God Bless Chick-fil-A
By Kathryn Sommers, Contributing Writer
Crowds inundated parking lots and waited in long lines for their chance to eat chicken meals on Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, August 1, 2012. A Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day video from Paramus, New Jersey shows that the recent controversy over Chik-fil-A has generated a host of support over the restaurant and its founder’s beliefs. This year on Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, the restaurant surpassed the record for day’s sales, showing overwhelming support for the company.
“We are very grateful and humbled by the incredible turnout of loyal Chick-fil-A customers on August 1 at Chick-fil-A restaurants around the country,” declared executive vice-president of marketing Steve Robinson. “We congratulate local Chick-fil-A Owner/Operators and their team members for striving to serve each and every customer with genuine hospitality” (abc news).
The hosts of crowds show that many Americans still believe and promote owner Dan Cathy’s beliefs in the idea of traditional marriage between one man and one woman, and in the rights of free speech and religion. MOVIEGUIDE supports both ideals as well, and will continue to promote these ideals in the entertainment industry.
Support flooded the restaurants especially this year due to the recent antagonism by Boston’s mayor, Thomas Menino. The recent conflict began when Menino wrote to Chick-fil-A and banned the company from building in his town due to its owner’s beliefs in traditional marriage.
The mayor’s reaction was to a comment by owner Dan Cathy:
“We’re inviting God’s judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at Him and say we know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage. And, I pray God’s mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude that thinks we have the audacity to redefine what marriage is all about.”
Menino considered the company had made a judgmental attack on an alternate way of life, yet the restaurant in no way prevents homosexuals from entering or eating in its establishment. Some homosexuals have taken Chick-fil-A’s stance as offensive, but some continue to frequent the restaurant for its good food and service.
Cathy’s view is that only God has the right to define marriage, but he did not reprimand homosexuals for their lifestyles. Boston’s mayor banned Chick-fil-A from his town not to protect individual beliefs, but to diminish those with whom he didn’t agree. The controversy has generated much discussion about promoting America’s basic liberties of speech and freedom, and about whether or not government has a right to limit a corporation based on its personal beliefs.
As Americans, we appreciate the freedom to shop where we wish, say what we wish, and believe what we wish. American corporations are free to support any movement they wish, but each decision carries a cost and determines which customers will frequent their establishments. As Chick-fil-A supports God ordained marriage, it may see a drop in sales among homosexuals. However, sales may increase among heterosexuals, since Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day broke the record of day’s sales. On the other hand, homosexuals may still frequent the establishment to flaunt their way of life as they did in tiny numbers on August 3, 2012, when the few homosexual activists kissed each other at the restaurant. Cathy viewed the protest as simply another chance to serve and show hospitality to customers, regardless of their beliefs and lifestyles. Robinson concurred: “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.” (ABC news).
Though the company refuses to discriminate on lifestyles, Cathy stands by his own beliefs. “We are very much supportive of the family,” he declared. “We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives” (ABC news). MOVIEGUIDE fully supports Chick-fil-A in its beliefs in the biblical definition of marriage and the promotion of the family as God’s basic unit of society. We will also continue to strive for promotion of freedom and good values in society and entertainment.
The record-breaking sales on Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day show that Americans still overwhelmingly believe in God ordained marriage and in the country’s basic freedoms: religion, speech, and good food.