Chic fil As and the Gays

Well, let's face it... right now nothing else matters in this country, EXCEPT which side of the fried chicken line you stand on. 

I have waited and held my tongue and decided I would wait to see how everyone, both the homosexuals and the Christians (and everyone else, too), reacted and what actions they took... so, to say I'm disappointed, will not suffice... I'm flat-out upset, and maybe (to put it into King James Version language) pissed off.

But, before I get to that, let me give a little background and a little insight.

First of all, let's talk about Chic fil A.  Founded by Truett Cathy and is now run by his son Dan Cathy, Chic fil A is a fried chicken sandwich joint that is based out of the Atlanta area of Georgia.  Truett and his family are big time Christians.  They wanted to incorporate that into their business.  Therefore, they are not opened on Sundays.  Chic fil A also has Christian values incorporated in all areas of their business, like their "Second Mile Service" based-off a teaching of Jesus (Matthew 5:41).  Chic fil A also claims that it is a family business made-up of family men who are married to their first wives.  Chic fil A sponsors some stuff too, like the "Chic fil A Bowl," and the "Kick Off To College" Football Game (which will be Clemson vs. Auburn this year!).  They also sponsored a marriage conference with the Pennsylvania Family Institute (PFI) which has become known for fighting against same sex marriage legislation.  This, of course, came as a shock to most people... that a fried chicken spot, run by Christians, based out of the south, that doesn't open on Sundays would oppose same sex marriage... then, Dan Cathy came-out in 2012 with some statements about "the traditional family" and whatnot; then facts about donations to anti-gay marriage groups were brought to light.  So, Mike Huckabee decided to make August 1, 2012 "Chic fil A Appreciation Day."  Notice, I did not say that Chic fil A decided that, Mike Huckabee (senator who wanted to be the next George W. Bush, but lost out to John McCain) declared that.  So all these people flooded Chic fil A to show support of the fried chicken shack.  At the Chic fil A across the street from my work place had a line that blocked traffic from 7:30am to 11:00pm.  Chic fil A has stated that they had record sales on August 1, 2012.

So, without getting into the whole Jim Henson/Muppets homosexual campaign, we know that the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) community does not like Chic fil A anymore (it is important to note that the Jim Henson/Muppet folks took the money that Chic fil A gave them for kids' meal toys and donated it to the LGBT).  The LGBT staged a "Kiss In" for August 4, 2012, where LGBT people would go into Chic fil As and kiss one another in an act of "peaceful protest."  The Chic fil A across the street from me, that I spoke of earlier, is a drive-thru Chic fil A, and so the protesters stood at the road with signs and kissed one another when someone honked his/her horn. 

That's pretty much where we are right now...

So, let's talk about this... let's dive a little into some things...

First, let's look at what the Bible says about all of this and where we (and I will say we, meaning the church) as the church have failed and really screwed some things up. 

Genesis 19:1-29 speaks of Sodom and Gomorrah and how it got destroyed because of the queers!  Wait, no... that's not what it says AT ALL.  What Scripture says is that the men of the city of Sodom were trying to rape the two angels that were staying the night in Lot's house.  Later, the angels tell Lot, "we are about to destroy this place, because the outcry against its people has become great before the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it."  God destroyed the city because of their sin.

Leviticus 18:22 says, "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination."  Then in Leviticus 20:13, "If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them."  Lev 18:22 is speaking of cleanliness within the Law.  Then in Lev 20:13 punishments for sexual immorality are discussed.  Life was different back then.  There were no prisons, so breaking the law was death or exile (which a lot of times meant death).  The words that are used in Hebrew for "abomination" were tow' ebah.  The meaning of this is morally disgusting, but also suggests idolatry.  Some cases of homosexuality in the Old Testament were linked to idolatry (1 Kings 14:24, 15:12).  Some scholars assert that homosexuality is idolatry itself and still others state that God judges the acts of homosexuality as idolatry. 

Jesus never mentioned homosexuality, specifically.  Jesus spoke of sexual immorality though; "What comes out of a person is what defiles him.  For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.  All these things come from within, and they defile a person," (Mark 7:20-3).  We must assume that when Jesus says "sexual immorality" he is painting a wide stroke, covering all types of sexual immorality mentioned in the Law, based both on His audience and His style of speaking.  There are some who oppose this idea and claim, "Since Jesus did not mention homosexuality, it is okay to be a homosexual, since He is the only true authority."  My simple, but effective, response is, "Jesus did not mention drunk driving, speed limits, crack cocaine, human trafficking, or cruelty to animals, but everyone (including gay people) assumes He'd be against those, don't they?"

Paul mentions homosexuality a few times; "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God," (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).  Here, Paul mentions homosexuals specifically and says that they will no inherit the kingdom of God.  Romans 1 shows that God gave people over to their own unrighteous acts and allowed them to call judgment on themselves; Paul gives specific details of women in same sex relationships, as well as men in same sex relationships (1:26-7).  Paul also mentions that homosexuals are disobeying God's Law in a letter to Timothy (1 Timothy 1:8-11).

So, what does the Bible say about homosexuality?  It says that it is a sin.  That is not debatable.  That is clear in Scripture.  You know what else is?  Murder and Adultery.  And Jesus was pretty clear when he said that anyone who hates or lusts has committed murder and adultery (1 John 3:15; Matthew 5:27-8 respectfully).  So, why is it that we treat homosexuality differently?  Be honest with yourself, if you are a Christian, there's sin and then there's homosexuality.  There's bad, then there's really bad, and the queers are the worst of all!  Notice that every single time that homosexuality is mentioned in Scripture, it is sandwiched between other sins; because that's what homosexuality is, a sin.  Just like any other sin, it is between people and Jesus.  We must learn to look at homosexuality the same way we look at murder, lust, hatred, stealing and lying... and look at homosexuals the same way we look at the people who commit these sins... lost sheep that need a shepherd; people who need a Savior.

So, what happens?  Chic fil A, a fried chicken sandwich joint, comes under fire because their founders don't agree with same sex marriage and Christians show-out like a small army to support a company that stands for something!  "We are gonna' eat this fried chicken, 'cause we love Jesus and hate the fags!"

Do you think Jesus would have waited 45 minutes to get a chicken sandwich?  Or do you think He would've been fussing at you for wasting all that time that you could be preaching the Gospel (because, let's remember, the only people He ever fussed at were the Pharisees, who were religious folks)?  Or maybe, do you think Jesus would have went and spent every dime He could get His hands on at Chic fil A and turned around and gave those chicken sandwiches to the homosexuals and asked what else He could do for them?  Jesus said He would leave the 99 to go and get the 1 lost sheep, so I have this funny feeling that He would leave you standing in line at the chicken shack to go and get the LGBT community and do ANYTHING He could to show them that He loved them and deeply desired a relationship with them.

As mentioned before, I waited until now to say anything about any of this, because I wanted so bad to see the Church respond better than they have.  Much like many of us did with the attacks of 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and the devastation of Haiti, we did not do a very good job responding.  Basically, Chic fil A made a bunch of money off of people arguing and they aren't even going to report how much money they made.  And where does everything stand now?  Where did all that money go?  How is your life enhanced and your relationship with Jesus better after having eaten some fried chicken in the name of Jesus?  The only thing I've ever really gotten out of eating Chic fil A was a bloated feeling, but that's besides the point.

How could we miss it so badly?  NOTHING was accomplished for either side of this argument... except, of course, Chic fil A's million dollar corporate offices had their wallets fattened a little more off you fattening your bellies a little more.  Did you catch that at all?  Do you realize that you spent money to stick it to the queers... by eating fattening, greasy, fried chicken and waffle fries?  The LGBT in no way, shape or form is harmed or taught a lesson by Chic fil A making money, because Chic fil A has always made money; Chic fil A is in no way, shape or form harmed by the LGBT not eating at Chic fil A, because chances are, most of them already knew that Chic fil A was run by Christians, it not being open on Sundays and all; so really, there's only one group that could've been harmed in this whole thing... the people who wasted hours of their day standing in line to pay money to eat greasy, unhealthy food... they got you!  You are now $8 less richer and fatter; that'll show 'em!

Now, I don't think that the LGBT or Chic fil A are off the hook here.  The LGBT is using some pretty ridiculous propaganda to make their point.  I'm sorry, but you cannot use pictures of black people being attacked by police dogs and fire hoses and say that you are being treated the same way and that you are looking for the same kind of equality.  That is just absurd.  The government is not sicking dogs on you, forcing you to use different rest rooms and not allowing you to vote or even learn how to read.  Black people were treated unfairly, were attacked and some killed for the color of their skin; you are allowed to do anything you want in this country, except have a piece of legal documentation that says you are married.  Go work for Gap, Inc.!  We ("we" here referring to the fact that I am a full-time employee of Gap, Inc.) give 100% complete coverage to same sex domestic partners and same sex spouses, including health benefits and merchandise discounts!  And besides that, what the US government has done is said that they do not recognize same sex marriages; go to Canada and get married and come back, if that's what you feel you need to do.

Chic fil A... how did you screw up this bad?  How did you not see this as the most amazing opportunity that ANY fast food chain has ever had?  Had you come-out and said, "every bit of earnings we make from this 'Chic fil A Appreciation Day' that we didn't even come up with, will be donated to an organization that helps evangelize homosexuals," or donated to AIDS research, I could give you a little more credit.  Unfortunately, Chic fil A decided to standby quietly and allow people to throw money at them!  Chic fil A, from a business standpoint, is genius for NOT doing anything besides serving food and padding their wallets, AND not telling anyone how much they made!  From a Christian standpoint, Chic fil A has allowed itself to become an idol, a fried chicken altar, where people can feel as though they are "standing-up for the right thing."  Chic fil A has become the place where Christians are finally going to take a stand for what's right!  Who cares about the folks starving in our own country?  Who cares that they push hurting people that need a Savior out of their way, so they can get in line for a holy chicken sandwich?!  Chic fil A should change their motto to, "We didn't invent the chicken, just the chicken sandwich that helps you hate queers and stand-up for what's right!"  The reason I say these things, is not because Chic fil A actually feels this way, go back and read Dan Cathy's comments, he doesn't speak any kind of hate... but he sure did take a lot of hate money.  He didn't say "I hate queers," but he did say, through his actions, "If you hate queers, I'll take your money!"

Before I end... I guess I should give my stance on all of this, meaning where I really stand on the whole debate. 

I have homosexual friends.  I work with and for homosexuals.  I give customer service to homosexuals everyday.  You know who else did?  Jesus.  I'm not saying that I am even close to being like Jesus, but I am saying that if you don't have any homosexual friends that you are trying to love to the best of your ability, then you aren't trying very hard to be like Jesus. 

To Christians: If you look at homosexuals with hate, disgust, or anything besides compassion, you aren't looking at them the way Jesus did.  Jesus looked on people with love and compassion, seeing their great need for the Father, seeing their desperation, seeing the chains they had enslaved themselves with and saw that He could loose those chains!  Jesus says, "come to me all who are weary, and I will give you rest," (Matthew 11:28-30).  Why don't you spend more time in line to volunteer at the food ministry, more time telling people about Jesus' love, more time giving your money and food away, and less time standing in line for a fried chicken sandwich?  Maybe then, people would believe that you love Jesus and that He loves them!  Maybe then, people would not think that all Christians hate them!  Because right now, you're making me, and more importantly, Jesus look bad!

To homosexuals: I do not agree with your actions.  I do not have the same views you do.  I do not hate you.  I love you, but I will not say what you are doing is okay.  I am not "intolerant" of you or your beliefs, and I pray that you will stop saying that I am intolerant of yours and will stop being intolerant of mine.  I simply want to show you the love of Jesus Christ, because without Him, I would be worse off then you could ever be or imagine to be.  I want to tell you that it's okay to say you were born the way you are.  In fact, I agree with you!  You were born into sin, you were born homosexual!  The beautiful thing that I must tell you is, that based-off John 3, YOU CAN BE BORN AGAIN!  The only reason I'm not the same murdering, lying, cheating, stealing sinner that I used to be is because I was born again!  We get a do over; we get a chance to be born a better version of ourselves!

Please don't take anything here as the gospel truth, for I am just another pilgrim in this world, trying to find my way home.