I know we should stay out of politics here but...

[sara76]

Does anyone want to share their thoughts on Chick Fil A appreciation day today?

[sara76]

As far as boycotting the business because of their politics, I think that's silly, but i also think its silly to go eat there just because of it. I think they should have not made a public statement that insults a group of people so deeply. I think that by having "closed on Sundays" on their signs should be enough for us to infer their opinion on tje subject, and the only reason to make a verbal statement like that would be for publicity, and why not, because apparently all their stores are really busy today. Hello marketing genius via insult.

[aegis2005]

My thoughts ...
You want to go there today to show your support? Great. You want to show up on Friday for the sit-in to show your displeasure? Super. You don't do either, because you don't care. Awesome. You can do those things, because in this country we have the freedom of speech. We also have freedom of religion.

What bothers me, is the politicians who have come out (and then later back tracked) saying that Chick Fil A is not welcome in their city because of their religious beliefs. When politicians make comments/actions that have the potential to impact a person (or company) freedom of religion or freedom of speech I have issues. It's a slippery slope.

I also get fired up on when old men try to pass bill's about women's health. It's a topic I can't say I gave much thought to before a few years ago. Now, it pisses me off that some old men think they should make decisions on what I can and can not due regarding my reproductive health. But that is not what this thread is about

[sara76]

I believe my gay friend Tracey should be allowed to marry her partner of 11 years so they can share health insurance and other such goodies. And all this talk of Chick Fil A is making me want waffle fries and lemonade. But I feel like if I go there I'm making some sort of statement. Ugh. I'm hungry.

[sara76]

Aegis I agree on both of your points. Boycotting them because they are intolerant is such an oxymoron.

I love our country. I love freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

I also believe that these religions should be kept out of our laws. And I too hate the thought of old men making decisions for what women are allowed to do with their bodies, and also who they are allowed to love and marry.

[mskateb]

Yeah, I'm out. I've skipped Chic Fil A ever since I learned (a few months ago) that they financially support organizations that actively seek inequality and discrimination. I can't help but feel that my financial support of them helps them to support these other organizations, and that makes me want to vomit, so suddenly those chicken minis don't look so yummy. (Even if I know they are yummy, dammit.)

I don't care if they are open on Sunday. I don't care if they are owned by Christians. I don't care if they say Merry Christmas.

I also don't think they give a flying truck if I choose not to spend my money there, nor am I going to protest them or anything like that. It is their right to support hate and discrimination, and it's my right to not support them because of it.

[amellis2]

Aug 1, 2012 11:42:03 GMT -5 mskateb said:

Yeah, I'm out. I've skipped Chic Fil A ever since I learned (a few months ago) that they financially support organizations that actively seek inequality and discrimination. I can't help but feel that my financial support of them helps them to support these other organizations, and that makes me want to vomit, so suddenly those chicken minis don't look so yummy. (Even if I know they are yummy, dammit.)

I don't care if they are open on Sunday. I don't care if they are owned by Christians. I don't care if they say Merry Christmas.

I also don't think they give a flying truck if I choose not to spend my money there, nor am I going to protest them or anything like that. It is their right to support hate and discrimination, and it's my right to not support them because of it.

I'm pretty much floating in this boat. I get that they have a right to say what they want believe what they want, but I don't want to support it. I don't want my money supporting hate. I read a comment on a news site that said, "It's not hate, if it's the truth." The problem is: Truth is subjective and yes, it is still hate.

I guess it is the same reason why I don't shop at Wal-Mart: They treat the people who make the toys terrible, and they do not pay their employees a living wage (I know this from expereince.)

I just don't want my money going to support that. A lot of people might say, "But you're just one person."

I'm vegan. I've heard that before
It hasn't stopped me yet.

[aidensmom]

I don't like their food so I never eat there anyways. I am not even sure where all this came from all of a sudden. I mean, they are closed on Sundays for religious reasons so no one should really be surprised on their views. But with that note, I fully support same sex marrage.

[mrsjason]

I don't oppose gay marriage. Who cares who marries who. Doesn't effect me one bit.

I also like to eat chicken nuggets.

So I will continue eating chicken nuggets and not caring who is marrying who.

[surfbetty530]

Sigh. I love CFA. Like, my mouth is watering thinking about their food. Like MsKate said, what is upsetting is who they donate $$$ to. It is anti gay marriage organizations.... Ones that say gay people are pedophiles, etc. Such a load of bull!

I have gay relatives and friends and I just want them to be able to get married legally and get the same rights as me.

I am not really sure if I want to eat there anymore.

[jen812]

There are no Chic FIL A's around me, so this is a non issue for my immediate self. I would stop eating there though if there were. Seems silly that a gay person's money is less green, according to them.

On a somewhat similar note.. I am still boycotting BP. Yes, I can be stubborn.

[lauren9317]

I've always thought CFA was so overrated to begin with! Nothing very special about their food. Add this issue to the mix and I obviously think even less of them.

[chesca]

I've been hearing about this issue and I think I'm missing something. I think that the CEO is entitled, and rightfully so, to monetarily support organizations thare share his religious beliefs. He said he doesn't support gay marriage and instead supports the Christian tradition of marriage. Honestly, I don't see anything wrong with his statement. Now if he said something along the lines of hating gays and not wanting them at his establishment then that's another story. This whole thing is being blown out of proportion. We don't all have to believe the same thing. It's ok to have your own opinions. He didn't make his statement in hate or intentionally set out to 'discriminate' (using the term very loosely) against anyone.
I think I found out last year that they are closed on Sundays because of their beliefs and I think that's admirable but I secretly wish they were open on Sundays because funny enough that's the day I have the urge to go there lol.

I think what's probably bothering me the most about this is that people are actually boycotting them. It's kind of scary that one can no longer talk freely about their religious beliefs without being condemned. If you weren't following this story one would think the CEO stated that gays are xyz, going to xyz, and not welcomed in his establishment. On the other hand, other groups are bashing Chick fil A and that's ok? At the end of the day we have to ensure that in our endevour to acquire freedom/rights we make an effort not to openly insult or degrade others to get our points across. Not only is it counterproductive, it is hypocrital and ignorant.

[mskateb]

I don't see what's scary about some people boycotting a business whose principles you find abhorrent; that's certainly nothing new in the world of capitalism. It happens all the time in the name of any variety of issues. It has everything to do with not wanting your money to support the wrong side of an issue you feel strongly about.

Chic Fil A's founders have every right to the statements they've made and to support the organizations they do, and if there are people who are turned off by that enough to get their chicken nuggets somewhere else, that is also their right, is it not?