In Regards to Chick-fil-A

[Maugena]

Possibly the closest thing to the actual interview? (I couldn't find the real goddamn article. *disappointedface*)
http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=38271
The interview was about Dan Cathy and his direction he's/they'(re/ve) taking/taken with Chick-fil-A in regards to religion.
Taken in context, he was obviously trying to appease to a religious audience.
Though he was also trying to separate himself from religion a tid-bit.

"We don't claim to be a Christian business," Cathy told the Biblical Recorder in a recent visit to North Carolina.

In any case, time to get down to business.

"We are very 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.

This is really just a statement, describing himself and the collective business family, not meant as an attack, though it is understandable that people may perceive it as an attack.
That being said, I judge in favor of Chick-fil-A for any standpoint regarding this issue.
It very much was freedom of speech, not a definitive, bigoted declaration of policy.
Though he did indeed tread on a few people's sensitivities - things he cannot understand - the company should not be punished by the intentional, yet progressively unwise words of one of its leaders. (I could not find a strong antonym for understand/relate...)
If they do not discriminate against the gay community in business opportunities, then there is nothing to be said here other than Dan Cathy is intolerant of homosexuality for a reason unspecified. (I'm saying unspecified to be nice.)

REMEMBER:
Christianity progressively bends their beliefs to more reasonable extents as time goes on and the human race learns to live, love and strive for greatness. (See all examples of the Christian faith loosening restrictions of their own 'rules'.) I wouldn't crack down too hard on it - it will probably come around in a couple of centuries. Regretfully, too late for those of us that are oppressed by it currently. (I'm not saying I'm homosexual, here, in case you're confused.)

Post-edit: Don't go to Chick-fil-A for the August 1st thing. Just ignore this whole episode entirely. The issue was blown out of proportion and the response (the 8/1 thing) is just as absurd. Don't feed the fire.

[PLAYER57832]

Before this, the chain was famous for not opening on Sunday.. never mind that Jewish individuals, Seventh Day adventists, etc had to work Saturdays.

[lynch5762]

Before this, the chain was famous for not opening on Sunday.. never mind that Jewish individuals, Seventh Day adventists, etc had to work Saturdays.

I'm just curious... did anyone ask these folks to work for this company? The last time I checked.... Americans had the right to choose whether or not they decided to work for any given company.

I guess I am wondering what difference does it make when it involves what any companies' founder's beliefs are?

If you don't agree with them... then don't work there. Seems pretty simple to me.

[PLAYER57832]

Before this, the chain was famous for not opening on Sunday.. never mind that Jewish individuals, Seventh Day adventists, etc had to work Saturdays.

I'm just curious... did anyone ask these folks to work for this company? The last time I checked.... Americans had the right to choose whether or not they decided to work for any given company.

I guess I am wondering what difference does it make when it involves what any companies' founder's beliefs are?

If you don't agree with them... then don't work there. Seems pretty simple to me.

I don't say he has no right to do as he does. However, he has come out more than one basically chastizing people for working or buying things on Sunday, as if that were a universal value. Only when he is challenged does he come up with "but I have the right to believe as I do". In fact, he is not just doing as he believes, he is actively condemning people who disagree. That makes a difference.

I am happy, for example, when my local grocery store puts up a sign saying "we will not be open on Easter/Thanksgiving/Christmas.. so that our employees and their families may enjoy the holiday. I have no problem with several businesses that close either on Sunday or Saturday, whether for religious reasons or not. (the reasons are quite mixed). BUT.. when a local church starts marching with signs in front of businesses that open, or when a CEO contacts local chruches to begin a letter writing campaign against businesses that do open on Saturday, that don't discriminate against homosexuals, etc. (there was a boycott of Disney, for example when they provided insurance to homosexual couples/families)..this is very different.

AND... I find it extremely hypocritic that the same people who were promoting the boycotting of businesses supporting ideas they somehow considered "anti-Christian" (the response of Disney was classic ... "I never knew that denying people health insurance was a Christian value" ) are NOW claiming that any opposition to this guy is somehow a war on Christianity...

Well.

But then, my feelings may be slightly biased by having met the guy's family years ago....

[Woodruff]

Before this, the chain was famous for not opening on Sunday.. never mind that Jewish individuals, Seventh Day adventists, etc had to work Saturdays.

Wait...what? I don't believe I know of ANYONE who is "forced to work on Saturdays", other than military personnel.

[Woodruff]

AND... I find it extremely hypocritic that the same people who were promoting the boycotting of businesses supporting ideas they somehow considered "anti-Christian" (the response of Disney was classic ... "I never knew that denying people health insurance was a Christian value" ) are NOW claiming that any opposition to this guy is somehow a war on Christianity.

Some folks (in these fora) seem to believe that Christians in America are absolutely a dominated and persecuted group of people as a whole. It'd be funny if it weren't sad.

[Symmetry]

AND... I find it extremely hypocritic that the same people who were promoting the boycotting of businesses supporting ideas they somehow considered "anti-Christian" (the response of Disney was classic ... "I never knew that denying people health insurance was a Christian value" ) are NOW claiming that any opposition to this guy is somehow a war on Christianity.

Some folks (in these fora) seem to believe that Christians in America are absolutely a dominated and persecuted group of people as a whole. It'd be funny if it weren't sad.

Same group of folks who think that people are only racist against white guys, and that sexism is feminist discrimination against men.

[Juan_Bottom]

These should all be kept in the original thread.

You've also neglected the "how dare they" second interview.

[john9blue]

juan, your thread title is bad and you should feel bad.

at least phatscotty puts non-biased titles on his large discussion threads

[Juan_Bottom]

It's not biased, it's fact-based. All I did was say what they did. The thread moved away from their failed attempt to propagandize facebook.

[Woodruff]

juan, your thread title is bad and you should feel bad.

at least phatscotty puts non-biased titles on his large discussion threads

Is that before or after he changes them?

[Juan_Bottom]

Plus, with me I'm not trying to hide anything. I'll tell it to you straight, and I'll face your questions head-on. I've had to re-explain what makes "Chic-Fil-A" a bigoted organization several times in that thread. Sometimes I've had to explain it to the same people. Yet no one has been able to dismantle the rationale.

[john9blue]

Plus, with me I'm not trying to hide anything. I'll tell it to you straight, and I'll face your questions head-on. I've had to re-explain what makes "Chic-Fil-A" a bigoted organization several times in that thread. Sometimes I've had to explain it to the same people. Yet no one has been able to dismantle the rationale.

okay, question #1: why does the opinion of one member of an organization make that organization a "bigoted organization"?

[Lootifer]

Plus, with me I'm not trying to hide anything. I'll tell it to you straight, and I'll face your questions head-on. I've had to re-explain what makes "Chic-Fil-A" a bigoted organization several times in that thread. Sometimes I've had to explain it to the same people. Yet no one has been able to dismantle the rationale.

okay, question #1: why does the opinion of one member of an organization make that organization a "bigoted organization"?

It doesnt; but by the CEO claiming it is a "good christian" organisation, and then advocating for traditional marriage based on the premise that he is a "good christian" then he is effectively speaking on behalf of the organisation. (blergh, not written well, but hopefully you know what I mean).

[Juan_Bottom]

Not only that, but as I have repeatedly pointed out, "Chic-Fil-A" has donated millions of dollars to organizations that exist to keep gays from getting married.
And as we all know, there is no scientific or rational reason why gays shouldn't be allowed to pursue their own happiness. Thus; bigotry is the explanation. Bigotry wrapped in prayer is still bigotry.

[Juan_Bottom]

This is like, the 10th time that I've had to repeat this.

[Symmetry]

Not only that, but as I have repeatedly pointed out, "Chic-Fil-A" has donated millions of dollars to organizations that exist to keep gays from getting married.
And as we all know, there is no scientific or rational reason why gays shouldn't be allowed to pursue their own happiness. Thus; bigotry is the explanation. Bigotry wrapped in prayer is still bigotry.

There will always be people who are homophobic, but don't like being called homophobic. If your opposition to equal rights for homosexuals is rational, then you're not homophobic.

If it's based on faith, or an irrational fear that that gay marriage will hurt you, or something you love in some way that you can't explain, then that's an irrational fear. It's homophobia.

Let's not confuse "my religion says I should oppose it" with rational criticism.

[PLAYER57832]

Plus, with me I'm not trying to hide anything. I'll tell it to you straight, and I'll face your questions head-on. I've had to re-explain what makes "Chic-Fil-A" a bigoted organization several times in that thread. Sometimes I've had to explain it to the same people. Yet no one has been able to dismantle the rationale.

okay, question #1: why does the opinion of one member of an organization make that organization a "bigoted organization"?

The HEAD of a BUSINESS is responsible for that business. If he chooses to use his business as a political/religious platform, which this guy absolutely has and does, then he cannot then claim folks opposing his beliefs are "discriminating".

AND.. by-the-way, that is why a lot of businesses plain don't take political/religious stances in public, except "neutral" causes... like fighting cancer, feeding hungry kids and hungry dogs.

[Frigidus]

Bigotry wrapped in prayer is still bigotry.

Glad I'm not the only one that feels this way.

[Juan_Bottom]

I find it absolutely stunning that Christians turn things around and claim to be the victim every time they take a stand on something unprofitable.
Here we have a company donating millions to hate groups. So we resist and call them shameful bigots and boycott their food chain. And their response is that we are attacking their freedoms of speech and religion. It's absolutely stunning that they pick a fight and then they call us the bullies. I can't even get the message across of what Bigotry even is, because they are so thick-headed. History is not going to look kindly on these people. It's going to shame them like it has all the other hate groups.

[PLAYER57832]

I find it absolutely stunning that Christians turn things around and claim to be the victim every time they take a stand on something unprofitable.
Here we have a company donating millions to hate groups. So we resist and call them shameful bigots and boycott their food chain. And their response is that we are attacking their freedoms of speech and religion. It's absolutely stunning that they pick a fight and then they call us the bullies. I can't even get the message across of what Bigotry even is, because they are so thick-headed. History is not going to look kindly on these people. It's going to shame them like it has all the other hate groups.

I agree, but please don't speak as if this were ALL Christians. It is a small group of loud-mouthed bombastic individuals who would like the world to THINK they are "Christianity" in its entirety. One of the best ways to combat them is to pay more attention to the majority of Christians.

[Maugena]

Bigotry wrapped in prayer is still bigotry.

Glad I'm not the only one that feels this way.

Heheh. Indeed.

[Phatscotty]

Please, stop being controlled!

[Phatscotty]

Bigotry wrapped in prayer is still bigotry.

Glad I'm not the only one that feels this way.

Is it okay to be bigoted against prayer? simply because it is prayer?

[Haggis_McMutton]

Please, stop being controlled!

...

Once more.
Group A wants to give liberty to people to do what they want as long as it's not affecting anyone else.
Group B wants to refuse that liberty because it isn't "traditional" and because they are offended by Group A's choices.

Who exactly is scared here?