HOW ABOUT THOSE POOR CHICKEN?

HOW ABOUT THOSE POOR CHICKEN?

Americans showed up in record numbers last Wednesday, showing their support for Chick-fil-A, setting a record. It all began when Dan Cathy, president of the fast-food chain, affirmed the company’s support for traditional marriage. Even though there was nothing anti-gay in his comments, some called it hate-speech and told people to boycott the restaurant. Mike Huckabee, former Presidential candidate, called for a Chick-fil-A appreciation day on August 1, asking people to visit the restaurant and show their support for free speech. And visit they did!

What I have found particularly interesting are the outrageous remarks by some! Besides the juvenile “eat your hate-sandwich” and “choke on the chicken,” there were some that needed to be answered. Here’s the first one—“How can you as a Christian hate someone?” To start with, people who make such statements need to read some of the hate that is spewed out by those who opposed the event. I tried to read a few on Facebook and had to stop for all the French! I don’t believe anybody in line at Chick-fil-A was cursing homosexuals. No gays and lesbians were denied service. No civil rights were infringed. It was open to all. Hundreds of thousands paid their hard-earned money for a meal, peacefully standing for more than an hour, feeling the satisfaction of supporting their personal values, glad that they live in a country where they still can. That’s not hate. That’s freedom.

Then there is—“Businesses should stay out of religion.” For starters, businesses don’t stay in or out of religion, people do. People operate their businesses by the religious principles of their choosing. In fact, many have been monetarily supporting values that are contrary to biblical principles. If you try to confront them, you will be met with “no comments” or “check with the corporate office.” Dan Cathy should be commended for not hiding behind some mysterious “corporate office” but stepping out in front and honestly answering questions. Americans (not just Christians) showed up in record numbers to support him and not just a “Christian business.” As Cathy stated clearly —“We don’t claim to be a Christian business…Companies are not lost or saved, but certainly individuals are…But as an organization we can operate on biblical principles.”

Finally—“People are turned off to Christianity when we have these Christians vs homosexual events.” This one is kind of like the “Christians should stay out of politics and go hand out tracts and stuff. Let the politicians do their job.” Few Christians even fall for it. It does sound noble and spiritual but it is hogwash (for lack of a better term). There is a big difference between evangelism and standing up against the anti-Christian agenda in America. Of course, we are to share the love of Christ with the lost and win them to the truth. At the same time, we cannot stand back and watch the extreme left destroy America. There is a place to love people unconditionally and then there is a place to be the salt and the light. Christians are called to be citizens of two worlds: earthly and heavenly. Of course, we are looking forward to our heavenly homes but as long as we are on earth, we are to make it as heavenly as possible.

One more remark—“How about those poor chicken? Nobody asked their opinion.” I think…..I smell a conspiracy between the cows and the pigs.