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July 26, 2012
Billy Graham Supports Chick-fil-A
As fast-food purveyor takes fire for supporting traditional marriage, ailing evangelist announces plans to visit local franchise.
As the controversy continues over Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy's stance against same-sex marriages, some are pulling support from the fast-food purveyor.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Alderman Joe Moreno said they are determined to block Chick-fil-A from expanding in Chicago. Emanuel said, "Chick-fil-A’s values are not Chicago values. They’re not respectful of our residents, our neighbors and our family members. And if you’re gonna be part of the Chicago community, you should reflect Chicago values."
Boston Mayor Thomas Menino has written a letter to Cathy in response to his views saying, "I was angry to learn on the heels of your prejudiced statements about your search for a site to locate in Boston. There is no place for discrimination on Boston's Freedom Trail and no place for your company alongside it."
Nevertheless, many have spoken in support of Cathy. Evangelist Billy Graham released the following statement about the controversy:
I want to express my support for my good friends Truett Cathy and his son Dan Cathy, and for their strong stand for the Christian faith. I've known their family for many years and have watched them grow Chick-fil-A into one of the best businesses in America while never compromising their values. Chick-fil-A serves each of its customers with excellence, and treats everyone like a neighbor. It's easy to see why Chick-fil-A has become so popular across America.
Each generation faces different issues and challenges, but our standard must always be measured by God's word. I appreciate the Cathy family's public support for God's definition of marriage.
I also appreciate [former Arkansas] Governor Mike Huckabee's leadership and for encouraging Americans to support Chick-fil-A on August 1. 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.
Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family, wrote an opinion piece in support of Chick-fil-A, but focused on the Facebook snafu that temporarily blocked the Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day page started by Mike Huckabee. According to Daly, Facebook emailed Focus on the Family saying, "we mistakenly blocked an event as part of our spam prevention efforts and quickly worked to rectify the mistake as soon as we were notified."
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, has also expressed support for Chick-fil-A saying that they will be "participating in [the] 'Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day' campaign" on August 1, where they plan to purchase more than 200 sandwiches from a local restaurant.
Comments
"If it walks like a duck and it quacks like a duck - its a duck." Actually, historical research shows that homosexuality then and homosexuality now are one and the same. To think otherwise is sheer ignorance or self delusion. Homosexuality is idolatry as well as deviant sexual behavior, and it is well known homosexuals seek out young people who crave acceptance and recruit them. Gay marriage should never be seen as a civil right. Not only that but visit the CDC website to see just what a public healthcare nightmare men having sex with men really is. Why would we want to normalize something so dangerous?
Posted By: Dan | July 27, 2012 6:23 PM
I am a Christian and personally opposed to both homosexual behavior and divorce, two practices clearly opposed in the bible. However, until I can find a non-religious argument against gay marriage I cannot in good conscience impose my religious beliefs on others. Better to bring them to Jesus and then they will take care of their own behavior, rather than merely restricting something and accomplishing no heart change leading them to salvation.
Posted By: Bob | July 28, 2012 6:19 AM
Mr. Cathy, how i admire you for your ability to stand up for godly principles in the face of such horrible backlash. i will support you 100% you are allowed to have an opinion, and blessed to have one that pleases the Lord. too long we americans have rolled over and caved to the perverts and it is time for that to stop. God's plan for marriage is one woman and one man.(Adam & Bruce was not intended) I am praying for you as you go through this firestorm and i know our God will see you through. Would that others would have the courage to stand up to the evil that pervades our land. God bless you mr Cathy. ( I am a 69 year old widow and a Christian)
Posted By: sheila ayers | July 30, 2012 9:49 AM
I strongly admire Mr. Cathy for standing up for the Christian hegemony. By bullying homosexuals he insures the love of Christ will stand against the attacks of the scoffers and the spirit of antichrist.
Posted By: Barton | July 30, 2012 2:05 PM
Bob, thank you for being a true Christian, and at the same time, being a good American.
Posted By: Joe | July 30, 2012 3:24 PM
I believe you misunderstand the nature of the objection to Cathy.
No one cares about his stance. No one cares about his opinion. No one is suggesting a boycott of Chick-Fil-A because Cathy doesn't like same sex marriage.
Our objection is to his **ACTIONS** taken to harm our gay fellow citizens. His action in giving money for the explicit purpose of denying our gay fellow citizens their rights as Americans.
If Cathy didn't like gay people and said so, I'd disagree. But I wouldn't support a boycott of his business. Because I don't care, at all, what he thinks on that or any other subject.
All I care about are actions and the harm those actions can bring. And Cathy's actions have brought harm to my fellow citizens.
Posted By: sotonohito | July 30, 2012 4:14 PM
The bigger problem that bothers me as a Christian is the fact that if homosexuals get federal endorsement of marriage then MY tax dollars as well as those of other Christians go to fund tax credits and assistance for the homosexual lifestyle. I do not agree with their lifestyle in light of the bible but they are free to exercise their God granted liberty to do as they wish so long as it does not harm the right of another's life or personal liberty. Whether they suffer eternal judgment is another story which God has made clear. Nevertheless, when homosexuals eventually allowed to "marry" by state definition take my money (or future generations in debt that may or may not agree since the government gives out money it doesn't have) on their tax return being entitled to marriage credits and adoption assistance, etc. that becomes another issue altogether and I think people are forgetting that. Homosexuals push for a federal law but the federal government needs to leave this issue alone. Many states have spoken their wishes to set marriage as a woman and a man, yet homosexuals fight tooth and nail the democratic process of passing those state laws. The most intolerant and bigoted individuals are those in the homosexual movement who disregard the voters "right" to express their opinion and vote against them. The God-given (not government given) natural right of life and liberty comes first. Marriage is not a right it is a choice only recognized by the state. It is also in the best interest of the state for stability, reproduction of future generation (taxpayers in the eyes of the state), among other benefits that scientific evidence has not proven are found in the majority of homosexual couples. If the will of the people of that state or business is not to recognize that "choice" but yet you are still free to exercise it, then it is not a violation of rights! They have done no harm nor infringed upon your life or your liberty as an individual or in this case, homosexuals.
Posted By: Jeremy T | July 31, 2012 11:27 AM
Thank God for men like the Cathy's. We need a LOT More like them.
Posted By: Keith | July 31, 2012 3:02 PM
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