislead by the still evil CFA.
you cant say your christian and then that your lesbian right after you are a fake christian. You want people to believe that it is ok to be a lesbian and call yourself christian you are so disgusting,
Im so glad we have a judge here, maybe you can save Christ from having to judge when the time comes. Now this is a good example of a Christian.
@H: Somehow I'm not surprised you can't figure out how comment threading works.
What is truly disgusting is the hatred you spew in the name of Christianity. Show me the passages where Christ talks about homosexuality. Hint: there are none. What he did say was to love one another. It wasn't love everbody but gays and lesbians. I'm do tired of hatred in the guise of religion. It makes you no better than radical Muslims.
H: Why do you feel that it is not okay to be a lesbian?
...and here we have a prime example of why I left religion. Well done.
you're the disgusting one for saying that person is disgusting i don't care if they are gay or lesbian because they are human. i'm a straight male and i have no problems with men who are gay or women who are lesbian and the same goes for men and women who are bi-sexual. It's how they feel so be it but just because they are either homosexual or bi sexual doesn't give us a right to judge them . it doesn't even matter if they are christian or catholic or jewish or whatever religion they follow IF they follow one because like i said before we are all human and we can't help who we may fall in love with. before anyone wonders i do know some men and women who either homosexual or bi sexual and they are my friends or i know them and don't have any problems with them.
Thank you for writing an article which reflects similar feelings for me. I too have enjoyed Chick-fil-a now for almost 40 years. It's my go to when ever I'm on the go and need a quick bite to eat. No other fast food comes close to my cravings for the consistency Chick-fil-a offers. I'm also not one to get into boycotts. But when I saw so many people join in on Huckabee's Chick-fil-a appreciation day, I too saw a Day by my loved chick-fil-a to say "Go eat at Chick-fil-a today to show your hate for anyone gay. Since that day I have not been able to visit a Chick-fil-a. I have never had any experience like this in my life. To enjoy something so much and stop cold turkey because of how they so publicly asked anyone who hates gay people to come into their restaurants to show their hate and then gloat about the success it had. It really sickened me. How can I eat at an establishment who is so vocal about hating a large group of people in a free country?
So now I'm processing what to do. I don't fault all the restaurant owners and employees who have been so unfairly hurt by the owner of Chick-fil-a. Many of them who need their jobs are probably in the closet with their true feelings. Twice this week I have driven past 2 Chick-fil-a's ready to eat and have past them by. I'm still not sure what to do. I'm still frustrated why this has happened. It's just hard to go in and support the "Big Owner" for his hate of a people who God created who they are. But I do know this, as time goes by even Christians who hate gays will evolve and come to understand, all they believe has been taught to them by man and his own understanding of who God is. Not God speaking directly to them, but by way of generations of interpretation. And that is not a bad thing, just an understanding that God is much bigger than what anyone can understand. I learned a long time ago that when a preacher says he knows what God wants for you, I'm in a bad place. How can anyone be so arrogant to make that statement. I'm so humble, and seek to learn anything I can about my spiritual journey. It's a joy to learn from all religions and people in a free country. It's sad when any one religion tries to tell us all how we should think, and then an owner of a restaurant. Sounds like the opposite of freedom somehow.
What I do know is my mind and soul have been affected by Chick-fil-a's actions and I'm I'm still trying to process what to do. In time I too will evolve, and that's a good thing!
im glad chic fil a is standing up to this gay nonsense call it hate speech i dont care half of you hear have said worse we have lost all morals and values its ok for big business to support gay marriage and be sponsered on cnn but whoeveres against it gets bashed what happened to each its own now its accept gay marriage and gays or be demonized by the left screw you guys gays and homosexuals are not suppose to be the norm they are forcing homosexuality down your throats and you morons happily accept it enjoy your gay socialism. CHIC FIL A A++++
My understanding is gay people just want to be accepted and not treated badly for who they are. Your post sounds like someone who would treat a gay person badly.
i think you're missing the big picture. I am pro choice, pro human rights and completely recognize that this is America and business owners should be able to operate on their principals. Chickfila did not organize the appreciation day and neither did they worry about the kiss day. They are operating a business and making donations where they want. I doubt that the founder is a zealot. I believe he is strong in his faith and has the right for this choice as much as lesbians and gays have their rights. Not everyone believes the same way and I think we should respect that. I believe the founder respects your rights. He's not a political man.
So I continue to eat at Chickfila and I continue to shop in Wilton Manors.
Good for you! I'm still working thru my own feelings on this. I like their food, not so much their owners feelings toward gay people.
I have many people in m your life and family i love them but i don't get the gay love thing but thats my problem but what got me mad at the whole CFA thing is if your gay you can support gay rights. its your right but if your straight your not allowed to support straight rights. So who does that make Hippocrates. It was my understanding that CFA day was in response to boycotts over who the CFA owner supported at one point. so gays are allowed to boycott but Christians aren't allow to support. for a subsection of society that believes in and wants equality. Practice what you preach you don't accept christens values so don't expect them to value yours. AGREE TO DISAGREE and realize that for every gay/Lez right you get your taking away Christians rights its always gonna be give and take
I'm interested in good food and service from CFA! I'm not interested in their owners religion or politics. CFA has the freedom to promote their business in any way they want. All I've shared is how recent events have affected me personally. I will continue to sort thru my feelings and see if I can return as a customer just thinking of their food, or the many people they have offended.
We absolutely did line up at Chick Fil A that day to take a stand against gay marriage and in support of Chick Fil A Christian beliefs. I am respectful towards gays and have no problem with them living out their free choices privately. However, when Christians are criticized for not accepting their policy demands, I have a problem. Roughly 2% of the population say they are gay (give or take). Yet, this 2% has gone on a civil rights crusade to bully the 98% into bowing to the LGBT agenda, trying to force Christians into apologizing for their beliefs in heterosexual marriage in the name of political correctness. We were taking a stand that we are tired of throwing morality out the window to be politically correct. According to our faith, there are things that are right and wrong and morally acceptable and unacceptable, regardless of what 2% of society decides it wants. The Bible determines our morality, not pressure from 2% of the population.