I like Chick-fil-A. Always have. Probably always will.
Before last week, there was no question in my mind where I would go if I were
in the mood for some chicken fingers and a sweet tea (except for Raising Cain’s
in Dinkytown. No question). Now, incredulously, I find myself in danger of
making a “statement” by my choice of chicken.
When my friend told me last week, in disgust, that
Chick-fil-A was “anti-gay,” (his words, not mine) I wasn’t surprised. I knew of
Dan Cathy and his views and was aware that there was never any attempt to hide
the fact that Chick-fil-A is an unabashedly Christian owned and operated
company. As such, I was sure that the gay-marriage and gay-rights issue was
going to come up sooner or later. However, when my friend told me that Thomas
Menino and Rahm Emanuel, the mayors of Boston and Chicago, respectively, had
publicly criticized and verbally banned the chicken chain from opening stores
in their cities, I had to take a moment and gather my jaw from the floor.
Luckily, my friend and I, while having extremely differing
viewpoints on most political issues, are intelligent and civil enough to where
we can have discussions, often heated, with no fear of getting personal. So
what followed was a lengthy discussion of the appropriateness of both
Chick-fil-A’s gay-marriage comments and the ensuing firestorm of response. I’ll
spare you the lengthy details, but he sided against Chick-fil-A, stating, “I
have no tolerance for intolerant people.”
Now, this individual is quite smart and has a fondness for
wordplay, so I assume he meant the statement somewhat as a joke, but he raises
an interesting point that plays into my opinion on the matter:
The backlash against Chick-fil-A from gay-marriage
supporters and gay-rights advocates has been so severe, yet I can’t understand
why. I mean; I understand that millions of people are very passionate about
gay-rights and believe that homosexuals should have the right to be legally
married, same as heterosexual couples. I get it. What I still can’t understand,
and this goes for some people on the opposite side of the issue as well, is why
anyone would be so vitriolic towards an individual or group that holds a
differing opinion.
Last time I checked, this was America. We have this nifty
little document as part of our history called the Constitution. The First
Amendment to that beautiful document says:
“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.”
Through
the years the wording and meaning of this sentiment have been diluted down to
communicate, at it’s simplest, that under the Constitution of the United States
of America, all Americans have the right to freedom of religion, speech, and
assembly.
Perhaps
I’m wrong on this, but under that umbrella I would put the right to hold an
opinion on a divisive social issue. Therefore, although certain individuals may
disagree, Dan Cathy is allowed to have whatever opinion he wants regarding the
gay marriage issue. He doesn’t believe that homosexuals should be allowed to
marry under the same definition as heterosexuals. That’s his right. Conversely,
to the millions of people who disagree with Cathy and think he’s wrong, they’re
entitled to that right too. The beauty of America is that we all have the
freedom to disagree. Unlike some fascist and police-state governments, we, as
Americans, are supposed to be able to believe whatever we want and likewise be
able to vocalize those beliefs. That’s a beautiful thing.
So as
far as two sides disagreeing on a polarizing issue, I say “so what?” That’s
America; but to major cities placing “bans,” official or not, on a business
chain due to differences in belief? That truly makes my head hurt and I think
both mayors should be publicly chastised. I repeat, they are entitled to their
opinion, but this now has gone beyond the “gay-marriage issue.” When local governments
declare a ban on a private business, it’s no longer a “gay-marriage issue” but
now a freedom of speech and free enterprise issue.
Business should be allowed to operate in America regardless
of the founders’ personal stances on political issues. If all business CEO’s
had to unanimously agree on all issues political, religious, and otherwise,
America wouldn’t exist.
Now, inevitably the anti Chick-fil-A activists may argue,
“Well, what if a business opened up that was owned and operated by [insert any
controversial group here, but for the purpose of this argument we’ll use:] the
KKK and espoused their beliefs?”
Well, first I would say you’ve already lost your argument.
Chick-fil-A, unlike the KKK, is not discriminatory in nature. Dan Cathy never
said that his business ever has or will refuse to serve homosexuals or publicly
discriminate or mistreat them as such. Therefore, it remains a free enterprise
issue in addition to a matter of freedom of speech.
I’m continually baffled by individuals that, when faced with a divisive issue, take sides with such fervor and are livid when anyone else disagrees with them, as though their opinion suddenly holds more cosmic authority. To clarify, I am not criticizing all opponents of Chick-fil-A. As stated earlier, disagreeing and even protesting is their right. However, I still am asking for someone to point out exactly how it makes sense to hate and ridicule an individual or company because they’re not as “tolerant” as the individual would like.
I’m continually baffled by individuals that, when faced with a divisive issue, take sides with such fervor and are livid when anyone else disagrees with them, as though their opinion suddenly holds more cosmic authority. To clarify, I am not criticizing all opponents of Chick-fil-A. As stated earlier, disagreeing and even protesting is their right. However, I still am asking for someone to point out exactly how it makes sense to hate and ridicule an individual or company because they’re not as “tolerant” as the individual would like.