As a Christian, and especially one with this platform that the Lord has given me, I have struggled this week with whether or not this type of post is something that is even appropriate for my blog. I’m not a political activist or the type of person to get involved in a protest of any kind. However, it does bother me to see a fellow brother in the Lord being bullied for his beliefs. I’m sure you’ve heard the rumblings from this statement made by Dan Cathy, the owner of Chick-fil-A, who believes in a a biblical definition of marriage.
“I think we are inviting God’s judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at Him and say, ‘We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage’. I pray God’s mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude to think that we have the audacity to define what marriage is about.” [SOURCE: Wikipedia]
As a Christian, I support him. This is what the Bible says, and it is on the Word of God that I base my life and ground the principles by which I live. In saying this, please understand that like many of you, I have friends and family members who live a gay lifestyle. I love them dearly. My supporting Chick-fil-A is not an indictment on the gay community. I am supporting the biblical view of marriage. And I am supporting Dan Cathy’s right to conduct his business according to the guidelines of his faith.
Chick-fil-A’s corporate purpose is this: To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us. To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.
CFA’s stance is not new–in fact, it’s no surprise to people who have seen them stand on Judeo-Christian principles, including taking a Sabbath day of rest, throughout the company’s lifespan. This is who they are. They base their business on biblical values and they’ve always been outspoken about it. There is no condemnation in the statements that Dan Cathy made. I want it to be very clear, this is not a condemnation of the gay community. It is merely a statement about our faith and what we believe in, and the fact that we can speak openly is the beauty of living in America.
If you believe in the biblical view of marriage, and Chick-fil-A’s right to operate their business based on the dictates of their faith, show your support on August 1 by going to Chick-fil-A to enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
If you leave a comment, I would ask that you please leave it in the nature that this post is written, as an open platform where anyone is welcomed. After all, don’t we all live in glass houses?
**I am a CFA blogger, but no one has asked me to write this post. These are my views.
I agree 100% with your thoughts and views. We don’t have a CFA near us, and I wish desperately that we could join with the others who will stand in support of them tomorrow – in support of their Biblical views, in support of their business practices, and in support of their God given and constitutionally reinforced right to free speech. I pray that the Lord will bless this company for being faithful even when it is not the “popular” thing to do or say!
Thank you for your encouraging post!!
Thank you so much for posting this! I have been struggling with the same thing since this started and have chosen to try not to state any opinions around this or the debate in general. I also believe in the Biblical definition of marriage …. however, I also choose NOT to hate anyone that has chosen any type of alternative lifestyle because I do not believe that is what the Lord would want from me. I’m terribly concerned to see the hate and anger surrounding the debate on gay marriage but it saddens me even more to see our brothers & sisters acting in a hateful way. Anyway, thanks for giving a voice to an opinion that many of us share but are not sure how to verbalize!!
So very nicely stated! 🙂
I completely agree with your post. Very well written!
You said things I just could not find the words to say.
Thank you
It is our arrogance and indifference to God that I find so painful and disappointing. If we all go about doing as we please it means we are not considering God or anyone around us. This is off the subject but I have a neighbor whose husband died recently age 41 of pancreas cancer. My other neighbor was complaining about how she has 2 dead trees in her yard that she needs to get down. I wanted to tell him to just whip out his chain saw and get a move on. He cuts down his own trees. He isn’t grieving a loss, or wondering how he is going to support his two children that are 8 years old. I honestly could have bopped him one. Arrogance and lack of care for others stare in our faces every day. My nearest Chick-fil-A is almost and hour away but if I can I will be there.
It is also a first amendment issue! He certainly has a right to have and voice his beliefs.
Well spoken. this country was founded on Christian beliefs and freedom of religion so i find myself very angry over the backlash Mr. Cathy is receiving for his statements. Do we rise up against other “religions” telling them they’re haters because they believe differently? I’m amazed (well, not really since the bible tells us we’ll be persecuted) that the only ones who don’t seem to have freedom of speech is the Christians.
It is not just a belief in the biblical view of marriage and that Chick-fil-A’s right to operate their business based on the dictates of their faith, it is supporting a fellow American in their right to free speech.
Few are willing to speak up these and say they believe in something that is not mainstream and splashed all over TV. Few are willing to say they believe in God, they are religious, they think welfare recipients are lazy for the most part, they don’t believe gay marriage, etc. because they will be treated exactly this way.
Freedom of speech cannot be defended and supported for some (i.e. Occupy Wall Street, Michael Moore, etc.) while chastising others for exercising that same right simply because it goes against what is currently mainstream. It’s free speech for all or free speech for none. There can be no in between on this one.
I’ll step off my soap box now. Thank you very much for listening. 🙂
thanks so much for expressing your thought so very well. I could not agree with you more. I know could have chosen to look the other way and not get involved. Thank you for making the choice to use this popular platform to stand up for those who are under attack for their beliefs – I wish others would show their courage too. Thank you for putting your faith in action.
Let’s all show that courage as well by supporting Chick-fil-A – if we can’t get there this week, then support them by dining there when you can.
Beautiful and well written. So glad you took the leap of faith and wrote it! Thank you!!
Well stated. Thank you for posting your thoughts.
Very well said. Is there something special happening on Aug 1st?
It is very much in your rights to do this, but i think that it is a very childish thing to do. No one will be impressed by this movement, and the company will see almost no economic hardship from the so called “protest” against a fast food chain. This issue is far from the most pressing matter in our nation. There are many more important issues. So let’s all get off the soap box and simply take care of the larger issues.
Well said! You so obviously took time & care & chose your words wisely. I feel much the same as you, in supporting Dan Cathy & his views, but this not being a condemnation of gay friends whom I love. My children & I will be having lunch at Chick-Fil-A tomorrow. Sharing your blog to my page. Thanks…
Your comments were right on target. I agree that we, as christians, do not hate the homosexuals. It’s their choice to live the homosexual lifestyle if that is what they choose. We know the gay lifestyle is something God’s word speaks againstl. I’m not asking everyone to agree with our stand on this matter, but shouldn’t we be allowed to follow the Word of God if that is our choice? Why are we being villified for this stand. Christians have rights as well as homosexuals, but you wouldn’t think it with all the criticism you hear on the news. Kathy has the right to express his opinion so why is Chick Fila taking so much criticism? I agree with the previous comment, Chick Fila’s business will most likely NOT be affected by this matter. I think there business increase! I will be purchasing Chick Fila meals tomorrow.
Really? You believe in the “Biblical definition of marriage?” Based on the stories and the laws recorded in The Bible, there are twelve basic and explicit rules regarding marriage:
■Marriage consists of one man and one or more than one woman (Gen 4:19, 4:23, 26:34, 28:9, 29:26-30, 30:26, 31:17, 32:22, 36:2, 36:10, 37:2, Ex. 21:10, Judges 8:30, 1 Sam 1:2, 25:43, 27:3, 30:5, 30:18, 2 Sam 2:2, 3:2-5, 1 Chron 3:1-3, 4:5, 8:8, 14:3, 2 Chron 11:21, 13:21, 24:3).
■Nothing prevents a man from taking on concubines or sexual slaves in addition to the wife or wives he may already have (Gen 25:6, Judges 8:31, 2 Sam 5:13, 1 Kings 11:3, 1 Chron 3:9, 2 Chron 11:21, Dan 5:2-3).
■A man might choose any woman he wants for his wife (Gen 6:2, Deut 21:11), provided only that she is not already another man’s wife (Lev 18:14-16, Deut. 22:30) or a relative (Lev 18:11, 20:17, Lev 20:14, Lev 18:18). The concept of a woman giving her consent to being married is not in the Bible.
■If a woman cannot be proven to be a virgin at the time of marriage, she shall be stoned to death (Deut 22:13-21).
■A rapist must marry his victim (Ex. 22:16, Deut. 22:28-29), unless she was already a fiancé, in which case he should be put to death if he raped her in the country, but both of them killed if he raped her in town (Deut. 22:23-27).
■If a man dies childless, his brother must marry the widow (Gen 38:6-10, Deut 25:5-10, Mark 12:19, Luke 20:28).
■Women must marry the man of their father’s choosing (Gen. 24:4, Josh.15:16-17, Judges 1:12-13, 12:9, 21:1, 1 Sam 17:25, 18:19, 1 Kings 2:21, 1 Chron 2:35, Jer 29:6, Dan 11:17).
■Women are the property of their fathers until married and the property of their husbands thereafter (Ex. 20:17, 22:17, Deut. 22:24, Mat 22:25).
■The value of a woman might be approximately seven years’ work (Gen 29:14-30).
■Inter-faith marriages are prohibited (Gen 24:3, 28:1, 28:6, Num 25:1-9, Ezra 9:12, Neh 10:30, 2 Cor 6:14).
■Divorce is forbidden (Deut 22:19, Matt 5:32, 19:9, Mark 10:9-12, Luke 16:18, Rom 7:2, 1 Cor 7:10-11, 7:39).
■It is better to not get married at all—although marriage is not a sin (Matt 19:10, I Cor 7:1, 7:27-28, 7:32-34, 7:38).
Please consider this before supporting hate.
Thank you Sarah, While I dont believe Kelly is a hateful person at all, the belief that the christian bible condems gay marriage and supports marriage between one man and one woman is, well, selective at best. I do not understand why chrisitians pick the rules they want to obey but ignore the rest. The bible also says slavery is ok and that disobedient children should be stoned. Thankfully those are not popular beliefs. I believe if you eat shellfish you have no right to talk about gay marriage as something that is wrong. With that said, Mr. Cathy can believe whatever he wishes as long as he does not discriminate, and others can boycott if they wish. Also it should be noted that Chick-Fil-A is a franchise and when boycotting our locally owned businesses we affect the people in our communities and the people the employ. At the same tijme we must all follow our convictions
Sarah-
By Kelly writing this does not mean she is supporting hate- people are allowed to say what they believe. If you say you believe in gay marriage- most of the world doesn’t attack you but if someone says they don’t believe in it- they get destroyed. Being mad at what someone believes is being hypocritical if you get mad if someone disagrees with what you believe.
Regarding all the scriptures you posted- yes they are in the Bible, but most of the verses you posted are from the Old Testament except for the last 3. That was before Jesus came and people were required to live under a religious law and follow a lot of rules. After Jesus came, that was all cleared so a lot of that is not valid anymore. Also, even from the beginning it says God made them male and female (one), with Adam and Eve. Just because men had multiple wives in the Bible doesn’t mean God blessed it or liked it but everyone makes their own choices. But from the beginning it was meant to be one man and one women. I’m not against the people that live that lifestyle- I just don’t believe it’s according to the Bible.
I’m sure you will have other verses to throw at me to make my statements invalid or something- I don’t want to argue- just wanted to give you a little bit of a different view. If you read the Bible in full, or you might have I don’t know, but you might not feel so strongly against people that believe in the Bible’s definition of marriage. I’m not here to change your mind because I know I can’t change your heart about it but that’s all I got for now.
I think your post is spot on. I can’t believe people even got so upset over his opinion on gay marriage, knowing he owns a Christian business. I’m not sure where people missed the memo, but this is appalling. This should not be a surprise. But apparently we’re not allowed to voice opinions unless they’re in line with what the rest of the world thinks. My family WILL be eating at Chick-Fil-A tomorrow, and each week after. I’m squeezing it into my budget. I love his quote and think it shall hang on my wall… above our wedding collage. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this!!
We have friends that own and operate the Chickfila in our town. They said that on the positive side, business has never been better!!! The line of patrons in the drive through is all the way around the street at all times! I’m afraid they will have to have traffic enforcement in the area on Aug. 1st! Please pray for the employees and patrons tomorrow. There may be some demonstrations. We have nothing to defend, but we must show love. That may mean offering a cold bottle of water to someone with a sign stating the opposite of what you believe. If so, lets remember that actions speak louder than words. Lets remember that actions speak louder than words.
Amen!
People should realize that if this man’s right to voice his belief is taken away anyone’s could be also. This is America. People fought and died so that Dan Cathy and everyone else could do this very thing. Why punish a person for the very ideals that so many have fought and died for?
Kelly, I agree with your words 100%. I could not figure a better way of saying it. I believe that any one can support anyone and their views without being ugly. I happen to support Chick Fil-A and will be supporting them tomorrow. If you don’t want to you don’t have to. This is a personal choice for those of us who choose to do so. Our Chick-Fil-A is always busy – so I am going early to support them.
Beautifully stated!
Kelly – well said! Thank you for your words 🙂 It really helped me clarify all the feelings I had mixed up in me about all this Chick fil a stuff 🙂
Great use of your platform!!
I am so with chik fil a and firmly believe in them. I have friends to whom are gay however as a person I love them but how I feel about them being gay will not change whether I know them or not. I think in your blog your sugar coating yourself and being very contradictive. Marriage is meant for a man and woman. As a christian I wont put it it likely for standing up for gods way see fit.
***lightly is what is meant for it to say
Wonderfully stated!! If there was a Chick-fil-A near me, I would go today!
I just have to say that I was so excited today to get the opportunity to go & support such an outstanding company. I was so uplifted to see how many Christians came out to support them. It just shows that Christians can truly change the world if we would work together to spread God’s love & faithfulness. I applaud Chick-fil-a in their company policies & wish there were more Christian business owners out there that would stand up in support of their beliefs. The thing to remember though is that Christians do not hate homosexuals but they do not agree with their lifestyle. As the old saying goes, “Hate the sin, love the sinner.” As Christians we believe that sin (no matter what sin – lying, worrying, stealing, coveting, murdering, etc.) is detestable to God & that all sin is equal in HIs eyes. Therefore, being gay is not any worse to God than when I lie or worry. However, it is a daily choice to go against God’s commandments, which we are taught to strive against. Every time I worry, I am committing a sin but the goal is that I will recognize this, ask forgiveness, & then try not to do it again. Personally, I think Christians everywhere should pray for these homosexuals because they are experiencing temptation and desperately need Christ to help them to turn their lives towards Him. Condemnation is not the answer. Prayer, love, & support is the way to help these individuals realize their need for the Lord.