As I’m following the whole Chick-Fil-A situation I’m trying
to figure out what the big issue is. Now
before anyone starts in on me, I fully support gay rights and gay marriage and
I have stated so
on this blog. The issue I’m trying
to wrap my head around is why everyone has their panties in a bunch.
First of all what Dan Cathy said was his opinion. He said he personally doesn’t support gay
marriage and he uses the religious argument.
I’ve said before (if you click on the previous link you can see the full
post) that I think that argument is weak at best. However, when I see people lambasting Cathy
and Chick-Fil-A I have to say hold up.
Is freedom of speech not guaranteed by the first amendment of our
constitution? Just to refresh your
memory:
Congress shall make no law respecting
an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or
abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of
grievances
What Cathy
said is protected by that text. In fact
he bases his argument on the bible which also is protected by the first
amendment. No matter how stupid, idiot
or archaic the thinking, it is protected.
I disagree with his position but if someone wants to base their way of
thinking on a 3000 year old book, I say more power to him.
I challenge
anyone to show me an example of where Chick-Fil-A discriminated in hiring or
serving anyone who is gay. Everyone in
this country is entitled to think and say what they want no matter how much you
may or may not agree.
The second
thing that bothers me is the “protests” that are going on. The mayors of Chicago and Boston have openly
said they don’t want Chick-Fil-A in their cities. Huh?
Everybody is up in arms about Cathy’s opinion and again there is no
proof that Chick-Fil-A discriminates in hiring or serving gay people. These two have the balls to say Chick-Fil-A
doesn’t belong? Can somebody please tell
me how this is not discrimination? Not
allowing a business based on its CEO’s beliefs?
They are worse than Cathy in my opinion.
Do they not believe in the constitution?
Doesn’t appear so.
Then there
are the people who say we need to boycott Chick-Fil-A. Again, I support your right to do that but
what good would that do? Sure you may
hurt the business a little but will there be a full boycott? Doubtful.
There are plenty of people who support Cathy’s beliefs that will still
go to Chick-Fil-A. Besides, if I go to
Chick-Fil-A does that mean I’m anti-gay?
No, it means I like chicken sandwiches with pickles. I don’t agree with Cathy’s opinion but why
would I deprive myself of something I like simply because I don’t agree? I have one question for all of those
holier-than-thou people who like to stand on their high horse. A lot of the goods we buy and use everyday
are made overseas, if you use them does that mean you are anti-American? Where’s the outrage there? Oh that’s right, wouldn’t want you not wear
your Polo Shirts and Nike sneakers. Cathy
came out and gave his opinion but do you check the opinions of every business
you frequent? Seriously, I’d love to know.
It’s ridiculous.
Finally, the
fact that someone’s sexual orientation is even an issue today is insane. However as long as people use their religion
to justify what they think it will always be an issue. There are many more other pressing issues in
our country. I’d like to see these
holier-than-thou high horse people actually pick an issue that will do some
good in this country to support. Instead
of trying to get people to boycott Chick-Fil-A because they don’t agree with
the CEO’s opinion, why not stand up and try to fix our education system? (Shameless teacher plug)
So in
conclusion our priorities in this country are screwed up. Dan Cathy didn’t do anything wrong. He has an opinion and he stated it. We can argue whether it’s a misguided opinion
or a smart business move to even come public with it in the first place but
there is no argument that he has the right to be misguided and not a smart
businessman. What if he came out and said
he supports gay marriage? There are
plenty of people in this country who don’t agree with that. These same people would probably be lambasting
his detractors. Until next time this is
Jimbo saying come on America, get your priorities straight.
This makes for a much larger discussion. :)
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more. It's juvenile to think that people will no longer eat there because of this. Do they really think that hurt's his feelings?? People are shocked but as you said he's entitled to his opinion. Poor business decision? Maybe. Here is my question. Do these same people that are boycotting Chic-Fil-A aware of the owner of their local supermarket's stance of gay marriage? What about the hair salon owner? Or favorite clothing store? My point is that if we stopped shopping somewhere, eating somewhere, or using a product because we don't agree with the CEO's opinion, chances are we wouldn't eat anywhere, shop anywhere or use any products.
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone is trying to take away Cathy's or Chik-fil-A's right to take whatever bigoted, socially regressive stance they like. Just as it's their right to say or think whatever they want, it is everyone else's right to shame them and denounce them for it. Cathy's stance may be officially his own, but the fact is that the company has donated millions of dollars to organizations that fight against gay rights, and I (and apparently many others) will be damned if any of my dollars are going to that purpose. Flipping the situation around and saying that supporting gay marriage would also irk a portion of the population doesn't speak to the point at all. One stance is right, one stance is wrong, and public opinion on the matter doesn't change that fact. People are getting outraged over this specifically because it's unacceptable to espouse a view in this day and age that promotes the oppression of someone simply to satisfy a tidbit of bronze-age morality. Chik-fil-A has simply given us a bright, clear target.
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly what I was going to say. Well done.
DeleteI agree that one stance is right and one is wrong but to play devil's advocate for a moment, who decides which is right and which is wrong? While you and I think it's outrageous to have these bigoted opinions, Cathy as well as millions of others in this country firmly believe they are right because it's what their religion says. Personally I'd rather see people take it a step further and go after the religions that preach these bigoted ideals, however that's a "taboo" thing to do.....
ReplyDeleteIt's only taboo because there is a business side of it. Whenever there is a large sum of money involved, it now becomes a "taboo" situation. The biggest issue I have is that most of these people who will "never give their money" to Chic- Fil-A again would not quit their jobs if they found out the CEO of their company didn't support gay marriage?? If they would, congrats you're not a hypocrite, but those who wouldn't quit their job are hypocrites. You won't eat a chicken sandwich from a guy who is against gay marriage but you'll work for one???? Hypocritical. There are too many people out there that just want something to stand up for/against. Imagine if they spent more time working and doing what's "right" the economy might be better as well.
ReplyDeleteIt is easy the throw stones at someone you disagree with. That is kind of what this is bout. The fact that we can have a different point view is our constitutional right. The tables could easily turn as you pointed out. We need to be careful where we focus our attention. I do agree it would be wise to look at our educational system. That is an area that could use some that wasted energy.
ReplyDeleteWhat about the fact that every word of the Bible is God breathed? Does this not transcend any law written or right granted by man? Perhaps this is what's most wing with society.
ReplyDeleteI too disagree with what he said, but he has a right to voice his opinion.
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