Chickening Out?

The fast food chain Chick-fil-A is known for being closed on Sundays and promoting Christian values. Back in 2012, founder and then-CEO Truett Cathy spoke out against same-sex marriage. Threats of protests by gay activists prompted politician/minister Mike Huckabee to spearhead a Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day. Long lines of customers arrived to show their support.

Since then, Chick-fil-A continues to be assaulted for their “anti-LGBT” stance. New restaurants opening up in certain cities have faced protesters. What’s ironic is hours after the 2016 gay nightclub massacre in Orlando occurred, the local Chick-fil-A opened that Sunday to provide free meals to first responders, blood donors and victims’ families.

Last month, Chick-fil-A announced they will stop giving donations to the Salvation Army and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Many Christians interpret this as Chick-fil-A cowering to the homosexual agenda. Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council stated, “Many people have fought for Chick-fil-A and for them to capitulate to the bullies is betrayal.” Conversely, Franklin Graham said after calling current CEO Dan Cathy, “Chick-fil-A remains committed to Christian values.”

Nevertheless, a few friends of mine are boycotting Chick-fil-A including a former lesbian who believes they have “chickened out.” As for myself, I haven’t gone to Chick-fil-A that much to begin with. I don’t like their coffee and their chicken sandwiches are overpriced. I’d rather go to McDonald’s for the former and Wendy’s for the latter.

It’s up to Chick-fil-A which charities they support. Personally, I think they’re sending the wrong message by cutting ties with the Salvation Army and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. There are reports of Chick-fil-A giving to questionable organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center that has labeled conservative Christian ministries as “hate groups.” 

I pray Chick-fil-A reconsiders the direction they are going.

“For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” - Galatians 1:10