Chick-fil-a; 5 Facts to Help (or Hurt) Your Argument

By Taylor Brim on August 1, 2012

An apple is to tree as a chicken sandwich is to bias hate towards same-sex marriage.

Wait, what?

It makes no sense yet this is the exact slippery slope America has been tumbling down the past week. You know the story- the mayor of Boston issued a letter to Dan Cathy, president of Chick-fil-a, urging them “to back out of plans to locate to Boston” upon hearing opinions vocalized against same-sex marriage. Since then, controversy has spread like butter on a bun across the United States, sparking protests and even celebrity involvement. It is all over the news, and there is truly nothing new to report. As Americans, we need to pack the picket signs, finish the chicken sandwich, and move on.

The top story that has dominated television exposure and Internet headlines has been given entirely too much significance. This is not to state that the debate over the institution of marriage is not important (given the understanding that to some, its impact can alter their life greatly). However the underlying issue, same-sex marriage vs. conservative ideals, is now having financial and economical repercussions- two things that are exclusively separate from the entity of marriage. This has given Americans who wish to voice an opinion a faulty platform, where the results of this boycott (and support surge) will only affect the ledgers of Chick-fil-A and the amount of opinionated tweets uploaded to Twitter.

The extreme amount of media coverage has escalated one man disagreeing with another into city-wide bans against an establishment. Likewise, people have flocked to Chick-fil-a’s in hopes of supporting Christian values by purchasing a meal. Americans are sprinting full-speed ahead down this slippery slope as hateful comments such as “I hope you choke on that chicken” by gay employees to customers and, “If I see one more faggot at a Chick-fil-A protesting, I’m going to be sick” resonate across our nation.¹

As a result, people haven taken to social media with bold proclamations that can easily be debunked with hindsight of the supporting facts. In order for citizens to take a more educated stance on this issue, the following are nuggets of information (pun intended) that may be beneficial before you update your status and suffer the wrath of being (gasp!) politically incorrect:

1. Thomas Menino, Boston mayor, wrote his letter in reaction to a statement by Dan Cathy on same-sex marriage to Dan Cathy. The letter was not directed to the company, considering it is the president’s views he disagrees with. Read the letter here. 

2. Chick-fil-a donates profits to the WinShape Foundation, an organization that encompasses everything from foster homes to marriage retreats. In turn, the WinShape Foundation has, in the past, donated to organizations like Exodus International and Family Research Council that support traditional marriages. Theses organizations offer voluntary counseling, conferences, and retreats to prevent homosexuality. Learn more about the WinShape foundation here. 

3. Chick-fil-a restaurants are independently run, thus creating a different culture apart from corporate headquarters in Atlanta. This has allowed gays to work comfortably at Chick-fil-a’s nationwide without fear of hate or discrimination.

4. On July 19th, Chick-fil-a released the following statement on Facebook: “The Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect – regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender. We will continue this tradition in the over 1,600 Restaurants run by independent Owner/Operators. Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena…”. Read the rest of the Facebook update here.

5. The statement that got Cathy in trouble said on an inspirational radio show: “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,’” Cathy said. “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.”¹

Whether you agree, disagree, or just simply hungry for chicken, hopefully these insights prevent you from ever engaging blindside in a heated argument. As for me, you can find me eating chicken nuggets at McDonald’s across the street. Because, you know, I like my chicken with a little less protest.

¹http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/01/chick-fil-a-anti-gay-controversy-employees-speak-out_n_1729968.html
²http://www.christianpost.com/news/chick-fil-a-president-says-gods-judgment-coming-because-of-same-sex-marriage-78485/#xyUrB2xoCw582eMF.99

 

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