August 2, 2012
Column #1,614
Chick-fil-A: Hated & Beloved
By Mike McManus
Dan Cathy, President of Chick-fil-A, a chain of 1,608 fast-food
restaurants, was asked by the Baptists Press if he supported
traditional marriage.
“Well, guilty as charged,” he replied. Chick-fil-A is “very
much supportive of the family, the Biblical definition of the
family. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business
and we are married to our first wives.
“We don’t claim to be a Christian business. But as an
organization, we can operate on biblical principles.”
Evidence:
The chain is closed on Sundays.
In the interview Cathy added
words that have gone viral: “I think we are inviting God’s
judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at Him and say,
`We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage. I
pray God’s mercy on our generation that has such a prideful,
arrogant attitude to think that we would have the audacity to
try to redefine what marriage is all about.”
Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, who
had been negotiating with Chick-fil-A to open its first
restaurant in the city, sent Cathy a letter “There’s no place in
Boston for discrimination on Boston’s Freedom Trail and no place
for your company alongside it.”
A Chicago politician said he
would block Chick-fil-A” from opening in his ward. “It’s a very
diverse ward – economically, racially and diverse in sexual
orientation,” Alderman Joe Moreno told ABC News July 25. “We’ve
got thriving business and we want more but at the very least
don’t discriminate against our LGBTQ folks.”
The Jim Henson Company, which had
been making toys for Chick-fil-A, severed its ties and donated
its earnings from the chain’s kids meals to a gay support group,
GLAAD.
Consequently, former Arkansas
Gov. Mike Huckabee, announced a “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day”
for August 1.
“The goal is simple. Let’s affirm
a business that operates on Christian principles and whose
executives are willing to take a stand for the Godly values we
espouse by simply showing up and eating at Chick fil-A on
Wednesday, August 1,” he wrote on Facebook.
Millions responded. Lines snaked
out of most stores. I visited one in Silver Spring, MD and
virtually all customers came to show their support. Only one
came simply to eat.
“The dictionary says marriage is
between a man and a woman,” said Rick MacGregor. “We believe in
that.” His wife nodded.
Adrian Gastkin asserted, “The CEO
did not bash anybody. And Chick-fil-A has given back to the
community.”
Ashley Diehl, 29, who was there
with a girl friend, commented, “We support Chick-fil-A because
he believes what the Bible says about marriage. We also believe
in their freedom of speech. He should be able to express his
opinion without the threat of a boycott.”
James Weir argued, “I don’t think
anyone has the right to shut down a business because they don’t
like their political or religious views.”
John Sery, a graying middle-ager,
was blunt: “This is my support for this country, for freedom of
expression, and because they believe in being closed on Sunday.
I admire that.”
Daniel Bailery expressed
appreciation for Chick-fil-A’s “moral and ethical standards,
such as being closed on Sundays. They create a family
environment which is great for customers.”
One customer was standing in line
despite the fact he believes, “We are not anti-gay. You can’t
fight two consenting adults from doing what they want to do, or
gay marriage.”
Jean Iasac frowned, “I don’t
think the owner said anything against gays. He did not say he
would fire them, but he did not agree with their lifestyle.”
Susan Su, a Chinese immigrant
said she believed in “One husband, one wife.”
In 2004 I asked Dan Cathy why he
closed on Sundays. He replied that his dad, S. Truett Cathy, who
is now 91, grew up in a fatherless home which his mother ran as
a boarding house. While his sisters laundered sheets, Truett
helped his mother cook. He did not mind doing so during the
week, but he longed for a divine day of rest on Sunday.
“He decided that if he ever
opened a restaurant, he would not ask others to do what he was
unwilling to do. Sunday was a special day for my dad. And it
has not hurt business. We demonstrated more sales than
competitors who were open seven.”
Sales last year: $4 billion. But
on Sundays for more than 50 years, Truett Cathy has taught
Sunday School to 13-year-old boys. His WinShape Centre
Foundation has given millions in scholarships to “shape winners”
among children of Chick-fil-A employees.
Finally, Chick-fil-A also
supports organizations to strengthen traditional marriage. |