Chick-fil-A controversy shines light on restaurant's Christian DNA

Originally posted by something wicked
. . . but almost every charity is in danger of being seen as being in some way against one group or another - that was my point. It's their money - if it was to a pro gay group and pissed off other people I'm guessing you would be laughing about that though.

I am only talking about US minority equality rights. I mean - should we go into caste systems in India? No - I don't think so.

We have religious freedom in this country. By law you are free to believe whatever you want.

I'm not sure about laws on donating to political agendas.

I support they can not hide those donations. That it is up for public review and opinion.

When a corporations is financially supporting discrimination - - - - it should be made public and subject to boycott by those in opposition.

And that is where we are at. These donations by Chick-Fil-A - - - are being made public - - as they should be.

reply to post by MikeNice81


First, it goes without saying that you don't know jack about what a franchise is, or how they operate.

Second, if this particular franchise chain is giving out food to anti-gay groups then it would HAVE to be corporate approved.

How much does a Chick-fil-a franchise cost?

The Chick-a-thingy Corporation owns the land the franchise is built on, the building itself, and earns 65% of the gross profits. They are also one of the strictest franchise operators out there and are very picky about who they do business with. All those "independent operators" must share certain values to get a franchise.

If they are approving anti-gay video funds, and don't have a problem with anti-gay operations taking place on their land within their building, then the only reasonable conclusion is that they are an actively anti-gay corporation.

As far as getting reinstated on a campus, well, most corps PAY the campus MONEY to to do business there.
You think there might be a SLIGHT chance that the campus loves money more than equality?

So it is actually bigger than a single event . After digging through Anne's links a little bit I did find something worth note.

Chick Fil A's Charitable Arm and Gay Couples

It doesn't look like Chick Fil A is directly funding an "anti-gay" agenda. They are using their technically independent charitable organization to do it. At Winshape's retreat center they will not allow seminars or retreats that cater to gay couples and familys.

Other wise it seems like the owners and the head of the Winshape foundation are using personal money and influence to push their agenda. They do use the Winshape retreat area to have a yearly confrence on "protecting the family."

It looks like the owners do have an issue with gay marriage. It also seems like they spend a small portion of their company's money on a retreat area that refuses to serve gay couples and gay centric events.

reply to post by Annee

Nice link.... shall we examine it?

According to Change.org, the movement to ban Chick-fil-A on campus started with a group of students who came together in opposition of the franchise's support of groups like Focus on the Family and the Ruth Institute.

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com...

A group of students... in opposition to... the franchises support... of two non-profit organizations.

What I am seeing is this:

A group of students... in opposition to... charities they disagree with.

Opposition to charities.

And this emphasizes the point I have been trying to make all along. I do not care that you want to boycott Chik-Fil-A. That is your right. I do not care if you do not like Chik-Fil-A. That is your right. I do not care if you do not like Focus on the Family or the Ruth Institute. That is your right, but is also Chik-Fil-A's right to contribute to them.

My point has been that a business can donate to any charity they want, buy from whatever vendor they want, sell to whatever demographic they want, and within the law do whatever they want. You are complaining that Chik-Fil-A is using their money as they see fit, and at the same time demanding that you will do the same by boycotting them.

I don't see how anyone can miss the hypocrisy in this.

"I'm going to use my money the way I want to, and the way I want to is to hurt this organization because they use their money the way they want to."

Sure, Annee, go ahead... just see what you are saying.

TheRedneck

reply to post by GhostLancer


They didn't just CATER an anti-gay event, they gave the food away FREE. Catering implies payments for services rendered. It was not.

Free makes it a donation, an approval of the events agenda.

reply to post by Annee


I think this is what they are referring to...

Source
WinShape Foundation was founded more than 20 years ago by Truett and Jeannette Cathy. Under the WinShape Foundation umbrella, there are several programs, including WinShape Homes®, which currently operates 11 foster care homes in Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama. The WinShape College Program℠ at Berry College in Rome, Georgia, is a co-op program offering joint four-year scholarship funding to incoming freshmen of up to $32,000. WinShape Camps℠ offers boys and girls summer programs at the college, which will be attended by more than 13,000 campers in 2011.

Additionally, WinShape also operates the WinShape Retreat℠, which offers a sequestered setting for marriage support and counseling and other gatherings on the Mountain Campus of Berry College. Held at WinShape Retreat, WinShape Marriage℠ aims to help married couples by offering intervention for couples in crisis, preparation for engaged couples and enrichment for those interested in growing their marriage.

WinShape Wilderness℠ is dedicated to using adventure to equip people to experience real change, not just in a team setting, but also through personal transformation. WinShape Wilderness is an outdoor adventure program that facilitates experiential learning for all audiences in ropes course settings as well as canoeing, rock climbing and backpacking venues.

Finally, WinShape International℠ was founded in January 2005 with a mission to mobilize leaders to transform young people and communities around the world.

Chick-fil-A Leadership Scholarship Program: Chick-fil-A separately offers $1,000 college scholarships to certain qualified franchised Operator Restaurant employees, a Chick-fil-A tradition that has awarded over $26 million in scholarships.

Sounds like the Devil Incarnate to me...
I knew one of the franchise owners personally, he was a great guy and I don't know why the Gay Agenda is after them honestly. What's wrong with being a christian business if that is indeed what they are, they want to make stink about religous businesses, start with the multi-billion dollar ones like the Kosher Racket.

reply to post by Annee

Religion is the main reason to deny gays equal rights. Religion should have no bearing at all on citizens equal rights.

I agree completely. I have even protested for and marched for gay rights. I was shunned in church as a teenager for asking why gay people don't deserve the same treatment as other people.

My words were somthing along the lines of, so hat if their life style is wrong? Isn't that for god to judge? We should treat them as equals and humans and give them the chance to enjoy happiness. If god thinks they are wrong they will find out in the end. However, I think he would be just as mad at as for treating them unfairly. I mean, isn't the ultimate commandment to love your neighbor as you would love yourself?

That along with other things drove me from church as a teen. I am all for equal treatment. I just want to make sure that equal treatment goes in all directions.

Originally posted by TheRedneck

And this emphasizes lies the point I have been trying to make all along. I do not care that you want to boycott Chik-Fil-A. That is your right. I do not care if you do not like Chik-Fil-A. That is your right. I do not care if you do not like Focus on the Family or the Ruth Institute. That is your right, but is also Chik-Fil-A's right to contribute to them.

I don't see how anyone can miss the hypocrisy in this.

"I'm going to use my money the way I want to, and the way I want to is to hurt this organization because they use their money the way they want to."

Sure, Annee, go ahead... just see what you are saying.

TheRedneck

Fist off - - I posted the first 5 links that came up on Google. There are many more.

Pro Family. Gays don't have families?

Again - - - Corporations that fund and promote discrimination of any kind - - - should be publicly exposed. Which is what this is about.

If they are boycotted - - it is as a result of their own actions.

Religion is a belief - - - and should have no political bearing - - - on full equality of any citizen.

I really don't care what Chick-Fil-A does and I'm not Christian. I support them more than I do any other fast food place just because their food is so good and everyone I know would support them regardless of their personal religious beliefs. This includes gay/lesbian people I know. I don't see what the big deal is about this, especially considering how obvious it is that they are a pretty religious/Christian institution.

Why are the religious views of a restaurant a big deal? Do you not go to Middle Eastern restaurants because they're not Christian? I know I go to them because it's not about what religion they are but rather how the food tastes.

reply to post by Annee

This link shows the major charities that Johnson & Johnson supports. Scroll down and you will see listed "Global Fund for Children" and "Global Fund for Women", but no "Global Fund for Men".

Why those dirty dogs! They are anti-men! How dare they try to politically suppress men! I'm going to boycott Johnson & Johnson! They are against me! Inequality! Inequality! Inequality!!!!!!!!!!

Now doesn't that sound silly?

Religion is a belief - - - and should have no political bearing - - - on full equality of any citizen.

That brings up another point... how is this political? Is Chik-Fil-A lobbying to Congress? Is Chick-Fil-A running for Congress? Have they passed any laws? Proposed any laws?

What is your definition of political? It would appear to be all-inclusive, while I define political as anything that attempts to control the actions of another through force of government. Believing in a religion isn't trying to force control anyone through force of government, and neither is giving to a charity. The Ruth Foundation may be political, but are all of their supporters? I say no. What say you?

If you say that anyone who donates to the Ruth Foundation or Focus on the Family is being political, then I ask you: how can any religious belief not be political in itself without losing the right to donate their money as they see fit? And if any political belief is itself now defined as inherently political, does your whole premise then begin to sound like a belief that religious views should be outlawed?

Not putting words in your mouth, just asking. After all, I though they just repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in the military... do we need it in society for religious views?

TheRedneck

Originally posted by MikeNice81
I just want to make sure that equal treatment goes in all directions.

Let me tell you - I am 65 - grew up with a divorced disabled mother - - - before the disability act and women's rights movement.

I grew up with 2 brothers in a all boy neighborhood. When it came to Little League - - I was told I could be a Cheerleader. That may sound trivial to some - - but it sucked Big Time. Girls were not allowed to wear pants to school - - even up until 1964 when I graduated high school. If you were athletic - you were automatically labeled a Lesbian. One girl I knew was a fantastic trumpet player. When she entered high school - - she was told trumpets were not feminine and did not allow her in the school band. When I went for job interviews - - it was demeaning. At that time they could ask you anything. Like if you were promiscuous - - or if you planned on getting married or pregnant.

We were denied entrance to restaurants because of my mom's disability. The owners said it was an insurance issue. My mom was a finalist for "Queen for A Day" (TV show 56/64). She was rejected because of her disability. She was told it would depress the audience. For Real!

So Yeah! If anyone thinks this is just about Gay Rights - - - think again!

reply to post by TheRedneck


What is this? Is this becoming an Annee and Redneck debate?

I grew up near Hollywood. Should we stereotype this the Hollywood types and Redneck debate?

No funding for MEN? When have MEN ever been a suppressed minority oppressed group?

Could you try to keep this at least real and realistic?

reply to post by davespanners


Different religions have different rules on food. Protestants have no food restrictions. Appears to be based on the vision Peter had in Acts 10. With Catholics it depends on the time of the year and religious celebration involved.

I myself like the occasional triple bacon cheeseburger but that problem is between me and my waistline.

reply to post by Annee

No funding for MEN? When have MEN ever been a suppressed minority oppressed group?

Could you try to keep this at least real and realistic?

So because I am a man, I have no right to equality? And that is somehow not 'real' or 'realistic' to you?

Congratulations, Annee, you finally answered my questions. It's not about 'equality', it's about your personal beliefs trumping everyone else's... paraphrased, but your words, not mine.

Enjoy your boycott.

TheRedneck

Seriously... What's the point of this thread?!

Y'all are the first to have a major melt-down every time freedom is suppressed in this country, as long as the freedom adheres to your worldview.SNIPhypocrites.

The only reason anyone should be upset about Chik-a-fila (or whatever it's called) is if the following happened:

1) Chik was the only restaurant left in the country.

But since I'm pretty sure it's not, people have the option of going to ANOTHER FOOD JOINT THAT DOESN'T CONFLICT WITH THEIR BELIEFS.

The Restaurant owners have the right to support whatever cause they wish. And if it's a Christian establishment and your beliefs conflict with over 50% of Christianity, WHY ARE YOU EATING THERE, YOU IDIOT??

Not everyone supports the gay-lifestyle. Most people don't even CARE about "gay rights". It's the PC thing to do nowadays, but most people couldn't care less. And personally, I don't blame them. The only thing gay people can't do is marry the same sex, and *surprise* neither can a "straight" person. So really, Gay's aren't missing out on any "rights" - they have just as many rights as a heterosexual does (the state won't recognize a marriage between a hetero and someone of the same sex, either, so what's the issue?).

I will say homophobia is often taken to the extreme, which is regrettable. And if this restaurant was advocating violence towards gays, then by all means - put a stop to them!

Until then, they're simply exercising their right as a company, so instead of bashing them and making a big deal outta nothing, use this as an excuse to worship your beloved "freedoms".


SNIP


Mod Edit: Profanity/Circumvention Of Censors – Please Review This Link.

Originally posted by TheRedneck
reply to post by Annee

No funding for MEN? When have MEN ever been a suppressed minority oppressed group?

Could you try to keep this at least real and realistic?

So because I am a man, I have no right to equality? And that is somehow not 'real' or 'realistic' to you?

Congratulations, Annee, you finally answered my questions. It's not about 'equality', it's about your personal beliefs trumping everyone else's... paraphrased, but your words, not mine.

Enjoy your boycott.

TheRedneck

Actually NO! I do question why anyone would give themselves the moniker of "Redneck" and list themself from Alabama.

I admit - I sometimes use the moniker Oscar and portray myself as a man. Its an interesting experiment. I do get more respect as a man "Oscar" then I do as the female "Annee".

No Redneck - - it is not personal. Stop interpreting. Please tell me where men (in general) are a suppressed minority and require an equal rights group to support them.

Equal Rights for ALL - - - means exactly that. Equal Rights for ALL.

Marriage is a government contract that protects the personal and property rights of those joining together as one household. Show me anywhere in that contract where God is mentioned.

okay, I was up to the seventh page of this thread, and finally decided that I couldn't stand it anymore. The problem isn't that they fed a bunch of folks at a marriage conference, it's that people are actually mad about it! They have the right to do what they want when they want for whatever reasons they see fit. Privately owned company, lol. By the way, I do disagree with the whole factory farming thing. If I could I'd become a vegetarian, but I simply can't survive in my home without eating meat. My mom refuses to serve vegetarian meals, and my dad wouldn't eat them. And now I search for a thread that doesn't make me hungry.

Originally posted by TheGreatXan
okay, I was up to the seventh page of this thread, and finally decided that I couldn't stand it anymore. The problem isn't that they fed a bunch of folks at a marriage conference, it's that people are actually mad about it! They have the right to do what they want when they want for whatever reasons they see fit. Privately owned company, lol. By the way, I do disagree with the whole factory farming thing. If I could I'd become a vegetarian, but I simply can't survive in my home without eating meat. My mom refuses to serve vegetarian meals, and my dad wouldn't eat them. And now I search for a thread that doesn't make me hungry.

YES! And that they provide funding for political agendas of anti-gay - - - needs to be public knowledge.

They are responsible for their decisions and funding anti-gay agendas. Therefore - - in turn - - gay rights supporters have the right to boycott them publicly.

Originally posted by Disillusioned_Youth
Seriously... What's the point of this thread?!

-
Basically - - I'd say - - - everyone has rights.

Chick-Fil-A - - has the right to be religious - - to be anti-gay - - to fund political agendas against the equal rights of a minority.

Supporters of Equal Rights for Minorities - - - have the right to call them out publicly. To organize boycotts and provide the media with information that this company is discriminating in their political funding.

reply to post by Annee


Well I am sorry your life was hard. That is such a pitty that you suffered. Maybe somebody should do something about discrimination against women. Oh yeah they did. You can pull that particular chip off of your shoulder. You could also take time to read and comprehend what I was saying. I was saying that I wanted to make sure both sides were presented.

When I dug through your links, that you didn't even bother to fully investigate, I found what appeared to be evidence to support the claim that Chick Fil A was "anti-gay." I then posted that information and basically said that I believe they are using a technecality to keep the name "clean."

Take time to read and digest instead of throwing a tantrum and trying to talk down to people. It gets really lonely when you alienate allies.