Dan Cathy, the president of the fast food chain Chic-fil-A, has come out swinging against his critics who have charged that he has run his company with an anti-gay, religious based agenda. Cathy stated that he is “guilty as charged” and double downed on the issue — promising to continue to run the company according to “Biblical” dictates. I guess you just think of the Last Supper and think how Jesus would prepare your Chick-fil-a deluxe. [Update: The restaurant is now trying to dampen the rising outcry from gay rights groups while not denying any of the statements made by its chief operating officer.]
Cathy told the Baptist Press that he wants to advance the “biblical definition of the family unit” in his business. He stressed “We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives.” This Biblical approach to the $4 billion a year business includes training workers “to focus on values rooted in the Bible.” He insists that “as an organization we can operate on biblical principles.” However, given the response to his interview, the business could be a lot smaller before long.
The question is not just how customers — including many gay and secular citizens — will take to the intermingling of Biblical tenets with their taters. There is also the legal questions that may be raised from these comments. The company is still subject to discrimination law on the state and federal levels. Cathy’s comment could be cited as evidence of a hostile workplace by workers claiming harassment or discrimination. He appears to acknowledge the intentional creation of a culture in the company based on religious dictates.
None of this question his right to donate millions to anti-gay Christian organizations — any more than the controversial charity work of Domino’s Pizza founder and conservative Christian Tom Monaghan. Likewise, the founders of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream contributed heavily to liberal causes. While some consumers have boycotted Domino’s over his support for conservative Christian causes, this remains an exercise of free speech from Monaghan as it does Cathy. However, Cathy has gone further to say that he expects his workers to reflect his religious-based values. It should be noted, however, that he appears to be primarily speaking of his view of the traditional marriage. Frankly, the politics or values of a chef or an owner do not affect my decision-making on products.
Yet, the comments could become relevant in future legal actions where the culture of the company is put into question. Indeed, with these comments, Cathy could find himself on a deposition list to force him to detail how he enforces these expectations.
At first, I was skeptical that the Bible said much about fast food, but a little research shows that I was wrong.
First, the emphasis on chicken removes the problem under Leviticus 11:1-47:
And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying to them, “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, These are the living things that you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth. Whatever parts the hoof and is cloven-footed and chews the cud, among the animals, you may eat. Nevertheless, among those that chew the cud or part the hoof, you shall not eat these: The camel, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. And the rock badger, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. …
He does however need to expand the vegetarian offerings:
Romans 14:1-23
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.
Biblical pricing however offers ample room for growth:
Isaiah 55:2
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.
As for those cows telling you to go to Chick-fil-a, they can now add “it’s not just economical, it’s biblical.”
Source: Daily Mail
MikeS,
It is a personal opinion I express. If you don’t understand, let me say that I play no side as I oppose religions as unhealthy whatever their origins. This I have made clear in comments made recently.
In my short time here, the excesses of the Christian side has been up for discussion many times. Which personally I approve of, as all, no matter faith, should be so examined for their effects on the general secular welfare.
I wondered, in my comment, if here we should not subject the adherents to the Mosaic belief to the same examination?
I don’t recall such an instance, but as said my time here has been limited.
One of the nice things about living in Sweden as I do, is the enjoyment of being able to discuss all this without the question of racism, anti-semitism or other suspicions being raised. I can talk with a Somalian, as I did last night, on the subway, without he suspecting me or I suspecting him. It is nice that way. It requires a bit of tact but I am capable, as was he.
So, why did you have to ask? I thought my intent on
fairhandedness was obvious as to my motive. A shame that you might feel there was any other.
How long must we suffer the ills of the Crusades and that of the persecution of Jews?
I did not mention guilt nor acts of any kind, but only the issue of fairhandedness, and suppositions that we must in such case examine all those of faith, not just Christians.
ID707,
Regarding your reference to the perspective you have on these issues, since you live in a country free of bigotry, I suggest you Google “Anti-Semitism in Sweden” and then get back to me.
I only go to restaurants after Church on Sundays. So I wont be attending any service at the Chic Filet ever. Round here, every good church goer goes to Sunday dinner at a restaurant if they have not had the plate passed by them too many times at the church service. If you see someone on Sunday afternoon who is out and about and not dressed in the Sunday go to meetin clothes then you are lookin at a sinner. Lots of them sinners hang at the Chic Filet in town. For reasons unknown. Cept I expect that it has to do with the hot gal waitin the tables.
“…we are married to our first wives…” Tis to laugh. I believe he’s wrong on that as well as the discrimination of gays.
Of course the legal framework that allows them to run their business on “biblical principles” is our secular Constitution, not this bozo’s holy book. Do his “biblical principles include helping the poor by paying a wage higher than minimum? Sheltering the homeless and caring for the sick by providing healthcare without cost to the employees? Just what are those biblical principles he’s bragging about, besides his un-American bigotry and discrimination?
@AY –
The Company was founded by David Green on August 3, 1972, and as of March 2012 the chain has 502 stores in 41 states.
Hobby Lobby Business practices:
Hobby Lobby locations have general operating hours from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Except for the Distribution Center on certain days during the winter holiday season, all locations are closed on Sundays, out of respect for the founder’s Christian beliefs.[3] References to Christianity are often made in their stores and advertisements.[4] Full page ads are purchased in each location’s local papers on Christmas & Easter each year. This is in addition to the sales ads that are published each week, also on a Sunday in most areas.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hobby_Lobby
well at least he wants to create real jobs:
Little more description from the Bible of food fit to eat: land animals, yes, split hoof and chews cud; but BIRDS (i.e. chickens) are different. They must have feathers and NOT have a curved beak.
Mepso:
I think the eye of the needle is a metaphor. The rich were believed to be blessed by God and so if a rich man cant enter the kingdom of heaven who can? Unless with the help of God.
So even the rich need to be saved to enter into God’s Kingdom and if they arent well then a camel has better luck getting through the eye of a needle.
So Mr Chic a Flic can say any thing he wants–it’s his first amendment right but liberals aren’t allowed to call him on it? Now that is robust support for the first amendment.
Chic Filet is a good company and have a good product, let the market place decide if they want to eat there.
He has a right to run his company anyway he wants. He doesnt have a right to break laws.
This controversy is going to make him more rich than he already is just like it did with Whole Foods when the left went after them for disagreeing with Obamacare.
Let us not only condemn and ridicule the followers of Jesus and thus forget those following Moses.
At least the modern tribe may be questioned as to it’s influence on its business associates. They, to be entrusted, must belong to the tribe, the lineage proven. Requiring servitude of tribe members other than schmucks is not kosher in a factory. Besides they are not enough in numbers.
The force of the tribe is to be admired. The force of mind, body, and soul abusers is despicable. There is a difference.
And if this is called anti-semitic, then turn your head around. It might help you see love for all men but none for religion.
Just my impulse when holding the scales to see if both
bowls are fully filled with facts.
And here is where that justice is discussed, including our own personal bias.
“Let us not only condemn and ridicule the followers of Jesus and thus forget those following Moses.”
ID707,
And your point is?
I’ve never been to a chick-fil-a for this reason and I will never go there.
As JT implies there is a likelihood that Cathy’s company will face a discrimination suit in the future. As for me now that I know where the company is coming from I won’t patronize them, even as I will eat a lot of Ben N’ Jerry’s ice cream.
Does he pay a decent wage (probably not). Does he provide health ins, etc. If not, then probably the usual hypocracy about being “Christian”.
@Mespo: I am not a religious person; but as I understand current biblical principle, they believe a fertilized human egg counts as a human from minute one. So I presume a fertilized camel egg would count as a camel from minute one, and I can easily fit that camel through the eye of a needle with plenty of room to spare.
🙂
I’m just sayin’.
The founders of Ben & Jerry’s are free to contribute large sums to progressive causes. For this reason, I will not buy their products. I will continue to patronize Chick-fil-A. You are free to give your business to some other merchant. But it is typical of progressives to have a double standard and seek to control/destroy entities that fail the political correctness test…it all goes back to Leninism, don’t ya know? “Ends justify the means.”
“This Biblical approach to the $4 billion a year business includes training workers “to focus on values rooted in the Bible.” He insists that “as an organization we can operate on biblical principles.”
*************************
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
~Matt. 19:24
How about that Biblical principle? (They always forget that one)
Dear Lord, quarterly gross sales are don’t 12% in the Southwest region. Should I offer coupon deals or increase our billboard space there? And Lord? It seems that one supplier has been slipping lower quality goods so now I just don’t know if I should drop them or demand a lower price and give them all our business. What do you think of that new sandwich Lord? We thought it would be a big seller but it has not panned out as well as expected. Thanks for the tip on the 62 ounce sodas – those have been killer for us. Oh, one last thing; I know while we have been speaking many children have starved to death, many have been killed, abused, sickened and all while calling on you for help. Thanks for putting me ahead of them in your queue thuse proving how great I am.
As long as he isn’t being taxed as a church, he can do what he wants. That being said, I can use my Irst Amendment rights and call him out as a homophobe.
Hey, family owned…. They may do as thy please….. And I don’t have to sup there…… Why is hobby lobby closed on Sundays as well?