Recently Dan Cathy, now president of the Chick-fil-A  restaurant chain indicated that the restaurant opposes gay marriage and supports the traditional marriage unit as based on Christian biblical principle. The restaurant, found by Truett Cathy has long demonstrated its Christian roots even in some of its actions such as closing on Sundays. Supporting traditional marriage is not surprising as Chick-fil-A simply is voicing its opinion and standing behind what it believes.

Many other institutions (hospitals, churches, universities) and I am sure many businesses have been founded on strong Christian principles but why is Chick-fil-A being singled out as the bad guy? I can’t help but think there is a strong opposition simply because Chick-fil-A  stood behind their belief. Surely Churches are less vocal because it is their mission to open the doors to all types of individuals and to single out one particular group and indicate the Church is not in support of gay marriage would drive a wedge between  Christians -to- be and the very vehicle meant to engage people into a relationship with Christ. Maybe few Christian physicians or lawyers share their support for traditional marriage to the world (but maybe they should) but certainly some have voiced their belief to individual clients. 

Various politicians in Chicago have prohibited a Chick-fil-A restaurant from opening stating they could not provide a permit to a business discriminating against a specific group. These vocal politicians also stated,…”Chick-fil-A values are not Chicago’s values.” However the restaurant agrees to treat everyone who comes through the doors with the same respect in service. So, the question becomes how is the restaurant discriminating or disrespectful by stating an opinion completely in line with the company’s long standing transparent philosophy?

If Chicago can permit a restaurant from opening because it judges the company is not in line with what the city represents, what would stop any city from doing the same? Surely there will be appeals and other protests, but I also have to ask why is Chicago being discriminatory against Chick-fil-A? Why not also ban the Catholic hospital that doesn’t permit abortions from having a location in Chicago. Why not prohibit the insurance carrier that won’t honor providing policies to same sex individuals who co-habitat a license to operate within the city as well? What about the school district that does not offer co-ed football or the adult bookstore around the block? Do those institutions or companies represent the city’s ideals they want to promote? Ironically some who are bashing Chick-fil-A’s presence call themselves, Christian.

It seems Chick-fil-A has been the victim of a witch hunt and one that it will  possible gain more exposure and  support from as a result. Unlike many institutions which are Christian in nature but not vocal about the difficult stand they should be taking, Chick-fil-A has stood out as one that is not afraid to preach what it practices.

It is not even a matter of standing up and being vocal for what you believe; it is about being prohibited from having an opinion and standing by it. Whether the Muppets creator or Chicago support Chick-fil-A is not going to break the company; in fact it may make the organization stronger, but one thing is for sure, Jim Henson and Chicago don’t represent the entire population either. 

The Bible doesn’t support prostitution either, but Jesus was the first to honor Rahab for her role in protecting those he loved. Be careful, Chicago…be very careful!

What is your stand on gay marriage, Christianity and Chick-fil-A? Don’t be shy. At least one company has made its opinion known.

Related articles

• Tim Thomas Posts Statement on His Facebook Page, Declaring ‘I Stand With Chick-fil-A’ (nesn.com)
• Cities Threaten to Violate Chick-fil-A Owners’ Rights (thenewamerican.com)
• Chick-fil-A and the Ironic Allegation of Bigotry (wellspentjourney.wordpress.com)
• Chick-Fil-A Sandwiches Become Political Symbol (huffingtonpost.com)
• Billy Graham Supports Chick-fil-A (radio.foxnews.com)
• Now Chicago Alderman seeks to ban Chick-fil-A (legalinsurrection.com)

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Chicago, Chick-fil-A, Jim Henson, Same-sex marriage, Truett Cathy