Alright. This is something that I've been thinking of a lot lately, and with the media storm surrounding it and the constant Facebook postings regarding the controversy, I thought I'd chip in my two cents. I figure I'm going to have a lot to say, so I decided to spare my Facebook friends another post about it there and just write about it here.
Okay, so from my understanding, the CEO of Chick-Fil-A, which everyone knows is a Christian-based restaurant in the first place, made some comments about preserving the sanctity of marriage, blah blah blah. Surprise surprise, they're a Christian-based company. I thought this was old news? From what I read, I didn't interpret any "hate" or "malice" towards the gay and lesbian community, like everyone is making it out to be. Cathy simply stated what he and the company he leads believes. Okay. Big deal. It wasn't a surprise to me at all; pretty much every Christian-based organization has the same views about gay marriage. I feel like people are so shocked and I do not fully understand why. From the articles I read, I did not hear any hate in his statements, nor did I think that he was in any way forcing his beliefs on me. So why are people getting all offended and crazy about it? If you've ever been to Chick-Fil-A before, have you ever walked in and had the companies beliefs shoved down your throat? I didn't think so. So why is everyone making a huge fuss over this? Just cause they publicly stated their views, which is what I assumed they believed anyway, that doesn't mean they're gonna stop everyone at the door and make sure they aren't gay or a lesbian before you can go in and get some food.
I've seen posts on Facebook calling Cathy a "bigot" and swearing that they will never eat at Chick-Fil-A again. Uhm, okay, big whoop, millions of people will still eat at their restaurant, including the gay community (Do you really think they would kick them out of their restaurant just for being gay? Has that actually happened?). It also really bothers me that people are coming out and calling Cathy a bigot. I wasn't exactly sure what the word meant, but I looked it up, and by definition, a bigot is "a person who is utterly intolerant of any differing creed, belief, or opinion." Uhhhh, I'd have to do a little more research but I'm pretty positive that Chick-Fil-A hasn't refused service to any gay or lesbian that comes into their restaurant.
This is what it comes down to for me. I am so annoyed that people are attacking Cathy and Chick-Fil-A for stating their beliefs, saying that they should be "tolerant" and whatnot. (Oh but only tolerant of their beliefs, right?) Some of the comments I've seen on Facebook appall me. So they aren't allowed to have beliefs on issues and only you are? Or everything else is wrong if it doesn't line up with what you believe? Most of the people who comment on the issue that I'm referring to right now are all about "equality" and "tolerance" and are known to hold the belief that everyone should be entitled to their beliefs and opinions . . . guess just not when it goes against theirs. (which isn't that pretty much the essence of tolerance anyways? Hmmm . . .)
Anyways, I'm really not trying to defend Chick-Fil-A or Cathy or whatever, even though it probably sounds that way. I'm actually a pretty firm believer in gay rights and think that a lot of people who are against it are on the wrong side of history. But hey, I'm not gonna get all worked up and angry about someone else's opinion and belief. Everyone is entitled to their own. I'm just angry that most of the people that I know are coming out and saying things that completely contradict their beliefs that everyone is equal and entitled to their own beliefs.
This quote struck me, and I feel like I should strike certain people with it too (but hey, I'm just gonna let people believe what they wanna believe):
"Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with someone's lifestyle, you must fear them or hate them. The second is that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don't have to compromise convictions to be compassionate."
- Rick Warren
Also, one of my Facebook friends posted this:
"I'm all for gay rights, but people need to calm down over this whole Chick-Fil-A thing. I can guarantee if you only ate/shopped at restaurants/stores that you shared all the same religious and political beliefs with then you would be hungry and naked!"
I couldn't have said it better myself :)
- A
1 comment:
Well said Ally, well said!
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