My views on same sex marriage have changed over the past several years. I was raised in a conservative Christian household and believed most of the unanswerable ethical questions that tear our country apart to have black and white solutions. Well, I don't think so anymore. I've gained a certain understanding and openness that comes from surrounding myself with people of a different mold than mine. It's something we've all got to admit at some point. We don't have all of the answers, and that's fine. Pride deafens us to reason and compassion.
That being said, I don't necessarily agree with the owner of Chick Fil A's traditional stance on marriage. I am thankful to live in a country where opposition isn't silenced. I'm not going to prison for thinking one way and neither is he. (A little extreme) However, we jumped the gun on this one. Those who support gay marriage (ahem, the mayor of Boston) decided to start a war or use the Chick Fil A owner's words as a declaration of one. Then, they received an overwhelming media response. Not to mention a very successful "National Support Chick Fil A Day" that involved cars parked down major roads leading up to the drive-thrus. I hate to say it, but I think this battle may have been underestimated. And that's disappointing to me. I want to spread tolerance and acceptance, but not this way. Those lashing out against the company have given themselves a bad name.
Chick Fil A is a private company, and they can say and support what they want. I many not agree with their views, but I can't call them out for anything unconstitutional.
That, however, is NO EXCUSE for the abrasive outpour on Facebook and Twitter against same sex marriage in the name of Christianity. Below is a mash up of some of my tweets.
Facebook has made me lose my appetite. Too many Christians acting and saying typical world view Christian things. I hope through creating a spectacle of ourselves we've at least raised and focused attention on democracy. When political and moral wars collide, nothing gets solved. We just get angrier. When the world relates, it's a beautiful thing.
The end.
(I promise most of my posts will be DIY projects!)
Well written Mary. I also did not support the Chick-fil-a side, but that will not stop me from eating there. Why the hell would I boycott Chick-fil-a? I go to Chick-fil-a for the food (and shakes, specifically peach), as should everyone else... not to mention the no expiration date coupons the throw out. Facebook today seemed to have been blown up by ignorant people who claimed to be "opened minded" by accusing the opposing side of being close minded. Both sides were at fault. The ones for homosexuals complain about not having the courage or ability to speak out, yet they criticize a company for speaking out and doing what they try doing.. if that makes sense. Whereas the conservative people wanted their messages to be heard, but are not willing to listen. Of course it always takes one idiot to do something stupid and cast a shadow over the group as a whole. For example, as I passed by Chick-fil-a today, this homeless person was holding up a sign saying "homo-sex is sin". In fact some person wrote this and couldn't have stated it better:
ReplyDelete"Why would anyone wait in that line at Chick-fil-A today? If you wanted to "support them" you should have gone yesterday and gotten a free kid's meal for your efforts. Or you could go tomorrow. Your money will be worth the same amount.
Also, to the man with the "homo-sex is sin" sign in front of the store: where are your posters for the hundreds of other Levitical laws that are broken every day?"
This could go on forever, but what frustrates me is how people can be so judgmental without being in someone else's shoes. And how one company can have so much pride in which he indirectly rag on others. And i guess in all fairness, how same sex supporters can criticize and boycott an awesome chicken joint just because the company had the stones to stand up for what they believe, when in reality, they want to be able to make the same statement.
Kevin, I LOVED this! The solution is so simple. Let it and others be. We'd rather fight than support though. That's always been easier.
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