OK, so I just want to make sure I've got this straight ... An openly Christian man, who happens to own a national corporation, makes a comment about his OWN beliefs to a Christian publication. And now the parties offended by said comment are the ones whose rights are being minimized?
Oh, and, he gives his money to ... oh no, don't say it ... a CHURCH! A church that holds to those same beliefs? Woah ... shocker.
Ummmm, someone check the map cause the last time I checked we were still in the United States of America. Where, try as some might to change it, the Declaration of Independence still stands for freedom of speech.
Am I wrong about that?
I don't think so...
See, here's the thing. Mr Cathy did not say that gays were wrong, that they were not allowed in his establishments, that they are sinners bound for hell, or less than human or that they should be banished from the face of the earth. He did not say that the government should shut down gay marriage or that Christians should hate on those who partake in homosexual relationships and those who support gay marriage. He did not call for action on anyone's part to fight against gays or their right (or lack there of ) to enter into marriage. He simply said that he himself believes in the Biblical definition of marriage - that it should be between a man and a woman.
Period.
A Biblical stance shared with a Christian publication.
And an opinion with which I happen to agree. But that's not the point.
I do NOT understand why this has caused such a war. He has never claimed to be anything BUT what he is. Why should it be such a surprise that he voices his opinion. Better yet, why should it be such a crime FOR him to voice his opinion? And HOW is him voicing his opinion infringing on anyone's rights?
And HOW did this all get to the point where it's about hate?
Because we, as Christians, are not called to hate. No, if we are doing this thing right we would be loving them. Not enabling them, but loving them. Because, hi there, WE are sinners too. Maybe I haven't murdered, but I have hated. Maybe I haven't stolen, but I have coveted. We are all sinners and, last time I checked, the 10 Commandments were not listed in order of importance.
ANY amount of sin is enough to keep us from God.
And, my friends, ANY amount of sin was enough to take Christ to the Cross to get us back to Him.
And just as we have all sinned and fallen short, His grace is enough to cover ALL our sins ... even the sin of homosexuality. Why we think that hating them is going to bring them any closer to the Cross and the saving Grace of a loving God is beyond me. No... no... it's his KINDNESS that leads to repentance.
And we are called to share that kindness.
I will not ever say that it is OK for them to be gay. Just as I will never say it's OK for someone to murder. But I will also NEVER say that it is OK for me to hate them for their sin. Because who am I to look down upon anyone else's sin? And, really, who are YOU?
My personal opinion is that marriage SHOULD be between a man and a woman.
There, I said it ... not in hate, just in standing for my Christian faith.
It is not a political statement, it is a BIBLICAL statement.
And so was Mr Cathy's.
If I lived ANYWHERE near a Chick-fil-A I would be eating there today. Not to make a political statement or because I am anti-gay or even because I happen to agree with Mr Cathy's statement. No, I would be there today because that is some dern good chicken and the owner of that business should be supported for his quality product.
The fact that I AGREE with him is just a cherry on top of the sundae ... or, in this case, extra barbeque sauce on top of the chicken nugget. And maybe even the waffle fries. And, ya know, extra ice in that AMAZING lemonade.
Now, I need you to know that if you leave me a hateful comment, I WILL delete it. For two reasons. 1) I am not here to perpetuate the hate or cause some political - or even Biblical - uproar. No drama, just my opinion. And 2) this is MY blog and I can. so there.... ;-P
Now, be nice y'all!
11 of ya left some love:
Preach it sister!!!! Amen to all you said.
Love this!
I was a little disheartened by Mr. Cathy's comments for one reason...he said "I think we are inviting God's judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at Him and say 'we know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage'
As a believer, he does not have GOD'S judgement on him, Jesus took that. So I was a little blown away by the lack of gospel facts in that quote.
But also, there was no difference to Rahm Imanuel's reaction and Mr. Cathy's. Both said 'a wall is going up.' Imanuel shut out revenue and jobs and people that would want to go to Chicago, Mr. Cathy's shut out people that would want to go for some good chicken and thus be in an environment that showed the love of Jesus. Quite frankly I feel Mr. Cathy did a diservice to sharing the gospel when he spoke out.
Personal beliefs are more than allowed. But when we speak out, we cut off the ear of the listener sometimes, and that is not the goal.
We have to be careful in this day that we don't obey the religious spirit and we listen and heed the HOLY SPIRIT...there is a difference.
Molly
Well said! I totally agree!
Great Post!! Very well said, sister!! May we share and show His kindness!!
Molly, I understand your point, but I didn't really see it that way. When he spoke of judgement, he was not speaking of it on himself - as you say, as a Christian, his judgement has been taken by Christ - but of judgement on a nation which is pulling further and further away from the Lord, both politically AND socially, at an alarming rate.
And, as for shutting anyone out, I don't believe that was even on his radar - he was simply answering a question, based on his opinion that the Bible is Truth, posed by a Christian publication. He did not do so with fingers pointed anywhere but at the Word of God and calling it Truth.
His words and his implied intention have been twisted around by those who make their opinions and beliefs known loudly, but point fingers of blame at Christians when we dare stand for our own beliefs and call us haters. He was a target simply because He believes that God's Word is true.
I agree that many Christians have turned the blame around and perpetuated the war of words, which is SO against all that the Bible stands for. And that sickens me to no end, truly breaking my heart. It is soooooo not what God had in mind for us. But we were also not called to go forth into all the world and tolerate - we are called to TESTIFY. We can love and stand on Truth at the same time and that is all I am saying here.
On a similar note: http://stevemillerink.com/?p=368
very well said, dear.
I truly appreciate your concise comments about the backlash created by Mr. Cathy's comments. Recently, it seems as if Christians are easy targets for criticism anytime they stand for biblical standards and expectations.
As a Christian pastor and leader, my stance on the issue is and shall always be a biblical one, despite contrasting opinions and dialogue.
This is not so much a war of words as it is a war against the Word. God bless!
very interesting your post
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God Bless!
Christians have stood by quietly and watched this country go from one that had faults but basically honored God, to a country that in spite of the majority wanting to honor God the minority who don't intimidating those who do into silence. We need to each in our own way do what you have done here. In love testify.
Thank you.
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