Chick-fil-A and Free Speech

Chick-fil-A, one of America's most successful fast-food restaurants, has come under fire in recent days for statements made by Dan Cathy, president and COO of the company, in defense of the traditional family unit.

Cathy was interviewed by BaptistPress, and the lengthy article ended with this:

"Some have opposed the company's support of the traditional family. "Well, guilty as charged," said Cathy when asked about the company's position. 

"We are very much supportive of the family -- the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that."

His comments have sparked a firestorm, with the homosexual movement and their liberal allies slamming Cathy and Chick-fil-A as "homophobic" and "bigoted" (my, how predictable...), and launching smear attacks, boycotts and protests against the company, which is one of the most high-profile Christian-led corporations in the nation (Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays, and donates to many Christian ministries).

In an appalling and tyrannical abuse of power, the mayor of Boston and a Chicago alderman have publicly indicated that they will use their governmental authority to deny Chick-fil-A from opening restaurants in their respective jurisdictions, solely based on Cathy's exercise of his First Amendment right to Free Speech, both personally and with his business. None of their opposition is based on concrete actions, like Chick-fil-A denying service to homosexuals, or firing employees for differing views on political/religious issues. Accusing Cathy and Chick-fil-A of "discrimination" and "intolerance", these elected officials are themselves the ones being discriminatory and intolerant.

In their haste to pay homage to the militant homosexual movement, these despotic elected officials are sending a chilling message to business owners in their area: Submit to my views, or else. Instead of welcoming new business to their cities, and creating jobs (Chicago has an unemployment rate of 9.8%, Boston is 5.7%), they would rather abuse their authority in a dictatorial manner. Some in the blogosphere are calling this fascist behavior, and I'm inclined to agree.

In response to the attacks, Mike Huckabee has called for August 1st to be "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day", inviting people to dine at Chick-fil-A in support of the company:

I have been incensed at the vitriolic assaults on the Chick Fil-A company because the CEO, Dan Cathy, made comments recently in which he affirmed his view that the Biblical view of marriage should be upheld. The Cathy family, led by Chick Fil-A founder Truett Cathy, are a wonderful Christian family who are committed to operating the company with Biblical principles and whose story is the true American success story. Starting at age 46 Truett Cathy built Chick Fil-A into a $4 billion a year enterprise with over 1600 stores. At 91, he is still active in the company, but his son Dan runs it day to day as CEO.It's a great American story that is being smeared by vicious hate speech and intolerant bigotry from the left.

The Chick Fil-A company refuses to open on Sundays so that their employees can go to church if they wish. Despite the pressure from malls, airports, and the business world to open on Sundays, they still don't. They treat customers and employees with respect and dignity.

I ask you to join me in speaking out on Wednesday, August 1 "Chick Fil-A Appreciation Day.” No one is being asked to make signs, speeches, or openly demonstrate. 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.

There's no need for anyone to be angry or engage in a verbal battle. Simply affirm appreciation for a company run by Christian principles by showing up on Wednesday, August 1 or by participating online – tweeting your support or sending a message on Facebook.

In closing, here is another quote from Mr. Cathy's interview: "We know that it might not be popular with everyone, but thank the Lord, we live in a country where we can share our values and operate on biblical principles."

I support Chick-fil-A.

What do you think about this? Post your thoughts in the comments section.