Voices only: ‘Gratitude’
Welcome to Voices only. This week we feature Brandon Lake’s …
Chick-fil-A controversy: Should Christians pledge to ‘eat mor chikin?’
“Chick-fil-A-Gate,” as one minister dubs it, has caused quite a squawk in recent days.
The uproar ignited when the fried chicken sandwich chain’s president, Dan Cathy, told a Baptist newspaper that he backs “the biblical definition of a family.” The Associated Press breaks down the controversy:
ATLANTA (AP) — All of a sudden, biting into a fried chicken sandwich has become a political statement.
Chick-fil-A, the fast-food chain known for putting faith ahead of profits by closing on Sundays, is standing firm in its opposition to gay marriage after touching off a furor earlier this month.
Gay rights groups have called for a boycott, the Jim Henson Co. pulled its Muppet toys from kids’ meals, and politicians in Boston and Chicago told the chain it is not welcome there.
Across the Bible Belt, where most of the 1,600 restaurants are situated, Christian conservatives have thrown their support behind the Atlanta-based company, promising to buy chicken sandwiches and waffle fries next week on “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day.”
On Facebook, Twitter and blogs, many members of Churches of Christ have weighed in. In a post today, Tim Pyles, minister for the Broken Arrow Church of Christ in Oklahoma, questions just how Christ-like the response from the faithful has been:
Chick-fil-A-Gate has also reminded me just how easily we Christians can get our knickers in a twist. When something doesn’t go our way (and why should things ever go our way in a world that largely does not share our faith and values?) we tend to get just as “loud and proud” as the next “victimized” group. I wish that our responses weren’t so painfully predictable when we are gigged and goaded by others. We whine, cry foul, and vehemently insist on our rights, all at the expense of gutting our witness as followers of Christ. We vainly claim persecution at the slightest offense, while believers in other parts of the world truly suffer (and sometimes die) for their faith. “When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things,” (I Cor. 4:12-13). Our many liberties have spoiled American Christians into indignant discontent with being the scum and dregs of the earth; we simply won’t have it.
Reader feedback: Amid the ongoing Chick-fil-A controversy, should Christians pledge to “eat mor chikin?” What should the response of Christ followers be?
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FeedbackIn this secular world, it is important for Christians to stand up for the world of God or we lose our right to express it all! In Oregon, I know what it is to be reviled for my beliefs. Sure it is not real “suffering” but it can be hard at time. At the same time that we stand for God, we must also have a heart of love. But the heart of love, doesn’t mean that we say nothing! Too many did that in Nazi Germany and I believe people use it as an excuse not to say anything. I take courage from people in other countries who are truly under persecution and know that I owe it to them and to God to take my stand for his word even if only means eating more chicken!Karen GilbertJuly, 28 2012I find guidance here:
“Don�t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord�s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”
2nd Timothy 2:23-26, NIVJamesJuly, 28 2012Karen, I respect your opinion on agree with you on several of your points. And I don’t think you mean it that way at all, but please don’t draw parallel’s between the gay rights movement and the Nazi party. That quickly becomes very hurtful.Grant StephenJuly, 28 2012I think its ashamed that members of the Church if Christ are not more involved in the politics of today. 28 years ago the area of North Alabama I lived in was the largest metropolitan area of the country were alcohol could not be legally sold. But the Christians grew complacent and thought there was no way the area would vote yes to alcohol and many of them did not go vote that day, and the measure past despite the fact there were more than enough members of the Church of Christ and Baptist in the county that if everyone had voted there was no way it would have past. Before this one County went wet, there was only one county north of Birmingham where you could buy legally buy alcohol, and that was the states 4th largest city. Now you can buy it just about every where in North Alabama, except the one county where the Church of Christ is the strongest. What if they had stopped it 28 years ago, where would be today?
I am very interested in the Chick-fil-A case. This is a matter of tolerance. The media and the left in this country teach that everyone should have tolerance. But they will not tolerate anyone whose view is different from theirs. I use to own a video production company that did weddings. A couple that did this has been sued in Nevada because they refused to videotape a commitment ceremony between a gay couple. They lost the first round of the suit. Hopefully they will win on appeal because Nevada does not recognize gay marriage or commitment ceremonies. But if they can force a private business to cover something they don’t agree with then Christians need to fight that. there are also many Christian Pharmacist. The Obama administration is trying to force them to administer the abortion pill. What is a Church of Christ Pharmacist to do. Christians must become involved in things like this if we are to stop things like this from happening in our country. Other problems: Chaplains are being told to not say “In Jesus Name” in there prayers. Christians in Detroit where attack by Muslims and the police did not arrest any attackers, they stood by and watched for 10 minutes while the attack continued without helping the Christians escape.
What is happening with Chick-fil-A is just a symptom of the many illness that are occurring in our country because they are trying to drive God out. Our President leaves out the part about our rights being given by the Creator when ever he talks about the Constitution. As Christians we must do all we can to put a pro-life, pro-God president back in the office of President of the United States of America. That want stop the press from going after Chick-fil-A, but it may stop a lot of the other problems we are having in this country just because we are Christians.KimJuly, 28 2012The First Amendment gives everyone the freedom of speech and right to free religion. However, we are all created equal, so one person’s rights can’t trump someone else’s rights. I can state my religious beliefs and quote the Bible, and others can state their worldly beliefs, and we can all agree to disagree but I will die defending the Bible,the Lord’s church, and the truth, (if it comes to that). There are already ministers being arrested in Canada for preaching about homosexuality being a sin. People are beginning to persecute Christians, because we won’t give in to what is popular in today’s society. Whenever a group of people don�t like something from your religious belief that you are saying, and they begin a campaign to associate any mention of that topic with hate, anyone who has studied history (or the politics of other countries more recently) can see where it is headed and what their agenda is. Associating something with �hate speech� is an attempt to link it to �inciting violence.� So, before long, quoting the Bible might be legally considered to be inciting violence, and people will be arrested in the pulpits for reading particular scriptures. (That is happening in other countries now.) Loving someone enough to not want them to go to Hell is not the definition of violence, and I�m tired of people trying to link the two, personally.
The Bible teaches to love the sinner but hate the sin. That is the approach I take. Now our rights as Christians to be able to freely preach what the Bible says is starting to come under fire. I have studied too much history to see where that is leading. Whenever someone in this country quotes the Bible, people start trying to play the “you’re judging me” card, or saying we’re trying to infringe on THEIR rights, or they ask you what your beliefs are and start a media blitz to destroy you when you answer them. We have to back those up that are being made �examples of� as being �intolerant� and �hateful� when they are standing up for God. They have already begun a campaign to not allow Chick-Fil-A to open franchises in certain states because of the owner�s religious belief�but they can�t keep them from building a Muslim mosque at the Ground Zero site in New York City where the World Trade Center stood (because it might infringe on a Muslim�s religious beliefs.) We have a big problem right now, and the ones shouting the loudest will get their way. That is going to be the liberals if the conservatives don�t learn to clear their throats and speak up. Then you will begin having the problems these other countries have in regards to freedom to worship and practice Christianity unhindered. The greatest command is LOVE, not accepting everyone for who they are, no matter what they do or how they behave. Face it, the apostles weren’t thrown in prison because what they were saying was popular. We have to stop worrying about offending people and stepping on their toes if it means suppressing truth to do so. We must preach Hell, because many believe that it isn�t real. I have friends who think it is ok to be a homosexual Christian, which doesn�t even make sense. We can�t educate people about the truth if we keep the truth to ourselves because we are afraid they won�t like it.
Now, there�s the argument that we Christians seem to have a bigger problem with homosexuality than other sins. There are other things that Christians do not make as big of a deal about. I think we should make a bigger deal out of other matters. It is just as horrible the way the majority of today’s society has casual sex with multiple people out of wedlock, and how television has made that an acceptable lifestyle. However, the difference in this matter is that heterosexuals who have sexual sin aren’t trying to use the rhetoric to make everyone think that it is “hate speech” to speak out against fornication. That is what scares me about the whole LGBT movement. There is definitely an agenda there. They have spokespeople in Hollywood pushing it. YouTube pushed a �It Gets Better� campaign about bullying, and most everyone who participated in it was supposedly �bullied� because they were gay�not because they were nerdy or dorky. The whole campaign was to promote the LGBT Movement. They try to say anyone who says homosexuality is wrong is a “bully.” The thing is, if they are right, and it doesn’t matter how they live, why are they so strong on promoting it and putting it out there. Why do celebrities have to announce what their sexual orientation is in public statements? It is to promote a cause.
We absolutely should make a big deal out of it when a group is working and plotting to take away our Christian rights.Jeff HollandJuly, 28 2012I totally agree with you Karen. I don’t think you were comparing “gay rights” to the Nazi party at all but making a point about feeling free to express beliefs.Christians in our country are being made to feel they can’t speak out about something they believe is wrong and violates God’s will.Earlene BrayJuly, 28 2012Kim:
I wish fewer members of Churches of Christ were involved in the politics of the day. We’ve gotten to the point where we confuse conservative politics and culture with biblical Christianity. David Lispcomb, James Harding, and many of our pioneer preachers objected to this type of political involvement by Christians and for good reason: the focus on politics does just that, places the focus on worldly politics (often dressed up in religious garb) and off of our true calling as Christians.
When we stop screaming about the politics of gays and about Presidential politics, we might find that we can actually share the good news with others.Josh J.July, 28 2012Exactly Earlene! I was not comparing the gay rights movement to Nazism! I was speaking to the fact that Christians didn’t speak truth during that time because they just wanted to get along. We should speak up against anything that is against God’s will in our culture. Paul certainly did.Karen GilbertJuly, 28 2012As a side note. After reading posts written by young C of C people, I am beginning to be convinced that our colleges are doing a terrible job of teaching the Word and American history. I find that the kids that I know from Baylor seem to have it more together on some real important issues. I know this is ancedotal but that is what I am getting from posts on Facebook.Karen GilbertJuly, 28 2012I like what James quoted ( 2 Timothy 2: 23-26). My human tendency is to want to argue and defend my beliefs or viewpoint. That makes me come across to others as not very caring and loving. But, I did appreciate what Dan Cathey said about marriage, and the fact that Chick-fil-le is not open on Sundays. I am planning to eat there August 1st. I really feel torn many times. I know that James Dobson (of Focus On The Family) wrote a number of years ago, to the effect that many homosexuals are pushing their agenda, and that Christians should stand up for marriage (between a man & woman). He seemed very concerned that “gay” groups were pushing their agenda in school and public. What is a Christian to do or think? Should we be quieter about it? Is it wrong to show support for Chick-fil-et? I appreciate the comments on here.Jo TurnerJuly, 28 2012The fact that the Chronicle asked the question is very telling. “If” we “offend” people with the truth what in the world was Paul thinking when he said the things he said (BTW by inspiration) in Romans 1?Russ McCulloughJuly, 28 2012The Cathys made their point. And they made their choice, knowing or having should have known what would happen if they did. (I don’t see them as martyrs for having made either.) So, I feel no need to involve myself in it. I rarely eat anything from Chick-Fil-A anyway: this will make no difference either way.
I will note that they’ve gotten a lot more publicity out of this than they ever would have out of the Muppet characters. (I don’t remember ever seeing any of the Muppets associated with Chick-Fil-A – whereas, by contrast, I do know those ‘eat mor chikin’ cow characters.) So, maybe they’re getting a net benefit from the whole controversy.Mike JonesJuly, 29 2012When good men do nothing, evil wins.
Every American should watch the documentary “MONUMENTAL”. It shows how Mr. Cameron thinks God directed the Pilgrims in establishing this country and the price they paid to be able to own and read the Bible.ken hargesheimerJuly, 29 2012Supporting Christian stances is commendable. And pointing out non-Christian responses (as well as illegal threats) is commendable as well. There is no “victimization” in agreeing with others who align their values with clear Biblical teachings, and refuse to compromise Godly values for the sake of political party affiliation.Alan S.July, 29 2012I agree with what chick fia a owner has to say and I believe America needs to be woke up. We have become too complacent and tolerant of sin in this world. I believe with the laws of this world that they must serve everyone but I also believe they can vocalize their beliefs. We must all remember God is number one and if you do not believe in God and his power then woe be to you.DebraJuly, 29 2012Homosexuality is a sin! Sin means missing the mark. God made men and women to be attracted to each other, to marry and bear children. This is God’s way. A perversion of this is taboo. Why would anyone fight for sin-don’t you remember Sodom and Gomorrah?Jerry WheelerJuly, 29 2012EAT MOR CHIKIN! CHRISTIANS NEED TO SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROMOTE THE FAMILY THAT GOD CREATED! GENESIS 2:18-25.CHRIS HOLLEYJuly, 29 2012Christians do have a responsibility to stand up for Biblical Morality. When we allow our voice to be heard, we show others, especially our children, what we believe. When we remain silent, others assume we have no opinion or support the loudest voice. Yes, there are others in the world enduring much more persecution, I understand that. I don’t have the means to travel to those places to support those Christians. I do have the means and responsibility to teach my children to stand up for what they believe, and to teach them to believe God’s word. “All that is needed for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”DeniseJuly, 29 2012My family and I support Chick Fil A for doing the right thing. Either you follow Gods words or you don’t there is no middle ground. We live in a country that is centered around “me” and my needs only. That “me” starts at the White House and goes everywhere. Every day I’m around men who choose “me” and not God. We can continue to sit in a building on Sunday morning, or we can follow and improve our relationship with our creator and do what he states. “Love your neighbor as yourself”.Bill SheppardJuly, 29 2012I believe that the church can make a change in society and culture, but I believe that it must come one person at a time. If you want to take a stand against sin, befriend a sinner and show them the love of Christ. Show them that there is a better way in Jesus. Do this on a personal level. If you want to lead someone away from sin, you have to show them that you love them and genuinely care for them. If you are a stranger, then why would they listen to you? More often than not, it just makes the sinner angry and unfortunately lessens the chances of them turning to Christ. We are to speak the truth, but we are to “speak the truth in love.”
This, I believe, is what made the early church so effective. They did so by loving their neighbors as themselves. They did so by loving their enemies. They did so by dedicating themselves to the Word and to fellowship and to prayer. They did so by caring for the poor and downtrodden. They did so by living the way of Jesus and declaring the gospel not just with their lips, but more importantly they proclaimed it with their lives. They stood as evidence of what a life transformed by Christ looked like.
If you want to change the world, start next door. Why don’t you invite your neighbor to Chick-Fil-A? 😉Mike MilesJuly, 29 2012Well, by speaking out in support of Chick-Fil-A on my Facebook friend, I accidentally began a private conversation with someone who I am friends with who is homosexual (but I didn’t realize it). We have been talking back and forth for two days now, and, though she was a little defensive at first, when she learned that just because I believe the Bible and don’t believe in same sex marriages and believe homosexuality is a sin, I do not hate people who sin. I hate the sin, not the sinner. She had lots of questions, and I have given her Biblical answers, constantly reminding her not to shoot the messenger. If I hadn’t spoken out, this opportunity to teach someone God’s Word would not have presented itself. I’ve learned this week that many think that “people” are judging them, and the think that God would never condemn them. This girl now knows that she is deliberately choosing to live in sin if she continues, and is struggling because she wants to please God. She also knows, now, that we live under the New Testament law, which she was confused about. I’m working on explaining denominationalism to her now, because, like many others, she doesn’t understand why everyone can believe differently and still go to heaven, so why can’t she believe differently and be homosexual. The main arguments the homosexuals use are that we only pick a choose what we want to out of the Bible (because we don’t follow the Old Law, and they don’t have an understanding that we only live under the NT today. They think it doesn’t matter how you worship (because of all of the denominationalism confusion) so it doesn’t matter how they live either. They tend to believe in Hell, but don’t think that God would really send someone there. (These are just things I have personally picked up on by discussing with wome people.) Anyway, if you speak up for Christ, you never know who God will put in your path. God tells people that if they seek the truth they will find, but He also commanded us to go and preach to all of the world. If we are being quiet and not doing our part, it’s going to make it harder for those who are seeking to find. It’s a symbiote relationship. If we don’t speak up, they may just go on seeking the truth. NOT doing what God commanded us Christians TO DO is just as bad as doing something that He told us NOT to do.Jeff HollandJuly, 29 2012As a steward of my families finances, I purposely make decisions everyday. My family doesn’t go to 99% of movies, not only because of the content (sin times 100), but because I don’t want my money to support the beliefs that Hollywood spews. When people ask why I don’t go to the movies, I’m able to share my beliefs in a loving, non-threatening way. As Christians, our actions speak louder than words and this will come across when we vote with our money. Too many people who claim to be following Christ, are compromising their witness by supporting businesses that are now “in your face” with their ungodly practices. I don’t shop at these businesses. I tend not to bring up controversial topics with people that I know are going to disagree because one conversation with them is not going to change their mind. Being there over the long haul and loving them through the tough times is what lets people see Christ in us. I have a friend who converted to Christianity from Islam, not because of what I said, but because she saw me living out what the Bible said.LynneJuly, 29 2012I think there is a question we need to ask ourselves when we seek answers as to how to react to such things. In 1st Corinthians 6:9 we find one of the passages upon which we as Christians base our understanding of this controversy: “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
However, we tend to stop there. We rarely go on to verse 11 (usually because we’re too busy arguing vs 9). But verse 11 is the passage that may pertain most to the question this blog post asks: “AND THAT IS WHAT SOME OF YOU WERE. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” In the first century, the disciples were effective in winning people caught up in all these sins to Christ. We, however, are caught up in culture wars and political wrangling. The question we need to seriously, soberly, prayerfully wrestle with is: Why were they winning people like this to Christ and a godly life while we are just boycotting and protesting back and forth? What were they doing that we aren’t? Find that answer, and you’ve found the real way forward.JamesJuly, 31 2012While I agree that Christians have a responsibility to stand up for the truth and to convert as many souls to Christ as we can, I do not agree with many of the methods Christians currently use to accomplish this mission. Instead of letting our “religion” guide our polictical decision making, we have made a religion out of politics. Political discussions and issues have invaded the church, and even worship services often turn into some kind of political platform. We have got to step back and reassess where we are and where we are going if we truly want to evangelize this world. I think often times people (including Christians) make too big a deal out of relatively small things and we miss the whole point of our purpose on earth. Look at the situation from both sides, and then proceed to stand up for what you believe is right. I bet we would win more souls to Christ by showing our love to others instead of harshly reacting to political decisions we don’t necessarily agree with. Bottom line…I love chicken, I love Chick-fil-A, and no matter what, I’ll eat there when I’m hungry for it. I will still be a Christian…that much will never change!Kira MJuly, 31 2012Stay out of it. It’s none of your business. Eat chicken if you want ortherwise go on and live your life with dignity. Boy! some people just don’t have enough to do.Shirley (Hughes) BoorsmaJuly, 31 2012I hope Christians never stop participating in the political process in this country. Romans 13 teaches that governing authorities are established by God. In our form of government, “we the people” have that God-given authority. We should always seek God’s wisdom to speak the truth in love. To abandon our responsibility to be good citizens because politics are too “un-Godly” would be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Please pray for our country and for God’s mercy.Grant MillerJuly, 31 2012Where the Bible is explicitly clear on an issue, we should be explicitly clear on where we stand. Expressing where we stand on a issue of sin, is not hate speech (a some have called it). When, and if, someone does express hateful language toward someone in sin, that is contrary to what Christ has taught. First, we must love; then, we must be examples of that love to others. Only then, can we hope to change the world.JoeJuly, 31 2012In a democratic society, it is important for Christians to speak up. I would argue we haven’t been vocal enough when our rights are being compromised or trampled. The Chick-fil-A case is not only an opportunity for Christians to show solidarity with a business that is trying to honor God but it is also a serious First Amendment threat. The mayors who have threatened Chick-fil-A’s right to do business in their cities are trying to squelch their freedom of speech and religious thought. It’s ironic that Chick-fil-A isn’t welcome in Boston and Chicago but these mayors never voiced any complaints about HBO, Playboy, Abercrombie & Fitch or a host of other companies that do much more social harm.DaveJuly, 31 2012Tim Pyles comment which includes this;”I wish that our responses weren�t so painfully predictable when we are gigged and goaded by others, all at the expense of gutting our witness as followers of Christ” is completely inappropriate as related to the Chick-Fil-A situation. This is all about Christians taking a public stand against the encroachment of immoral standards being enforced by publicly elected officials intimidated by a small minority of people. Standing with Chick-Fil-A is a totally appropriate and commendable Christian witness.Clarence RichmondJuly, 31 2012I do think that it’s very popular today to use the word “TOLERENT”.
Society uses that word as if it’s being loving. But I don’t think
being tolerent is the same thing as loving.
Mr. Cathy just spoke out on what the Bible says regarding marriage.
As Christian’s we all are to stand up and share what the Bible says and not just tolerate sin. We actually can do this with LOVE in our hearts for others.
Being gay is a sin. Lying is a sin. Stealing is a sin. Having sex
outside of marriage is a sin-it’s called fornication. Adultery is a sin. Killing is a sin. Gossiping is a sin. We are all sinners.
That’s why as a Christian, because my Savior came and died for the forgiveness of my sins and your sins we can be proud to share this fact to others. Then when we’re baptised we have forgiveness of
our sins and we become Christians we are different because we are trying not to sin anymore because we’re trying to be like Christ.
It’s human nature to get on the defensive and hate Christians or call us fanactics or other names when we point out someone’s wrong-doing. But we don’t say these things out of meanness or hate but out of love for others.
We are not doing our children any favor when we tolerate them lying, stealing, or living with their girlfriend or boyfriend just because it’s popular today.
We must NOT SHOW TOLERANCE BUT SHOW LOVE and TELL THEM TO READ
THE BIBLE TO FIND OUT HOW WE ARE TO BEHAVE and that we LOVE THEM and
more importantly, GOD LOVES THEM.
HOWEVER, GOD does not TOLERATE SIN- HE HATES IT! Eternity is forever and Hell is very real.
P.S.
Like my Mother often said to me when I messed up or sinned.
“I want to go to heaven, don’t YOU want to go to heaven?”
I admit, while growing up these words really irritated me…As an adult,however, now I think how much my mother loved me. pampam T.July, 31 2012Thanks Jeff Holland for your comments and prayers up for your friends ears to hear as the Spirit guides her through Scripture.
As in your case, my daughter dates a boy who is un-churched. His understanding of “truth” is cultural. The Chick-filet topic came up this weekend and my daughter was strong in her opinions and upset at what the media was portraying. Her boyfriend when considering homosexuality asked “it’s wrong?” This led into a conversation about biblical truth, Scriptures read, and an opportunity for future bible study. His whole understanding of Gay Rights in the USA has been rocked.
Chick-filet embroiled in controversy over “truth?” What an opportunity! Is this like the man who was caught in a flood and climbed to his roof-top to escape the flood waters? A boat comes by and a helicopter comes by and both times the man failed to recognize God’s hand? The man perishes and later converses with the Almighty and asked God why He wouldn’t help him – God says I sent a boat, a helicopter and you refused my offers.
Shall we use the Chik-filet controversy as an opportunity to speak Truth in love?Chris IshmaelJuly, 31 2012I agree with you Joe, unfortunately our message of love (at least many of the comments preceding you) are secondary to making sure the homosexuals know they are sinning! Is it any more a sin than adultery, gluttony or drunkenness? Christians are really good at picking and choosing the sins they detest when it has no direct appeal to them. We are so very concerned with this issue, yet the divorce rate among heterosexuals in the cofC is quickly approaching secular levels. Let’s all go eat some more chicken and feel good we aren’t as sinful as those detestable homosexuals – that will show them who’s righteous and who isn’t.KentJuly, 31 2012Our nation (society) is in the gutter. I’m eating chik fil a on Wednesday, along with my entire family, as a statement of support for morality in our nation. Our voices are few when compared to the opposition. We stand now, or our voices will be silenced.
A poem that you may recall:
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on that sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.Ross WillinghamJuly, 31 2012Persecution against Christians has been going on since Our Lord came to this despicable orb. Hunted by Harod, tried by the Sanhedrin, sentenced and murdered by the Romans.
I seem to remember Jesus saying: Very truly I tell you; no servant is greater than his master.
The world hated Jesus and His followers, nothing has changed.
The gay community is intolerant of anybody who doesn’t agree with their agenda, Christian or not, yet they expect everyone to be absolutely tolerant of them.
One cannot argue with a mentally deranged individual.RonJuly, 31 2012Most of us have heard Edmund Burke’s saying though how exact is in question.
In 1867 the British philosopher and political theorist John Stuart Mill delivered an inaugural address at the University of St. Andrews. The second sentence in the excerpt below expresses part of the idea of the quotation under investigation.
Let not any one pacify his conscience by the delusion that he can do no harm if he takes no part, and forms no opinion. BAD MEN NEED NOTHING MORE TO COMPASS THEIR ENDS, THAN THAT GOOD MEN SHOULD LOOK ON AND DO NOTHING.AnitaJuly, 31 2012I find it sad that people want to boycott Chick fil a just because of their stand on gay/lesbian relationships is wrong. They are not saying they will not serve them. They have the best service and all of them are very friendly. This world is getting worse I can’t wait for Jesus to come.MelonieJuly, 31 2012I am from India and I found the discussion/comments very interesting. You (Americans) are really a privileged lot to be able to share so much. Let’s remember: the sum of Thy word is truth(Ps 119:160) Let’s remember God has put the politicians in their seat, including the evil men in mid-east etc. There are some rulers who want to manipulate the world politics and “religion” through lies & propaganda. I know of at least two nations which are friends of USA but have done treachery to USA and for the cause of Christ.
It is OK to make statements on what to stand for but it is very important that you live a life of Christ(“righteous”)Are we the salt of the earth? Are we the light of the world as God has required of the saved ones? The world is a terrible place to be in. We have other nations preaching with all lies and deception that their system/way of life and religion is far better than Western way!!! When our lives shine for Christ our politicians and all the rest(powerful elements) will speak for us and the world will be a better place.. 0ur (Christians’)divorce statistics do not speak for us nor what we stand for!!!RAJAAugust, 1 2012If we stand for nothing we’ll fall for anything. It’s been said that all it takes for evil to prevail is for a few good men to do nothing. I’m for marriage by GOD”S DESIGN.
Remember, “God” outlawed homosexual marriage in “Sodom and Gomorrah.”
I’m eating more chicken!Robert “BOB” MoormanAugust, 1 2012As Christians, I hope that we will always promote and support businesses, charities, and any efforts that promote and support Biblical morals and values. What I am wondering, however, is will we “deprive” ourselves and make “sacrifices” by choosing not to support and promote businesses that promote and support sinful behaviors such as Sears, JCPenney, Home Depot, Target, etc.? If Christians only speak in words and actions about what we support, yet we continue to also support places like these and many more, what are we truly saying?TarynAugust, 1 2012I agree that this is a non-issue for Christians. I see mob mentality on both sides of this with both sides adhering to rhetoric and not looking at the facts. Yes, Christians around the world suffer, and I mean suffer, for their faith. We aren’t really suffering over chiken. Those going to Chic-fil-a today will leave well fed and Mr. Cathey is going to make a bazillion bucks off of this. Are we tolerant of anyone from the LBGT attending our services? If not, why? We might want to ask us what group of other sinners we wouldn’t welcome. Remember the people Jesus ministered to. Rich, poor, prostitutes [imagine one of those showing up on Sunday morning!], evil tax collectors, the sick and disabled. We need to ask ourselves “WWJD” and remember that He instructed us to 1) Love the Lord with all our being and 2) to love our neighbors as ourselves. The LGBT community are our neighbors.Teresa NystromAugust, 1 2012Seems to me the ruckus started when a man stated his belief on a particular subject, for which he was attacked.
Seems to me a ruckus started when a man (apostle this time) was being reviled for standing for his rights. And didn’t he say something like “I appeal to caesar” to claim his rights?
Just maybe even Christians have some rights — esp those when untold thousands have given their blood for the right to freedom for others.
No?DARREL LEMONAugust, 1 2012Jesus would not have walked into a Chick-Fil-a today. Eating a chicken sandwich and thinking you did something righteous is about as absurd as it gets. And the judgement spewed out in comments on this site by folks who sin just as often as a gay person in Jesus’ eyes is beyond troubling. Did you advance the kingdown with that fried chicken you gorged on?KentAugust, 1 2012As Christians, we should welcome anyone to come and worship with us. We have on our sign, “Visitors Welcome!” Sinners cannot hear the Gospel and learn what they need to do and change in their lives to be saved if we won’t let them hear the message. I hope there aren’t congregations of the church of Christ out there who would tell someone they weren’t welcome to worship with them.
However, if they are coming to worship with us so that they can try to get us to re-write the Bible for them and be tolerant so that they can choose to live in sin and get into Heaven too, it should be pointed out to them very quickly that it does not work that way. God’s Word if final…majority doesn’t rule…there are no loopholes by getting our earthly government to accept it…and we’re not going to condone their sinning so that they can feel good about themselves. We love them and God loves them…and we and God want them to go to heaven, but they have to do their part.
That being said, if the LGBT movement were to get their way and they get laws passed to “protect their rights,” they will try to come into our worship assemblies and catch ministers preaching from the Bible that homosexuality is wrong. And they will go to the press and tell them how the preacher said that Christians hate homosexuals, and the persecution will then turn to the churches…not a fast food restaurant. That is my fear, and that is why we mustn’t stand by silently and do nothing. I love the Bible, I love the Constitution (especially the First Amendment) and I don’t want to lose the wonderful freedoms we have to discuss this and not have the government come into our homes to arrest us for doing so (as they do in other countries.) We must always approach issues, no matter what they are, in a loving way. The greatest command is love. If we approach it any other way than that, the devil will find a way to make an example of us and show the world how hypocritical we are. Yes, the divorce rate in America is high, and I know many who have left the church to choose to marry someone without a biblical right. It’s no different really…they are choosing earthly love that will last for a few years over an eternity of peaceful tranquility with the Almighty God. Bad choice, but the same idea. I’m not choosing to speak out against homosexuality over other sins, but this LGBT Movement is a threat against our Christian freedoms right now, and the divorce rate isn’t at the moment…so I do believe standing up at this time against this issue is important to retain our freedom of religion.
If you have ever studied history in depth, you realize that it is much easier to fight for your rights and keep them than it is to lose them completely and then try to get them back. (That’s almost impossible.)Jeff HollandAugust, 1 2012When did supporting a man stating his beliefs about marriage become an act against another human being. Why assume anyone eating at Chick Fil-A has ever mistreated anyone. Seems to me a lot of condeming and judging going on.AnitaAugust, 1 2012Everyone should see the documentary MONUMENTAL. It is the story of the price the Pilgrims paid to own and read the Bible before they even arrived in the USA.
Let’s defend what it teaches at every opportunity.ken hargesheimerAugust, 2 2012Part of the heritage of the churches of Christ has been to ask the question, �What did the early church do?� Even more important, �What did Jesus teach? What does the Bible instruct?�
Looking at this recent controversy, we must ask the question again. The early church faced all sorts of persecution. Some of it was physical persecution. Though widespread arrest and persecution (i.e. being thrown to the lions) did not happen until AD 249 and Emperor Decius, it still existed. (Nero used Christians in Rome as a scapegoat for the burning of the city in AD 64.) Still, the church faced all sorts of social persecution. Christians were shunned and mocked, publicly ostracized for their beliefs. Becoming a Christian often meant losing your friends and even family. It was a very difficult time to be a Christian, especially for those who were new converts. The First Epistle of Peter goes to great lengths to encourage these new Christians facing persecution to press on.
That said, what was their response? How did the early church respond to the world being against them? They stood firm in their beliefs, not allowing the opposition to sway them from their faith. They loved and showed the love of Christ to the community. They served, giving to those who were in need and taking care of the downtrodden and vulnerable. They forgave. They showed the world that there was a better way to live.
But they did not show anger, though they had the right to be angry. Though they may have been hurt or offended, they did not show it. They did not strike back. They followed the example of Jesus, who faced the worst kinds of suffering and persecution, yet did not seek revenge. To his followers, Jesus commanded them to not retaliate. At the end of Matthew 5, Jesus instructs us to turn the other cheek if one side is struck. If someone takes your shirt from you, give them your coat, too. If someone forces you to go a mile, go with them two miles. The basis for this action is love. Verse 44: �But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.�
As today�s followers of Christ, we must do the same. Loving our enemies is not just a good idea from Jesus; it�s an expectation and requirement. When we are attacked, we must turn the other cheek. We must follow the instruction given to us in Romans 12:9-21. To condense, we read: �Bless those who persecute you.� �Live at peace with everyone.� �Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God�s wrath.� �If you enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.� �Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.�
I believe our response to this situation could have been different. What does it look like to turn the other cheek and to overcome with good? That�s the challenge. What if we gave free sandwiches to those who boycotted Chick-Fil-A? Sure, most would have turned them down, but it would have showed that we love them. What if we supported Chick-Fil-A like we did, but instead of eating the food ourselves, we gave those sandwiches to the poor and hungry? These are ways we could have responded and our opponents would have had a hard time saying anything against us.Mike MilesAugust, 2 2012Let us use every opportunity to teach the gospel to every creature. I made 3 contacts for further study Aug 1 at Chic Fil A yesterday. I was glad to know the company’s VP was an elder in the Lord’s church. Before he passed away recently, I trust he was supported by brethren in the stand he took for honoring the Lord’s day, now known nationwide. Praise God for men of faith and courage.Alvin JenningsAugust, 2 2012The only thing necessary for evil to win is to have the christians keep their mouths shut.Timothy YoungAugust, 2 2012I would support what the CEO is doing by eating there if one was close…but most important…we need to continue doing the good works commanded by God and his son…and leave the Worldly things to God…maybe these times will hasten Christ coming again to take us home…God willing. 🙂Gail GreenAugust, 2 2012This is great!!I get to eat fast food chicken and feel good about being a Christian for doing it. Is this what the religious right is all about? I hope not.Thomas SuttonAugust, 3 2012In short, I don’t care what goes on in this world. I am a citizen of a better country. As a “Ambassador for Christ”, I have “political immunity”! We are to “seek and save the lost” NOT stand up to them!todd padgettAugust, 3 2012@toddpadgett
Amen…our Lord will save all…do as he commands and join us in the hope of salvation for ALL who do his will. He WILL judge us with HIS word…lets do whatever it takes to walk in the light of Jesus Christ.Gail GreenAugust, 4 2012“This World Is Not My Home, I’m just a passin’ through.” I love that song. I also love the song “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the Lord” But if I sing it and don’t mean it, then wouldn’t that be a little hypocritical?Jeff HollandAugust, 6 2012How many members of the church of Christ support Penny’s and Target that promote gay marriage and couples? Just sayin.Gene CalvertAugust, 6 2012
