I have received numerous requests on Facebook to attend what Mike Huckabee and his followers are calling “Chick-fil-a Appreciation Day“. As of right now, there are over 635,100 people RSVPed as going, and I’m sure there are at least double or more actually participating.
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. Too often, those on the left make corporate statements to show support for same sex marriage, abortion, or profanity, but if Christians affirm
traditional values, we’re considered homophobic, fundamentalists, hate-mongers, and intolerant. This effort is not being launched by the Chick Fil-A company and no one from the company or family is
involved in proposing or promoting it.
Okay, simple enough. Mike Huckabee even goes on to say that folks needn’t make signs or get into verbal battles, etc.
Here’s the problem, though. People aren’t simply peacefully supporting the business. Certainly many are, by simply visiting their local restaurant and purchasing a drink or a meal (or by not going to this restaurant and banning them altogether). However, others are using this as a license to spread hate and intolerance. Both sides are guilty of this.
On one hand, I applaud businesses like Chick-fil-a that choose to run their business how they see fit and supporting whatever they’d like. They certainly have been transparent in their stance for years and I’ve not felt that any of this is news. I’ve heard it said over and over that everyone should be tolerant and respectful of this business and their choice to take a stand. On the other hand, those folks should be tolerant and respectful of businesses like Credo Mobile, which openly supports and funds ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network.
Okay, so either way, we have to pick a side, right? Not really. I’m not participating in Chickfila Apprecation Day today and it’s not because I’m against the traditional family unit or that I dislike Chick-fil-a.
Why am I skipping it?
- I don’t wish to be lumped into any group of people that are spewing hateful messages across their Facebook and Twitter accounts (and shudder to think how many people are doing the same AT the restaurants themselves!). Both sides are making me cringe. (Let’s show LOVE, people.)
- I don’t feel that any of this is newsworthy, thus I don’t feel it’s worth its own special day.
- I don’t want my kids to be around the chaos. I don’t think it’s something I need to address to my young children, particularly since, again, I don’t feel that the company’s stance is news.
- I have several friends and family members that do not fit the traditional family mold and I love them and cherish them. I find it really disrespectful to those that I love to say, “I love you, but I support the thousands of people that don’t love you more…. see ya later, off to eat at CFA and tweet pics! I have to fit in with all of my Conservative Christian pals today!”
- I can’t imagine how mega-busy the restaurants will be today. I’m sorry, but I have 4 kiddos and don’t want to wait around forever for food.
- I support this restaurant plenty with my food dollar “vote” each month. I appreciate the efforts of the individual owners of the restaurants locally and make an effort to show them at my convenience. Ours does lots of family fun nights, giveaways, and sponsorships throughout the year. They really give back to the community.
