I did not have a sandwich at Chick-Fil-A yesterday. If I had, it would not have been to snub the LGBT community. I encourage the LGBT community to shop at establishments that promote their social agenda, and to refuse to patronize establishments that do not. Exercising economic power is often an effective way to sway the opinions of those who rely on us for their livelihoods.
Had I gone, it would have been to challenge the municipal governments that threatened to punish Chick-Fil-A because their founder exercised rights granted by the first amendment to the Constitution. Censorship is a double edged weapon - Whether Mr. Cathy's speech was hurtful to us or not, silencing him through government action opens the door for others to silence you and me, because they don't like what we're saying.
"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out -- Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me." - Martin Niemöller (A Lutheran Pastor)
I encourage all of us to speak out for Christians AND the LGBT community (AND EVERYONE ELSE!), not one at the expense of the other. We all have a right to speak here, unless we give that right away.
Well and succinctly stated, sir. I wish this hadn't become such an inflammatory and confusing issue. I dined at Chick-fil-A in support of the First Amendment, others misconstrued my actions as being opposed to marriage equality. Thank you for expressing my sentiments.
ReplyDelete