I think that it’s safe to say that humanity, as a whole, never ceases to give me more reasons to be a cynic.

Let me just get this out of the way for those who don’t know. I’m a devout Christian. I believe that God exists, that Christ came and died 2000 plus years ago, and I believe that Heaven and Hell exist.

As it stands, Christians have a very set-in-stone set of morals and principles that we believe we are held to by a higher power. These beliefs do not change, and are completely unwavering. At the end of the day, though, those beliefs aren’t hateful. Saying “do not do (x)” is not a statement with any emotional involvement. “Do not have sex before marriage” does not translate to “go light people’s genitalia on fire.” There is no hidden meaning or agenda.

As it stands, folks have been wanting to find Chick-fil-a president Dan Cathy and crucify him because he stated that his company backs the traditional family unit. Why is this news? Chick-fil-a doesn’t close on Sundays just so everyone can get a day off. It’s a company founded by Christians. At the same time, can we look at the statement objectively for five seconds?

Saying that you “back the traditional family model” does not mean “burn the queers.” It means that they believe in what scripture says. It doesn’t mean you have to bring your marriage certificate to the front counter to be served. It doesn’t mean discrimination. It literally means that the people running the company don’t believe in it. So? This is America. We have freedom of religion here. We can believe such things.

At the same time, it seems to me like most people have decided that extreme reaction is a great idea. Philadelphia city councilman James Kenney has said “get out and take your intolerance with you.” The mayor of San Francisco openly tweeted that he wants the company to have no presence in San Francisco. The mayor of Boston has said that the chain is not welcome either. Am I the only one who sees exactly how backwards this is?

Allow me to put it simply: Because of their laughable perception of the situation, certain city officials are saying “No Chick-fil-a in my city.” So, you’re going to deny them the right to free enterprise based on a religious belief? That’s unconstitutional. That prejudice, and there is no other way to see it as such. Chick-fil-a isn’t sending people to lobby against gay marriage. The owner of the company stated his belief on a topic, and lo and behold it’s a belief that he’s allowed to have!

What makes the situation even worse is how the LBGT community has reacted to this. What has picketing in front of these restaurants done for your cause, praytell? I’ll answer that. Absolutely nothing. The owner of the company makes a statement on his belief (and leaves it at that), and all of a sudden you’re cramming yours down everyone’s throat? Respect is a two-way street. If anything, this makes me think a lot less of groups like GLAAD. What’s next? Are people going to start picketing my apartment because I wear a cross around my neck?

As it stands, there is no refusal of service at the restaurants. If anything, business is running as it was before. Now we just know for sure what was probably obvious in the first place. You know what, folks? People aren’t going to believe what you believe. That’s just life. I work for two Muslims who own the hotel here, and my manager is a gay man. Both of the owners have told me to my face that they don’t believe Jesus was the son of God. I didn’t quit. I didn’t throw a hissy fit.

Why? Because this is life. It’s time to start acting like adults in these situations, and learn what respect really means.

Get a freaking grip.

-Micah C.

Edit:
Ben Paddon added a comment below saying the following:

“Um, Chick-Fil-A donate money to anti-gay organizations. They’ve done done so rather publicly. I have to say, your post is looking rather foolish at the moment. I implore you to do some research. You’re smarter than this.”

Oh? I mean no offense when I say this, but the common definition of “anti-gay” is something that I attacked in the post. If you’re talking about Exodus International, I think that I’m not the one that needs to do the research. As a ministry, their focus has shifted over the past few years, and their leaders have admitted to being in the wrong when it comes to the concept of “conversion therapy.” In regards to other ministries such as Focus on the Family and such, criticism is lobbied against them based on the idea that, in general, they are Christian institutions.

Ministries are allowed to preach what they believe. It’s called freedom of religion. In fact, said donations are reflective of the religion of the founder. As a business, Chick-fil-a has not refused service to those who are homosexuals, which was exactly what I was addressing.