Is Chik Fil A Anti Gay?

[finehoe]

It is a dangerous precedent to tell business owners how they should spend their money

Who did that?

[Tacachale]

It is a dangerous precedent to tell business owners how they should spend their money

Who did that?

The straw man.

[chipwich]

Not really a straw man position. 

By, forcefully not going to this establishment and encouraging others to do the same because of the owner's ideological social/ political beliefs, then you are in fact sending the owner(s) of that company a message that you will no longer do business with their company due to the Personal donations of the owner(s).

Clear distinction I guess I am trying to make is:  If Chick-fil-a (the company) openly supported electro-shocking gay people and donated to it, then I would not want to support them as an establishment.  However, if the company remains neutral and the main owner decides to donate to such causes, it is out of realm of judgement.

Even being once removed from the company is enough for me personally not to care about how the profits are spent.  Those are personal decisions that should be left to individual person.  For the consumer to punish the company (and its managers, employees, and vendors for the actions of a company shareholder) is unfair to the company and sets a murky precedent (in my opinion, which understandably others may not share, which I respect either way).

[danno]

I wish someone could find out how many Chik-fil-a executives and store owners are divorced. Ya know, since they are "still married to their FIRST WIVES".
Wasn't he just pointing out we are a generation of "prideful, arrogant attitudes"?

Guess the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.

I have heard that the divorce rate in the christian community is equal to if not higher than the secular community.

[NotNow]

After reading 6 pages of these comments, Did it honestly come as a surprise to anyone that Chick-fil-a was against gay causes?

Who here seriously did not know Chick-fil-a was deeply rooted in southern evangelical/ Baptist tradition? (which by the way is probably not too keen on advancing gay equality)

Their job is to make chicken sandwiches and nuggets.  As far as fast food goes, I think they rank upon the best in terms of food quality (it looks like chicken you would cook at home, not mystery meat).  Their stores are clean and the service is friendly, polite, and competent. 

Does the owning-family invest in dumb and potential harmful causes?...maybe.  I imagine many adults entering those places for "treatment"might actually want to convert themselves over.   I am certainly against parents who try and force their children into electroshock nonsense programs. They are the ones who should have their heads examined, not the other way around.

The main difference is that since it is a family owned company, the funds between company and family seem fungible.  If they were a public company with many shareholders, then I guess most people wouldn't give a flip about what they spent their own money on, as long as the actual company didn't engage in the actual fundraising or activity of supporting harmful groups.

Does my chicken sandwich finance these programs?  The answer is yes, but only to a minuscule amount.  I am spending money at Chick-fil-a, and not giving money directly to the Cathy crazy fund.  If you shop at a non-organic grocery store, then you are likely buying Monsanto based food products and contributing to the bankruptcy of honest farmers and destroying our food-supply.  I can't say that I am going to stop buying Oreos or corn anytime soon.  Are any of you going to stop buying gas anytime soon?  Last I checked Bp and Exxon weren't exactly the greatest corporate citizens.

In another example, I usually have to go to Vegas once a year for a work convention.  The majority owner of the Las Vegas Sands (the Venetian/Palazzo) has pledged $100 million to Republican causes to make sure his side wins this year.  I do not agree with the guy one bit and think he is waisting his money on harmful causes.  However, I enjoy staying at his hotel(s) and gaming there more than any other place on the strip.  His harmful donations mean less to me than the guy at MGM blowing smoke in my face while I am trying to  throw dice. 

I guess what I am trying to say is: provide a good product at a good price.  What you do with your personal (non-corporate) money after that is your business, not mine.  It is a dangerous precedent to tell business owners how they should spend their money (regardless of how stupid or harmful the cause).  Likewise, business owners of that magnitude should have enough sense to stay out of politics and controversial causes. 

^^^Most logical post in the thread award!

[chipwich]

Thanks NotNow.  I appreciate the compliment

[stephendare]

meh.  not so logical really.

And people have been doing this for millenia, incidentally.

People also have the right (and frankly, the responsibility) to ba able to make choices about where their money ultimately ends up or is spent.

Welcome to the free market baby.  I know you guys never really like how it works, but at the end of the day, thats what it is.

[Tacachale]

The company itself is giving money to these organizations. People who don't like that are well within their rights not to give them their business. Not sure what's hard to understand about that.

[BigGuy219]

After reading some of the posts in this thread you'd think Mr. Cathy just arrived from Mars, had too much to drink, or is starting to suffer from senility.

However, this is far from the case. The truth is Mr. Cathy identifies as a Southern Baptist and is a strong Christian. These beliefs are shared by many in this country, particularly in Cathy's home state of Georgia, and right here in Jacksonville where the First Baptist Church is a fairly large and influential part of the community.

I don't think some of you want to admit just how many agree with Mr. Cathy's strong belief in traditional marriage. Supporting traditional marriage does not make someone 'anti-gay' or 'homophobic'.

This message board has always skewed young and liberal ... and young liberals are for just about anything. However, before you throw Mr. Cathy under the bus as a 'crazy old man' with 'nonsensical beliefs' take a look outside your bubble at the community in which you live. You might be startled just how many agree with him.

Here in Florida not only is gay marriage not recognized, but on the state level neither are civil unions and domestic partnerships. Sometimes I read some of the posts on this board and wonder how any of you could be from Jacksonville.

It took me about five minutes of living here to realize this was a close-minded, backwater, religious, hick town stuck about six decades in the past. How can some of you, who were born and raised here, not pick up on that? You can't see the forest for the trees!

[officerk]

Many people make decisions of where to patronize based on cost and quality. That is an American way. However Chip, another American way is to follow our heart and ideals.  Different people have different places that these weights gets carried.  I can completely understand someone not wanting to patronize a place that does not view them as an equal in society.  Its not like Chick-fil-a is the last place in the country to get a meal.  If people want to boycott based on this company's now vocal stand against Gay Rights, well that too is the American way.

http://marketday.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/19/12834900-chick-fil-a-goes-public-with-opposition-to-gay-marriage?lite&ocid=ansmsnbc11

[Tacachale]

After reading some of the posts in this thread you'd think Mr. Cathy just arrived from Mars, had too much to drink, or is starting to suffer from senility.

However, this is far from the case. The truth is Mr. Cathy identifies as a Southern Baptist and is a strong Christian. These beliefs are shared by many in this country, particularly in Cathy's home state of Georgia, and right here in Jacksonville where the First Baptist Church is a fairly large and influential part of the community.

I don't think some of you want to admit just how many agree with Mr. Cathy's strong belief in traditional marriage. Supporting traditional marriage does not make someone 'anti-gay' or 'homophobic'.

This message board has always skewed young and liberal ... and young liberals are for just about anything. However, before you throw Mr. Cathy under the bus as a 'crazy old man' with 'nonsensical beliefs' take a look outside your bubble at the community in which you live. You might be startled just how many agree with him.

Here in Florida not only is gay marriage not recognized, but on the state level neither are civil unions and domestic partnerships. Sometimes I read some of the posts on this board and wonder how any of you could be from Jacksonville.

It took me about five minutes of living here to realize this was a close-minded, backwater, religious, hick town stuck about six decades in the past. How can some of you, who were born and raised here, not pick up on that? You can't see the forest for the trees!

Wow, what a singularly dumb thing to say. So he's right because other people who agree with him? And anyone who disagrees simply doesn't count because they don't fit your skewed perception?

Can't argue with that logic! Seriously, don't question it.

[stephendare]

Tacachale, if only this were 'singularly' dumb for this poster.

Check out his posting history and you will find out that he actually says much dumber things rather often.

[RockStar]

^^Yeah, everybody knows we're only stuck 2 decades behind...3 tops. 

[buckethead]

Q: Can one be pro gay and pro free thought at the same time?

I find myself with no guilty feeling as I purchase a twelve piece value meal.

This might sound batshit crazy to many, but here goes;

An employer (corporate/LLC/sole proprietor) should be free to discriminate based upon any criteria they see as appropriate. Anti-discrimination laws are counter to the idea of liberty. Counter-productive.

We cannot legislate thought, but that doesn't seem to stop us from trying.

Of course,consumers should remain free to exercise their freedom of thought and choice as well. (ya know.... like ACA aka PIGPACT) 

[finehoe]

An employer (corporate/LLC/sole proprietor) should be free to discriminate based upon any criteria they see as appropriate. Anti-discrimination laws are counter to the idea of liberty. Counter-productive.

One would have to be completely ignorant of the history of civil rights in this country to make such a statement.  Perhaps you can elaborate for us how the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was "counter-productive".