As of Monday, July 30, 2012
© Copyright 2013
Rockdale Citizen
FILE - This Thursday, July 19, 2012 photo shows a Chick-fil-A fast food restaurant in Atlanta. Chick-fil-A, whose founder distinguished the fast-food chain by closing on Sunday out of religious piety, continues to mix theology with business and finds itself on the front lines of the nationis culture wars after its president, Dan Cathy, confirmed his opposition to gay marriage in June 2012. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
NYC mayor enters Chick-fil-A debate
NEW YORK (AP) — New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg says he strongly disagrees with the mayors of Boston, Chicago and San Francisco over Chick-fil-A's position on gay marriage.
The fast food restaurant's opposition to gay marriage has touched a national furor. Gay rights groups have called for a boycott and the three mayors have said Chick-fil-A was not welcome in their cities.
The billionaire businessman-turned-politician called the three "good mayors" but disagrees with them.
Bloomberg supports same-sex marriage, but says the restaurant flap is none of "the government's business."
New York City currently has one Chick-fil-A restaurant. Bloomberg indicated the company would have to jump through the standard bureaucratic hoops if it wanted to open another.
He said it would be "inappropriate" to consider political or religious beliefs when making such decisions.
ATLANTA (AP) -- All of a sudden, biting into a fried chicken sandwich has become a political statement.
Chick-fil-A, the fast-food chain known for putting faith ahead of profits by closing on Sundays, is standing firm in its opposition to gay marriage after touching off a furor earlier this month.
Gay rights groups have called for a boycott, the Jim Henson Co. pulled its Muppet toys from kids' meals, and politicians in Boston and Chicago told the chain it is not welcome there.
Across the Bible Belt, where most of the 1,600 restaurants are situated, Christian conservatives have thrown their support behind the Atlanta-based company, promising to buy chicken sandwiches and waffle fries next week on "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day."
The latest skirmish in the nation's culture wars began when Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy told the Baptist Press that the company was "guilty as charged" for backing "the biblical definition of a family." In a later radio interview, he ratcheted up the rhetoric: "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."'
That fired up gay rights advocates, including a group that waged a campaign against the company in recent years by publicizing $3 million in contributions that the Cathy family foundation has made to conservative organizations such as the Family Research Council.
"This solidifies Chick-fil-A as being closely aligned with some of the most vicious anti-gay voices in the country," said Carlos Maza of Equality Matters.
A Chicago alderman vowed to block a Chick-fil-A proposed in his district, and Mayor Rahm Emanuel supported him, saying, "Chick-fil-A values are not Chicago values." Boston Mayor Thomas Menino wrote in a letter to Cathy: "There is no place for discrimination on Boston's Freedom Trail and no place for your company alongside it."
In announcing it was pulling its toys, the Jim Henson company said it has "celebrated and embraced diversity for over 50 years." It directed its revenue from the Chick-fil-A toys to GLAAD, a leading gay rights organization.
On the other side of the debate, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Baptist minister, declared next Wednesday "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" to support a business "whose executives are willing to take a stand for the Godly values." Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, who like Huckabee ran for president as a darling of social conservatives, joined the cause along with religious leaders.
"As the son of a dairy farmer who milked many a cow, I plan to `Eat Mor Chikin' and show my support by visiting Chick-fil-A next Wednesday," the Rev. Billy Graham said in a statement, referring to the slogan in the company's ads, which feature cows urging people to eat poultry.
The Rev. Roger Oldham, spokesman for the Southern Baptist Convention, said many Christians want to support businesses owned by fellow believers, and the loyalty intensifies "when Christians see a fellow Christian being persecuted."
"They will come out of the woodwork when a theologically based position is being politicized by individuals for their own purposes," he said.
The Cathy family has never hid its Southern Baptist faith. Since Dan Cathy's father, Truett, opened the first Chick-fil-A in 1967, the restaurants have been closed on Sundays, and the company refused to reconsider during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, sacrificing profits. It also boasts that the Chick-fil-A Bowl is the only college football bowl game with an invocation.
Chick-fil-A posted more than $4.1 billion in sales last year, most of it below the Mason-Dixon Line. Just 14 of its restaurants are in the six states and the District of Columbia where gay marriage is legal. Massachusetts has just two locations, both more than 10 miles from Boston. Illinois, which does not have same-sex marriage, has around a dozen, though only one in Chicago.
The company is well-positioned to come through the criticism relatively unscathed, even if it loses new markets in the North and elsewhere, University of Georgia marketing professor Sundar Bharadwaj said. He said that is because Chick-fil-A basically reflects the politics of its customers.
At a downtown Atlanta Chick-fil-A on Thursday, customers were divided over the company's stance.
"If you're a Christian, you believe in the Bible. The Bible says homosexuality is wrong. (Cathy's) absolutely right," Marci Troutman said over her breakfast.
Her business partner, Steve Timpson, said he chose not to eat at Chick-fil-A: "You've got to be more tolerant if you're going to operate in the wider market in this country."
Nearby, Dustin Keller offered another view of Cathy: "It's his opinion. He's entitled to it. I'm just here to eat."
More like this story
- Chick-fil-A sets 1-day sales record ( August 2, 2012 )
- Darrell Huckaby: Apparently some beliefs are more entitled to free speech than others ( July 28, 2012 )
- Chick-fil-A supporters turn out in droves ( August 1, 2012 )
- Chick-fil-A supporters recognize appreciation day ( August 1, 2012 )
- Local Chick-fil-A restaurant team members awarded scholarships ( March 20, 2009 )
Comments
Elmo 9 months, 3 weeks ago
The chicken sandwich is a "political statement" only in the sense that the pro-same sex marriage media has declared it one.
Dan and Truet Cathy only enforced their belief in the Bible, and the traditional family as prescribed by their religion, the gay lobby and the media took it from there and created the current row about it all.
But, it is backfiring on them, big time. This has done more for Chik-Fil-A's bottom line than even their brilliant ad campaign with the cows saying, "Eat mor Chikin'".
I've had lunch five times at CFA since this circus started, and at each of the different times the Conyers location was packed, and the drive try customers were lined around the building. On Thursday, the store manager was in the parking lot directing the deluge of mobile customers.
Next Wednesday the CPD will probably be called in to direct traffic there for "Chik-Fil-A appreciation day".
Make no mistake, the chicken sandwich is not a political statement, the left, the media and the Henson muppets are making the political statements.
It's a family owned, private restaurant business, and a highly successful one, at that! The place is always clean, the food is good, and the service can't be beat. It is something thal all other fast-food establishments shoul aspire to!
The people/customers will decide their fate, not the distractors.
See you there next Wednesday...I'll be the one eating the nuggets and waffle fries, can't miss me.
Southside 9 months, 3 weeks ago
I don't care how many gay bars The Muppets go to, why should they care where I eat?
johndoemo_ 9 months, 3 weeks ago
I understand gay people fighting back when they are physically hurt in the street by gay bashers, but this man is just stating his opinion. That is still OK in American isn't it? It isn't intolerant. He is isn't refusing service to gay people. I am sure there are gay people working for the organization too. I get tired of some of the gay movements trying to bully us into believing what they believe about their sexual behavior. I try to be nice to everyone no matter who they are and am completely against people abusing gays because of their lifestyle choice. But, don't tell me I am intolerant because I have a different opinion than you. I am tolerating a lot more than I want of these gay bullies.
k483 9 months, 3 weeks ago
So typical of the pro gay community......they are all for inclusion and tolerance so long as you conform to their agenda. Their hypocrisy is a parhetic symbol of an indefensible belief set.
VeritasVincit 9 months, 3 weeks ago
So are the mayors and the Henson company being as equally intolerant towards the Cathy's right to freedom of speech?
wonderwhy 9 months, 3 weeks ago
I personaly have no problems or issue of anyone touting their beliefs, just don't push them on me. If one believes in man-woman only marriage, then so be it. Choice is yours.
I am a person that chooses to be with a woman. However, I happen to believe that gay-lesbian partners should have the same property rights to shared property that my wife and I do but through a civil union (notice I didn't say "marriage"). Most medical policies have recognized domestic partnerships for coverage for years. So how does all this affect the way you draw your next breath?
Most gay-lesbian couples have been partners much longer than most hetero couples. They also pay more taxes and have substantially more disposable income than most heteros.
So, should we eliminate the gay-lesbian partnerships and cut the infusion of the extra tax dollars, cut out the taxation on the savings and investments they have, cut out the larger real estate taxes they sometimes have, cut out their larger contributions to charity (where most of you don't even give), and chain them up and ship them somewhere? You will offer up to pick up the slack, right?
"My belief" is that there is no place in business for religous or political views to enter into business model philosophy or decision making. Those decisions should be based upon legal and ethical practices to enhance and grow the business in order to exapand the business and create more jobs and allow people to grow their careers without being handcuffed or coersed into having to "play along" in order to move along and do better for their family.
In fact "my belief" is that I despise religion affecting business decisions, despise seeing references to God on the bumper or back of a car, despise seeing references to religon on Facebook and most certainly despise someone telling me how my wife and I should conduct our lives because of their beliefs.
What Mr. Cathy said was his choice and whatever the fallout is (if any) is what it is. Maybe in his own little bit of wisdom he was looking for a bit of cleansing in his corporation. Who knows but him. That's his business to do so but doesn't necessarily fit my views. So what. I would be willing to bet though he has gay-lesbians working for him, possibly in management positions. What a two-sided coin that would be !!!
My thoughts and beliefs are private and I am at peace with myself. Get a life people, believe and practice what you feel but in that same breath think about the fact we all are in this world to live and prosper and in some respects together. People are all different and those different in that arena are not trying to take over the world and shove their beliefs on you, they merely want to live like everyone else within reason.
Elmo 9 months, 3 weeks ago
That's quite an angry rant for some who is "at peace with their self", despising all Americans not embroiled within the 3-percent who agree with your beliefs.
The bottom line is, Dan and Truett Cathy has as much right to state what the believe in as you do. The are a PRIVATELY owned business, not part of the government. YOU, nor any who agree with you, have any sat so, whatsoever, in what they say, or how they run their business. Your only option is to exercise your freedom to not eat there.
Their beliefs and choices are well within their rights, but you wanting to deny their right, is wrong. Obviously, you haven't even so much as read the Cathy's state ment, for at no time did the try to "push" them on you, or anyone else. The merely stated what they believe. Didn't have a thing to do with you.
Believing in traditional marriage, as a personal and family choice, is in no way stopping you from "marrying" a nanny goat, or any other person, animal, or inanimate object you so choose.
It is you, and your ilk, who are the intolerant ones. Saying the Cathy's are "wrong", does not make you right. It's a very immature and childish manifestation of wanting to have your way.
"Despising" everything only shows your narrow-minded and intolerant mindset toward anything with which you don't agree. The hate indicates that maybe you feel the need to violently defend your chosen lifestyle. However, the majority of the public will stand firm and not allow the "new normal" as their personal beliefs.
Attacking someone who doesn't cow-tow to what you believe is carried on daily in some middle-eastern countries, but their people aren't allowed an opinion...we are.
The gay community is always speaking up, and acting out...walking in parades and all over th TV. But let one person voice an opposing view/opinion, and they go bananas.
Thanks to your diatribe, on Wednesday I will not only go to Chik-Fil-A to show my support, I might invite a troop of Boy Scouts as well.
Now, go sulk in your corner, then reply about how much you "despise" what I have said.
wonderwhy 9 months, 3 weeks ago
I don't sulk about trivial remarks. I never said cathy was wrong or right. It is the one-sided narrow-minded people that are the issue. But allowing you and I to remark about what strikes a cord is what this country is about. Obviously you have issues with those who speak their mind and who tend to not align themselves with you. More power to you !!!
acetw2000 9 months, 3 weeks ago
well i for one will be taken my family to Chik-Fil-A more then i used to just to show my support for them i hope that every one else will to lets show support at the register
INJUSTICE_FOR_ALL 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Well said. I will go out of my way to visit/eat CHICK-FIL-A
wonderwhy 9 months, 3 weeks ago
My comment this morning must have hit home. Never was published but the one after me was. Nothing was ever said against the "fast-food" establishment nor anyone else other than narrow-minded people and that wasn't even offensive.
So where does the Rockdale Citizen censor sit on the fence?
Oh well, we probably shouldn't upset the C-Town minority, or what's left of them.
Elmo 9 months, 3 weeks ago
What did you want...page one headlines? I guess now you "despise" the Citizen, too.
wonderwhy 9 months, 3 weeks ago
No but you may be climbing on the list
Elmo 9 months, 3 weeks ago
My goal is to be number one on your "despise" list, I'll certainly do what I can to make it happen.
Sookie 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Apparently people are easy to rile up. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Opinions can't be right or wrong, because they are opinions. Goofy or not. Do you like to eat Chick-Filet sandwiches? Then eat them. Or don't. I love them. I'll keep on eating them. Unfortunately, the gay crowd created this brouhaha. Really unfortunate. But now the Bible thumpers are the ones stirring the pot.
I respect the man's opinion and glad that he is free to express it. What I don't like is the reaction to it, from either 'side'. I don't like the vitriol from the gay community against Chick-Filet. That was completely uncalled for. I also don't like to see these folks who can't wait to go to Chick-Filet on Wednesday to somehow make a statement in support of Chick-Filet. If their intention is to support free speech, that's great!. But I get the feeling that they have always harbored anti-gay feelings and this is a way for them to finally let it all out. This hateful sentiment has been ginned up by preachers and church leaders for years. Yes, it's hateful. I guess we know where folks like the Westboro Baptist Church will be eating on Wednesday.
Elmo 9 months, 3 weeks ago
I disagree that is the "Bible thumpers" who are "stirring the pot".
It was the gays and the pro-gay media who started this frenzy reacting to nothing more than a man's opinion.
Mayors of northern, liberal, cities chimed in by proposing to ban CFA from doing business in their cities, joined by occupy-minded "students" petitioning to have CFA thrown off the campus.
Sure, "Bible thumpers" and free speech advocates RE-acted to show that Dan Cathy's opinion and proclamation of his personal and religious beliefs should be his right.
The upcoming CFA appreciation day arose from the grassroots of America who are growing weary of special interest groups imposing their agenda on the rest of us.
The event will be much about free speech, and association, as it will religion, all of which are granted by the Constitution.
I'm sure there will be a significant number of supporters there who don't even attend Church.
If you think it's the "thumpers" who are driving this thing, you need to do some more research.
The same support would arise if any other business were attacked on these grounds.
Being politically correct is one thing, but being stupid out of ignorance is another.
NitetimeinDaytime 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Although I believe in the equal rights of gay people under the law, we need to be careful as a society who we vilify. Yeah, I figured when the stores were not open on Sunday that it's founder would not support something like gay marriage. He has a right to believe what he believes (it would be different if he said gays were not allowed in his restaurants). If you feel strongly enough on the opposing side, don't eat there. If the Henson family is a strong supporter of gay marriage, pull your products. Fine. But to somehow turn this man's comments into some major debate about the role of religion in business is flat out wrong. Religion plays a role in the lives of the religious, and they will lead their lives and make decisions according to what they believe to be true --- I do not see an issue with that unless someone is being harmed or discriminated against.
Sundance 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Sanfransisco kills me with their backwards thinking. Think of all the trash they allow to go on in their city. But they want to ban a great company that stands for upright behavior and loyalty. They want to act like they are so cool and easy going but dont go over there and try to take a stand on anything important.
Frustrated 9 months, 3 weeks ago
As far as I know the Cathy's arent pushing their belief on anyone. They do a lot for their employees such as scholorships, management training, etc. As long as they dont refuse to serve gays or try to avoid hiring anyone that is gay they arent hurting or being prejudiced toward a single person. His beliefs are just that, his beliefs. If you dont like them then dont go there but dont bad mouth the man for saying what he believes. I could care less how he feels about gay marriage as long as they keep making those chicken sandwiches.
the_shadow 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Eat more chicken!!
heresyafacts 9 months, 3 weeks ago
If anyone is destroying the 'sanctity of marriage' and the moral fabric of society, it isn't the gays -- it is the Elizabeth Taylors, Larry Kings, Kim Kardashians, and other 'whim marriage' types, who turn what should be a once-in-a-lifetime event into a cheap trivial revolving door act; it is Nevada and its drive-thru Elvis wedding chapels and equally easy divorces; it is the gold-diggers and trophy-wife hunters; and it is the single mothers of multiple children by multiple fathers and the sorry sorry men in this county with multiple children by multiple women.
I have no problem with gays getting married -- but I have an enormous problem with people who treat marriage as a lark, and who enter into it without any intention of abiding by vows or sticking to it though the hard times. I also have a problem with people who desire theocracy.
As for Chick-Fil-A, Cathy is free to speak his mind; those who disagree with him are equally free to speak theirs. As a businessman, he knew he was stepping into a hot-button issue and that speaking as a businessman, that his remarks could affect his business.
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