
I don’t understand why everyone is freaking out about Chick-Fil-A’s public stance on the owner’s personal beliefs regarding the sanctity of marriage. They are a privately-held company and can choose to think however they feel. Now, is this the best business sense to advertise those thoughts? Probably not. But they did, and you can’t fault them for that. It would be like being angry at the chain of Christian Book Stores because they support creationism.
Yes, the owner funds “anti-gay” programs and institutions. But it’s his money. He can do with it as he pleases. I’m sure those local businesses with a Jesus Fish on their bumper probably give some of their money to church. They have that right to.
Bottom line is, if you don’t like it, don’t go there.
Speaking of which, I cannot believe how many fellow Christians are now in opposition of the chicken chain. Have we forgotten that homosexuality is technically a sin? I’m not saying I hate any member of the LGBT community. But we are called to hate the sin and love the sinner. I’m just shocked at how we, as Christians, can be so morally opposed to a company that wants to see less sin in the world.
Honestly, would you boycott McDonald’s if they said “Hey, we really don’t think you should murder people.” ? Of course not. Personally, I don’t see much difference in Chick-Fil-A’s comments.
And before you get on me about equating lesbians and gays to murders, let me remind you that all sins are the same in God’s eyes.
Furthermore, before you write me off as a right-wing nut job, let me tell you I have friends, and even family, who are homosexual. And they are some of the nicest, sweetest, most giving people I’ve ever met. Keyword is people: something they still are. I don’t see them as “Gay” or “Lesbian,” – I just see them for who they are. Their choices do not define them. I feel privileged to have them in my life, even though I may not agree with their lifestyle. But you know what? I still love them.
You know what else I have in my life? Alcoholics. Habitual liars. Prideful people. And I still love them too. Additionally, I have had more than my fair share of sin, personally, don’t get me wrong. In all honesty, at times I believe I could give Paul a run for his money based on his 1 Timothy 1:15 verse: “This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them all.” (NLT) I am in no way, shape, or form claiming to have a better life, a better marriage, or a better grasp on this world than anyone in the LGBT community.
But this still ruffles my feathers. What gets me the most is so many opponents of Chick-Fil-A are using “freedom of speech” as a right infringed upon. Are you not infringing upon THEIR same right by telling them they cannot have that opinion?
I do believe Huckabee took things a bit too far. Let’s not start a war over chicken. To be fair, the food is amazing, the service is excellent, the advertising works, the hometown promotions are fun… all in all it is a great company. A company with an opinion. An opinion I happen to share – maybe not to the extremes it’s been taken – but I share nonetheless. Does this mean I’ll be eating at Chick-Fil-A even more? No… I’ll eat a Chick-Fil-A when I wanted a damned good chicken sandwich, as I always have.
But I do have to say I am severely disappointed in the number of Christians who now so vehemently oppose the fast-food chain for its public beliefs on what we’ve turned a blind-eye to as sin. It is partly our fault, as American Christians, for becoming more and more accepting in society.
- Alcoholism is now a disease, and not a sin.
- Addictions are treated as mental disorders, and not sins.
- Homosexuality is treated as a way we are born, no longer a sinful choice.
Those statements are going to upset a lot of people. This whole rant will. And I’m okay with that, because we are called to be IN this world, but not OF it. We should be loving and accepting of people, but we should not tolerate sin. Not in the least bit. And that is an extremely hard line to walk, so most people falter to one side or the other on big issues. They will either embrace and accept sin by means of their silence, or they will grow to hate and oppose the people involved in that sin. You see it all the time, everywhere. And it makes the rest of us Christians look bad. So bad. How can anyone take us seriously when you chase off scared, broken women in the clinic parking lot with “BURN IN HELL” signs? How can you show Christ-like love when your shirt says “GOD HATES FAGS” in bold letters?
(The irony is, these “Christians” are sinning by trying to oppose sin to this extreme. If we have hate in our heart, we have already committed murder.)
But I digress… Look, Chick-Fil-A has a stance against a sin. Society as a whole, and many Christians, feel it’s too controversial to call that a “sin” anymore. I believe Political Correctness is going to kill the church if we continue to accept it. If we continue to water things down so we don’t upset people. You think Christ cared what people thought when he flipped over tables in the temple? Or when He opposed the Pharisees time and time again? Or when He healed the very soldier who was there to lead Him to His death? That’s a resounding Hell No.
Christianity is controversial. “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” (Matthew 7:13, NIV) Today society expects us to be all inclusive and totally accepting. Well we, as Christians, should accept all… but understand that this club IS exclusive. Membership is free, but it’s the ONLY way to get the extended stay at the resort when we fade to ashes and dust. Sorry folks, that’s just the way it is. And I’m not saying that if you choose homosexuality that you cannot abide in God’s kingdom. God welcomes sinners. Thank the Lord for that… ALL have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. All are welcome.
Here’s the bottom line of my extended rant: get over it. Eat there, or don’t eat there, it’s a simple as that.
If tomorrow “Papa” John Schnatter announced to the world that he is… I dunno, a Wiccan, would it determine if I patronized Papa John’s Pizza anymore? Probably not. It’s freaking pizza, people. And he is ONE person out of hundreds of thousands in the company. Again, I may not agree with him if that’s what he chooses to believe… but does eating his pizza make me align with his beliefs? Did he ever say he would ONLY serve to fellow Wiccans? Absolutely not.
So let’s drop the whole thing. Everyone is entitled to and opinion. And everyone is entitled to choose where they spend their money. Eating chicken sandwiches doesn’t make you homophobic. NOT eating chicken sandwiches doesn’t make you a Champion of the GLBT Alliance.
And of course, all of this is just my opinion.
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