Saturday, August 4, 2012

Chick-fil-A

I've been hearing a lot of criticism of Christians for supporting Chick-fil-A. The main complaints have been that Jesus told us to spread the gospel, feed the hungry, take care of the poor, etc... . They say that supporting Chick-fil-A doesn't fit into any of these categories, so it must be wrong. Was it wrong for Christians to eat there before this came up? Is it wrong to eat at any other fast food place? Why would it be wrong to choose one restaraunt over another? Why should it make any difference who else is eating there on any given day? If I want Chick-fil-A, I go to Chick-fil-A (at least I would if we had one in this area), if I want McDonalds, I go to McDonalds, and if I want Dairy Queen, I go to Dairy Queen. 

As much time as Jesus spent teaching, preaching, and caring for the poor, He also took time to eat and rest. One of my biggest concerns in all of this is the fact that even some Christians are judging other Christians for showing our support. They point out how much time it took standing in line for food and say that time could have been better spent witnessing to the lost. Unless they can honestly say that they never have an hour or two pass that they aren't witnessing to someone, they are being hypocrites.

Some say that a lot of the people who showed up in support of Chick-fil-A are not Christians, so we shouldn't be standing with them. Different people have different reasons for standing for any cause. While some may be motivated by religious beliefs, others may be motivated by personal preferences, past experience, emotions, or any other factor that has helped to make them who they are. We can't help what anyone else does. We each have the sole responsibility for our own actions and decisions. As Christians we should stand on our convictions, regardless of who else might be standing nearby.

This all started when Dan T. Cathy, a devoted Christian and the President of Chick-fil-A, was asked about his beliefs in an interview and he gave an honest answer. Anyone who knew anything about him or his business practices should not have been surprised that he believes in the Bible's teachings on marriage. The worldly media saw this as an opportunity to attack a Christian and try to destroy his business. It inspires me to see the great outpouring of support for this man and his business. Mr. Cathy didn't abandon his faith in the face of all the hate and threats that have been spewed at him, and God has blessed him as a result.

Isaiah 54:17 
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

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