CHICKEN AND WAFFLE FRIES

From My Perspective - - -

August 1st was informally designated “Appreciation Day” by former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as a way to support Chick-Fil-A and the statement offered by Dan Cathy, CEO of Chick-Fil-A, in a Radio Interview on The Ken Coleman Show that upheld Family Values. Dan Cathy stated: “We are vey 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.” He then went on to say: “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 marriage,’ and 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…”

Predictably and not surprisingly, this resulted in loud reaction and response by the politically correct advocates and representatives. Some of the reported reaction includes: “Cathy's detractors say his words are hateful to the gay community. They have asked their supporters to take a stand against Cathy and the Chick-fil-A corporation by boycotting the restaurants, staging protests, and refusing to partner with Chick-Fil-A for business and charitable ventures….” A further activity will be: “On August 3rd, gay activists plan to occupy the tables and booths at their local Chick-Fil-A restaurants and stage a ‘kiss in’ to protest the company's support for traditional marriage. Organizers announced the event earlier this week in retaliation for comments made by Chick-Fil-A's President Dan Cathy…” 

Whenever a person of principle takes a stand, one can be certain that there will a cost and the principled stand will be met by challenge. Such is the case here, and the following is just a brief summary of the ‘retaliation’ planned and advocated: “This week, mayors in Boston and Chicago vowed to stop Chick-fil-A from opening franchises in their cities. They say that the company is not welcome until it changes its stance on gay marriage. Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino even wrote Cathy a letter voicing his anger at the company's ‘prejudice.’ ‘I urge you to back out of your plans to locate in Boston,’ Menino said. ‘There is no place for discrimination on Boston's Freedom Trail and no place for your company alongside it.’ A few days later, Menino admitted he took his comments a bit too far. He said he would prefer not to have a Chick-fil-A in his city but would not actively oppose it. Cathy's comments also have cost the company its relationship with a major toy supplier. Lisa Henson, CEO of the Henson Company, producers of The Muppets, released a statement saying that her company will no longer allow Chick-fil-A to include Muppets toys in its kids meals. The Henson company is known to celebrate ‘diversity and inclusiveness’ and will not continue to partner with Chick-Fil-A at present or in the future, Henson said. She also pledged to donate all the money her company made from its partnership with Chick-Fil-A to the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLADD).”

It was gratifying to see thousands of people stand in line at Chick-Fil-A as an indication of their support and agreement with the company’s stated view on Marriage and Family Values. The terms used by the opponents include “retaliation…diversity…inclusiveness…prejudice…” The people living in Sodom and Gomorrah most likely felt that God’s pending judgment on them was unfair and unwarranted – but – they were judged by Him and perished in their diversity and inclusiveness. There will always be opposition to those taking a principled stand. In II Peter 3:3, there is this reminder: “you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.” Also, there will be challenge and times of suffering - I Peter 3:14-16, reminds us of how a principled follower of Christ may become the object of negative response and reaction: “If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed…If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler…if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” The follower of Christ should not “chicken-out” and should never “waffle” – but always be strong and courageous. Consider these things with me!