 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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I've stopped going after the debacle
Dear Virginia,
You can't be Christian and gay. Choose one or the other, but you cannot have both.
You say that God didn't make a mistake because you are attracted to other women.
Therefore, you can do whatever you want because it feels right to you?
Every (straight) married man that I know is attracted to other women. Is it okay for us to have affairs? After all, it definitely "feels" right. Let me answer the question for you. The answer is NO! God is very clear about sin. He has given every one of us a different burden to overcome in this life. He has also said that He would give us the grace we need to overcome any temptation. So, if you give in to temptation, it's your fault – NOT GOD's!
Do not be deceived. God will not be mocked and you will reap what you sow.
Please think very seriously about what I have said. I also want you to know that I have no ill feelings toward gay people. I understand how difficult it is to different. Keep your eyes on Jesus and remember that the decisions you make in this short lifetime have eternal consequences.
Why? Because your a follower of a preacher and not God?
Amen.
And, the rainbow is a sign of the covenant God made with Noah never to destroy the earth with a flood. not homosexuality.
You know I was just in a chic-fil-a the other day and when I ordered a sandwich, they asked me if I was gay. On a lark, I said yes, and the politely asked me to leave. (sarcasm mode off). I can't believe the premise of this article. If you don't agree with how the owner spends his money, don't give him your money to use. Eat someplace else. Gay people were never ever quizzed at the door and refused service.
Seriously? You definitely did not read the article.
I don't believe that for a second.
misunderstood wes, my bad.
I love the term "hate group". Its use so clearly defines the intolerance of the left. Oppose gay marriage? Hate group. Call yourself a pro-life group? Hate group. NRA? Hate group. Republican? Hate Group. Tea Party? Hate Group. And on and on and on.
Did ever occur to the narrow-minded on the left that opposition does not equal hate? It is not hateful to have standards and believe in the promotion of those standards. If I am against gay marriage for morality sake but believe the government should not be in the business of sanctioning or favoring marriage of any kind, is that hatred? We willingly believe the government has a place in every aspect of our life that we simply accept its role without question.
Think about what I am saying. I don't think gay marriage is moral. I don't think the govt should decide what is, or is not, marriage and should not favor it for anyone. If you want to live with your partner, I believe you'll have to justify it to your maker some day. However, I don't believe the government should knock down your door to stop it.
The ignorant amongst you have no understanding of what people outside of your echo chamber really feel or believe. Do us all a favor, get out of the bedroom and talk to people with whom you disagree. You'll find out that hatred is NOT what people really feel towards you or your partner. Get a life!
If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...
Then it is a platypus?
A seagull?
If you oppose other people having the same rights and freedoms as yourself, you are a hateful pos.
It's okay for them to force their views and sins on us and invade our social groups but the minute you RESPECTFULLY disagree then you are labeled as a hateful person and shunned. THAT is the problem. It's the intolerance to our right to believe what we believe.
I don't call anyone who merely respectfully disagrees a bigot. I do call people who seek to convert their personal beliefs into secular, civil, public policy that LEGALLY restricts the lives, rights, liberty, and property of other people bigots, though.
Don't like gay people? Whatever, that's on you and your conscience. Donate money or vote against their legal rights? You are a bigot.
Nathan, at least be consistent.
"I don't call anyone who merely respectfully disagrees a bigot. I do call people who seek to convert their personal beliefs into secular, civil, public policy that LEGALLY restricts the lives, rights, liberty, and property of other people bigots, though."
Does this apply to the Catholic church's resistance to providing birth control? Regardless of how you feel, WHY should the religious views of Catholics be overridden by someone else's right to birth control? Who decides which rights trump other rights? How do you feel about the government deciding what is a legitimate right and what is not?
And what about property and other liberties? The government has a right to take property from you based upon what they, and perhaps the majority, believes is a "fair" amount. Who determines what is fair for me, Nathan? You?
And how about the "right" to healthcare. Great! But if someone has a right to it, someone has to provide it. Who decides whether a physician or other healthcare provider has to provide that care? They don't have to practice but who decides that if they do practice they must do it in a way that provides for you or me? Is it you who decides, Nathan?
And what about guns, Nathan? Who decides what part of the 2nd amendment is a right and what is not? Who decides on the restrictions on that right? You, Nathan?
My point is that as a society, we make those decisions to restrict the rights of other ALL THE TIME. When Nathan agrees with restrictions of those rights...well...that is okay, right Nathan? Apparently, your determination of what is a right and what is not is determined by your ability to get 50% + 1. Thanks for telling me.
I couldn't have said it better myself. I am so tired of hearing about "tolderance" when it only goes one way... to the left. Funny how the only bashing that has become politically acceptably is Christian bashing. Nice.
Stephanie, let me get this straight. I am of the belief that marriage between ANY TWO people should NOT be sanctioned or favored by the government in any way. And this makes me a hateful pos. I suppose that because I support the freedom of anyone to form a bond OUTSIDE of the government, I am a hateful pos. I find marriage morally repugnant but do not believe any government should decide for any church what they can sanction. (meaning if your church supports it I cannot stand in its way) I am a hateful pos. I DON"T WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO DETERMINE FOR ANYONE WHAT THEIR FREEDOM IS, OR IS NOT, IN THIS MATTER. And that makes me a hateful pos.
What that really means, and is indicative of the intolerance of the left, is that unless I agree with you, I am a hateful pos.
Thank you for making my point for me.
Whoops – I find gay marriage morally repugnant. But that does not trump my belief that the govt. should not have a role in marriage, gay, straight, poly, you name it. Stop blindly accepting that the government has any say on any of our freedoms that don't involve harming living beings.
Hate hatred? Hate group!
"am a Christian. I am also a lesbian"
If you continue in sin, you are not a child of God, you are a child of wrath. If you claim to be a Christian and yet deny that you sin (in your choice of homosexuality) then you are a hypocrite.
The same is true for any and all sin. If a person claims to be a liar and continual and willfully and habitually continues to lie, then they remain dead in their sin and are not a Christian.
1 John 3:8-9 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. (9) No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.
1 John 1:8-10 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (10) If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Hypocrite.
How do you know? You going to listen to a preacher telling you what to believe in or are you going to believe what you believe in? God never told you to hate so stop being a hater.
Im Agnostic (at best) but remember the Bible adding the blanket disclaimer:
"With God, all things are possible"
In other words, you demand that if someone disagrees with you, they should be silent and don't have the same right to voice their opinion? this article has all the hallmarks of a "hater" blog – if someone believes that marriage should be between men and women according to their religious or personal beliefs, that's fine as long as they don't do anything about it, like contribute money to groups that support traditional marriage. That is hypocritical - you claim the right to vote with your money, and yet castigate others for doing the same but only if they disagree with you. Stop being a hater and show tolerance for a worldview that diverges from your own.
Yes we can all go eat a chic fil la sandwich and we can all express are thoughts and opinions just like the owner of Chic Fil Lay
Perfect response :)
It sounds like the writer needs less judgemental friends.
If you want a chicken sandwich, eat a chicken sandwich. Refusing to eat there because your friends won't think you're cool is something a 7th grader would worry about.
Their (eventual) retraction for their publicly outspoken hateful remark will not restore a single cent of my business. Nor that of my family and friends.
This article hits on why I can't stand the left anymore. Ironically, it's the same reason I can't stand fundamentalist Christians.
They've become puritanical in their beliefs. If you step one toe outside their comfort zone, they slap a label on you and start to hate.
You are stupid, they never said a single hateful remark towards gays. Saying you don't agree with something is not being hateful.
"I, too, am a Christian. I am also a lesbian."
The two are mutually exclusive. You can't be both. That's what gay people don't realize. You can't live a life of sin, continually, openly, and be a Christian. What homosexuals need to realize is two fold: being gay is a sin. Failing to turn from it, choosing to live openly as a gay person, WILL result in judgment and an eternal life in hell. The second things homosexuals need to realize is that when a Christian person tells you that you are living in sin, he is not saying that he is not also living in sin.
Every gay person who chooses not to turn from that life will face God on the day of judgment. Standing beside those gay people will be Christian people and we will face the exact same judgment, perhaps worse because we judged you while being sinful creatures as well.
Christ said no one is good, not one. That includes every finger pointing Christian out there. EVERY single man and woman needs the redemptive power of Christ to save us from eternal hell, so yes, being gay is a sin. So it being a liar, a cheat, prideful, judgmental, a thief, a hypocrite and so on and so on. There may be a lot of gays burning in hell but they will have company.
So be lesbian, eat at Chick-fil-a, be happy. Just know that every man and woman will have to answer for his or her actions, including me.
Unless I'm missing something, everyone is a sinner. Your kung-fu is weak.
So true Cliff, I get so tired of hearing gays trying to compare animals to human beings saying that they commit homosexual acts. Well, they are absolutely right.Homosexual acts are for dumb animals that don't know any better.Straight people know better, so that about sums it up.
I'm not gay, still won't eat that crap.
I'm a conservative. Can I eat pretty much anywhere else? I'm a conservative. Can I listen to any music other than hard core Country? I'm a conservative. Can I go to the movies? Yes. Jeez liberals. Get over it.
Nobody was talking about you nut. They were talking about your insane belief in stopping an individual's right to believe and do what she or he wants to believe or do. This is America. Deal with it
Nut?? hahaha. Read my post again and this time think a little.
The real question " I'm stupid can I eat in Chick-file" ?
"Chick-Fil-A, now with 50% less homophobia!"
I am not sure that just being hateful, but withdrawing funding from hate groups is real "progress". All Chik-Fil-A has done is taken their narrow-mindedness back into the closet.
In other words, they want your gay money, but they don't want you. Just try to buy a franchise and see how much their policies have changed. Or even try to get a job there – and keep it – without joining the morning prayer circle.
It is not just a Gay thing. Call them up and say you want to buy a franchise – but that you are an Atheist or a Muslim. See how that works out. Ditto for getting – and keeping – a job there. You'll find their range of hate goes well beyond gay.
Fast food is bad for you – all carbs and fried meat and soda-pop. So what is the great loss by not patronizing them?
And if I see another "Eat More Chickn" cow advertisement, I will barf. OK, it was funny for ten seconds. Now, get a new ad agency.
For me, the answer is simple: Boycott ALL fast food and franchise restaurants Seek out real restaurants run by REAL PEOPLE wherever you travel.
Thanks to the GPS, you can find places like that, which often have better food – and food that is better for you.
Or, prepare your own foods, which is not that hard, doesn't take that much time and SAVES YOU A TON OF MONEY.
Eating at restaurants, particularly fast-food restaurants, will make you fat and broke in no time. Most Americans, sadly, use restaurants as their kitchens.
Gays have ALWAYS been able to eat at Chick-Fil-A. Stop the whining.
Congratulations on missing the ENTIRE point of the essay. Next time, read before you comment.
Get over it... this happened months ago.. sure the gay lifestyle is still a debate.. but move on from this.. it's old news
tool. The holocaust happened 70 years ago. Should we just move on from that too? Learn from the mistakes. Truetts backwards thinking is exactly the dangerous thinking that precipitated Germany's problems.
You're comparing Truett Cathy to Adolph Hitler?
Hitler murdered (exterminated) millions of God's chosen people – the Jews.
Truett Cathy is taking a stand with God against the homosexual agenda in this nation. Meanwhile, his restaurants continue to serve (without prejudice) anyone and everyone who comes through the door. Mr. Cathy is not trying to harm anyone – he is simply saying NO to immorality. I applaud him for his efforts and support him by eating in his restaurants on a regular basis.
Dont cut your nose off to spite your face. Whats the point. I can guarantee you that, if you knew the feelings of other CEO's and other places of business, you would face the same issue....at the grocery store, at the gas sstation, at the bank, etc. It's sad but true. Truitt C just expressed his druthers when others havent.....and probably wouldnt tell the truth even if asked, like he did. I applaud the man for standing by his convictions, even though I may not agree with him. I say, go eat that sandwich and have the half and half and enjoy every bit of it. It says NOTHING about who you are except that you like to eat their food. Dont cut your nose off to spite your face. How childish. Dont let them steal your joy. If you have the inclination, see if you can find the article that Dan Cathy wrote about his guest at a recent football game. I think you might change your mind after reading it.
can't we just eat some food without everyone thinking we're making a political or religious statement?
Not in this country... Sadly enough, we're a political/religious/violence driven country. It's what put us on top, and what will soon drag us to the bottom.
"... not as aggressively homophobic ..."
The boycott should continue until they are "agressively" for equal rights for all.
I am so tired of lumping all "Christians" into being anti-gay. People, there are plenty of Christians who are open-minded and attend denominations (such as the Episcopal Church) who welcome gay folks with open arms and hearts. In my opinion the evangelical denominations are primarily the ones who stick with their anti-gay rhetoric, and these denominations do not encourage people to think for themselves. As far as Chick-Fil-A goes, I will not support them until they truly make some effort to amend last summer's disgusting display of intolerance.
Just like all muslims are terrorists.
Why do you care what someone else thinks? Somewhat if the president of a company supports anti-gay groups? He has just as many rights to support anti-gay groups as you do supporting gay groups. Get over and live your own life, don't worry about his life and thoughts. I have gay friends and I'm neutral toward gay marriage, if you wanna do it, then do it. If he don't like, then he don't like it. Let it go.
Do you realize the stupidity and hypocritical nature of your question? Probably not.
If I decide as an African-American not to support some homophobic and bigoted owner, that is my choice. You get over that.
If you "decide as an African-American not to support some homophobic and bigoted owner" that's your choice, but read closer next time, it was the president not the owner of the company and congratulations on bringing race into and argument where it has no proper place. All I am saying is when someone has an opinion that you don't like, why let it get to you? This article is just as biased as the CFA's presidents comment. Neither are better than each other, both are stupid arguments and I don't see why people get all worked up because someone doesn't like their lifestyle. ITS YOUR LIFE NOT THEIRS. DO AS YOU PLEASE.
Hey Mark, it's great if there are fewer people like you at my local CFA–and yes, I'm "over it" : )
Let it go?? Easy as that huh....I'll let it go when I have the same rights as everyone else. Then, quite frankly, I dont CARE what you think about my gay marriage. Until then, I will NOT support any company who keeps my rights unequal to the rest of the US citizens. I cant afford to let it go because I need to fight for my rights, unlike you im sure, who was born being able to marry whomever you please....so as long as its a woman. I will not spend my money at a place where they will turn right around and use MY money to deny me my right to marry my partner. Let it go, Mark?? Thats not an option...
How is it unequal? Are they keeping you from eating there? Are they making you eat there? NO. You choose to or not to. He expressed his opinion just like every other American does. He has the right to do that you know, you aren't the only one who has the right to be an opinionated liberal.
Sorry Mark! Reply was meant for Zach :)
"Get over it and live your own life"
Thats just the problem Zach, you hit it right on the nail. I CANT live my own life because of people who are funding and supporting anti-gay groups. I CANT just ignore what everyone else thinks because its affecting my rights as a US citizen. How is this so challenging to understand? Is it not crystal-clear? They leave us no option but to fight back and stand up for our right to love. Like I previously said, the instant that I am allowed to marry another man is the instant i stop caring what people think or do with their money, so long as it doesnt affect me or my loved ones. These are not difficult arguments to comprehend.
my local sonic drive-in and village inn restaurant are managed by openly gay persons, and hire gay persons. it would never occur to me not to give my patronage to an establishment for that reason. do i feel that i'm supporting a gay lifestyle if i eat there? no. i'm eating, not making a political or religious statement.
Sandy Hook, 9/11 , earthquakes, flood and countless hurricanes are proof that God is punishing us because our society has excepted the gay lifestyle.
God isn't punishing us for the gay people he created gay, to live lives together in love as consenting adults. He's punishing us for the sicko pedophilies in the catholic church.
I think he was just troll-ing.
God isn't punishing us for the gay people he created gay, to live live together in love as consenting adults. He's punishing us for the sicko pedophilies in the catholic church.
How do you get a nun pregnant?
Dress her like an altar boy.
Are you another catholic church pedophile Father peters? You sound like one.
I'm willing to bet an eternity in a fiery pit of despair that you're as wrong as can be, you hateful bigot. Go preach your "love" elsewhere. I hear that the Westboro Baptist Church likes people like you.
And your hateful and homophobic remarks show you've misunderstood your "God" somewhere, or displaying hate is more powerful then love through Christ
well no. see Sandy Hook occured because a kid who had been unstable for many years was allowed access to guns.
The floods and such, most likely climate change.
9/11-well that was angry terrorists.
Your posting, that was the result of idiocy.
Your comment is made hilarious by your illiteracy. Thank you.
Gee, for a second there I thought I was reading a quote from that wacked-out religious lunatic, Pat Robertson.
As if they won't be back to their homophobic ways... They'll just find better ways of hiding it.
Truett Cathy has already made it very clear that he is STILL STAUNCHLY homophobic, and he founded the damn place.
Plus, this was really an opportunity for Americans to make a choice AGAINST shoving more deep fried foods (no matter HOW tasty) straight into their EPIDEMICALLY huge morbidly obese asses.
Chick-Fil-A will never not be Hate-Fil-A to me...just as I am sure there are millions of Jews that wonder why Mercedes-Benz never had to pay any reparations for the the MASSIVE WWII profits earned for the company on the backs of interned slave laborers in Nazi death camps.
Great analogy moron. Indeed, a business owner who says that he is in favor of "traditional" marriage is EXACTLY like the atrocities committed during the holocaust. Another deep-thinking Liberal on display.
It's always amazing to me how quickly conservative folk line up comparisons to Hitler or the Holocaust when criticizing opinions that they don't like.
do you buy gasoline? ever thought about that?
You could always eat at Chick-fil-A. They never discriminated against anyone in either employment or serving customers. What a load from the gay community to discriminate against a legal business that provides jobs and tax revenues without regard to sexual orientation.
The whole thing was much ado about nothing anyway. Only a very small amount was given to the despised organizations if I read the financials correctly, 3000 dollars between them. Most large organizations like that, that do give probably don't look at all the policies of the organization they are giving to when it so small an amount. In comparison they spent millions on taking care of orphans.
Logic finally speaks!! great comment
Spot on.
this was in reply to Jeffrey
Silly and illogical thinking in this article. You were always free to eat at CFA
CNN playing politics with private business. Hom*sexuality is a sin. period. Kudos to any business willing to stand up for their morals. Doesn't keep you from buying oil from the ar*bs that hate and want to ki** you every day?
All chick fila did was hold true to their values, they didn't try to impose anything on anyone, hate, or kill anyone.
Gays need to get over it and go back to the closet
David needs to impale himself on his own flagstaff and die. :-)
You need to stop being so ignorant.
the way you choose to have s*x is not a point of discrimination the way a persons color is, etc. being gay is no different from having s*x with animals or anything else bizarre- it's a choice you made to do. no one choose to be white, black, asian, female or male. saying the two are similar is ignorant.
any private company should be able to have any view they want, this is America. there are gay clubs no?
Congratulations on winning the ignorant idiot olympic gold medal.
That is the most uneducated, ignorant, simply stupid comment so far from the anti-gay haters on here! Congrats! Your, so for, the biggest moron to date!!!
Soooo all those kids that commit suicide cause they get bullied for being gay in school...they just woke up one day and chose to live a life that would get them harrassed and drive them to suicide? nope. not a choice dude. The millions of gay people in the world are not lying to you.
WRONG! What gender you are attracted to is not a choice. It is the persons biology, it is how they were created. Animal populations have apporx 9% of their population as homosexual. Humans are animals. It's how we are made. Now who we have s*x with, when we have it, if we have it, those are choices, but staight or gay is biological.
It is OK to eat at Chick-Fil-A if you are gay assuming you are OK with the fact that the owner does not believe you deserve the same rights as other Americans and believes "your kind" are undermining the family structure. The owner has / does spend millions of dollars supporting organizations that support those views.
So, if you eat at Chick-Fil-A YOU are supporting organizations who support discriminating against gays and that spew anti-gay and hateful propaganda. It's just that simple.
So the answer is...
No, no, no, no NO!
Is it ok to eat at chick-fil-a if you are gay – NO. asked and answered.
Again, did you not actually read the article. Chick- fil- a is no longer giving to those groups.
So if you are choosing to boycott because you dont agree with the politics of the owner .. so be it . But realize you are just as bad as the person who boycotss a company because they are pro- gay marriage.
Bigotry is bigotry. Liberals are just as guilty as conservatives.
Sorry dude. Corporations are not people. Bigotry does not apply to corporations. You are voting with your wallet against a MASSIVE corporation throwing its weight around. NO corporation should be allowed to influence public debate on ANY issue. They do NOT have free speech, not being HUMAN, and as such have NO rights to enter the HUMAN debate about anything.
CNN playing politics with private business. Homosexuality is a sin. period. Kudos to any business willing to stand up for their morals. Doesn't keep you from buying oil from the arabs that hate and want to kill you every day?
All chick fila did was hold true to their values, they didn't try to impose anything on anyone, hate, or kill anyone.
Christians, you are free to support the anti-gay owner if you want. And, he is free to use your money to support anti-gay causes, as he has in the past and will continue to do.
I, as an African-American, have the right not to allow my dollars, regardless of the percentage, be used by an anti-gay owner to support anti-gay causes. I could not justifying supporting a business owned by the Klan anymore than I can justify supporting a business whose owner hates gays.
Not sure what is so hard to understand about that.
Mark did you not actually read the article. Chick- fil- a is no longer giving to those groups.
So if you are choosing to boycott because you dont agree with the politics of the owner .. so be it . But realize you are just as bad as the person who boycotss a company because they are pro- gay marriage.
Bigotry is bigotry. Liberals are just as guilty as conservatives.
Bill, are you gullible? Do you really believe the owner does not support those groups on his own? If you do, I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn. I am sure the idiot owner still has his homophobic and hateful views. I don't think its wrong for any consumer to boycott anything they want. As we are all free citizens, we have a right to support those businesses we believe are consistent with our own values – or not.
And, if you are saying that "liberals" are just as bigoted as conservatives you are truly living in a fantasy land. There is a reason that minorities and gays, and more and more these days women, avoid the republican party like the plague. That party is FILLED with bigots, racists, chauvanists and homophobes. Get out of that Fixed News Bubble.
I wish liberals would understand why Christians get mad about being taxed to support abortion and other issues that they think are immoral, yet they don't have the freedom to stop the cash flow. You can stop eating at Chic-fil-a, I can't stop paying taxes.
I wish "christians" would stop being so dumb. Do you think "liberals" like supporting wans designed to profit defense contractors, oil subsidies, etc. Neither of us can stop paying taxes for things we don't agree with, but we both can decide to not support businesses we don't agree with. I do not want to support a homophobe and bigot, yuou are free to do so.
Jeepers. You Christians now know what it feels like when I pay for all the services provided to a TAX EXEMPT CHURCH. You can worship your magic guy in the sky and I will die to defend that right but just STOP MAKING ME PAY FOR IT!
Steven R- you keep beating me to the posts. I don't have to post anything, you're saying all the right things for me.
Christians are the first responders to every crisis.. the Church feed the hungry, clothe the poor, house the homeless, heal the hurting... Christian's build countless refuges, clinics, hospitals, orphanages, & organize all kinds help & assistance all over the planet... Christ is the solid reason for the immense passionate efforts of love for others.
Chick-fil-A's president and COO is one of Sarah Palin's real Americans. It's a safe bet he personally owns many assault weapons and contributes heavily to the NRA.
so what?
Sandy Hook, that's so what.
Chic-fil-a COO is behind Sandy Hook?
When's the last time an NRA member committed a mass murder? Hmmm, can't think of one.
The NRA supports the unhindered availability of the assault weapons used at Sandy Hook to slaughter innocent children.
So does the constitution.
If someone were to deliberately mow over a bunch of people with a car, would you feel the same about them? How about ramming a plane into a building?
You know that the Sandy Hook killer wasn't the one who owned the guns, right? Or that by just bringing the guns to the school he broke the law? Or how about the fact that there are more killings by handguns & simple hunting rifles than any assault rifle?
I don't own any guns, but I also don't view those who do as monsters worthy of any kind of hate. When they decided that they must turn any weapon on another human for reasons beyond defense, then that makes them a monster.
So the NRA shot up Sandy Hook? I thought it was a kid that had mommy doesn't love me syndrome.
Handguns aren't assault weapons.
The NRA supports the 2nd amendment. You know that little thing called the constitution? You should read it some time, and not listen to everyone else. Just as we are all allowed to speak freely, why is it that we keep trying to take these rights away? When you give up your rights for safety, you soon will have neither.
Not to confuse facts with a good fight,but that idiot at Sandy Hook used handguns and I believe the assault weapon was still in his vehicle.
Mark you haven't the slightest clue on what you are typing. Please do not call others dumb unless you wise up first.
I think that what the tard baby is trying to tell us is that owners of assault weapons and Chick-fil-A customers should stay in their trailer parks south of the Mason-Dixon line.
What is wrong with owning an assault weapon if you aren't going around killing people? So owning a weapon now makes you a killer? Go F yourself.
The gun nuts and their nutty logic are out in force I see. When you argue with fools people can mistake you for one so I will save my breath.
No, it's the anti-gun nuts and their nutty logic who are out in force. The rest of us have always been here. We're just trying to protect our constitutional rights which are being threatened by the anti-gun nuts.
In the same vein, we should allow, even encourage Iran to create nuclear weapons since they promise to never use them to kill people.
Sterotype much? Now you want to bring gun owners into this?
You can not be a lesbian & a Christian.. you can be a Christian that was a lesbian.. you can be a Christian that struggles with sin... Being a Christian means you died to your self.. you died to fleshly desires and made Christ Jesus the Lord of your life.. you no longer live as your flesh desires but you live by the word of God through the Holy Spirit who leads you into all truth.. cleansing & sanctifying your life.. if you are still living in sin without any conviction on your heart, you are not Christian.. you infact, still belong to Satan. God does love you & there is still hope.. you can call on Christ & make Him Lord of your life.. He will help you break away from the slavery of sin & become who you were truly born to be.
1John 3:6
No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or known Him.
1John 3:8-10
The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.
God Bless
Amen!
Bam dude...refreshing to see this on a comment thread. You are spot on.
Says you.
says the word of God & the Spirit of Truth... you can't truly love someone if you know nothing about them... you have to learn about who Jesus is, what He did & what He asks of you... As you hear & grow to know Him, your love, adoration & respect for Him blossoms.. His commands become the beautiful ways inwhich you strive to live out your new life in Christ.
Pick up your cross & follow Him.. He will bring you beyond the flesh & into fullness.
No thanks.
I call BS! Stop the hate and learn to love!
I agree 100%. One cannot be Gay and Christian. If you are truly a Christian that has given your life to Christ, you understand that God made Woman to be with Man. If you are a true living Christian, you believe that God's word, the Holy Bible, is the absolute truth. Regardless of the testament, the Bible clearly puts it that man is not to lay with man. Why do you LGBT people think that when you knock a pole into a pole, nothing happens? No life is created. Why do you think that when you rub a hole with a hole, nothing happens? No life is created. You think that it was just by chance that a man and a woman are able to re-create life with their junk? Not even close, it's called Devine Design.
God loves you..but He doesn't love the sin. He says if we love him keep his commandments. You can't walk with God holding hands with the devil, you have to let go of one. You have to choose which side you are on
NOthing in there says anything about gay or lesbian.
@Another gay Christian, it is loving to call people out on sin. It is good and right to hate sin, it is something that tries to destroy you. Don't let your sin define you, find your identity in Christ and you won't have to defend sin.
Even if that is true, no where in the bible does it say to persecute them, to foce your views on them, to humilate them, to kill them, to make their lives miserable. In the end, it says not to judge man, for that is Gods job. So, before you go telling someone what they are or aren't, maybe you should learn about the bible yourself since you are a supposed christian.
He's not judging them, God already has, and they come up short. All have. Romans 3:23. Someone who claims the name of Christ, yet explicitly sins, you better believe we are going to call them out on it. Bible is quite clear about that being something we are supposed to do. In a loving way, but still to call them out.
Thats right!!! talks about that in 1st Corithians
Everybody sins everyday, yet they know Jesus and asks for forgiveness. Using that same principle, it is ok to be gay and Christian. In fact, every pastor, priest and religious head of the church agree that many books and passages were discarded from the Bible. We do not know everything therefor, we can not judge. I respect your believes and though I am not gay, it took me a long time to get to that perspective.
Repent means not only to be sorry & accept that we are in the wrong, but to be determined to turn away from the sin.. not continue in it.. We are slaves to whatever has mastered us... if our life is surrendered to sin we are a slave to sin. In the old testament they would offer a lamb to be sacrificed to cover their sins.. after awhile the people just took whatever the worst was and toss it up to be offered as a sacrifice for their sins.... but it became meaningless to the person offering & meant nothing to God.. because it wasn't changing their heart..God detested it.. Accepting the sacrifice of the perfect lamb & Son of God, Jesus Christ.. our hearts are convicted & wanting to do good in the sight of our loving God.... living in sinful rebellion against God is far from a Christian's innermost desires.
"And asks for forgiveness." That's the key. If you have no remorse and are not trying to turn away from your sinful nature and think that the gay lifestyle is just perfectly fine although God calls it an abomination, that's a problem. A Christian, although also a sinner, will struggle and strive not to do those things that are sin and will ask forgiveness every day.
Jeffrey, since Jesus Christ made it perfectly clear that none of us will *ever* be free from sin, your point of view damns us all to Hell, yourself included. You're wrong about this, and in your desire to be right, you're lying to yourself about your own hatred and you're calling it love. Here your sin is pride, and according to you, you're going to Hell for it. But I don't believe that. I believe that in your flaws, you are also human. I believe that the Lord will forgive your shortcomings and welcome you to Heaven if you seek forgiveness. I also believe that the author of this article will also find God's loving arms (although, unlike you, I do not believe that being a lesbian is something for which she needs to be forgiven). I'm a straight man, and I have many sins. So do you. Don't let the devil convince you otherwise.
You can *most certainly* be a lesbian and be a Christian. Just as you can judge and be a Christian, or put your pride ahead of your love and be a Christian. Each of us is flawed, including you. Jesus' love is here to cleans ALL of our sins, including the ones you choose to turn a blind eye towards so you can feel better about yourself.
the law brings sin into light.. & although the law is perfectly just & right, it is powerless against sin & unable to remove the wickedness from within the heart of mankind.. by way of Jesus we are given a new Spirit.. His Holy Spirit of Truth which writes the laws of God on our heart.. the Spirit is contrary to sinful desire... by faith in Christ we live, move & have life.. we are cleansed & sanctified.. we no longer live by our old ways.. we are born again as a new creation in Christ.
Religions are rules & rituals.. completely law based.. they have no power to change the heart... no matter how mankind struggles to keep his body in check the heart remains wicked & the spirit remains dead.. the fallen man can never enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus Redeems
Romans 8:3-4 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
1Cor 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Jn 3:3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
Jn 3:7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’
Ez 11:19 I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.
Jn 14:16-18 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
Ro 8:8-10 “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Jn 20:22 And with that He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
Gal 5:16-18 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Acts 17:28 ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’
~God Bless †
I thank God for you, Jeffrey. Speak truth.
God bless you, Jeffrey.
Saying you are a Christian and gay is like saying you are an American and support the Taliban. Everybody struggles with different sin and it doesn't mean God made a mistake. He did not make us perfect. A pedophile could use the same arguments as you share. God did not make a mistake, this is the way I was born, I cannot control who i am attracted to. We would never support a pedophila. The bible is clear that living a gay lifestyle is not of God. Turn and repent and please stop condoning sin.
In your opinion and based on various interpretations of ancient fairy tales propagated by bronze age shepherds. The opinion of countless others based on much more rational evidence and analysis differs.
There is no sentient god. The bible is a tool for political manipulation. Homosexuality is a common trait in all animal species. humans are animals. Fast food makes you fat and pliable to the will of government. WAKE UP!
Spot on.
I guess that means that there aren't any christians at all in the world, because there isn't a single one of them that doesn't sin on a daily basis, if you're using the bible as an example of what sin is. Me.... I'm going to go eat some pulled pork on a friday.... but luckily, me and god are cool with it.
We all are sinful, utterly depraved, but a Christian is not defined by that or any sins anymore after the moment faith is born. You are a new creation. Old things are gone and new life has come. New desires wage war against those old desires so that you don't want to do what you once did.
It's a struggle, but oh the rewards are SO great in comparison! If you don't struggle with sin, you are still enslaved to it. Jesus called us to be conformed to His likeness. His grace isn't just for salvation, but for freedom from the snares of sin.
get a life
Amen to that!!!
Jeffrey, you are so wrong on this. As you judge a homosexual person, so you will be judged by those harsh standards. Yes, the Bible condemns many sins. So, don't you have continuing issues that make you less than perfect? Or are you free from all behaviour that God doesn't like? Never, ever question someone's salvation unless you are ready to push God off the throne and sit there yourself.
This is from the mouth of Jesus. He said we can recognize those who are not believers, but instead deceivers. How else should you consider someone who claims to be a Christian but speaks of things contrary to those principles?
Matthew 7:15-20
15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will [k]know them by their fruits. [l]Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will [m]know them by their fruits.
Amen
A Christian appreciates correction.. we dont despise the Lord's discipline. Inside the house of God we are called to sharpen & build each other.. and even cast out those that remain content in wickedness.... Outside the Church, those that are not Christian, God himself knows who will & who will never accept Jesus as Lord.. & He will judge by His Word.
1Corinthians 5:11-13 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a Christian but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”
And in case you're concerned with the proper definition of fruit, see the earlier passage, Matt 3:6, where Jesus is talking to the Pharisees who claimed to be good and righteous, as they were coming to get baptized. He scolds them and then says:
"Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance"
Yes. When I read that someone claims to be gay AND a Christian, I always have the same reaction. If there is no repentance for the sin and you continue that lifestyle with no regrets, then you're not convicted and not a Christian. Now, if the person admits that they are struggling with but trying to turn away from the sin and repent and know their sin is wrong, it's a different story. Just to be fair, that doesn't apply to just homosexuality. If a person lives an adulterous lifestyle, is a thief, abuses people (anything the Bible says is sin), etc., with the same lack of remorse and shame and no attempt at repentance, the same thing applies. Their hearts are not right with God.
Amen
Hi Jeffrey:
Thought you might like a few more Bible Verses. John 3:16 & 17 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God sent not his son into the world to CONDEMN (or Judge) the world, but that the world through him might be saved.
One more for you Romans 3:23, For ALL (that's everyone) have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD.
You sin every day Jeffrey, you really shouldn't Judge others, because then you are Judged by the same Judgment. Let God sort this all out, there are many people that think they will go to heaven that will not, I'm sure the people that do get to heaven will be surprised who is there with them. The reason the CHURCH is so focused on GAY people is because very few GAY people attend traditional CHURCHES, therefore it doesn't affect the tithes and offerings. Do you remember when the CHURCH was as opposed to DIVORCE as they are now to Homosexuality? They had to get off that soapbox because so many members were DIVORCED it began to affect the income of the CHURCH. Much like the Catholic church just decided a fetus isn't a living being to avoid paying a lawsuit.
to keep your verses in context you should read the entire chapters you quote... continuing from John3:16 -17 ...John3:19-20 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.
and for Romans 3:23 – it i not about getting a license for sin, it is about the atonement for sin:
Romans 3:25-26 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— He did it to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
and a verse in Jude you may want to study:
Jude 1:4
For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
Jeffrey can reply as well, but I'd like to say one thing.
I am fully aware and capable of enduring the judgment of Christ. I only judge others by the same words of Christ that I judge myself by. I am a sinner, but I am not defined by that sin. I struggle with sins minute by minute, but that is my old self. I have a new heart that desires new things – which are honoring to God. There is forgiveness for sins, but there is also grace given to gain freedom from sin. Christ died to set us free from sin.
Your opinion regarding the definition of a Christian put aside, what gives you the right to judge someone else's beliefs? There's no basis of fact in religion and therefore whatever someone decides to believe in, regarding the higher powers that may or may not be, it's theirs and theirs alone to believe. Just because popular consensus has propped your beliefs up on a pedestal doesn't mean your beliefs are any more proven and true than the beliefs of the next guy in line. Leave the judgement and so-on to your God and go find something better to do with your time than hate on others.
But we are convinced of this truth and find it more important than anything else. Our desire is for all people to know, believe , and be saved from judgment. We care about everyone, not winning a philosophical or theological debate. But you can do with this information what you desire.
as "Christians" we are called & strive to be like minded in our faith.. perfectly aligned with the Word of God. Christians are the body of Christ, Jesus is the head. So, if someone calls themselves a Christian it is every Christian's duty to see that we are all fit for the kingdom of heaven.... If someone is NOT a Christian, then the call is simply share the good news of Jesus Christ.. at every person's end, God will judge them by His Written Word. Knowing who we know & what we know, our heart aches for the lost.. Our hope is that all return to the ever loving God & are saved from the wrath that awaits the world.
Being born gay is no more a sin than being born left-handed or black. It's just one one thing, in a long list of things, that your god got completely wrong – or rather, what fundiot nutters claim their god says or thinks. It wasn't that many years ago that religious nutters said that being left-handed was a sign of the devil, and being black was the mark of Cain.
Personally I worry about the logs in my own eye before the specks in others. Is what is being done loving each other and honoring God? Then it is for Him to Judge what is sin. Now if it is action that is causing pain for someone else, I would think that is sin. Also I haven't come across a christian that does not have sin in their life, they do not like to commit those acts but it is there, hence the need for Christ. Romans is a great book to read...
Romans 14:
10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister[a]? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written:
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will acknowledge God.’”[b]
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.
Jeffrey, you apparently skipped the verses in the Bible where Jesus tells the crowd: Judge not lest ye be judged and let he who is without sin cast the first stone. You do not know the heart of this woman and whether she is a Christian or not...only God can determine that. Her sin is no greater than any sin you commit...God sees all sin the same.
I believe that you are way overthinking the whole situation; just because someone has views that are contrary to yours doesn't mean that you still can't do business and eat breakfast, lunch or dinner at an establishment. Sure you can be reminded of their views but do you have to take offense at them to the point of letting it change the way you live? People are going to have controversial ideas and beliefs, but that doesn't make them right. Responding to people's words or statements shouldn't be something that is done out of disdain, hate or malice but out of care, understanding, and love. Overcoming adversity is the best way to relate to someone and I gaurantee you that if you ask to talk to the owner/operator about boycotting Chick-fil-A, they'd love to share your favorite meal with you and have a good conversation with you; I did and it was a great experience. Sure Truett Cathy gets a small percentage of your money but so does every politician and government employee from taxes . . . His original statement wasn't even made towards the gay/lesbian community but towards families. I really think that his words were twisted for hateful purposes which I would take offense at. People in general need to be more optimistic about what people say, stop assuming the worst, and not think that everyone is out to get them.
As another poster said, I could no more support an establishment who openly hates African Americans, who openly supports (or used to support) the klan, than I could support an establishment who openly hates gay Americans, and has previously supported anti-gay organizations. Yes, you have the right to believe what you believe. And others have the right to shop at hateful companies. But, I can not support hate and intolerance. Period.
It's not about, nor was it ever about the company's views; nor was it about the views of it's president and CEO. It's the fact that the company was funding groups that want to assert their views onto others. You ask most anyone who decided to boycott Chic-fil-a due to the whole situation and most will tell you that they don't give a rats ass in hell what Kathy's opinions are; as long as he doesn't try to tell me, nor my friends that his opinion should be our own, we'll be good.
Jesus even affirmed that marriage is one man one woman(Matthew 19). Regardless of what she "feels", scripture is quite clear homosexuality is a sin. If I am a glutton and I just say "oh, this is how I am, I can't change", I deny the power of the Holy Spirit to conform me to what God wants for my life and for my benefit. You can't pick and choose what you want to obey out of scripture. Being a Christian isn't being perfect, but it does involve repentance from pride in thinking you have it all together and don't need Jesus.
Says you.
Nope. Says the Bible. It's pretty clear.
The Bible says a lot of crazy stuff that most present-day "Christians" choose to ignore. (Just read through the ENTIRE book of Leviticus for example after example.) During the Civil Rights movement in this country, "Christians" often cited Bible passages as reasons why black and white people shouldn't intermarry. When slavery was still legal in this country, pro-slavery "Christians" cited examples of slavery in the Bible as evidence that slavery was God's plan. The history of this and many other nations is chock full of examples of how "Christians" have twisted the Bible to suit themselves. The truth is that the Bible will always be used by people to justify their ignorant and/or hateful views.
Your religion can say anything about marriage. Hell, it can say that a marriage is between two donkeys and a goat. But guess what, you can't force your religious beliefs on others in this country. Something about separation of church and state. Guess who also forces their religion to others? Jihadists.
@lovegurutoo, I do think that church and state should be separate. Would love to see marriage left to religion/churches and whatever tax benefits etc that the gov't wants to give left in that realm. To an extent we already do legislate morality so its something that should be looked at, but as far as Christianity is concerned, Bible is quite explicit about homosexuality being a sin.
You say not to pick and choose, yet you, yourself are picking and choosing. In Levitcus 19, you should also not eat pork nor wear mixed fabrics, etc. So I ask you who is choosing what to take to heart?
@JD, doesn't apply. If you truly want to know the answer rather than just cherry picking typical arguments that people throw out, research the difference between old and new covenants in the Bible.
I know the difference. I would not force feed you a line of crap, and I don't think YOUR god would either. Last I check Christ also said in the NT, Judge not least ye be judged. However, you hard-core, my way or the highway, types need to go to your churches and pray for us but keep it to yourselves, please. I am tired of a god that would not love me for the me he made me. Or do you think that god makes mistakes that we humans need to correct? I guess you will be in hell with me. Keep picking your versus that make you feel better for condenming me....Way to live in Christ bro!
Good call, JD!
Saying homosexuality is sin is not judging people. If I said rape is sin is that judging people? It is ok to have standards and say what is right and wrong. Do you not tell your children what is right and wrong because you fear that would be judging people?
Your right it does say not to eat pork. God had those guidelines for a specific time period for the Israelites. We don't have to live by that guideline anymore because Christ died on the cross and fulfilled the law. When you lived with your parents you had a set of rules to live by that you don't have to follow now. For example, a specific bedtime. It had a purpose for specific time.
Ernie, you arguement doesn't hold water. If that is the case, wouldn't the whole book then just be a bunch of stories geared toward a particular time? You know folks God is all around us. You can all pick and choose the statement that best fits your arguement, but lets face it, there is no talking to anyone that is on the right here anymore. I used to claim to be a christian, republican.....You guys have really lost your way....back to the middle idiots!
JD, Many theologians divide Old Testament laws into three general categories: moral, ceremonial, and civil. The Bible itself does not divide the law into these categories (many of the laws overlap in their purpose), but this three-fold division is nevertheless useful when we talk about the laws. This procedure, although incorrect, sometimes yields believable results. People's assumptions about morality are often correct — but sometimes they are not. Before we claim that a law is "moral," we should examine to see whether it is truly timeless, eternal, and universal, applicable to all. The moral laws are the ones we are to follow.
Ernie, great replies dude.
Prove to me Jesus said to those men that marriage is only between a man and a woman. Whomever came up with the idea of the bible was definitely a genius because it is the best form of mind control still allowed in print today.
I do not go to church, nor do I pick up a book where I cannot verify its authenticity. However, I do believe in a power greater than myself and other human beings that is responsible for this beautiful creation we know as earth, and the other, humanity.
When you can provide solid proof the bible is word for as jesus and god intended, without referring to a passage in the book, then I will discontinue being a skeptic. However, I have watched in horror as the book was used in the manipulation of a populace unable to think for themselves, and to this day it continues again and again.
The bible also says that that Jesus responded to a question about who a woman who had been married several times would have as a husband in heaven. His response was that in heaven there would be no marriage. Seems to say then that it doesn't matter who you are married to here on earth. That is if you choose to place any credence in ancient religious writings.
Greg, there is no implication that because the bible says we are not married in heaven that what we do on earth has no consequence. God does care who we marry.
Really. And just what or who is this god and why do I care? You may but I don't. Do as you please and let me and others do the same. I won't tell you who to marry so why are you so arrogant to try and tell me?
I worked at a CFA for the past few years.
I'm in the military currently deployed overseas.
Oh yeah, I'm also not straight.
When I first started working there, I never revealed my sexuality to anyone because I thought I was going to get fired. I knew of the religious values that encompassed my first job besides the military. But eventually, I came out to everyone, because honestly, I could never live a lie. And for the most part, all my coworkers are cool with it. Even those who grew up with said values accepted me because god loves everyone regardless of who they are. A coworker told me that we still love murderers and thieves and rapists, so what's the deal with gay/lesbian people.
So yes, when all this stuff came out, from a team members point of view, it was annoying. We didn't understand why people have to generalize CFA as a whole for the actions of a select few. That is what people don't realize is that. I did have the pleasure of working most of CFA appreciation day. From my point of view, it was irritating to me having the entire Republican Party there with ridiculous long lines telling us that we support anti gays. If they only knew that the cashier that helped them that day is homosexual. And my coworkers felt bad for me that day that i had to deal with the bullshit. And after that day, I've never seen any of those I ran into that day ever again. I also knew of gays that stopped going there because of everything. Everyone forgets that two days later it was same sex kiss day, but I didn't work that day. Not because of who i am but more because my days off rotate and I hadn't had a Friday off in months.
People ask me how could I keep on working there despite everything? My answer is because the people I worked with dont buy into that type of shit and ignorance. I had my hard times working there, but one thing they have never done to me is not be myself. We work for our owner, not for Dan Cathy. When i come back from overseas, will I come back to CFA? Probably not, but it has nothing to do about who I go home to at night but has more to do with the fact that I'm one of many talents and need to move on.
If anyone have any questions, feel free to respond and I'll answer the questions that you may have.
I read a very insightful article that depicted what you state in your post. It was a good read. I don't have a question for you, I just want you to know that GBLT people were not protesting you, they were protesting Cathy. We know not every employee shares his beliefs, and we know you need a paycheck just like anyone else. Until there is an end to social politics in this country, it is everyone's duty to stand up and speak out when someone like Cathy wants to fund discrimination. It makes us sad that you had to endure this whole process, but it's still worth it in the end.
I don't love or forgive murderers, rapists, etc;. Tell your christian frycooks to speak for themselves.
I am homo-agnostic, and have no problem patronizing gay owned businesses. That makes me a great deal more tolerant than a gay who refuses to patronize an establishment that does not believe in the lifestyle.
Being gay is not a God given Right! Get over it!
It might not be a "God" given right but frankly, neither is owning a gun. We live in a country with freedom of religion. Your beliefs shouldn't trample on others. Get over it.
Freedom of religion from the government, not fellow Americans.
Ignoramous.
100% correct.
The author is correct, God loves all of us and wants all of us in Heaven. He loves all who are in Hell as He did not choose that for them. He calls us to pick up our crosses and follow HIm. Which means choosing His will for our lives over our own. We have the free will to choose what we do. God does not force us to love HIm. But are we really loving Him if we have to meet Him on our terms? We can try to rationalize our choices but the realty is that we only have freedom when we choose what is right. We don't have freedom when we choose sin. It is sad when a company like Chick-Fil-A is demonized for proclaiming Truth. We assume that it is mean spirited of people who proclaim that a gay lifestyle is wrong. But is it really wrong if their words are correct? Would'nt that be a loving thing to do? Validating someone in their choices that separates them from God is not loving. Some teachings are hard but that does not make them wrong. God did not suffer and die on the cross for nothing. He wants all of us to rejoice in Heaven. We are called to repent and follow HIm. I pray for those who struggle as I do with various issues that can separate them as well as myself from God.
Very well said, Jason. That's one of the best comments I've ever seen concerning CFA and the Cathy family's stand for Biblical principles. Christians are to believe the Bible, God's Holy Word. It says clearly that homosexuality is a sin. Of course, as a Christian, Cathy will back God's Word. What people fail to consider is that if the interviewer had asked him how he felt about adultery or theft or incest, etc., he would have also denounced these as sins because they are. It's not a matter of singling out gay people. The interviewer brought it up, and Cathy confirmed that yes, it's a sin. And I feel that Cathy no doubt loves gay people as we are all called by God to love one another. As Christians, we are not to just stand idly by and encourage people we love to continue in their sin and say it's OK. We love them too much to want them to go to hell. Just like if someone we know is in an adulterous relationship, we should love them but try to discourage that sin.
For all of the christians (and yes i'm one of them) the goverment should not be in the marraige business to begin with, marraige is a religous state not a goverment issue; the goverment should be issueing liscenses of civil union ONLY! not marraige liscenses, and this liscense of civil union should be the only document recognized as being legal for a man and woman, man and man, or woman and woman to recieve the legal benifits granted by law when two people commit to each other. In addition this liscense of civil union (legal binding of two people in the eyes of the goverment) should be treated as nothing more or less than the signing of a goverment document and should not be allowed to be performed by clergy but by a goverment employee that s it that simple! If someone wants a marraige certificate they should go to their church and have their pastor, priest or what ever perform that ceramony and that marraige certificate should have no legal standing outside their church community. Therefore a gay couple or straight couple could obtain their marraige certificate as long as their church community recognizes their right to marry. The right to marry someone is a religous issue based on that persons church beliefs not a goverment and legal issue and the goverment needs to get out of the business of religion (remember seperation of church and state) a little part of our constitution, people are fast to point out the 2 ammendant these days but ignore seperation of church and state!
I would say 80% of people who say they are Christians are not Christians. You cannot be Lesbian and be a Christian, it is just not Biblical. We pick and choose what we want in the Bible and that is not what it is meant to be. The Bible is the Bible. You cannot say "well, Matthew is okay, but I don't agree with some of Romans but Acts is okay, but lets throw out some of the laws we must go by in Judges." The WHOLE Bible is meant to be practiced, including homosexuality. I don't think it is a matter of crime against nature that someone is gay, and I do not judge. I still love wholeheartedly and pray for thos in bondage of sin, whether it be homosexuality or porn addiction or envy. "Christians" are all "against" homosexuals, when we need to learn more and talk with them and support them, and yes, I believe lead them away from their lifestyle because I believe it is unbiblical. However, the hatred that is portrayed is WRONG and makes me so disgusted with Christians. I like to live a radical life where I spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, however, in a loving way and an understanding way. It is not my job to force Christianity down people's throat, it is my job to speak the word and pray it convicts and changes lives. This Chick-Fil-A deal is a publicity stunt by the company and I disagree with it. We need to live in harmony and the ones who cause a lot of the distress are Christians. Speak love as Christians not hate, if the people choose to live life in an unbiblical way, let them, you did what you needed by speaking the Gospel, but we cant change lives only God can. May God bless every one and i will continue to pray for those in need.
Amen. Best post so far!
NO, it's not okay for you to eat at Chick-fil-a. I thought that had been settled ..........
Find somewhere else that welcomes your life style.
Says you.
Eat at Chick-Fil-A if you support the idea that homosexuals are second class citizens. I will NEVER eat at Chick-Fil-A again even thought it used to be one of my favorite places to eat.
As an African-American I cannot rationalize supporting an anti-gay and bigoted owner. However, I am sure Chick-Fil-A will be fine as their are many "christians" who have no problem whatsoever looking down, judging and disrimination against gays.
Your completely right when you say "christians" because as I said, 80% of those "christians" are not Christians. Judging is left to God not us. We are to love and pray for those we believe are in sin. I believe homosexuality is wrong and do not support it, but i do not judge and hate and disassociate from them. I embrace the chance to love and pray and witness to those who need it. God convicts the heart, I just plant the seed. But it is disgusting to see those "christians" judging and discriminating to those people.
Ok first of all just because you're religious does not mean that you consider gays to be second class citizens. I'm sick of people pulling this anti-gay anti-black card and saying people are racist or they are bigots because they stick to what they believe in... get over it... THEY SUPPORTED RELIGIOUS GROUPS THAT ARE CONSERVATIVE... it does not change the fact that the restaurant treats everyone with respect when you walk in the door regardless of sexual orientation or race... stop crying about bigotry and racism and move on this is a different world then it was 200 years ago and for that matter even 10 years ago...
I am eating at Chik-Fil-A 'cause its tasty!
Mark, Bravo!!!
You are trying to stir up a debate that is far over sweet heart... Nobody cares that you are a lesbian and furthermore you should look at the positive things the restaurant does in the community like you stated in your article and not dwell on the fact that some money was given to religious groups... They can do whatever they want with their money!!! Your argument to still not eat at chik-fil-et it moot (nobody cares) get over it gay community and stop being so sensitive.
I think if anyone was blowing this out of proportion, it was not the GLBT people. It was the anti-equality people. All the GLBT people did was draw attention to a company that spends it's profits on groups that aim to marginalize the rights of others. Then the media picked it up and shoved it everywhere. The anti-equality people however, got in a giant huff acting like they were somehow being infringed upon by the mere mention of the story, had to hold their own anti-equality appreciation day where the money they spent actually supported more pro-GLBT companies than they even considered (from the soda they drank, credit cards they used, and through the phones they used to take pictures and the web sites they posted them on). Protesting inequality is absolutely American. Throwing a tantrum in response because a group of people feel entitled to discriminate is purely childish. To remain on topic, I think no, you can't start eating there again, unless you think they've truly changed their ways out of a sense of responsibility. "We're only sorry when we are caught" is the best way to describe the chain's behavior, and that is exactly what the protesting that started this whole discussion was aimed to address.
I'll add this is why I don't shop at Target anymore as well. They are also only sorry when they are caught.
You should definitely NOT go there. The male staff will probably ejaculate in your sandwiches before serving! Danger!