I guess by now most all of you who are reading this (at least those of you in the United States of America) have heard about the situation surrounding Chick-fil-A’s/Dan Cathy’s comments about “family values”, “Biblical marriage”, and LGBTQ issues. If you haven’t, then please click on the picture of Mr. Cathy below to find out what this situation is about.
Over the past few days, as I have watched this scenario develop, some troubling thoughts have come to my head and heart. But before I share them with you, let me tell you where I stand on this issue:
I am a GLBTQ ally.
I have no objections whatsoever to same-sex marriage.
I believe the ONLY threats to the “sanctity” of marriage are abuse, infidelity, and divorce.
That being said, what troubles me is this:
So here we are in the United States of America, a nation where obesity is a major problem, debating whether “to eat or not eat” Chick-fil-A sandwiches, while over 20,000 children each day die of hunger.
Folks, this is SERIOUSLY messed up.
We live in a country where one day a year, you and your children can dress up like cows and get free food. We live in a country where we protest for or against an issue by not “if” we eat, but by “where” we eat. We live in a country where waste is totally acceptable and excess is the norm…
Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria,
you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy
and say to your husbands, “Bring us some drinks! ”
These words from the Book of Amos could not be more fitting at this moment. These days Amos might have added:
“Oh you cows of America who thank God for coronary bypass success, but continue to gorge yourselves!”
“Gluttonous swine of prosperity who feel entitled to drive-thru complacency!”
“Oh you of little faith who fast for personal gain, but never for the needs of others!”
AND I AM GUILTY AS CHARGED.
Today, August 1st, 2012, thousands upon thousands of well-meaning Christians went to Chick-fil-A and bought a meal to show their positive affirmation for Dan Cathy’s comments and their view of “Biblical marriage”. Wow. Is this what it has come to? Is this the radical revolution, the in-breaking of God’s Holy Commonwealth, and the amazing witness of the “poor in spirit” that Jesus spoke of?
Meanwhile, thousands upon thousands of other folks are boycotting Chick-fil-A and going to other restaurants, such as McDonald’s, Burger King, or Wendy’s. They are protesting for a rightful cause (in my opinion), but possibly missing a larger point.
Now this is a picture to consider. This guy isn’t thinking about much of anything right now, except how many hours in the hot sun he has to spend picking tons of tomatoes, bucket by bucket, in order to somehow feed his family (who most likely is working right beside him). Welcome to Immokalee, Florida.
These are the people who pick your tomatoes, the ones you buy at supermarkets, the ones you eat on a fast-food order, the ones you love to slice into thick juicy slices for your Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day cookouts.
This guy doesn’t get those kind of privileges because he (and his family) are too bust picking tomatoes.
A number of businesses have agreed to fair labor practices and standards that begin to resemble something above sharecropper wages for these hardworking people. If you want to know more about this, click on either the picture above, or the one below. You can also click on the three pictures of starving, malnourished kids above and learn several ways you can help them.
Interestingly, Chick-fil-A is NOT one of the companies (like Taco Bell, McDonald’s, and Burger King) that has agreed to these practices and working conditions.
All I’m trying to say is that there are other reasons not to eat at Chick-fil-A. But then, there are a lot of reasons for lots of things, aren’t there?
LGBTQ folks and allies, let’s remember the folks who grow, prepare, and serve this food.
Folks who support Dan Cathy’s propositions, eating chicken sandwiches doesn’t make you righteous.
I’d like to add that more “Kingdom work” would be accomplished if the folks who supported Chick-fil-A by purchasing food there today would have given that food away to day laborers, homeless folks and to soup kitchens. There’s a chance Jesus might have been served some chicken today, ya know…it’s just a healthy hunch!
Well said. Thank you for the links on how we can make a difference! I personally choose not to eat chick fil a because of their support of anti-gay org which APA studies show lead homosexual oriented people to struggle with depression and lead to suicide. Their refusal to adopt those fair workplace practices like you mentioned is even more reason. I don’t think just choosing to not eat somewhere is going to do anything but couple that with investing the money saved to help people (like your kinks help us do) will actually affect positive change.
I’ll say this as well. I am embarassed at how the Christian community has behaved during chick fil a appreciation day. In one location near me so called Christians threw water bottles etc and hurled insults at peaceful protesters. Not a good representation at all of what it means to be a Christ follower
I agree wholeheartedly. I ought to have stressed that the core issue is not so much Cathy’s comments as where company money is going to support groups that are seriously Gay-bashing people who simply do not deserve that type of treatment in any way. Thank you for your comments!
With MUCH appreciation for your perspective and calm call to more than just civility…in the baptismal service of the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer may we all learn to proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ; Seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves; Strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being.
Thanks Christian, but I am a Double AA ball player at best. LOL! Be blessed, you and your writings have been one of the reasons I began to blog. I will never forget that you were the first person to link me their blog. Be blessed!
If i might add something.. I respect the fact that we’re bringing awareness to other countries BUT! If all of us would take a freaking look around OUR country has many many issues on its own. If our celebrities and higher ups that we worship/support in all the ways that we do would stop spending money to other countries and start helping our nation maybe we’d be in better shape? I’m not bashing anyone nor saying I do not respect this post because believe me I do.. I feel for other countries and it pains me to see these horrible inhumane pictures but I also realize that our country is in the shitter and we’re too busy looking at other countries than taking care of our own.
Very profound and so true! Not all of Christian response has been shown by purchasing a Chick-fil-A sandwich. There are many who seek to address the needs of the less fortunate. I don;t know what Mr. Cathy’s commitments are to any of these larger issues but I certainly wish that he and many others would pick up the mantle of responsibility for feeding the starving children of the world. Your blog was very poignant.
Live out your convictions. Romans 14 says to live by faith, because what isn’t done by faith a sin. Each human must stand before Jesus and be judged. Live YOUR life and don’t be influenced by another. For gays or against gays….that is between you and God. Don’t tell me what to think.
I guess by now most all of you who are reading this (at least those of you in the United States of America) have heard about the situation surrounding Chick-fil-A’s/Dan Cathy’s comments about “family values”, “Biblical marriage”, and LGBTQ issues. If you haven’t, then please click on the picture of Mr. Cathy below to find out what this situation is about.
Over the past few days, as I have watched this scenario develop, some troubling thoughts have come to my head and heart. But before I share them with you, let me tell you where I stand on this issue:
So here we are in the United States of America, a nation where obesity is a major problem, debating whether “to eat or not eat” Chick-fil-A sandwiches, while over 20,000 children each day die of hunger.
Now this is a picture to consider. This guy isn’t thinking about much of anything right now, except how many hours in the hot sun he has to spend picking tons of tomatoes, bucket by bucket, in order to somehow feed his family (who most likely is working right beside him). Welcome to Immokalee, Florida.
August 1, 2012 at 8:16 pm
YES, THANK YOU! I couldn’t have said it better, myself.
August 1, 2012 at 8:37 pm
I’d like to add that more “Kingdom work” would be accomplished if the folks who supported Chick-fil-A by purchasing food there today would have given that food away to day laborers, homeless folks and to soup kitchens. There’s a chance Jesus might have been served some chicken today, ya know…it’s just a healthy hunch!
August 1, 2012 at 9:32 pm
Excellent, Gene. Thanks!
August 1, 2012 at 9:34 pm
Well said. Thank you for the links on how we can make a difference! I personally choose not to eat chick fil a because of their support of anti-gay org which APA studies show lead homosexual oriented people to struggle with depression and lead to suicide. Their refusal to adopt those fair workplace practices like you mentioned is even more reason. I don’t think just choosing to not eat somewhere is going to do anything but couple that with investing the money saved to help people (like your kinks help us do) will actually affect positive change.
I’ll say this as well. I am embarassed at how the Christian community has behaved during chick fil a appreciation day. In one location near me so called Christians threw water bottles etc and hurled insults at peaceful protesters. Not a good representation at all of what it means to be a Christ follower
August 1, 2012 at 9:45 pm
I agree wholeheartedly. I ought to have stressed that the core issue is not so much Cathy’s comments as where company money is going to support groups that are seriously Gay-bashing people who simply do not deserve that type of treatment in any way. Thank you for your comments!
August 1, 2012 at 10:12 pm
With MUCH appreciation for your perspective and calm call to more than just civility…in the baptismal service of the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer may we all learn to proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ; Seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves; Strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being.
August 1, 2012 at 10:34 pm
Thank you. This post took a few days of quiet discernment. Those who know me best can testify to my “firebrand” mentality at times. Be blessed!
August 1, 2012 at 10:43 pm
A-Freakin-Men!
Gene, you hit this one out of the park.
August 1, 2012 at 11:07 pm
Thanks Christian, but I am a Double AA ball player at best. LOL! Be blessed, you and your writings have been one of the reasons I began to blog. I will never forget that you were the first person to link me their blog. Be blessed!
August 2, 2012 at 1:17 pm
If i might add something.. I respect the fact that we’re bringing awareness to other countries BUT! If all of us would take a freaking look around OUR country has many many issues on its own. If our celebrities and higher ups that we worship/support in all the ways that we do would stop spending money to other countries and start helping our nation maybe we’d be in better shape? I’m not bashing anyone nor saying I do not respect this post because believe me I do.. I feel for other countries and it pains me to see these horrible inhumane pictures but I also realize that our country is in the shitter and we’re too busy looking at other countries than taking care of our own.
August 2, 2012 at 3:39 pm
Very profound and so true! Not all of Christian response has been shown by purchasing a Chick-fil-A sandwich. There are many who seek to address the needs of the less fortunate. I don;t know what Mr. Cathy’s commitments are to any of these larger issues but I certainly wish that he and many others would pick up the mantle of responsibility for feeding the starving children of the world. Your blog was very poignant.
August 3, 2012 at 12:43 am
Live out your convictions. Romans 14 says to live by faith, because what isn’t done by faith a sin. Each human must stand before Jesus and be judged. Live YOUR life and don’t be influenced by another. For gays or against gays….that is between you and God. Don’t tell me what to think.