So, unless you live under a rock, you should have noticed the news that Chick-Fil-A president, Dan Cathy, came out in support of “traditional marriage” and we also learned that the same business had donated millions of dollars to fund anti-gay organizations. I have seen quite a few blogs, new stories and had many talks with friends and family on the legality and religious nature of the reaction from both Chick-Fil-A supporters and Chick-Fil-A opponents. Obviously, it’s divided.
I am not writing to determine the constitutionality of anything – whether one side is infringing on the other’s freedom to speak anything else. This blog is not a legal blog so I won’t go there. It also isn’t a website dedicated to convicting non-believers. However, it is a blog dedicated to believers, Christianity and our responses to issues in our faith and culture. This whole Chick-Fil-A thing is another example of my subtitle – “Christianity On The Rocks.”
I went to bed last night sad. There was this looming feeling of helplessness for tomorrow was going to be August 1st – the day set aside for Christians to “Support Chick-Fil-A.” Now, I am all about supporting Christian companies but this support smacks more of spite than support. I have already seen tweets and Facebook posts of people’s Chick-Fil-A drink cups. They are proud of their participation. But honestly, it’s a bit sickening. The pit in my stomach has some to do with the anti-gay sentiments surrounding the “support” but it’s mostly because of the hardening of many Christians’ hearts over this issue.
We must never forget that behind every “problem” and “issue” is a real person. A person made in the image of God with hopes, fears, doubts, passions, desires and love. Yes, even gay people. Unfortunately, some have unrealistic views of the gay community because though they “love the sinner” they have never sat down with someone who is gay and actually talked to them about this issue or any other!
We have forgotten how to talk, but more importantly, how to listen to each other.
One of the songs I learned at “We(e) Worship” in church when I was small had these lyrics:
Deep and wide
Deep and wide
There’s a fountain flowing deep and wide…
Today, on “Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day,” that fountain is dry and certainly not flowing. But the deep and wide gap that should be bubbling life giving, graceful and forgiving water is empty, leaving just…a gap. A void. Another chasm that we have positioned ourselves on the edge of while we hurl chicken nuggets, waffle fries and grit our teeth, dig our feet into the ground and “stand up for our Christian values.”
Hell can described as being a pit-like-place where there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Sounds a lot like August 1st, 2012. Who would’ve thought that instead of being the ones who would bring God’s Kingdom to earth, we have brought something more like hell to it?
Regardless of what “side” you are on and where you choose to eat today, I urge you to read 1st Corinthians 13 again – the love chapter. Take a moment and let the scriptures be a mirror to your motivations. Use it as a checklist before you eat anything.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”
But why did I go to bed sickened only to wake up with a bigger pit in my stomach? Because today, August 1st, 2012, I think The Enemy has won the fight.
christmixology.wordpress.com 
Awesome!! Thank you for the reminder of how, we as Christians should really be dealing with this day.
I think on some aspects you are correct in the value of understanding, or at least talking with gay people. On the other hand this whole thing started over a stance on biblical marriage and support of it. How it turned into a gay bashing or boycott of a food place is a reflection of our culture and the nature and danger of this volatile issue. You are right in the fact that we need to love but I think that is what Dan Cathy did show in standing for righteousness and the pursuit of loving others.
“Dan Cathy did show in standing for righteousness and the pursuit of loving others.”
You didn’t learn a thing did you?
Miles,
I had a glorious visit to Chick Fil A today. Here is why! What would have normally been a mess of a situation as hundreds of folks tried to cram into a Chick Fil A, I noticed polite, patient, caring people all supporting a man’s freedom of speech. Unfortuntately satan IS winning. He is winning in the fact that the anti -Christian voice is a lot louder than the our voice(God’s Voice). I try to check my pride and anger almost every day as I see another cross come down, another school not being allowed to have their graduation at a church, another prayer being banned. When do WE get to stand up? I do not want to force my beliefs on a non-believer, but I also dont want them taking away my right to worship and my ability to speak up because I believe in God’s word.
Just my thoughts..
I was just telling someone the same exact thing.
Derp de derp. No one cares about your ability to worship, or your ability to speak up. No one cares that one man has those beliefs. The problem we have is that he is actively trying to keep us from getting married – donating millions of dollars to anti-gay groups. Dollars that come from a business I used to support. So it’s my freedom of expression that says “I will not buy from a man who wants to take my rights away.”
If the man were giving that money to the KKK or any other neo-nazi organization, would you have those same sentiments?
Also: When you want to prevent me from getting the same civil rights as a heterosexual couple based on beliefs that I do not hold? Yeah, that’s the exact definition of “forcing your beliefs on a non-believer.” I don’t expect you to condone the way I live my life, but I certainly expect you to not interfere with my life.
No one is taking away your right to worship or your ability to speak up. Say what you want. Believe what you want. Worship what you want. Do NOT let those beliefs affect people other than yourself and your family – because they shouldn’t. I don’t want a christian marriage. I just want the piece of paper that says that I have the same government-granted rights as a heterosexual couple. That has no bearing on you or your family.
Oh, and the “I’ll have to explain to my kids!” argument is moot, too. Sorry you have to talk to your kids – but again, that should not interfere with my right to live my life in a way that has no physical affect on your life.
I don’t get it. I really don’t. His company. His money. He can support whatever he wants. My money. My decision. I can eat wherever I want.
A large part of this has to be over-hyped media. True, some people may not have been aware that Mr. Cathy was supporting groups with a certain political agenda, but that doesn’t mean he can’t, nor does it mean he needs to stop. Last I checked, its still a free country. If you don’t like what Mr. Cathy does with his profits, then don’t give him any. If you do support him, or worse, are just apathetic – then by all means, eat up!
Can we get some perspective? Murders, child rape, poverty, drugs – there are greater issues in this world that we should be tackling than who should or shouldn’t eat a chicken sandwich.
I agree with you. Over-hy’ped perspective. Go figure people go ballistic because someone stands for something others don’t. Hmmmm. Is it a free country?
It is absolutely true that this is a “first world problem”, and that there are much greater issues out there. But for most of self-centered, small-minded America that hasn’t had much experience beyond its’ own insular life, this has become *It’s* problem. It’s soapbox to stand on when it didn’t care to have much of one before. Unfortunately, there is very little room once you get on that soapbox, and stubborn pride often gets in the way of reasoning. People want to believe in something and “stand strong” to what directly effects *their* life, whether they have all the facts or not. More often, not. I can assure you no one desperately flinging themselves at this issue is talking about bringing clean drinking water to remote areas in the same breath as their chicken allegiance.
This article was excellent, by the way. way to keep it in perspective!
We were never promised God’s Kingdom on earth until Christ’s 2nd coming. This world belongs to the prince who is Satan. it is so easy to focus on 1 Corinthians 13 but there is other Scripture out there that speaks truth like Romans 1. I have sat MANY a time with gay friends and spoken to them about the love of Christ and what Scripture says of it being a sin like adultery, fornication, murder, etc and lying. Ignoring Scripture is also a sin too. The god of this world has blinded even those who claim to be believers. Those only seeking to read between the lines to only suit their truths or what tickles their ears are not reading the truth.
I don’t -care.- Your religion should have 0 affect on my life. Plain and simple.
@Noelle
If you follow all of the laws of scripture and ask for grace on every sin that is listed in the bible then you are a GD saint… Have you started your application for the Vatican?
I assume you are referring to leviticus when you speak if homosexuality being named a sin in the bible… P.s. leviticus 20:13 is the one about homosexuallity and Leviticus 19:23 says that cutting your hair is a sin. Nice haircut BTW.
YOU, my dear, are the cherry picker you condem so self righteously. SHAME ON YOU.
I would love to agree, but through today’s Appreciation Day I was able to teach my two you boys that we stand up for what we believe in – loving others. We did this by paying for the car behind us, to really show what God wants us to do “love others”. We knew nothing about the person behind us, yet loved them anyways. Both of my boys asked if I knew the person behind us – I said “no” to day was show God’s love day! That is what today was about! I feel Satan was very miserable today! God is good ALL THE TIME!
I am glad Head Shaking knows the thoughts of Jesus. I think he would applaud that Cathy took a stand. I think all that showed up today did so to support free speech more than, “take this anti christian people”
Buying chicken = showing love?
Good deed perhaps, but showing love????
That pit in your stomach coming back after reading these hopeless responses? Feeling one in mine. Lets pat ourselves on the back today for showing the world our true colors. Christians have stood up for what they believe in alright. Jesus will not be patting anyones back today. If you feel that satan was miserable, you don’t know what satan’s greatest sin was.
I appreciate all the thoughts and conversations even if we don’t all agree!
Fellow Wildcat,
I too went to Chicfila today on the invitation of a friend. I have mixed thoughts about the whole thing. We certainly live in a strange world where saying you believe in a biblical definition of marriage can cause your buisness to be banned from entire states. At the same time, I too get uneasy with the Christian protester mentality that we see too often. Bob Briner’s book “Roaring Lambs” helped me see the futility in protest Christianity many years ago and his challenge to be salt in this world–not avoiding it, but engaging it–has been foundational to me and continues to be at the forefront of my heart as I work to help others start simple churches in our state.
I do happen to know people who are gay and do sit down from them from time to time. I also know the owners of Chicfila in this town and have been fortunate enough to sit down across from them from time to time as well. They happen to be some of the most generous and loving folks I know–they are the other folks behind this issue. They have been labeled homophobic and hate-mongers simply because they drive cow cars. In reality, they happen to be some of the most generous and loving folks I know. In fact, while I was there today I was reminded of why I really appreciated Chicfila: their ridiculous generosity! It seems that 90% of the time I go there the majority of my items are being given to me for free. If it were not for their weekly “Kids Night” we may not get a meal outside the house very often.
So was it wrong, unkind, or unloving toward homosexuals for me or anyone else to go to chicfila today? Not necessarily. Like most issues, the motive found in our hearts is where this question is answered. I’m sure that people today will flaunt their love for chicfila in such a way that it will widen the chasim that exists between “Christians” and much of the gay community. In every instance this happens the enemy does win. I’m also sure that there will be “Christians” who will avoid and disassociate themselves from Chicfila today and in the future out of fear that they will be seen as a Christian who believes in the biblical definition of marriage. In this case the enemy also wins.
The enemy always looses, however, when we show genuine love and support for others–both inside and outside of the Kingdom of God.
Thanks for your post Miles! Got my brain moving. Peace.
Another interesting read related to this issue–Why Chicfila Boycott is really about Jesus: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2012/08/01/why-the-chick-fil-a-boycott-is-really-about-jesus/
Good to hear from you dude! Thanks for your thoughts – really appreciate you adding in on the conversation!
You have completely lost sight of the bigger picture here and are looking at this in a worldly fashion. This is not about Chick-fil-a or Dan Cathy . It is a reaction to the persecution of a Christian business by government officals in a country that constitutionally provides freedom of speech and religious liberty. The law of the land is being attacked here by those who took an oath to uphold these laws. But most all, it is spritual warfare .The example of Paul’s love chapter is how we are to treat fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, not the world. Yes, we are to reflect Christ-like qualities to the world and to give the gospel when so compelled by the Holy Spirit but we are not to love the world or the things in it. As Christians,we have been set apart by God through his Grace for his Glorification. Yet we are not to be meek in standing for the truth. Dan Cathy has stood for the truth and has been beaten up by the world for his stand. As Christians, we should also stand up for these truths and show support for all Christians. Reminder, God is always in contorl so the enemy has won nothing spiritually.
Ephesians 6:12: “For our struggle is not against [a] flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Nobody here claimed to know the thoughts of Jesus. There is a danger in claiming to know the motives behind anothers actions. All we can know is how a situation looks to us based on our own understanding. And I must say, this is all junvenile. My understanding of who Jesus is does not compute with this behavior.
Hi Miles!
So I will try and keep this brief, as I could probably write a dissertation on today’s happenings. First, let’s dispel some of the misinformation out there.
This is not an assault on the First Amendment. The boycott involves private citizens reacting to the opinion of an individual in the free market. If you put your thoughts out in to the world, as this blog demonstrates, you are going to get some negative feedback at times. In this debate, Mr. Cathy has received a lot. Private citizens responding is within the scope of the free market and First Amendment. Mayors, governors, and anyone in a government position responding is still in line with the First Amendment. Now, where it gets hairy, is when the mayors say you can’t come here. That approaches a First Amendment violation. However, the US Supreme Court has repeatedly give rights of zoning to the mayors. So, if the mayor refuses to give Chik Fil A a permit for a zone, then they can’t give another food company a zone variance for that same area without just cause.
Second, the ideology behind this debate has been brewing for years. Mr. Cathy’s interview just put the simmering pot on high and it boiled over. The problem that the gay community has, which I am a part of and (often times) now represent, is Mr. Cathy’s use of company money as donations to organizations that are anti-equality or lobby for anti-LGBTI litigation/foreign aid. For example, he has used company money for organizations such as the Family Foundation, Exodus International, etc. Exodus International came up with the slogan “pray the gay away.” If it were that easy, it would have caught on years ago. Exodus also reports an TREMENDOUS increase in suicide rates between their patients and the average homosexual. Had Mr. Cathy used his own private fortune, NONE of this conversation would be happening. If Mr. Cathy followed on the coat tails of Target or Best Buy, this P.R. nightmare probably would subside (they both donated money to pro-LGBT causes and removed future donations from discriminatory organizations). Chik Fil A has also paid lobbyist to prevent foreign aid in various countries that put LGBTI individuals to death as a criminal offense.
Now, the Christian slant. I’ll keep this extremely brief because I do not profess to be a great orator in this area. First, legally there is the separation of church and state. The government is actively bridging this gap through discriminatory laws, such as DOMA or Kentucky’s marriage amendment. DOMA has repeatedly been struck down as either a violation of both the 5th and 10th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Basically, I love and respect your perspective and your religion. It often preaches a message of love. However, we must remember that we were founded on the roots of religious intolerance and inequality and, as such, we should be open minded to the fact that our countries contain all kinds of religions and religious beliefs (i.e. Baptists vs. Episcopals).
I’ll leave the conversation with this. I have been with my partner for five years, now. We cannot be married in the state of Kentucky. If he were to become incredibly ill (heaven forbid), I could not visit him on his death bed. I could not make healthcare decisions. If we were to adopt, we could not have shared/dual custody, as most heterosexuals enjoys. There are over a thousand rights heterosexuals enjoy that homosexuals cannot because of current standing laws. Mr. Cathy simply highlighted this in a very public way.
Overall, it is my sincerest hope that this bridge gets built in the long run. It’s easy, especially today, to be whipped into a frenzy (as the appreciate day was a Mike Huckabee thing). That said, I hope that when the dust settles, Chik Fil A recognizes their personal beliefs should not be extended to the political forum via their donations.
bj…can’t s civil union be the compromise? Give all the rights you want without having ceremonies in church. Ehy could that not be the answer?
sorry about the misspells…font is so tiny on my phone and cant figure out how to enlarge.
Many if these comments are vinegar and malice! Did none of these learn anything from the blog? I for one feel humbled. In our passion to maintain and grow our lives with Christ we are forgeting that we should try to be Christ-like. I have learned that though it is human nature to be imperfect ans judge one another, i should be more aware that not only are all men created equal, all men (and women) were made in His image.
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