Dean Reynolds of CBS wrote, “The controversy is prompting politicians and activist groups on both sides of the issue to organize events where like-minded people can demonstrate their discontent.” (see full story)
As usual, I am not reporting from the trenches. I stand on the sidelines observing the two sides going at it with one another. This is how I learn (or in modern techno-lingo, this is how I roll). I have not taken a strong stand in favor of, nor against either side. I did, however, post a comment to one of my virtual friends on FB who appears to be a warrior against anything labeled as conservative.
For this, many have stated they will boycott the restaurant chain.
The mayor of Boston said that he would not allow any of the chains to operate in his city. (He has since recanted.)
The mayor of Chicago said, "What the COO has said as it relates to gay marriage and gay couples is not what I believe. But more importantly, it's not what the people of the city of Chicago believe." (He has since backed off from his hard-line stance.)
Chicago City Alderman, Joe Moreno said, "I'm not gonna sit on the sidelines and allow them to come in when I know in my heart that they believe in discriminating against gay people."
There is only one Chik-Fil-A in Chicago, and the franchise owner, Lauren Silich, says hold on: Her store welcomes everyone and has gay employees. "We are open to any sort of lifestyle ... believe what ... you want to believe in and what you do, to me, it really doesn't matter."
Within days, the internet was alive with the controversy. FaceBook has become the space for many to air their views, opinions, and impromptu thoughts on any given subject (or not). My personal page lit up with people saying they would boycott the store in their area. There has also been a counter-protest of strong support for the franchise on my page.
[DISCLOSURE: I am a Christian in my religious beliefs. Draw from that what you will. My FaceBook “tribe” consists of Christians of all persuasions and denominations, atheists, Buddhists, agnostics, New Agers, and Christian-haters. Draw from that what you will.]
OBSERVATIONS:
- It appears that it is okay to air your views in a public forum as long as those views are politically correct. If they are not P.C., then...
- It is interesting to note how many think that one person speaks for a group. Dan Cathy spoke of his own beliefs, and many think he speaks for everyone in the company. The mayor of Chicago had the hubris to say that everyone in Chicago believes like he does. However, it should be noted that the franchise owner of the only Chik-FIL-A in Chicago, a woman, said she has gays working in the restaurant. If Cathy operates from a hard-line position, then how do we explain that? Franchise owners go through training in Georgia under Cathy's tutelage. The Chicago Alderman said, "...they believe in discriminating against gay people." Really?
- The “warrior friend” mentioned earlier in this article posted a call for a boycott on ChiK-FIL-A on his FaceBook page. The comments that followed his posting were about how bigoted Christians are. “Christian” wasn't part of the mix. Yet that is where people went. It appears that those who hate Christians will leap at any opportunity for some “Christian-bashing.” How is that not bigotry?
- Those who are calling for the boycott against Chik-FIL-A are revealing their true position, which seems to be more about Christians than it is about gay marriage. To be consistent, they should also be calling for a ban on all oil and oil products made with Arab oil, because those people kill homosexuals.
LESSONS:
- Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Great minds talk about ideas. Average minds talk about events. Small minds talk about people.” I've seen the full gamut in full bloom on this issue. Where are the people who can discuss openly, without anger or character assassination, the issue of gay marriage?
- Pharisaical self-righteousness is just as prevalent among the non-religious as it is among the religious. It doesn't matter what the underlying cause or issue is, it still stinks.
- When someone is being “whupped up on,” they will call for tolerance. However, as soon as they are the “big boy on the block,” they begin the whupping without tolerance. Tolerance doesn't seem to change someone's heart or viewpoint.
- “Preaching to the choir” is the least effective way to bring about change, but people seem to have a good time with doing it. When I realize how hard it is for me to change, I begin to understand why it is so difficult to try to change others.
- It is still impossible to legislate morality—whether for or against homosexuality.
- There is no such thing as bad publicity. Chik-Fil-A has shown an increase in business during these past two weeks.
FOR CHRISTIANS ONLY:
The current persecution of the Church is having the usual benefit—we are being cleansed. The Bible states that this is God's purpose in all tribulation, especially that of persecution.
We are becoming more loving of those of differing persuasions.
We are coming down off our high-horse of moral rectitude, which is something that never should have occurred among His holy people.
Let us NOT completely buy into the current social movement for “tolerance.” There is a place higher than tolerance and it is called MERCY. We desperately need to learn what it means to show and give mercy in our everyday dealings with people.
In the song, “Jesus, Friend of Sinners” by Casting Crowns, there are these words:
- “We cut down people in your name, but the sword was never ours to swing.” None of us, to my knowledge have been called to be God's policeman. The office of police was never mentioned as a gifted office in the Church.
- “Nobody knows what we're for, only what we're against when we judge the wounded.” This is sad, but true commentary on the Church of today. People know what we stand against; but few have any idea what we stand for—either corporately or individually. However, it is the last phrase of that line that is the most damning. Do we not understand that these are people for whom Christ died, and they are wounded, bleeding? Let us not be part of the “kick 'em when they're down” crowd any longer.
- “The world is on their way to You, but they're tripping over me.” Let it not be so in your life.
Comments, questions, and criticisms are welcome. Please add to the discussion by posting yours. Thank you.