I wasn't going to throw in my two-cents on the Chick-Fil-A issue, but this image, or rather the caption, just sent me over the edge. I have had it. I am sick and tired of being called a hater, a bigot, and a hypocrite.
Dan Cathy didn't get on a soapbox and denounce gays. He didn't issue a press release. He was asked a question as part of an interview, and he answered it honestly. I happen to agree with him. I don't hate gays. I have gay friends. I love them. I just disagree with them. I disagree with my husband on a daily basis, and I don't hate him either.
I support Chick-Fil-A. I live too far from one to actually go and buy food, but I'm going on vacation this week. We might stop in and eat at one if it's handy. I don't support them because of their stance on gays just like I don't boycott Microsoft or Google because of their position. I have a lot going on in my life. I have two kids in two school districts, I'm starting a new job in less than two weeks, my husband has a terminal illness. (Really, I don't have time to write this blog, but I was going nuts.) Even if I had the time to find out the political and moral stance of every CEO of every company I might want to do business with, I have no desire to do so.
So if I don't care, then why am I supporting Chick-Fil-A? Because the government is infringing upon their Freedom of Speech, and that absolutely terrifies me. Maybe we should stop here and have a little civics lesson:
My entire life, I have heard people say, "You can't stop me, I have the right to say what I want." That's not entirely true. We are going to Six Flags next week. If you use vulgar language inside the park, they can escort you off the premises - and no, you don't get a refund. They are a private business. They set the terms under which you can use their services. You do NOT have the right to say whatever you want inside the park. Freedom of Speech is meant to protect citizens from an overreaching government. The GOVERNMENT cannot keep you from criticizing the President, voicing an opinion against a particular law, or (gasp) expressing your views against gay marriage. No matter how politically incorrect it might be.
Civics lesson over. Unfortunately, three of America's mayors seem to have been absent that day in high school. They actually said, out loud and in front of people with microphones, that Chick-Fil-A is not welcome in their cities based on an opinion of the CEO of the company. This is not a civil rights battle. No one is denying tasty chicken to gays. I'm certain there are gays working within the company because, frankly, I've had a lot of job interviews and no one has ever asked me about my sexual orientation. Gays aren't being asked to eat out back or drink from a separate water fountain. If you oppose Mr. Cathy's position, don't eat there. Vote with your pocketbook. But the government has absolutely no right to deny them expansion or throw them out of cities.
One last note or two while I'm up on my soapbox. The day after Rahm Emanuel supported Alderman Joe Moreno's vow to block the opening of another Chick-Fil-A in Chicago, Emanuel welcomed Louis Farrakahn to the Windy City. Want to know what Mr. Farrakahn thinks about gay marriage? Turns out he takes a Biblical stance on it as well. Doubt me? Listen up.
Sounds like it came right out of the Old Testament to me... On top of that Farrakahn is known for his anti-Semite remarks and views, but he votes Democrat every time he steps into the box, so hey, he's okay. I'm not saying I'm a Louis Farrakahn fan. In fact, it's a little disturbing that I've resorted to referencing him. I'm just pointing out the ridiculousness of the entire situation.
On a final note. It wasn't until May, less than three months ago, that President Obama decided that he supported gay marriage. He was opposed to it for three years! Or at least that's what he said publicly. Not once did I see an image on the internet calling him a hypocrite, bigot, or hater.
I am a Christian. It does not make me sin free. It does not mean I'm perfect. It does not mean I think I'm going to Heaven while everyone else rots in Hell. It means I believe that Jesus died on the Cross for my sins and rose three days later so I could have eternal life. It means that God loved me from the beginning of time. It means there is a plan for my life. It means I get out of bed each and every day and try to be Christ-like, knowing that I will fail miserably each and every day, but I am loved anyway. It means I make mistakes, but I am forgiven. When the rubber meets the road, it is freedom-loving Christians that are denigrated and hated by the left and the media. We terrify them because we don't hate others like they hate us. They can't understand it. We have our own Savior, and it's not them or their policies.
