I believe I've sat down to write this blog post about half a dozen times in the last week...each time wary of whether or not I should post it. We've seen where having an opinion can get you.
(Sigh)
We've got it wrong. Both sides of the argument...people have lost their cool. They've taken simple statements and twisted them into something that bear no resemblance to what was said in the first place. Both sides have done this. We are all "guilty as charged."
I have watched this heated debate grow on my Facebook page. From "2 of your friends posted about Chick-fil-a" to 6 to 12. Reading the comments have been amusing...it has just reminded me of the wide range of friends I keep.
I feel I need to preface this post with a description of the person writing it. I'm a Georgia girl. Southern to the core...ain't tasted nothin' better than homemade apple butter on my Granny Sue's biscuit (unless, maybe, it was a Chick-fil-a biscuit.) I was born in ATL and Chick-fil-a always has and always will hold a special place in my heart. Aside from making a damn good chicken sandwich they are a good company that does great things for their communities. I have my roots in the "theater world" and a good many of my friends are gay...and I LOVE them. Some are single, some are married, some have precious families. And I LOVE them all. I am a Christian - I believe following Christ's example means loving ALL people. I am an American and my understanding of the constitution leads me to believe that any man or woman should not be denied the right "to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." In my mind people should be free to marry whom they choose simply because they love them. It is a right that completes me. Were I denied the ability to call myself married to the man I love I would not be whole. I believe in equality. I believe in respect.
I think to comprehend the full weight of the situation one has to look at the facts.
FACT 1: On July 16th Dan Cathy gave the following statement to the Baptist press. ""We are very much supportive of the family—the biblical definition of the family
unit," he said. "We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we
are married to our first wives.…We want to do anything we possibly can to
strengthen families."
This simple, honest statement has been so grossly twisted as an attack on the gay community. Since when has someones differing opinion equivocated to hate? An analogy if you please, I breastfed both my babies. I love nursing. I openly discuss how much I loved nursing...do I hate people that give their children formula?! Not at all. I respect their choice and the needs that necessitated that decision. I really don't even think twice about it.
Chick-fil-a also states quite openly that they support healthy eating choices and an active lifestyle...do we see obese people picketing stores because Chick-fil-a must hate them because they're fat?! No, the answer is no, they don't.
Support of one thing does not equate to the discrimination, or as some have labeled it HATE, of another. As much as some want to believe and perhaps even wish it were so - it simply is not true.
FACT 2: The following is Chick-fil-a's corporate purpose: "To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us, and to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A."
It's doing just that. Since opening it's doors in 1946 Chick-fil-a has remained closed on Sundays in keep with the 4th Commandment. It gives and gives and gives to schools, community programs, and Christian groups. Should it be a surprise that a company based on biblically sound principles believes in traditional marriage as outlined by the bible?
FACT 3: The following actions have been taken by men in office. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is
attempting to block the fast food chain from expanding in his city, saying “Chick-fil-A’s values are not Chicago
values.” The chain isn’t welcome in Boston either, according to a letter written by Mayor Thomas M. Menino, in
which he pledges to stonewall Chick-fil-A from opening an outlet in the city
limits.
Would there be the same reaction from a company operating under the beliefs of another religion. If a Jewish or Muslim or name-your-religion based company said that they supported the principles outlined in the Torah or the Koran would we call them unwelcome? Would we call them bigots? Would we spew messages on every media outlet that they were anti-Christian? Is that what we've been reduced to? Bullying based on a personal opinion? I guess when it's an opinion held by a majority of Americans it's okay to bully.
It makes me wonder what's next...will businesses be required to fill out a survey of their personal beliefs before being granted a permit?
The level of outrage should be embarrassing. It's been making me nauseous all week long from reading about Roseanne Barr's tweet: “anyone who eats Shit- Fil-A deserves to get the cancer that is sure to come from eating antibiotic filled tortured chickens 4Christ.” to seeing friends posting on Facebook that they will "defriend anyone still eating there."
It makes me sad. It reminds me how much we all need to GIVE the respect we hope to receive. Minority. Majority. Right. Left. Or in the middle...like myself. ;) Let's step back. Look at the facts and think logically as to whether or not they line up with the reaction that's occured. I love my gay friends. I love my fellow Christians. AND I love my Chicken sandwich.
I realize tomorrow when I wake I may have ZERO friends on Facebook. Half will have defriended me because I STILL eat at Chick-fil-a...half will have defriended me because I voted for Obama (oh, I didn't mention that before, did I?) And I'll be here...perched precariously on my fence, sipping my lemonade (yes, from Chick-fil-a), and watching the war rage below.
"Come on people now. Smile on your brother. Everybody get together try to love one another right now."
Nope that wasn't a quote from Jesus. The Youngbloods 1967.
Totally born in the wrong decade y'all.
