Chick-fil-a

Lately there's been a lot of controversy over a recent statement made by Dan Cathy, president and COO of Chick-fil-a regarding his company's stance over family and marriage.  This declaration has erupted in boycotts and ridicule across the country.  I've honestly kept quiet about it, but it has been weighing heavy on my mind for the past few days.  First off, I've read his interview with the Baptist Press.  I've also read reports on news sites such as CNN.  Before I even begin on my thoughts on this story, I just want to clarify a few things.  I have friends from all walks of life - from gays to atheists.  I may not agree with their choices, but I do believe it's theirs to make.

From the interview Cathy had with K. Allan Blume (Baptist Press), he was asked about the company's partnership with national marriage ministries, in which he replies, "Guilty as charged."  He goes on to say:

"We are very much supportive of the family -- the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.

"We operate as a family business ... our restaurants are typically led by families; some are single. We want to do anything we possibly can to strengthen families. We are very much committed to that," Cathy emphasized.

No where in this interview does he make the statement (in any fashion) that he hated gays.  He did not say he would not serve homosexuals or anything remotely along these lines.  After his statement it seemed everyone was on a witch hunt.  They have been met with resistances from officials in Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco.  People are waging boycotts to others rallying to support the company.  How childish can we be, people?

God made us of free will.  You have the right to your opinion.  I have the right to mine.  As I said before, I have friends from all walks.  I may not agree with their choices or their beliefs but I do believe it's their right to have them. In the end, I will answer for my choices and they will answer for theirs.  Sometimes we just have to step back and think about it for a minute.  God hates no one.  We are to love them like He loves them.  He created everyone and we are to love them.  Do we have to love their choices?  No.

What really irritates me is the fact that everyone seems to be attacking Chick-fil-a.  For what?  Because they stood up for something they believed in?  They knew it was an unpopular choice when they did so.  But they still stood and declared their belief and backed it with scripture.  And everyone wants to throw stones.  Everyone is crying out for equality, respect and tolerance.  Why?  Don't they have a right to their opinion, just as you do?  What about equality, respect and tolerance for them?  It goes both ways.  Gay rights activists want Christians to give them respect and tolerance.  Yet when it comes to the Christian beliefs, where is the respect and tolerance?  It's a contradiction in itself and it makes you a hypocrite.  If you do not want to support the company, then don't.  But don't infringe upon their right to say, believe and operate how they choose to.  They are not discriminating against anyone.  They simply choose to partner with other businesses that are in favor of family (biblical) values.  Their right.  (And its your right not to support them, but don't ridicule them.  It makes you a hypocrite and no better than the idea you challenge.)

Being objective, I do want to say this.  In today's culture, I believe that Dan Cathy's actions are honorable.  Its so easy (and happens more often than not) people compromise their values and beliefs because they want to seem culturally cool.  Instead, Dan Cathy and Chick-fil-a stood for what they believed in.  Not a Christian company, but a company ran by Christians.  Maybe we should be more like them - willing and ready to stand for our values, our beliefs; our God, His teachings.  Maybe if we stopped hating each other, we could see a change; maybe we could see more conviction, less doubt; more repentance, less regret; more saints, less sin.