On July 16, President and COO of Chick-fil-A Dan Cathy was quoted in the Baptist Press as saying, “We are 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 thank God for that.”
That statement has sparked a firestorm across the nation.
Former Governor Mike Huckabee called for a “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day,” on the Aug. 1, in which people agreeing with Mr. Cathy’s values were to go to the restaurants and peacefully support the business. Lines were around the block at several restaurants.
Gay rights activists called for a “National Kiss-In Day” scheduled for the Aug. 3. Gay and lesbian couples showed at several locations and kissed. No violence was reported at any restaurant. People did show up to eat; lines at many restaurants were as long as the ones on the first of August.
Brett Walker of Barboursville, WV, waited for 40 minutes to receive his order. He stated that “the scene at Chick-fil-A seemed like a massive, silent protest.” He said he chose to eat there “in support of free speech.”
No specific numbers have been released about sales on either day. Steve Robinson, Chick-fil-A Executive VP of Marketing stated, “While we don’t release exact sales numbers, we can confirm reports that it [Aug. 1] was a record-setting day.”
The controversy is not over yet. During a celebrity roast which will air at 10pm ET on 12 Aug., for comedienne Rosanne Barr, actress Jane Lynch, who plays a gym coach on Fox’s “Glee,” stated, “This show is serving up more spoiled old hens than Chick-fil-A. That reminds me…F- Chick-fil-A.”
It is unknown whether her comment will be edited out for television airing.
Radio commentator Rush Limbaugh has weighed in as well. He stated in his Aug.6 broadcast, “Now Christianity has to be banned, and that’s where this is all headed. All this stuff at Chick-fil-A, the target is Christianity, not Chick-fil-A. The target is freedom of religion.”
Okay, people are weighing in passionately on one side or the other. One radio personality says the subject is freedom of religion. One TV star responded with profanity. Hundreds of thousands across the country showed support for the chain by showing up and eating. Thousands across the country showed up and kissed in front of restaurants.
There is one group that has yet to weigh in on the subject. They are noticeably absent from the discussion. Cathy made the statement that he and his family were still married to their first wives- where are the opponents of that?
Whatever one’s views are, Chick-fil-A is laughing all the way to the bank while we wait for the next salvo.
