01 Sep 2012 Chick-Fil-A, Gay Marriage and Tolerance, by Demetrius Minor

Overly-sensitive liberals are crying foul over Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy’s admission that he is a supporter of traditional marriage.

Why? How can one not already have figured that the head of one of the most well-known faith-based businesses in America — a business closed on Sundays so employees would “have an opportunity to rest, spend time with family and friends and worship if they choose to do so” — would favor defining of marriage as solely between a man and a woman.

Cathy’s crime is his open faith, having outing himself as a supporter of traditional marriage and further said:

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 give God thanks for that… We know that it might not popular with everyone, but thank the Lord, we live in a country where we can share our values and operate on biblical principles.

Cathy’s comments put a target on Chick-fil-A. “There is no place for this type of hate in our great City of Brotherly and Sisterly Affection,” said Philadelphia City Councilman James Kenney. Boston Mayor Tom Menino said: “I don’t want an individual who will continue to advocate against people’s rights. That’s who I am and that’s what Boston’s all about.” More liberal politicians pledged to neglect their commitment to creating jobs when it comes to considering applications for new Chick-fil-A restaurant in their cities.

I think liberals are missing a vital point in their blind hatred of Chick-fil-A. Being against gay marriage is not being anti-gay. I am personally against same-sex marriage. It’s my moral conviction that marriage is a holy and sacred union between God, man and woman. But I am not against homosexuals. In consistence with my faith in God, I believe in showing love towards everybody without discrimination.

I also love Chick-fil-A. Life just doesn’t quite feel complete without a good chicken sandwich, waffle fries dipped in barbeque sauce and a large sweet tea that never fails to quench the thirst.

Sadly, however, it seems that those who stand by moral principles today are often considered intolerant by their leftist critics. Logic on the left says religious convictions are outdated, irrelevant and an expression of cynicism and hatred. It is the secular and mainstream perception in this socio-cultural paradigm shift that recommends Christians turn a blind eye and deaf ear to principles to accommodate what the left deems to be socially acceptable.

So I strongly salute Chick-fil-A and others who stand for traditional marriage and withhold discrimination from those who believe differently from them. The last time I checked, Chick-fil-A wasn’t expressing a desire for gays not to eat at their restaurants or seek employment with them.

The leftist assault on religious convictions is beyond asinine and absurd. The moment we forsake our moral principles for the sake of being culturally relevant, we lose not only our influence but our God-given identity. I personally refuse to be a token of tolerance if it insists on me betraying my principles for temporary satisfaction or popularity.

Ironically, those preaching tolerance often neglect to practice it. For example, because of my outspoken beliefs, a liberal named Khayree Billingslea posted his perception of me on my Facebook wall:

You are a sickening presence in my newsfeed. When I reflect on the strange permutations of mankind that manifest themselves in the world and have the audacity to speak, I am confronted with thoughts of you as the most glaring example of that.

What is my response to Khayree’s insulting and provocative remark? I think I’ll respond with a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr: “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to care.”

Tolerance is the ability to love and to remain grounded in one’s conviction and belief. This has been and will continue to be my stance.

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Demetrius Minor is a member of the national advisory council of the Project 21 black leadership network and co-host of the BlogTalkRadio show “He Said, She Said” with Project 21 member Stacy Washington. Comments may be sent to [email protected].

Published by the National Center for Public Policy Research. Reprints permitted provided source is credited. New Visions Commentaries reflect the views of their author, and not necessarily those of Project 21, other Project 21 members, or the National Center for Public Policy Research, its board or staff.