Recently, only uttering the name of the restaurant chain Chick-fil-A has brought about significant controversy in the areas of theology, politics and commerce. Before sharing my own commentary, I must first communicate the lose-lose nature of this article.
Alex Gallimore
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I have no plans of joining either side of the debate but instead hope to offer what I believe is a rational perspective on something that has quickly blown up into yet another point of contention and division in the body of Christ. Progressives, with whom I most often identify, most will likely see my unwillingness to boycott Chick-fil-A as weak and lacking prophetic edge, while conservatives will likely see my lack of zeal in “eating more chicken” in the same light. Still, the Baptist in me committed to unity and shared partnerships with those of different viewpoints must call things the way they actually are.
By now, we should all be experts on the events that led to the aforementioned altercation. Chick-fil-A’s CEO Dan Cathy has made multiple comments in recent months reflecting his opposition to same-sex marriage and his support of what he believes to be the biblical view on traditional families. Cathy clarified his position in a July interview with The Biblical Recorder stating that the corporation is “very much supportive of the family—the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.” Cathy continued promising “to stay the course" on the issue and concluded his remarks with the understanding of how some would respond to his position but thankful to “live in a country where we can share our values and operate on biblical principles."
Almost overnight individuals, activist groups and even the mayors of a few major American cities threatened to boycott and ban Chick-fil-A from doing business in their areas. Facebook hasn’t helped. Countless responses have surfaced on the social media site in which voices on both sides of the discussion have waged a righteous war on one another over the Atlanta-based chicken restaurant.
Which leads me to my position on the matter. Chick-fil-A makes chicken. Chick-fil-A makes delicious chicken. That’s all I expect from them. I do not visit Chick-fil-A expecting a biblically or non-biblically sound Sunday school lesson in morality and ethics. I visit Chick-fil-A expecting a tasty meal that will likely lead to health issues later in life, while being reminded by the young person taking my order that it has been their pleasure to serve me. I go to Chick-fil-A because the company has a great product and because I could care less whether I agree with their corporate officer’s opinions on theology and politics.
As a Baptist I believe in religious liberty and I am thankful that my faith tradition inspired our country’s founders to also extend that liberty to the realm of speech. Dan Cathy or any corporate leader is free to think, believe and say whatever they wish and we should all be thankful for this. Limiting an individual these rights would be a slippery slope in the direction of oppression and would ultimately infringe upon us all. It is for that reason alone the bans threatened by some government officials are entirely unconstitutional. Chick-fil-A has not said they will refuse to hire or serve those in same-sex relationships and until that happens they are inside their legal rights. At the same time, more outspoken company heads should not be surprised when they lose or gain business because of their positions, as there are surely theological beliefs, business practices and ethical decisions advocated by each and every American corporation with which we would all likely agree and disagree.
The most troubling aspect raised by the great chicken controversy of 2012 is the division it has caused in the church and in our country. Those on both sides have cited Chick-fil-A’s “Christian view,” as if their position is the only Christian perspective. Truthfully, there are devout Christians who oppose same-sex marriage and those who support marriage equality. The only Christian view on anything is how we extend the love of Christ in our interactions with others and I cannot deny the history Chick-fil-A has of doing this for terminally-ill children, those living with special needs and a host of collegiate scholarship programs, whether they got things right this time or not.
So eat more chicken, or don’t. Let’s just not draw our battle trenches so deep we cannot climb out of them when we need to collaborate together in the future.
Alex Gallimore ([email protected]) is pastor of Hester Baptist Church in Oxford, N.C.