You see, dear friends, the same heart that is strengthened by Cardio and "clean" eating is being torn apart by all of the hate and crankiness being spewed out from the mouths of people on ALL sides of the "faith" issue. I am watching my beloved church being torn apart from within and attacked from without because of a few linguistic mishaps and misinterpretations and our human desire to trust in our own understanding despite God's very clear denouncement of just such behavior (Proverbs 3:5).
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| Truett Cathy (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
I have sat and watched Facebook and Twitter turn into a writhing pit of vipers over the recent stand taken by Chick-Fil-A's founder, Mr. Cathy, with BOTH sides (or many sides, in this case) calling for blood. The man simply, and very respectfully, stated the values that he founded HIS business on, and the whole world decided that this one decision was important enough to cause mass upheaval. Really?
*One of my atheist friends posted "...this just goes to show that all Christians are bigots." Does anyone else see what's wrong this that statement?
*A CHRISTIAN friend, who claims to know the love and forgiveness of her Savior, used this situation to announce that she would support CFA because she doesn't want the "gays to take over society." First, that has NOTHING to do with what Mr. Cathy said. Second, I had to snort at the ignorance she displayed on a public page...then I realized that my atheist friend, mentioned above, would probably feel that this sister's publicly spoken sentiment validated the atheist bigotry towards us bigotted Christians.
Do you know what my gay friends (Yes, I have them...God taught me to love and that is what I do. Don't like it, don't read my blog.) had to say? Not a word. Do you know why? Because they were mature enough to decide - without making it a public matter - whether or not they wanted to continue patronage at CFA. Many chose not to support the restaurant, and honestly, that is their right. They took a stand too...but they did it without the melodrama.
Folks, if you don't like the way a business is run, don't spend your money there. Please stop trying to force everyone else to think/shop/live exactly as you do, because that is the quickest way to magnify a molehill and take your eyes off the volcano right in front of you.
Oh, and please stop throwing out the "hate group" accusations. A group that disagrees with your opinion, lifestyle, or preferences is NOT a hate group; it is simply a group that disagrees with you. IF the group crosses the line into violence or threats, THEN it qualifies as a "hate" group because, and I know this is hard to really grasp, they are displaying "hatred." There ARE groups that call themselves Christian and act as hate groups. Bad news for them: Christ NEVER advocated hate of flesh and blood. He called us to LOVE our neighbors...not beat them into submission. There are also many other groups that advocate violence and threats to further their cause.
KKK = Hate Group (violence, threats, etc.)
ACLJ = Group with Opinions Other than the Norm (NOT violent, NOT a Hate Group)
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| American Center for Law & Justice (Photo credit: Wikipedia |
But a man who stands up and says that he does not support gay marriage is not a "hater." He's simply a man who has decided where to draw his line. And because he happens to own a business that he founded on those principles, that business has drawn the same line. Again, if that offends you, you absolutely should not spend a single penny in that establishment. BUT, you being offended does not justify throwing around the "hate" word and having a nationally publicized hissy fit. There are much bigger issues out there than whether or not CFA supports homosexual unions. Seriously.
With all of the anger and bickering going on, the entire country has turned away from the real issues plaguing society: poverty, hunger, unemployment, child abuse, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, domestic violence, rising suicide rates, CANCER...the list goes on and on. If you are going to pull out your soapbox and make a public service announcement, why not make it about something important to more than just you? Why not be about positive change, rather than about demoralizing and degrading the "other?" (That goes for ALL sides of this particular argument!)
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, your children are running astray. We want so much to do and say what's "right," but we fail to base our concept of "right" on your Word and your example. Instead we scream out war cries You did not author and fight battles unsponsored by Your will. I believe that, for many, we are not trying to rebel against you, but in our fervor for righteousness, we have set our aim based on our limited sightline rather than by your all encompassing gaze. Help us, Father. Speak into our hearts and soften edges that have gotten too sharp; humble us where pride has run rampant. Remind us of your amazing grace. We love you. We long to serve you. We live to share you will all who have ears to hear. In Jesus' Name, we pray, Amen.
