Curmudgeon's Corner

Chick-fil-A Demonstrations

Posted by Al Campbell on Aug. 6, 2012

U.S., Quality of Life, Political, People Making A Difference

If you are a regular reader of the Curmudgeon’s Corner blog, and if you review the comment postings that sometimes occur after a person has read one of the blogs, you will likely recall the nom de plume of the person I refer to as CSAM…CommonSenseAmoungMen.  He asked what I believe about this issue.

I haven’t been able to take my own advice to avoid the issue simply because it is charged with strong feelings both for and against.  So here it is:

My feelings and thoughts are more oriented to the responses from across America than to the position of the president of Chick-fil-A.  His position is held by many people in our country, and I believe also that marriage is as defined in the Bible as being between one man and one woman.  I am also taught in that same Bible that if I believe someone is a sinner, as am I, we are to forgive and love the sinner and yet hate the sin.

The expressed hatred, as CSAM referred to it, that bloomed almost instantly seemed to be generated more, if not almost entirely, by those who believe same-sex marriage is appropriate and felt the need to be very vocal about their beliefs.  The outpouring was directed against the president of Chick-fil-A apparently for both his position as much as for his willingness to express that point-of view.  The age of instant communication using social media, texting, et al is upon us and, were we unsure of that, this demonstrated that fact.  That led to the general discussion being directed at the company he runs rather than simply at the man himself.

I was frankly amazed at the responses from the mayors of Boston, Chicago and San Francisco, although less so from the San Francisco mayor who has a large population that he knew supported his position and politics.  Obviously, politics has become enmeshed in all that we do or don’t do.  Again, the politics of the situation seemed to transcend the incident that was used to serve as the stage for protest.

We learned once again that we, as a people, are polar opposites on some issues to the point that some feel the need to shout our opposition at the top of our lungs.  I suspect the more-highly charged political atmosphere of today is at the heart of this demonstration nearly as much as the issue itself.  I sense that people, on both sides of the aisle, recognize that we are either rapidly approaching, or have reached, the point beyond which we may well be unable to influence a change in direction following the results in November.  If that is a not a ‘forever’ thing, it is likely something that will remain for several generations at least.

While I disagree with the position taken by those who believe same sex marriage is appropriate, I do not parade or wave signs in their faces to cause them discomfort.  It is not my role to do that.  I do understand that they probably believe the greater the commotion the better the chance that Congress will pass laws that equalize the legal positions of man-woman marriage and same sex marriage.  I don’t agree, but I’ve been proved wrong about what Congress will or won’t do before and may be proved wrong again on this issue.

I don’t believe that protesters necessarily do their positions any good by acting in a disruptive manner, and, if anything, may bring greater dislike for their position than they do to develop better understanding and greater support.  My belief will remain the same as it was prior to this uproar.  I didn’t feel the need to go to Racine for a Chick-fil-A sandwich and waffle fries, although I am told those waffle fries would’ve been worth the trip.