The Media Completely Invented That Chick-Fil-A Story
Did you hear the shocking news that Chick-Fil-A President Dan Cathy is anti-gay? You can read about it in the Los Angeles Times, the Huffington Post, the Washington Post, CNN, and, at last count, 1,000 other print and broadcast news sites.
The fallout has been so severe that Boston mayor Thomas Menino is banning the fast-food joint from his city. The Jim Henson Company has stopped partnering with Chick-Fil-A's children's meals. And a nationwide boycott is in full swing.
And guess what: the story is a complete media invention.
Now, only a bunch of secular city-dwellers on fad diets would think it's news that Cathy and his company espouse Christian values. They do. Some people, if you can believe it, think this is a feature and not a bug of the company. (Although it is frustrating that you always want Chick-Fil-A on a Sunday but the company policy is to remain closed on Sundays for a day of rest for employees.)
And, like Jesus, Cathy believes that marriage is a conjugal union of one male and one female. Like Jesus, Cathy opposes divorce and premarital sex and extramarital sex and polygamy and the like. (For more on Jesus' politically incorrect views on sex and marriage, feel free to read this brief passage from the Gospel of Matthew).
Now in our sex-saturated, all-gay-news-all-the-time culture, it may be hard to understand traditional Christian views of sex. Some in the media have spent so much time demonizing these views that they may not even realize how much of the country subscribes to them. The idea that people would only have sex with their spouse is offensive to some, much less the idea that the spousal union be conjugal. Support for traditional marriage has recently included a reaction against the efforts to change the definition of marriage to include homosexual unions or polygamous groupings. That's true. But it's also about opposing cohabitation, some divorce laws, the epidemic of children being born outside of marriage, men and women having children with different partners and not being married to any of them, encouraging couples to remain married and the like.
And some of us actually teach and believe this stuff. And it was in that context that Cathy spoke with a Christian publication about one of his company's charitable arms:
The company invests in Christian growth and ministry through its WinShape Foundation (WinShape.com). The name comes from the idea of shaping people to be winners.
It began as a college scholarship and expanded to a foster care program, an international ministry, and a conference and retreat center modeled after the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove.
"That morphed into a marriage program in conjunction with national marriage ministries," Cathy added.
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.
"We operate as a family business ... our restaurants are typically led by families; some are single. We want to do anything we possibly can to strengthen families. We are very much committed to that," Cathy emphasized.
"We intend to stay the course," he said. "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 think Cathy meant to say he was thankful that he used to live in such a country.
In the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, we learn "One LGBT activist told the AJC she was surprised Cathy was 'picking a fight' at a time when the furor over the restaurant’s conservative connections was dying down."
Of course, it's obvious that Cathy wasn't picking a fight but, rather, answering a question about corporate policy. And it's the media -- and various activists -- that are picking a fight, initiating boycotts and banning restaurants from cities.
How's that grand bargain working out for everyone?
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Comments:
Jan '11
Re: The Media Completely Invented That Chick-Fil-A Story
What's missing is the fight.
Here's what I mean. Consider two boxers, both of whom claim that they're the best fighter. They decide to settle it with a fight. They have the fight, and whoever wins, gets to go on with the claim that he's the best fighter. The other guy pretty much has to keep quiet. There's a decision made, through the fight.
SSM advocates went from making claims about the legitimacy of SSM, and now they're claiming that anyone who disagrees with them is a bigot ... all without any decision being made. Apparently, all it takes to claim victory in a social struggle is the ... confidence ... that you would win, had a decision been made.
Re: The Media Completely Invented That Chick-Fil-A Story
Being involved with local youth sports leagues I can tell you first hand that Chick-fil-a is always willing to partner up with us to do fundraisors for the kids. They practically let us take over the joint. Very family oriented business.
I do admit though that Cathy is pro-cow and anti-chicken. I think that's obvious from his menu.
Jun '12
Re: The Media Completely Invented That Chick-Fil-A Story
Oh, ho, he's SPECIESIST!
Apr '12
Re: The Media Completely Invented That Chick-Fil-A Story
A great company will survive this 2 minutes of hate.
Dec '10
Re: The Media Completely Invented That Chick-Fil-A Story
Makes me want to start a Chick-fil-a francise, once the Cathy's fully vet me as a human being (which I know they're really, really picky about - as they should be), once I have the required cash on hand (one of the highest, if I recall), and once the government provides me all the necessary infrastructure that I'll just have to have in order to be a success. Help me obi-obama. You're my only hope.
Edited on July 24, 2012 at 8:03pmJun '12
Re: The Media Completely Invented That Chick-Fil-A Story
Obama's infrastructure (Obamastructure) is not to be used to drive to any place that doesn't fully support The Lightworker's Agenda.
The Mental Hygiene Police will be visiting you soon for even considering it.
Re: The Media Completely Invented That Chick-Fil-A Story
Politico's Juana Summers and Jedd Rosche actually wrote the following line. Their editors somehow allowed it to be published:
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0712/78795.html#ixzz21ZEkAmpv
Aug '10
Re: The Media Completely Invented That Chick-Fil-A Story
Panned ? PANNED ?!? Sheesh -that politico is a worthless piece of tofu.
"widely discussed and panned"- by who ? That is such a typical headfeint for a faked story.
almost as big a stretch as "to the chagrin of many customers".
Politico just doesn't get it at all.
Wonder what Wonkette has to say about it,....well maybe not.
Losers.
Peach milkshake, waffle fries and a four piece strips please.
Apr '11
Re: The Media Completely Invented That Chick-Fil-A Story
A couple of days ago I Googled Chick Fil A images trying to find an "I support Chick Fil A" image to post on my Facebook, but all I found were a lot of "Chick Fil A Hates Gays"-type images. So I made one (with apologies to EJ Hill, but I don't really know what I'm doing), and have been encouraging friends to adopt it as their profile pic as a show of solidarity.
I don't see this hurting Chick Fil A in any meaningful way, 'cuz their chicken sandwich with extra pickles is WAY tasty, and it's their pleasure to serve me!
May '10
Re: The Media Completely Invented That Chick-Fil-A Story
Here's the latest to come out of this. So when they get kicked out of Chick-fil-A's all over the country for protesting inside a private business, how bad will the media backlash be then? I see things only getting worse for Chick-fil-A in the near future.
They'll still get my money though. Love those fries...
Sep '11
Re: The Media Completely Invented That Chick-Fil-A Story
Mike Huckabee is putting chicken where his mouth is--he's announced a campaign to stand up with Chick-Fil-A on Wednesday, August 1.
My local Chick-Fil-A? They're wonderful. When I or my wife is in there with our youngest daughter (who has Down syndrome) they go out of their way to greet her and, well, treat her with respect. (And hugs. Lots of hugs.)
We'll be there next Wednesday. Even if we have to wait in line for hours.
Jun '10
Re: The Media Completely Invented That Chick-Fil-A Story
Hey, I made a special trip -- 1/2 hour out of my way today -- twice -- to eat breakfast and lunch at Chick-fil-A here in Tucson, in reaction to that story!
Oh, well, no harm no fowl -- I had two delicious chicken sandwiches.
Jun '12
Re: The Media Completely Invented That Chick-Fil-A Story
John Murdoch: Mike Huckabee is putting chicken where his mouth is--he's announced a campaign to stand up with Chick-Fil-A on Wednesday, August 1.
My local Chick-Fil-A? They're wonderful. When I or my wife is in there with our youngest daughter (who has Down syndrome) they go out of their way to greet her and, well, treat her with respect. (And hugs. Lots of hugs.)
We'll be there next Wednesday. Even if we have to wait in line for hours. · 1 hour ago
Wish I could join ya. As I said earlier, there's no Chick-Fil-A in my area, or I'd be going there often for the next few weeks.
Dec '11
Re: The Media Completely Invented That Chick-Fil-A Story
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.: .
The fallout has been so severe that Boston mayor Thomas Menino is banning the fast-food joint from his city. The Jim Henson Company has stopped partnering with Chick-Fil-A's children's meals. And a nationwide boycott is in full swing.
Scary, as in "Sieg Heil."
Mar '11
Re: The Media Completely Invented That Chick-Fil-A Story
That's what's funny. Next quarter will almost surely show high profits for them. And when it does, Chick-Fil-A should make an add saying "we want to thank all those lovely people like Ed Helms who created so much publicity for us, and gave us a great quarter. Ed, you coupon for a free sandwich is in the mail".
Mar '11
Re: The Media Completely Invented That Chick-Fil-A Story
When the flap over Target's donation to a Republican came up, I discussed corporate views and the gay community with some gay friends. When we got to Chick-fil-A, the gay guys said, "I don't care. Their chicken is delicious." A year later, now that GLAAD is going after the company, they're jumping on the anti-Chick-fil-A bandwagon. A part of me finds it humorous that they would be so stupid, but another part of me is scared that such normally intelligent people could be so easily manipulated by a special interest group.
We're all chicken sandwich eaters today.
Edited on July 25, 2012 at 1:11pmJun '12
Re: The Media Completely Invented That Chick-Fil-A Story
Douglas
That's what's funny. Next quarter will almost surely show high profits for them. And when it does, Chick-Fil-A should make an add saying "we want to thank all those lovely people like Ed Helms who created so much publicity for us, and gave us a great quarter. Ed, you coupon for a free sandwich is in the mail".· 6 hours ago
I second the motion!
Aug '10
Re: The Media Completely Invented That Chick-Fil-A Story
Based on the sheer volume of business at the Chik-Fil-A in my area, I suspect they must haul away piles of money every night in very large trucks.
Because of the traffic problems from all the cars and the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, if I had the will power, I would choose to never eat at Chik-Fil-A. But the food is so darn tasty. And it's my grandson's favorite place to eat.
Aug '11
Re: The Media Completely Invented That Chick-Fil-A Story
Some parts of the Modern Left can be somewhat frightening. I see that a Chicago alderman wants to block Chick-Fil-A from opening a new store in the city as well. Mayor Emmanuel supports this madness. "Chik-Fil-A values are not Chicago values" the Mayor is quoted as saying. I'll let you decide what that means... I don't think it can mean anything good. And I think everything that's wrong with Modern Leftism is wrapped up in this hyper-link.
Apr '11
Re: The Media Completely Invented That Chick-Fil-A Story
well I supported them today (spicy chicken sandwich w/ pepper jack- wow - so good and (forgive me ) large waffle fries. and will be there Aug 1st even though I hadn't heard about the Appreciation day. The place was packed.