Peace without Political Food Fights

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Yesterday I realized how busy I have been when I felt like I was living under a rock when I had no idea why so many people were going to Chic-fil-a. I thought it was just another advertising gimmick as they have been known to give out free food or huge discount coupons that brings crowds and long lines to the restaurant.

I discovered that it was because the owner, Dan Cathy, had publicly announced his support of anti-gay (against gay marriage) and that former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee had declared August 1 as Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day encouraging those who honor "the godly values we espouse by simply showing up and eating at Chick-fil-A on Wednesday, Aug. 1.”

Apparently Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, and the former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum were also involved in a political food fight. Even The Jim Henson Company pulled its Muppet toys from Chick-fil-A meals and promised to donate money made from the toys to a gay rights group.

 I’m dumbfuzzled.

So apparently droves of people showed up at Chic-fil-a across the country on both sides of the issue, those Christians who wanted to show their support for a restaurant that even closes on Sundays to “honor the Sabbath Day” and those who were of the same-sex who showed their “freedom of speech” support by kissing in public at the restaurant. Our local restaurant had so much traffic that it was blocking both entrances to a hospital and the police had intervene.

I’m dumbfuzzled.

My first thought was, “wow, now why can’t I think of some drama-gimmick that works to bring people to subscribe at my site?” Time and time again I see circumstances that go viral which end up as a boost in business. It even happens in the digi-world. My second thought was how I’d just rather avoid drama and have a peaceful life and that drama may not be worth the business.

My next thought was “does Jesus care if I go eat at Chic-fil-a today to support “godly values?”

I have not read anywhere that Chic-fil-a turns away sinners from their restaurant and refuses to serve them. When I sit down to eat with my family in my own home, I am always eating with sinners. A table for only the righteous and holy is a table for one. Even Jesus ate with sinners (Luke 15:2: But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”)

Is there any reason I should rush out to make my presence known to support “godly values?” I think not. I do it every time I eat with others, whether at home or in public.

Would I eat with a gay person? Yes. Jesus gave me an example that he welcomed all sinners to eat with Him. Would I try to push my Christian values on a gay person while eating with them? No. I would only if invited to share my values. Would I keep from prayer before a meal if sitting with a gay person? No. I am who I am and just as I would respect the other by treating them as I would anyone else, I would expect them to respect me and allow me to be who I am. Yes, we can get along peaceably without political food fights.