It is rare that so many people have such twisted opinions over
a topic that seems to delineate itself quite as nicely as the Chick-fil-a
debacle. The normal system of simply standing up for what you believe in seems
to have become convoluted as the issue of free speech has arisen.
They gave a reasonable statement and one that many who would not normally be interested in such issues have noticed and been appeased by even if they do not necessarily agree with their views. These people have subsequently seen any criticism of Chick-fil-a as an affront to the free speech Chick-fil-a have exercised. The issues however, run deeper than that.
Therein lies the problem. In a world where social media has allowed the propagation of one view to spread en-mass an idea, or opposing ideas, often gain a quick foothold. The flip side of that is that any speech by either side is too often taken to mean the desire to not have the opposition state theirs. I am opinionated enough to blog therefore I hold my own views up as ideal but whilst economic views can always be challenged social ones are often tough to accept as potentially incorrect. The idea of others disagreeing is anathema to the average blogger and those people who hold such views must be proved wrong, its human nature. However the transcendent concept must always be Voltaire’s motion that we can despise a view but defend the people’s right to hold it (succinctly summed up by Evelyn Beatrice Hall).
Chick-fil-a and its COO Mr Dan Cathy have issued a statement in response to critics of its charitable donations to anti-gay/anti-homosexual marriage campaigns. The statement stated that:
We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives,’
“We don’t claim to be a Christian business, companies are not lost or saved, but certainly individuals are. But as an organization we can operate on biblical principles.”
“I think we are 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,”
“Chick-fil-A serves all of our customers, team members and potential team members with the utmost honour, dignity and respect.”
“At the heart and soul of our company, we are a family business that serves and values all people regardless of their beliefs or opinions,” Cathy wrote. ‘‘While my family and I believe in the Biblical definition of marriage, we love and respect anyone who disagrees.”
They gave a reasonable statement and one that many who would not normally be interested in such issues have noticed and been appeased by even if they do not necessarily agree with their views. These people have subsequently seen any criticism of Chick-fil-a as an affront to the free speech Chick-fil-a have exercised. The issues however, run deeper than that.
Therein lies the problem. In a world where social media has allowed the propagation of one view to spread en-mass an idea, or opposing ideas, often gain a quick foothold. The flip side of that is that any speech by either side is too often taken to mean the desire to not have the opposition state theirs. I am opinionated enough to blog therefore I hold my own views up as ideal but whilst economic views can always be challenged social ones are often tough to accept as potentially incorrect. The idea of others disagreeing is anathema to the average blogger and those people who hold such views must be proved wrong, its human nature. However the transcendent concept must always be Voltaire’s motion that we can despise a view but defend the people’s right to hold it (succinctly summed up by Evelyn Beatrice Hall).
Chick-fil-a are free to hold these views. If they do not act on them I don’t
even have an issue with a company any more than a person who makes such a
statement. What does begin to take the proverbial biscuit however is when they
make donations labelled charity to companies such as WinShape who funnel their
donations into campaigns that oppose gay marriage rights and advocate the use
on conversion therapy.
These two causes not only prevent some from getting their fundamental rights to marry but can cause long term mental issues to those who feel pressured into conversion therapy. Many places use methods that are unfounded and none have been broadly accepted in the scientific community.
Whilst I do feel that there is a fundamental logical and moral flaw underpinning both those causes others do not, whilst they are sanctioned Chick-fil-a also has the right to donate to them.
The rest of us however have the right to oppose this, to fight this, to even mock it. It is not necessary for something to be illegal to be wrong. If you feel the urge to back Chick-fil-a then yes you are agreeing with their views because nobody is taking away their free speech. This issue is not the twisted political ideal vs opposition many have played it out to be it simply comes back down to backing gay rights or not.
Follow me on twitter at @TheTomAtkinson
For further reading
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2175587/Chick-fil-A-President-fast-food-chain-Dan-Cathy-OUTS-company-ANTI-GAY--proud-it.html
http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/homosexual-activists-demand-removal-of-chick-fil-a-from-college-campuses/These two causes not only prevent some from getting their fundamental rights to marry but can cause long term mental issues to those who feel pressured into conversion therapy. Many places use methods that are unfounded and none have been broadly accepted in the scientific community.
Whilst I do feel that there is a fundamental logical and moral flaw underpinning both those causes others do not, whilst they are sanctioned Chick-fil-a also has the right to donate to them.
The rest of us however have the right to oppose this, to fight this, to even mock it. It is not necessary for something to be illegal to be wrong. If you feel the urge to back Chick-fil-a then yes you are agreeing with their views because nobody is taking away their free speech. This issue is not the twisted political ideal vs opposition many have played it out to be it simply comes back down to backing gay rights or not.
Follow me on twitter at @TheTomAtkinson
For further reading
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2175587/Chick-fil-A-President-fast-food-chain-Dan-Cathy-OUTS-company-ANTI-GAY--proud-it.html
