Chick-Fil-A's Freedom of Speech- And Ours

I'm pretty sure almost everyone has heard about this latest debate... What I'm talking about is Chick-Fil-A... First I will put down some of the information that has been  all over the internet and then I will add my take on it all...

Chick-fil-A according to its website, which states that the purpose of the chain is to "glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us. To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A."

They also put out this statement: Chick-fil-A issued a statement Thursday saying that going forward, they would stay out of the dialogue over gay marriage. "Our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena," spokesman Don Perry wrote in an email to the LA Times.

Perry added that Truett Cathy founded the company with the intent to apply "biblically-based principles to managing his business."

"The Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect – regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender," Perry added.

If you haven't heard, here are a few things out there and why: 

Dan Cathy, the president and chief operating officer of popular fast food chain Chick-fil-A, said in a radio interview this week that legalizing same-sex marriage is “inviting God’s judgment on our nation.”

This is from a Chicago Politician;

• He said he will block Chick-fil-Afrom opening a restaurant in his ward, following anti-gay marriage remarks by the fast food chain's president... 
• "It's a very diverse ward-- economically, racially, and diverse in sexual orientation," Moreno told ABCNews.com. "We've got thriving businesses and we want more but at the very least don't discriminate against our LGBTQ folks."

This is from the Mayor of Boston; 

• Boston Mayor Thomas Menino sent Cathy a letter informing him "There is no place for discrimination on Boston's Freedom Trail and no place for your company alongside it."

The Muppets: 

The Jim Henson Company also severed ties with the establishment and have donated their earnings from making toys for the chain's kids' meals to the gay support organization GLAAD

My Take: 

This country was built on the right to believe what you believe... I have many friends that are gays and lesbians... They have a right do make decisions about what their preference is... It has nothing to do with me... I try not to judge others because I have enough things going on in my own life then to worry about what they are doing... Not saying I don't care... I don't have a right to tell them what is right for them... My own personal views and beliefs are that I stand by what the Bible has to say... I'm a Born Again Christian and I believe that the Bible was inspired by God...  Dan Cathy President of Chik-Fil_A had every right to say what he believes and no matter how he answered this question it was a no win situation... With his business being built on Christian values, why would someone think that he wouldn't stand behind those? We have had soldiers fighting for our rights and so many are in an uproar over his answer... 

I would welcome a company that isn't afraid to stand up for what they believe in... It's nice to see people standing up for what they believe...  It wasn't like they were going out looking to bash a group... They were asked a question on live radio and replied to that question... And now all these groups that had to have known if they went to their website that they were a Christian based company... 

Everyone has a right to have their own opinion... Even if I don't agree with someone that doesn't mean I don't respect them... I will be very happy to have a Chick-Fil-A in our town... 

There are many companies out there that are Christian/Religiously based... Here is a list of some of the best known companies... 

• In-N-Out Hamburgers-- If you look under their cups, wrappers and fry holders you will see Bible verses... 
• Tyson Foods, Inc. -- The world's largest chicken company employs a team of chaplains who minister to employees at production facilities and corporate offices. Other corporations contract out such services, but it's rare for a company to keep chaplains on the payroll. 
• Interstate Battery-- The car battery giant has a "self-avowed religious identity and is very open in their God talk" in internal training and communication, says Lake Lambert III, author of Spirituality, Inc. 
• Walmart-- Lambert says the Walton family, which founded the company and still own a major stake in it, has used Christian servant leadership models in building the world's largest retailer.
• Mary Kay - In a 1997 interview with Religion News Service, founder Mary Kay Ash attributed the cosmetics giant's success to a decision to "take God as our partner."
• George Foreman Cooking - The former heavyweight boxer became an ordained minister after a religious experience in 1977 and continues to share his religious experiences in the media and on Christian television today.
• Curves - Curves founder Gary Heavin is a born-again Christian who's staunch political conservatism and support of anti-abortion causes has cost the women's fitness chain some memberships, according to a 2004 interview with the Houston Chronicle.
• Marriott International- John Willard Marriott, founder of the international hotel conglomerate was a devout Mormon who held positions of leadership while building the empire bearing his name. In 2011, the chain made headlines when they announced they would no longer offer pornography among the pay-per-view in-room movie selections. The chain also has a history of sometimes placing the Book of Mormon in hotel rooms alongside the Gideon's Bible.