I'm sure everyone is now tired of hearing about the Chick-fil-a (non) scandal that has erupted in the last few days. The reason I say it is a non-scandal is because it is. This story has been driven by the liberals in the media. Traditional, everyday Americans do not see any scandal in traditional marriage or in the fact that a Christian believes in traditional marriage. Here are some thoughts I shared on Facebook today:
First of all, Dan Cathy didn't just come out one day and share his beliefs about marriage. The reporter asked him about his stance. This is a trend in the liberal media when Christians are on the news (i.e. Kirk Cameron, Joel Osteen, John MacArthur, etc) Everyone knows that Christians, who believe the Bible is inerrant and authoritative, hold to a Biblical view of marriage, but the media insists on asking every Christian they can about the subject so they can then "flog" them in the public square. Also, for the liberals, screaming that Christians should just keep their personal beliefs to themselves - tell that to every Hollywood elitist that tells us everything from what to eat to the cars we should drive.
Second, Dan Cathy never said he hates gays or wished ill upon them. In fact, he didn't even mention gay marriage. He answered in only a positive manner. He said that his family holds to a traditional, Biblical view of marriage. Quoting from an article by Hunter Schwarz on Mediaite.com:
“We are very much supportive of the family — the biblical definition of the family unit,” he said. “We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.”
Cathy is president of a company that believe “in the importance of loving your neighbor as yourself.” “While my family and I believe in the Biblical definition of marriage, we love and respect anyone who disagrees,” he said.
Third, Chickfila gives money to pro-family organizations. In no way is that harmful to gay people. All of Hollywood is giving money to pro-gay organizations but Christians aren't boycotting movies.
Fourth, I worked for Chickfila, twice. it is a great company that treats their employees and customers well! Their purpose statement begins with "To glorify God.." People know this business is owned by Christians who are unashamed of their beliefs and the God they serve. Are people really surprised by Dan Cathy's answer? No they're not. Again, it is a far left-wing fringe of the culture trying to stir up a controversy where there was no controversy.
Lastly, people have allowed the media to blow this story up. There is no controversy here. There is only intolerance on the part of those whose mantra is tolerance. Christians are expected to "tolerate" gay marriage, homosexuality, atheism, evolution taught in school as fact (not theory), yet the left cannot tolerate Christians believing the Bible. Really?! Have we even recognized that many Muslim and Jewish business owners would share the same marriage view as Dan Cathy? They just haven't been asked the question by a "journalist" (I use that term lightly) because the liberal media in this country is focused on tearing down Christianity in any way they can. Let's not be "dooped" here.
Here are a couple of links to articles that I thought to be helpful in thinking through this: