Christians are the only religious believers in America who are regularly subjected to publicly sanctioned discrimination.
From the petty, such as banning Christmas displays, to the personal, such as schools and employers banning the wearing of Christian religious symbols, to the fundamental attacks on Christian beliefs perpetrated by the federal government through the Obamacare abortion and contraception mandates, Christians are subjected to a relentless campaign to stifle the public profession or demonstration of Christian belief.
So it took real courage for Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy -- whose fast food restaurants are already famous for their policy of being closed on Sunday, as well as for their great chicken sandwiches and clean-cut young servers who reply to customers with “My pleasure” instead of “nooo problem, dude” -- to say that his company is in "support of the traditional family."
"Well, guilty as charged," said Mr. Cathy, son of company founder S. Truett Cathy, when asked about the company's position in support of the traditional family.
"We are very much supportive of the family -- the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.” Read full interview in Baptist Press Online here.
As the Baptist Press Online noted, “In a day when companies such as General Mills, Nabisco, JC Penney and Target seemingly compete to appear the most supportive of gay marriage, Chick-fil-A and its biblically-based values stand out…”
And by publicly affirming those biblically-based values, Mr. Cathy gave one of the most courageous professions of Christian faith we have heard in modern America – not because he is likely to suffer the kind of physical harm the fathers of the early Church faced, or that modern martyrs face in places like Iran, China and Sudan today.
No, but Mr. Cathy is facing something that in its own way may be just as harsh -- the wrath of the leftwing media and Democrat politicians ready to pander to the radical homosexual agenda that quickly combined to call for Mr. Cathy’s business to be banned from their fiefdoms and for him to be muzzled.
The good news is that, even in the face of this onslaught, Dan Cathy did not back away from his biblical principles and Chick-fil-A remains committed to applying "biblically-based principles" to its business management.
In the wake of the anti-Christian attacks on Dan Cathy, and Chick-fil-A, FOX News commentator Mike Huckabee is organizing August 1 as "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day." A day on which Governor Huckabee is encouraging people to patronize the fast food chain as a way of “affirming a business that operates on Christian principles and whose executives are willing to take a stand for the Godly values we espouse.”
We plan to be there and hope you will join us for a great meal and to celebrate Dan Cathy’s courageous Christian witness.
Dan Cathy
We support Dan Cathy! Why don't the Christian Churches around the US speak out for him and for the Bible, which has been the strong foundation of our country?
Hoorah for the Cathy family
The radical left will NEVER like anyone standing up to them. SO BE IT!! I congratulate the Cathy family and Chick-Fil-A for standing for Biblical principles. I will go out of my way to support their business and will recommend EVERYONE I know to do the same. May GOD be with all of you.
Pays the Price?
I don't think so. Mr. Cathy will not lose out for his Christian testimony. On the contrary, God will honor him, and his business will be even more successful.
A little fact that the media seems to have forgotten. I do not know if the current owners still do this or not, but the original founder of Chick Fil A promised that 90% of all his profits would be given to charity. Most people, even Christians, feel like their only obligation is to give a tithe--10% to the church, charity, or whatever. The more Chick Fil A gave, the more they grew. Their faith has been well rewarded over time--a little diarhea of the mouth from mainstream media and gay hate groups will not overpower the way God has blessed that business.
Gay hate groups
I object to your use of the term "hate group" so loosely. Perhaps there are organizations composed of LGBT people that hate heterosexuals, but I am unaware of any. Even so, beliefs are several orders of magnitude below what traditional hate groups in America have and still do. They are almost all reactionary extremist facist organizations, like neo-Confederate and neo-Nazi groups.
We support Chick Fil A
We not only eat at Chick Fil A, but as soon as we can find an appropriate address to use for the notification, we plan to honor Chick Fil A but paying for a number of Bibles to be placed by the Gideons in honor of Chick fil A. And I have a business of my own and will be checking into getting a bunch of coupons to give away for people to use at Chick fil A.
It's interesting that the most intolerant people on the face of the earth are not the Christians or the families, but those who hate Christians because they do not want a light shown on their own sin. Christians, contrary to pervailing propaganda, do not hate Gay people or pro-life people, or anyone else. We believe that Christ died for all, and all who will forsake their sin will be accepted by him. However, it is foolish to think that Christ gave his life so those who hate him can continue to live in their godless fashion and still receive the blessings of Christianity.
Dinner at Chick-fil-A
I live 50 miles from the nearest Chick-Fil-A, however you can rest assured my wife and I WILL be eating dinner at Chick-Fil-A on August 1,2012. I further promise that any time I eat out if it is possible to get to a Chick-Fil-A when I want a meal I will go there. I am a Christian and I am sick and tired of every hate group in the US such as the homosexuals attacking me because of that fact! I believe that homosexuality is a sin and is a choice not a birth characteristic and I am entitled to my beliefs! If the homos disagree with Mr. Dan Cathy they are free to eat someplace else, LEAVE US ALONE!!!!!!!!
Hate Groups
I think that if you delved a bit deeper than you seem willing to, you will discover that most hate groups are religiously-oriented, or derive a great deal of hate from religion.For example, the Southern Poverty Law Center names 39 Christian Identity hate groups.
None of the other groups named are even associated with homosexuality, and most are officially homophobic.
You are entitled to your opinion on the origin of homosexual desires, but to claim that right gives no credibility to those opinions.
I don't think that we have to
I don't think that we have to take his views personally. Their family business is open for everyone no matter what your gender is and no matter what your religion is. What is he up to is he's trying to maintain their Christian values. This man has gone so far and a man like him wouldn't take out an installment loan just to make other people pissed to him and his business.
Liberals Don't Believe in Freedom of Speech
Regardless of your stance on this issue, Dan Cathy has a right to express his views. His restaurants do not discriminate in hiring or service. I support Freedom of Speech. Therefore, even though I am a vegetarian, I will be be eating at Chick-fil-A on August 1 as a show of my support for the First Amendment. (Sure hope they sell salads!)
FREEDOM OF RELIGION
FREEDOM OF RELIGION - IS NOT FREEDOM TO IGNORE LAWS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA THAT CALL OUTRIGHT SLANDER, HARRASSMENT AND PREJUDICE UNLAWFUL. tHE CHRISTIANS HAVE TARGETED HOMOSEXUALS FOR CENTURIES, AND YOUR BACKING OF HATERS SUCH AS THE KKK IS A HUMILIATION AND DOWN RIGHT THREAT TO GAY PEOPLE. YOU ARE THE ONLY GROUP WHO OPENS YOUR BIG MOUTHS AND TRIES TO SHOVE YOUR IMMORAL RELIGIOUS BELIEFS DOWN PEOPLE'S THROATS. YOU CAN NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ANYONE IN AMERICA. AND WHEN YOU CHOOSE TO TARGET A GROUP BE PREPARED TO BE TAREGTED RIGHT BACK. CHICK-FLI-A IS A RACISTS AND BIGOTED WHITE OWN ORGANIZATION THAT IS OUT FUNDING HATE GROUPS TO TARGET AMERICAN GAYS. THIS IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND YOU NEED TO BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE, FINED AND HAVE FORCED CLOSURES TO ALL YOUR STORES. WE DON'T WANT BIGOTS RUNNING OUR COUNTRY, TRYING TO PASS LAWS TO TAKE AWAY PEOPLE'S NATURAL AMERICAN BORN RIGHTS AND CIVIL RIGHTS. YOU ARE A THREAT TO AMERICAN GAYS AS YOU PROBABLY ARE TO AMERICAN BLACKS, MEXICANS AND OTHERS. A BIGOT DOES HATE ONLY ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE. THIS ISN'T 1940, YOU CAN NOT SPEAK YOUR OPINIONS WHEN THEY ARE BIGOTED ACTIONS YOU ARE TAKING TO HURT OTHERS. AND ANYONE I KNOW EATS AT YOUR PLACE i'M DONE WITH THEM INCLUDING FAMILY MEMBERS. DISCRIMINATION HAS TO END IN AMERICA NOW - NOW 2050 NOW! TODAY! AND SINCE RELIGIONS/CHURCHES ARE SPEAKING OUT POLITICALLY, IT IS TIME YOU BEGUN PAYING TAXES. ALL YOUR TAXES!!!!!! NO MORE FREE RIDE. YOU'RE ACTING LIKE THE CHURCH OF 1939, ACCEPTING HITLER IN ORDER TO KEEP YOUR DOORS OPENED. NAZI'S IS WHAT YOU'RE ACTING LIKE.
Freedom of Religion
My heart aches for you with your obvous hate for all persons not like you. Do you have a guilty conscience? Could it be because you haven't a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? To know God is to love His creations - all of them. Christians love the person; however, they neither accept nor condone the sin. If someone chooses to be gay, that's their choice. I would still like or dislike them depending on how they reated me, not for their sexual choices, not for their race. But for you to tell me I haven't the right to do so, is wrong. It is hateful, mean-spirited and one-sided. No one has said that gays will not be served at this restaurant. This family-owned restaurant has exercised its right to freedom of religion - the choice not to support something that goes against their teachings. My prayers are with you for acceptance of who you are and who we are.
Freedom of Religion
WOW! Christian hate groups tartgeting homosexuals!You must have had gallons of that kool-aid Raven. Your so deep in the woods that you cant see the trees! Or your head is up where the sun don't shine. Christians aren't HATERS. While some are quick to remind homosexuals that they are defying God's laws, it's the pro-gay group that are the haters in this country. They hate anyone who disagrees with them. So your homosexuality is something you were born with, and not a 'choice'? If so, I'll treat you and all other homosexuals the way I would anyone with any crippling disease they were born with. Sympathy and compassion. That is what REAL Christians do. Say, maybe you can all apply for handicap parking privileges!
Biblical family values
I'm just curious if Jacob's and his wives - Leah, Rachel, Bilhah, and Zilpah - are considered a Biblical family, too. After all, he did have his ladder experience. Yet he wasn't in a "one man/one woman" marriage, now was he?
Jacob's ladder to sueplappy
Nobody in the Christian community except for that maniac group that targets funerals and other events around the country endorses punishing gays. I deplore those people because they are not Christians, imho. However, I Do deplore the push by political activists to shove legistlative actions down people's throats, no matter WHAT they believe. That applies to All of us, whatever our persuasion.
I detest autocrats as every liberty lover should--gays, blacks, minorities, . . .well, why bother the game of seperation here? I repeat the initial assertion without the interest groups I gave in and started to list. It is not gays who are attacking entities like Chick Filet, but those who have a political agenda to accomplish through thuggish extortion tactics. Chick Filet did nothing but support traditional marriage. They have not attacked one thing, as far as I know.
FREEDOM OF RELIGION
I took my family there today for diner and spent almost forty dollars . I fully expect to eat a lot more chicken in the future at Chic-Fil-A . Great healthy food . Good Christian people . What more could you ask for ?
fools
Anybody who undermines the stad made here are nothing but fools!
Cathy's Stance
Cathy's taking a strong Biblical Stance on the family. Those who don't approve it are welcomed to go elsewhere if that's their choice.
Chic fil a
Thank God for Mr Cathy and his family for taking the stand as a Christians. My family and I support him 100%, I believe his business will continue to thrive and if not God will take care of him! If we had more like him our Country would not be in the shape it is now! See you at Chic fil a August 1st and many other days.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
I have a family of 6 and we will eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at Chic-Fil-A on August 1st. Join me and support family values.
Liberal logic
There's nothing bigoted about freely expressing your opinion about certain behavior. It's called free speech - protected under the First Amendment. Liberal nutcases do it all the time.
He's not being attacked for
He's not being attacked for being a Christian. He's being attacked for being a bigot. I know plenty of Christians who consider this a non-issue, live and let live. Why some people can't seem to simply let this issue go is beyond me.
Oh, and what a terrible cost he's paying, being a millionaire who's a majority not only by race (caucasian) but by religion as well. Let's all shed a tear for how absolutely terrible he has it.
Not a bigot
If I recall, the attack on Chik Fil A began because someone didn't like the fact that they are not open on Sunday, and that their stated reason is because they are a Christian company and want to give their employees opportunity to be in church if they so desire. They never said they HAD to go to church. They were just giving them the opportunity. And then it seems to have escalated. Some one asked Mr. Cathy's opinion on marriage, and he simply stated that he believes in traditional marriage. He never condemned anyone who believes otherwise. His restaurant serves all equally. He is entitled to his personal beliefs whether he owns a restaurant or a car dealership or owns nothing at all.
Real Christians--those who believe in Christ as their personal saviour, not just those who celebrate Christmas and Easter and call themselves Christians--do not consider it a non-issue. We have been tolerant for years, for decades. I've been around awhile and have lived in a lot of places. Not one time have I EVER seen Christians marching around a gay club house; not once have Christians ever taken up petitions demanding that gays be prevented from making whatever displays of themselves they so desire. I taught school for a number of years, and some of my students were gay. Other students may not have shared the gay students' preferences, but they had as many friends as anyone else, both gay and heterosexual. No one ever persecuted the gay student or ostracized him or her from any activity. If individual students picked on that student privately, well, they kept it private as it would not have been tolerated if they had made it public. And when it comes to kids--kids will be kids. Kids pick on each other for no reason at all--just not having designer brand shoes, so I put no weight at all to that. Years ago, a couple of lesbian ladies lived in a house about a halfmile from us. We all knew them; we visted them and had coffee together and swapped opinions on various things. There was no emity--nor was there in any of the rest of the neighborhood. I did not agree with their chosen life style, but that was their choice, and they will answer to God, not to me. No one treated them any differently from anyone else.
On the other hand, all sorts of anti religious groups--gays and pro-abortion included--have protested against displays of Christmas scenes---and at Christmas. When else would you put up a Christmas scene, and how does it hurt anyone. It doesn't, but those against it want to shut Christ himself completely out of society. It isnt' going to happen, or if it does, this country hasn't yet seen the real wrath of God. Anti-religious groups have forced schools to eliminate Christmas celebrations or recognition of any Christian festival in our schools--they now have to have "holiday" greetings. Give me a break. Without Christ their would be no "holiday," call it whatever you want.
It is the non-Christians who want to sue restaurants for giving a discount if people bring in a church bulletin on Sunday. It is the non-Christians who sue a preacher for holding a Bible study in his private house on his own property. (If that were a gay rights meeting, he would have no problem). It is the nonChristians who take Christian teacher to court just of possessing a Bible in the classroom--not reading from it or teaching it to the students--just having it in their possession in their desk. These events have happened and have been part of the news in case you weren't paying attention. But no Christian or Christian group EVER tried to sue a gay teacher for having gay magazines or letting it be known to his students that he was gay. So WHO is practicing all the hate. People who think the Christians are the ones with all the hate need to get their facts straight.
The point is clear, I think. It is the non-Christians of all descriptions who are involved and practicing the "Hate," not the Christians.
Millionaire, Christian, Caucasian. . .
Well, I almost don't bother. You got everything tagged, brother, Talking points down the line. You are a slave to them, but it's your life.
I deplore stupidity and hate in myself more than anything, because it is a Prison. The Christ is the only way to unlock that metal door. Look to yourself to see if you are perfect or if you might just see that prison door in what you say.
It took years for me to see the faults in myself. Where I am now is not an easy place to be, but I know lies when I see them now. I know facist tactics when I see them now. I don't know all about Cathy, but what's "bigoted" about proclaiming his company's endorsement of traditional marriage?? He's not yelling hate at those who aren't in alternative lifestyles, as far as I can see, is he? I don't think most people on this site are ANTI as much as they're supporting a man who just is applauding something he believes in. I doubt if you walked into one of his restaurants, you would be given a cold shoulder if you proclaimed yourself gay. I don't know, but this agenda is really poisonous.
Cathy not a bigot for honoring God's Word
Mr. Cathy is a large business owner and he should not be called a hateful name (bigot) for honoring his Lord's Word found in both the New and Old Testaments. God has judged homosexual behavior as a sin worthy of His punishment, not to be judged or punished by us. Most Americans have homosexual friends and/or relatives that are homosexuals and we love them and treat them with respect. We all will be judged by our Lord someday and while we are still on this earth, there should be no hateful speech from others for demanding good Judeo-Christian family value policies of a corporations employees and workplace.
Caucasian Bigot?
Do you not believe in FREE SPEECH in the USA? You are exercising that right with your comments yet you want to label anyone who doesn't agree with you as a Bigot? You are a LOON and deserve to live in a great free society where your comments will be appreciated, such as Iran. I'll pay for your ticket to go there. Contact me soon !!!
fool
you my freind are a fool and nothing else but!
Bigot?
How do you understand Dan Cathy to be a bigot by being for something? He supports traditional marriage. He does not, as far as I know, advocate silencing or attacking anyone who disagrees with him...unlike many on the other side of this issue do as evidenced by this whole episode.
If I prefer Ford cars does that make me a bigot towards Chevrolet?
Years ago IBM's motto was "THINK." Maybe it still is. That's good counsel for all of us, especially before taking sides on issues we don't understand. Or, perhaps it's just a case of of wanting to bully (now there's a current PC term) those who we disagree with.
As for me, I will continue to enjoy the excellent food and service at my local Chick-fil-A.
Discriminating Against Destructive Behavior is NOT "Bigotry"
Excuse me, "daxicab" but one cannot be considered a "bigot" for failing to kowtow to a BEHAVIOR. That is exactly what homosexual acts constitute: a behavior, and an incredibly destructive behavior at that.. Homosexuality is NOT an "inherent quality," such as is race, ethnic origin and sex (Not "gender!" The term "gender" is only proper in the context of describing gramatical syntax -- It is not correct to use in defining the sexuality of a being!).
Do you really want to defent anal intercourse, and other acts of sodomy, as something natural, good and healthy? Medical journals fully reference, identify and describe, in very specific detail, the wide array of diseases and damage directly attributable to homosexual acts. Take a little time to research the medical pathology of the subject, and inform yourself with facts rather than homosexual propaganda.
In the context of physiology and biology, acts of sodomy are intrinsically disordered to the objective purpose for which the two sexes exist -- the procreation of life. Homosexual acts are speciffically "non-life affirming;" ie: they are anthetical to the continuation of human life, and thus homosexuals can only increase their number by means of seduction and coercion.
To oppose a behavior that is destructive, both to society and to individuals, is not an act of bigotry, but an act of decency towards the one who is acting out such behavior.
Why can't he believe what he
Why can't he believe what he wants? You get to. Maybe you're the bigot.
Why the hate daxicab?
Daxicab: so are you upset because he is successful or the fact that he doesn't agree with homosexuality? The article didn't say he wasn't tollerant of homosexuals, just that he believes in a biblical family unit which I am sure a lot of christians believe in. I'm tolerant of homosexuality, doesn't mean I agree with it or promote it. It just means that people have the right to live their life the way they choose too live it. A male and female were created for reproduction so common sense says that two males or two females just doesn't make any sense. If it was natural then they would be able to reproduce and we would have no problem with it. You can force people to like what other people decide to do with each other, just pray for them.
Attack on businessman.
Of course he is being attacked for being a Christian and standing up for the values he believes in and they are guaranteed under the US CONSTITUTION. If you don't like the company's views - I would suggest eating chicken at McDonalds or another company which serves chicken sandwiches. Thank you.