Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day has been in full swing today, and supporters of Dan Cathy and the company have come out of the woodwork to fill their bellies. Ever since Boston and Chicago city leaders declared that they'd do whatever they could to keep the chain from opening any more restaurants in certain areas (in Boston, it was the Freedom Trail), Christian conservatives became enraged at this seeming attack on Cathy's right to free speech.
In North Texas, not far from Dallas, parking lots were crammed full, and some customers even had to park away from the restaurant. It isn't surprising that at one location, the CFA is located in the strip mall where a large evangelical church serves as the anchor, and another branch is located in the same shopping center as a Sam's Club. Inside all three local eateries, no tables were available, and it was standing room only.
A woman who brought her three children to feast on nuggets and ice cream told Gather News that she was there to support free speech and that "around these parts, God's law remains intact." She went on to express concern that liberals were being hypocritical about Cathy's freedom of speech because they were condemning him for stating his beliefs.
This is not a freedom of speech issue. It is a civil rights issue, and Dan Cathy injected himself into this by answering a question about gay marriage. When the head of a company puts that out there, he needs to be prepared for whatever amount of backlash comes his way.
Chalk one up for the religious zealots who show their freedom of speech by stuffing their faces with chicken nuggets and waffle fries. While today and the next few days might be great for business, just as many people who were once loyal customers will no longer be eating there. Many of these formerly loyal customers are the very people affected by company's policy: the LGBT community.
Cathy and Co. donate millions of dollars to the Family Research Council, the organization that claims all gays are pedophiles. The company also donates heavily to Exodus International, an organization dedicated to "praying away the gay." Both of these organizations actively demonize homosexuality by spreading lies and religious propaganda against anyone who isn't totally and completely straight.
The ironic part of this is that for years it's been a well-known secret that CFA is a family owned company run by Christian conservatives. One would know this by their policy of giving their employees Sunday off so they can attend church and spend time with their families. In response, some folks are bemused at the sudden outrage in the LGBT community and their supporters after it came out that CFA's president said on a radio program that he believes gay marriage is against God's law.
Even people who support LGBT causes say Boston and Chicago went too far and crossed a line by saying the company is no longer welcome in their towns. That being said, however, the fact remains: Chick-fil-A promotes discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered persons by giving millions of dollars in donations to anti-gay groups.
While the company is getting supportive tweets, there have been a good amount of people expressing dismay at the company and its supporters, with just as many people who say they don't care one way or another, as long as the food is good. One person even raised an interesting question: Would folks be showing their support if Dan Cathy came out against interracial marriage?
In this day and age, it's amazing that the United States is still in the middle of this heated debate. Equality is equality, regardless of race, gender preference, or religious creed.
This isn't the only firestorm CFA is enduring. Brenda Honeycutt, a Duluth, Georgia, woman, is suing the company for gender discrimination. She claims that she was fired by the branch's owner/operator so she could be a "stay-at-home mom." Honeycutt's lawsuit alleges that Jeff Howard, the owner of the branch, held meetings without her and then after he fired her without cause, replaced her with a male.
Her reviews put her in the satisfactory/above satisfactory range. It would have been understandable if she'd been a problem employee, but she wasn't.
While on paper, the company's getting beaten up by both straight women and the LGBT. However, in the South, "traditional" values reign supreme...unfortunately.
©2012 Reno Berkeley for Gather News. Berkeley can be found on Tumblr, Google+, and Facebook.
recommend
Facebook
Twitter
bookmark 
print
Comments: 136
The List: Food Companies that Mix Business with Conservative Agendas
http://gigabiting.com/the-list-food-companies-that-mix-business-with-conservative-agendas/
I can't stand Carl's Jr., I only use Viva paper towels, I rarely eat at Cracker Barrel, White Castle buns make me want to puke, and I find Outback Steakhouse too expensive for my taste and I think the last time I was in a Waffle House was....hmmm, never. Never had Johnsonville Sausage, either, so I think I'm good.
Uh, uh, uh, this IS a freedom of speech issue~whose civil rights did Cathay violate??? He was asked a question, & he answered it honestly, or at least according to his convictions. You have convictions all over this post~how would you like being denied those?!!?
We had them fooled J, nobody predicted this ending~got me chuckling, too!
RF, you're too funny!
You disagreeing with the point of view of another Liberal, only demonstrates what we Liberals have always said is and always has been the big difference between Liberals and Conservatives in politics.
That Being;
Liberals will often disagree on an issue with other Liberals because we tend to be honest with ourselves in our reasoning and convictions and therby we will often take the position which is that of our inner feelings and not the popular position.
Whereas;
Conservatives, regardless of what they personally believe to be accurate, will generally fall in and march lockstep with whatever position other Conservatives take on a given issue.
A point in fact which can easily be proven by rereading comments posted here on GN to previous written articles and issues of interest over the last several years.
Although we are in disagreement on this particular issue, congrats to you on standing firm to your personal beliefs and convictions.
And for the record I have seen no evidence that homosexuality is anything more than a sexual preference.
I have seen no evidence that homosexuality is anything more than a sexual preference
Maybe that is because you are a closed minded homophobic who refuses to accept nor to understand, that there are other humans who were born different than you.
I noticed you don't attempt to supply any evidence for your position so you resort to name calling.
"And for the record I have seen no evidence that homosexuality is anything more than a sexual preference." -
Yes. And, a Sociopathy.
Is committing a "thought crime" now illegal?
A business that follows all the laws of the municipalities in which they do business being bullied and threatened by the elected officials because of their religious beliefs.
What has Chick Fil A done that was illegal?
Once again you have either completely misunderstood the issue or as you often do, are deliberately trying to twist the facts. Assuming that your probem is the former and not the latter, I will post an answer to your question.
Neither Chick Fil A nor it's corporate owner, Mr. Dan Cathy, have done anything illegal. Further, neither have been accused of doing anything illegal by anyone.
First; Mr. Cathy has exercised his Constitutional right to speakout openly against same sex marriage, an act which he most certainly has a Constitutional granted right to do.
Second, Mr. Cathy also exercised his Constitutional right to provide financial support to several anti homosexual groups. Unfortunately for Mr. Cathy, those particular groups openly discriminate against the LGBT community.
As a result of Mr. Cathy's direct financial support of those anti LGBT groups, Chick Fil A, has been designated as a business which supports discrimination against the LGBT community.
The insuing protest has evolved into the form of supporters refusing to patronize any Chick Fil A franchise, by those who support the rights of those of LGBT community to exist without being discriminated against.
Mr. Cathy has the right to support such anti LGBT groups if he so chooses as he has done and people with opposing ideology have a right to support the LGBT community as they are doing.
Constitutional Rights work both ways and therefore arguing that Mr. Cathy is in some way being treated badly is ridiculous since his Constitutional rights have in no way been suppressed nor taken away.
http://hotair.com/archives/2012/08/01/video-big-lines-on-chick-fil-a-appreciation-day/
"The current and historical human rights record of holy book believers against many groups is so horrifying that I'm shocked any sane individual would claim association."
-Hyper Intellect
This is nothing but a Freedom Issue...and, whether homosexual or HEALTHY and HETEROSEXUAL, every lover of Freedom should Eat Mor Chikin.
We should ALL be concerned...
I see you are yet again enjoying yourself after one of my comments - I hope this becomes a habit. Why?
Because with my pen name, anyone can tell that I am insecure, & would love to be able to boost my ego even further with my very own stalker.
Good night, Mr. K.
Not just religion, but specifically christianity is still an unspoken prerequisite to seriously consider being elected president. Whether a candidate believes it or not.
So there is a substantial measure of hypocrisy by the the religious right in this country claiming their rights are being trampled. And neither is an openly gay president acceptable in this country yet either - more evidence that the religious are the intolerant ones, not victims.
I believe that, in a Public Forum, we read and comment and respond as we see fit.
Everyone has the same Rights. You need to be reminded.
What has made this a Great Country is our Values. Those Values come from God. To disparage that Truth is merely foolhardy.
When we don't like generalizations, we call it unfairly stereotyping an entire group. When we do, 'he notes our positive characteristics.'
Combining religion's massive, long-term human rights violations + believing holy books are evidence of the supernatural, and my case becomes even more convincing. Though not to holy book believers, to be sure. I know - because I used to be one.
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."
- Voltaire
I'm fairly new to Gather, so still trying to get a feel for your worldview.
"When we don't like generalizations, we call it unfairly stereotyping an entire group." - some intelligence, no Wisdom
Learn anything of me, and you'd feel foolish.
I am a big proponent of generalisations. Ask anyone here.
Voltaire was a fool. However, in this instance, he was on line.
Actually, it only makes for you to look the more foolish.
Blemishes in "religions'" past? Only a fool would deny.
Nevertheless...it is SECULARISM that is responsible for the vast majority of Death and Misery in the World...then, now, and always.
Ah, well....
Mao.....................62 Million
Lenin and Stalin....100+ Million (very conservatively)
Pot......................1.7 Million
Il Sung.................1.6 Million
Hitler....................16 Million
...ad infinitum.
There are Millions more. Would you care for me to list them?
Lesson over. You may go.
The naive are easily fooled! ;)
Truth is Spiritually-Discerned. You look in the wrong place.
A pity that you've been failed by believing the dogma's of Man...a Doctrinal "Church." And yet, you are foolish enough to believe again...in more Doctrines of Men.
"As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats her folly."
It is the "sheep," here, who re-writes History. Secularism, as I have easily illustrated, is responsible for more Misery and Death on this Planet than any other influence...and astoundingly-so.
Wisdom comes from no Man, or Church.
Wisdom comes from Him.
Mao Zedong, Lenin, Stalin, Pol Pot, and Kim Il-Sung did not operate on a secular level of government. For their brand , it was a cult of personality mixed in with a twisted form of communism (not the pure form). In fact, what these leaders (including Hitler) did was create a pseudo-religion based on their own personalities so that the people looked upon them as if they were gods themselves. North Korea still has that mentality. They are so brainwashed that they'll follow their "Dear Leader" to the death. Secularism seeks to allow people the right to worship as they choose without allowing the government to be involved and/or tainted by any ONE religion.
Please to not conflate secularism with communism/atheism. They are not the same.
Then, you were deceived by Men. (Man)
And yet, you continue to be deceived...
Oh, when, Doll, will you learn?
Knock, Hon.
Knock.
The Victims of such Evil do precisely as you do, and precisely as you say...they worship Men...as do you. Secular Humanism...History's greatest perpetrator of Misery and Death. You are extremely confused.
Then, now, and always.
Thank You most kindly, SugarHips. :)
"The cow may have crossed the road, but he did not so on his own. You have to consider those that built that road."
Hey, I know that guy!
Yes, your bad.
Of course we are all equal in His eyes...some of us are just Wiser than others ;)
I'm not a "republican." Wake up.
Look at any coin that you carry...
Liberty (not "equality.")
E. Pluribus Unim...from Many, ONE.
In God We Trust.
Funny enough, our Values are ubiquitous, and you've been oblivious.
jeanne, we are living under a form of Tyranny as we speak. You don't notice, because you cannot grasp the concept of Freedom, and because it is in line with your naive Worldview.
jeanne, the word is p-e-r-s-e-c-u-t-i-o-n. But then, your views are superior to mine, so I am no-doubt mistaken, Yes?
Have you ever read on the history of what is printed on coins? In God We Trust came from the civil war era - to show that God was on the side of the Union.
In more recent years, use of the slogan has been opposed by civil liberty groups, but the court has ruled that the phrase is NOT indicative of a State religion or national religion/church of any sorts; rather, it has patriotic meaning. In 1970, the ninth circuit court ruled, "...It is quite obvious that the national motto and the slogan on coinage and currency 'In God We Trust' has nothing whatsoever to do with the establishment of religion. Its use is of patriotic or ceremonial character and bears no true resemblance to a governmental sponsorship of a religious exercise."
Ceremonial in nature. Sort of reminds one that many writings dating back to the Constitution are simply using figures of speech popular at the time. A constitution drafted today would eliminate all religious language, no doubt.
This country was not built on God - it was built on freedom - of choice regarding religion, politics, etc. etc. etc. And by the by - many were prosecuted based on their religion in England. And persecuted. Both.
Wow - look how far off we've come from that!!! Congress is certainly not supporting their Chief today!
Most are...indicated by the near 250-some Words that you've just wasted in the previous 3 comments.
"...And I'm so glad you think yourself superior to others." - jeanne
I don't; I know HE is.
This is, again, a perfect example of how incapable you are of understanding me, or even, the simplest concepts.
And I am perfectly capable of understanding simple and complex concepts. It's rather difficult to do my job, otherwise. Considering concepts were part and parcel of my studies in college, I doubt I would have graduated without a rudimentary understanding of even simple ones. And that shows how well you don't know me. You know nothing about me - you just make your assumptions based on my disagreements with you. I grew up basically on my own, with no help from anyone. Had I not learned simple concepts I doubt I would have survived. Even now, I do half the thinking for my husband as he is showing the beginning's of alzheimer's disease. It takes much time and patience to explain over and over something very simple to one who used to be able to understand and process a simple action.
Please, Tell. Tell of which Human told You how a Christian would behave.
It is not with any disrespect on my part, that I Tell You that You do not understand. Because, You do not. The Message of The Cross is so simple, that few find it. That it is True, and You did understand, You would Believe.
jeanne-
That you aren't even capable of understanding that Words have meanings precludes one from even being able to discuss anything with you. I've not used a Word that is not accurate, and applicable. It is impossible to have a conversation with someone who cannot even grasp the meaning of Words; and one who so severely twists the meanings of others as to render them meaningless and un-recognisable...
Therefore, you cannot grasp the meaning of my Words; and, those that you can, are twisted beyond all recognisable meaning.
Much in the same way that you do with the Words and the Wisdom of Jesus...that, you also do with me. It Truly saddens me that I've met one so ignorant of Truth; or, perhaps, so naive. However, the Wisdom of Wisdom can overcome the lies of Evil.
The Truth is available to you, jeanne. But you do not have Eyes to See, nor Ears to Hear.
Believe what you will about me, but once - no, twice in my life I have felt the hand of God, and twice I've heard Him. Someday - when this election is over - I will tell you if you wish.
As far as the people who I knew go - I could also tell you about them, but my feeling is you may not understand. I will tell you one worked in a methadone program as a counselor - it was a private, secular, institution. His groups usually turned in to healing groups and prayer meetings - not because he even attempted to do that (in fact - he was told NOT to because they were getting some government funds) but because it just worked out that way. He had the biggest waiting list of people - clients - waiting to get in his "group". Yet as a person, he barely stood out among all the counselors there. But the love he felt for all was felt by each and every client of his. They were inspired to do better. I have no idea how many followed his path - but their lives were enriched for knowing him.
"I categorize them as such because those who noted they were Christians almost never behaved as such..."
Then:
"No one human has ever told me how a Christian should act - because that would be artificial."
This, a glowing example. You cannot understand even the simplest concepts...and therefore, you contradict yourself.
"Is Christianity some exclusive club?" - jeanne
Again, you cannot understand even the simplest concepts. You merely enjoy to twist meanings.
Um, I've some more News for you. He does.
Whether you are or are not a Christian is a moot point - you speak of a country founded on "Biblical principles" and talk about God and "His" wisdom - am I supposed to suppose you are speaking of Buddha?
And how is your first example a "glowing" example? I could simply tell they were Christians by there actions - not their words. And yes, no one human has ever verbally told me how a Christian "should" act. Where am I contradicting myself?
I never claimed to be a Christian, either.