Chick-Fil-A has been a big topic on social media this week, with everyone from the mayors of Chicago, San Francisco and Boston to Mike Huckabee and even Antoine Dodson (hide your kids, hide your wife) weighing in on whether eating at Chick-Fil-A is a totally immoral act… or a totally moral act.
The Chick-Fil-A debate seems to hinge largely on a misconception — that angry pro-gay folks are trying to impinge on Chick-Fil-A’s constitutional right to free speech under the constitution, or that everyone is trying to force America to accept a sinful gay lifestyle of which many Americans may not approve.
On the other side, many people feel that dining at Chick-Fil-A doesn’t reflect their values, and that any chain that openly espouses anti-gay beliefs isn’t worthy of their support. But both sides are kind of glossing over a very important aspect of the debate — profit and donations.
When someone complains that those who wish to not eat at Chick-Fil-A are trying to “force” a viewpoint on others, it neglects to mention a key portion of the Chick-Fil-A debate — that the company not only believes that gay people shouldn’t get married, but that it donates a significant chunk of change to companies that, in various ways, work to thwart gay marriage legalization. ($2 million in 2010 alone, and one can only assume the amount has stayed the same or grown.)
CEO of Chick-Fil-Asaid I believe in the biblical definition of marriage. Now there is a protest 2 close him down. We can’t let it happen
— Bishop Paul Morton (@BishopPMorton) July 29, 2012
Mayor Gray opposes any expanded presence for Chick-fil-A in DC, refers to the company’s product as ‘hate chicken.’ wj.la/PO2op3
— ABC7News (@ABC7News) July 30, 2012
Okay, still not so bad? Chick-Fil-A also donates to groups that promote and pay for what’s known as “conversion therapy.” Conversion therapy is a discredited and harmful practice in which gay people, usually impressionable teens, are put in treatment to cure their gayness. Not only is the treatment proven to be ineffective, but it is also linked with depression and suicide in gay people exposed to it. It may not seem to be a big deal if you’re straight, but conversion therapy and related practices are traumatic for the people who undergo it — many of whom don’t even have a choice, because they are minor children.
A stunning piece. We are not arguing about chicken. “I am your coworker, your frat brother, your cousin, your neighbor” huffingtonpost.com/conor-gaughan/…
— Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) July 29, 2012
Chick-fil-A would rather lose your business than lie about their ideals. It’s no sweat off their back, dumbasses.
— Georgia Betch (@georgiabtchh) July 29, 2012
So by all means, continue eating at Chick-Fil-A. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs, and as Americans, we have a tradition of speaking freely. But when you look at why many people choose not to spend money at Chick-Fil-A, be honest about the reasons why — it generally has nothing to do with controlling others, and everything to do with sparing gay people pain and suffering brought about by restricting gay rights at best, or at worst, sending them to camps to be re-educated.
Which side of the Chick-Fil-A controversy are you on?
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If you believe a business owner should have the freedom of discussing his religious views without corrupt city officials threatening to run him out of town, please join us on Facebook and eat lots of chicken on August 1st!
http://www.facebook.com/groups/162305077238155/
Eat lots of chikin tomorrow. Support Chick Fil A. Why don't christians have the right to be christians and support their causes just like everyone else?
Boycotting a business because it's owner speaks his mind doesn't hurt him, it hurts his workers who are trying to get by in this world. There are none in Washington state or I would be eating at Chick Fil A. Only to support those who work there. I agree with another poster when they said "Why don't Christians have the right to be Christians and support their causes like everyone else?" Come on people, we all need to grow up!
Well…hmmm…. I personally think Conservative "Christians" need to start practicing what Jesus would do…and support acceptance, coexistence, and peace for ALL of the people in the United States…not just the ones that agree with them. I'm not sure why the "Christians" are opposing the boycott while THEY cry about not having the right to support their own causes. Seems a bit hypercritical to me. After all, no one is stopping them from eating at Chick-fil-A.
Sharon Stone check your inbox we shall continue this discussion there my friend!!
What has made this country so great is quickly diminishing. We all have the right to our beliefs and because the CEO has a belief, the whole company is punished? What happened to our freedoms???? Good for him for being vocal about what he honestly believes. There is nothing wrong with it. We can all have opinions, we should learn how to respect each others opinions and learn to live with them.
Amen to that OO Roos!!! It's the respect that is lacking from all sides. I'm conservative and Christian, not a radical though!!!
Eating at Chck-fil-A today and getting gift cards for all my co-workers. Good for Dan Cathy for not bending to the culture and thought police. So he donates to causes he believes in….lot's of companies and bosses contribute to causes I don't believe in…that is their right.
I'll be eating there today
I think that gay marriage should not be decided by our government, but by we the people. In Maryland those opposed have been able to make the "law" into a referendum that we will all vote on in November. Once the votes are cast no one should complain as the people of our state have spoken. Each state should follow suit and do the same.
I think that it shouldn't even be a thing people vote on at all. Unity between two people is no ones business except their own, and NO ONE should be denied that basic right. I don't understand why this is still even an issue.
Sharon Stone sharon i am not patronizing you cause i dont even know you. but many a times folks who dont even believe the bible are quick to use it at their discretion. and i am not saying that you do. if you indeed believe the bible you would know that homosexuality is condemned strongly in the bible. god destroyed an entire city over this and christ never once stated we should 'accept' that lifestyle.christ teaches to love the sinner but admonish the sin.
tried to eat at a chik-fil-a today and the entire road was cordoned off by the police. cars were lined up for blocks. get on line and see that chik-fil-a's all over the country are swamped. love seeing the silent majority flex their muscles.
So donating money to programs that parents can send their kids to against their will to attempt to convert them into heterosexuals is something people should be free to do? Or donating money to groups so they can run PR campaigns to portray homosexuals as diseased or depraved in order to sway public opinion against them, undoubtedly causing many young people to feel broken or unworthy of life because of how they feel?
I do not disagree with your statement Kimberly, however I am not sure if marriage is actually a right or a privilege? Either way at this point it is either up to us or the government or we the people, I would rather it be the people.
I do not disagree with your statement Kimberly, however I am not sure if marriage is actually a right or a privilege? Either way at this point it is either up to us or the government or we the people, I would rather it be the people.