I know that this post will probably cause some issues with some people. I'm honestly very upset about the whole deal myself. So, if you have a strong stance one way or another with the redefinition of marriage which may lead you to attack anyone who's stance differs from yours, be warned.
I will not necessarily discuss my own view on the subject here. This post is not about the redefinition of marriage in itself, or what my stance is. This is about the claimed bigotry of a certain restaurant chain.
I've never really heard about Chick-fil-A until the recent developments that have been all over facebook, the internet, and so on. I don't watch the news, I don't get overly involved in debates, it's all just so pointless to me. However, this whole deal with this restaurant and the views of the owner and founder has really gotten my goat. It was reported that he stated he supported the traditional view of marriage. I read a little on it, and I suppose I can see how some people might get upset with what he said, but still... he stated his opinion. He supports the biblical family, the traditional view of marriage.
This does not mean he hates homosexuals.
The backlash that his statement has caused makes me rather upset. Sure, I understand that others will have an opposing view to his statement. I can see that. After all, the redefinition of marriage really started to come out about 10 years ago, there are bound to be a number of people on either side of the fence, not to mention those who are just going to be on the fence, not caring either way. But the backlash! The comments and attacks about him, his 'bigoted comment' or him hating homosexuals... I just don't understand it at all.
We are each entitled to our own opinions. You have yours, I have mine. To publically state your opinion is to practically expect a backlash, and that is fine. The support this company has gotten over this on Wednesday is amazing, and just leads me to believe that God is with this company (I read up on them a bit, and the fact that they base their business on biblical views and donate a percentage of their proceeds to various charities makes me wish I could support them in some way as there are not many businesses that do so). The backlash that is supposed to come on Friday... well... I'm not impressed. If you dislike their views and want to boycott, fine. I can understand that. But to publically show your distaste for the company's view in this way is... well... kinda making me wonder why you are taking it so very personally. (I'm kind of afraid of how this will go. If it's just 'kissing' than whatever, no big deal, but I'm afraid of what it might turn into in order to make it more of a spectacle. Many protests go that way, the breastfeeding issues come to mind... however it may be nothing).
What about the tolerance you claim everyone should have? Where is your tolerance of these views? Why must you protest in the way that you are? Showing the company support by visiting their restaurant on a specific day, is in my opinion, no different than going to DQ on Miracle Treat day (especially since they donate a percentage of all proceeds to charity). No backlash on that one. If you want to boycot on the basis of differing opinions, great. Go for it! Make a boycott day or whatever. But the kissing thing?
Why is the homosexual issue such a sore spot? People will disagree. This is how it is going to be. So why does this particular group (and not necessarily all of them, I'm sure some find this whole thing equally preposterous and wish they'd leave well enough alone) feel so offended by a person who obviously holds to Biblical values stating he supports traditional marriage? What's the big deal? Why all the hype? And I know I'll probably have people saying 'well, you are adding to the hype by posting this blog' and that's fine. This is my blog. Nobody is forced to read it. I am not sticking it in anyone's face. I am not forcing my views and opinions on anyone. And while I sit here and see this whole thing about a restaurant who has stated numerous times that they base their business on biblical values get verbally attacked from mayors, politicians, social media, and the common man, I think it's stupid. All over one part of their biblical stance on family and marriage.
Sigh.
This is not a new issue. It seems that anyone who supports traditional marriage as one man and one woman immediately gets hit with a load of negative comments, called homophobes or haters, bigots, and it goes on (at least publically, on the news, etc... it's made into a huge deal). The second anyone is in the public eye, you can bet they will be asked their stance on marriage, and you can bet that if they say anything about supporting traditional marriage, they will be attacked. Yet, how dare anyone attack someone who supports same sex marriage! I'm sure there are 'idiots' on either side, attacking someone based on their belief. I think it's ridiculous. I think they need to take a good long look in the mirror and have a humbling experience about what they are doing.
Again, I am not attacking any view. I am not attacking people's opinions. I am just fed up with those that go ahead and attack the people whose opinion differs from theirs. These people are not saying they disagree with them... they are attacking them as a person.
bigot: noun
a person who is utterly intolerant of any differing creed, belief, or opinion.
intolerant: adj
1. lacking respect for practices and beliefs other than one's own
respect: noun (I am only using the definition that fits the use in the previous definition)
4. deference to a right, privilege, privileged position, or someone or something considered to have certain rights or privileges; proper acceptance or courtesy; acknowledgment: respect for a suspect's right to counsel; to show respect for the flag; respect for the elderly.
The owner/founder of Chick-fil-A has not shown any disrespect to the homosexual community (in my opinion) by voicing his opinion on traditional marriage. He serves them if they come to his restaurant, he treats them as anyone else that graces his doorway... the problem many have with him is that he believes in the traditional marriage as is outlined in his Bible, by God, as a part of his 'religious belief', and some have escalated that into a personal vendetta against the company as a whole.
So, I have to wonder... who is being bigoted in this situation?
Anybody else think that perhaps the whole 'blogosphere' and 'social networking/media' sometimes has a larger role to play in all this than we may realize? At least there's many good stories out there to offset the negative ones. Sigh (again).
1 comment:
Good for you for sharing your opinion! I think that a lot of us avoid saying anything because we are afraid of being shouted down and so we only hear the most extreme views. I don't know what I think on this one. On one hand, everyone does need to be respected and if the owner of Chick-fil-a refused to serve people who were openly gay, sure, that's a problem. I think whether they will hire gays is a bit of a thorny issue and again, I'm not totally sure where I stand. I admire the company for following their beliefs and, more importantly, being public about it. If you don't agree, don't work there. It's fairly straightforward. It's not a public sector job, it's a private company and if they want to do that, so be it. At least they have the courage to 1. clearly state what they believe and 2. stick to it.
More generally, I find the gay marriage issue tricky, anyway. The Bible is very clear and yet, I don't ever want to be intolerant. It's easy for me to stand in judgement of others. I generally err on the side of being quiet about it and trying to model a Christian lifestyle to those around me. With my children, so far, we have said that our family believes in men marrying women but that other families are different and that's o.k. for them.
I agree with you, I don't understand why people on one side of an issue not only have to express their opinion but they won't rest until everyone public holds the same opinion. The right to one's own beliefs in fundamental to freedom.
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