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
Matt Johnson:
a private church ringing bells on Sunday is different from using the public loudspeakers.
You know that pesky little document that prevents that type of thing.
ID707,
They are not noted for tolerance. They are the foundation of our newest parliament party whose platform rests on curbing immigration. I talked and joke with a group of skånings (men and their wives) in the old town two nights ago.
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I read something in the news here several years ago about the Muslims in Detroit wanting to announce prayers over the city public loudspeaker. Wasn’t allowed. Then the Christians couldn’t ring the bell for Sunday church services either. Fair is fair.
Malisha 1, July 20, 2012 at 9:50 am
“if young troops aren’t properly supervised, they turn into animals” –
You mean they take care of their young, hunt cooperatively and work together on building their homes, protect their territory and take frequent naps?
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Don’t know about the naps. Depends on the situation. I was in the Navy.
Hubert maybe your level of hate will use up some of the calories from eating that chicken fried in hate and degreased on the mantle of bigotry.
Matt Johnson,
I would like to hear MikeS’ information as he is likely to be better informed.
The newspaper reports cite police reports where young muslim gangs have been the perpetrators of graffiti on synagogues. That jews have emigrated is news to me, but I don’t follow the news, so that says noting.
The muslims in turn have been despised in the actual area for some time.
The skånings are a society of small farmers, in the olden times when such wss possible, and factory workers and shipbuilders, now unemployed for the most.
They are not noted for tolerance. They are the foundation of our newest parliament party whose platform rests on curbing immigration. I talked and joke with a group of skånings (men and their wives) in the old town two nights ago.
Let me give a picture of asylum immigration in Sweden.
It offers, eventually after qualification, not only refuge to the first seeking refugee, but even to family members. And families in many asylee producing countries are often large.
What does the asylee consider in selecting a country.
Certainly the possibilities or re-uniting with family, also the possibilities of employment, the standard of living expected, the chances of education for themselves and their children, and the numbers of countrymen in similar situations who can provide the cultural and language environment known to them and their families.
Thus I use the immigrants here as a reference to describe Sweden.
Those who come with the most, get the most naturally.
There the Iranians are highest IMO: specialist doctors for example, (Stockhom Heart Center is owned and manned by them, they bought it out).
The TV repairman who comes from a land which has another “flora” of apparati will have no luck in finding a similar job. The assyrian goldsmith will also end up in a key and shoe repair shop, with his cross to the right of the doorpost as he leaves the shop.
The point is that many are here, many succeed, many assimilate to different degrees, some groups refuse more or less and hate Christians which is their privillege—but even there no group is homogenous.
The Somali was an example, again.
So, the immigrants have been a blessing for Sweden.
It again brought new blood, new culture, fresh entrepreneur skills (really), and helped Sweden loosen up and adapt easier to the cosmopolitan modern world.
That’s why I greet, when I can, each obvious immigrant with a smile, and a few courteous words emphasizing at some point that I too am an immigrant here.
´Such tales are endless. From ME fathers rolling proudly and possessively the twincarriage with his 2 month old daughters, who shared his joy with me, at my polite inquiry if they were his first.
Such enriches my life. I have time for it and get it here.
Hope you do too. Even lawyers need encouragement after contronting sociaty’s various forms of ill in his working day (and nights).
“if young troops aren’t properly supervised, they turn into animals” —
You mean they take care of their young, hunt cooperatively and work together on building their homes, protect their territory and take frequent naps?
ID707 and Mike S.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/sweden/7278532/Jews-leave-Swedish-city-after-sharp-rise-in-anti-Semitic-hate-crimes.html
I was born Protestant, but I’m agnostic. Societies are what they are. People are what they are, it doesn’t matter where they live. The rules (laws) have to be applied fairly. Is that naive?
Kill all the professionals. Like they did in Cambodia. That works real well. Too many people are like sheep.
I saw an interview with an Army General where he said if the young troops aren’t properly supervised, they turn into animals. He’s right. Think it can’t happen in America? Wrap yourself in the flag.
MikeS,
You said:
“Mike Spindell
1, July 19, 2012 at 10:18 pm
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.”
Can you show me where I have said that Sweden is free from bigotry? Don’t think so.
Sweden is not, and don’t think it ever will be. It simply is not in the nature of man to produce such a society IMO. But some societies are better. In not having or in concealing is of course a question.
“Can you show me where I have said that Sweden is free from bigotry? Don’t think so.”
“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.”
ID707,
This is my answer to your question:
“After Germany and Austria, Sweden has the highest rate of antisemitic incidents in Europe, although the Netherlands reports a higher rate of antisemitism in some years. A government study in 2006 estimated that 15% of Swedes agree with the statement: “The Jews have too much influence in the world today”. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisemitism_in_Sweden .
I have nothing against Sweden and indeed as far as I know it is a wonderful place to live for those who aren’t Jewish, Muslim and/or Catholics. There are problems there with those who are not of the homogeneous protestant variety and that I’ve learned from brief research. While Sweden was neutral in WWII, their price for not being invaded was doing extensive trade with Germany. The Swiss did the same thing in this respect and I don’t really blame either for preserving their country. However, after the war the Swiss for instance tried to hold onto the money invested there by Jews trying to ride out the Shoah.
My real point though is that there is no nation in the world where there isn’t a presence of bigotry of some sort. I would guess that compared to the U.S. there is less bigotry in Sweden, but your presumption of a country where such matters can be openly discussed, without prejudice, is I think quite overstated.
pete:
“does this mean if an employee throws rocks at adulterers dannyboy will back them up in court?”
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Come on pete! You know it means if his employee throws rocks at adulterers who work for McDonalds then dannyboy will back them up in court.
Hubert Cumberdale:
“I was wondering why our Chick-Fil-A was so busy today. They’re normally busy and the drive-thru line extends past the front of the building but today it was almost doubled up.”
******************
Proof, I suppose, that the unprincipled, ignorant, and bigoted have to eat somewhere. Thanks for the warning.
Hubert Cumberdale:
“Now, if you examine the charitable contributions made by Chick-Fil-A and the programs they support, obviously they aren’t holding onto their possessions. And their adherence to Biblical principles are paying off.”
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Interesting equivocation. While not equating the two in terms of mayhem wrought, let’s test your theory by inserting Hamas in place of Chick-Fil-A based on the charitable work it does in providing medical care and food programs to Palestinians. Nice to know that terrorist cell Hamas adheres to Biblical principles, too.
ID707,
Very creative.
MikeS,
If you looiing for manure, you will find it everywhere. Every informed person is a aware that doctors/med students stopped the admission of jewish doctors in pre.WW2, We also admitted Meitner, and jewish refugees from Danmark. And Count Bernardotte initiated and led the “white busses” which evacuated the concentration camps.
We are also aware that the Bonnier family is
(seldomly) referred to in the media for it’s control of media. The fact that they are an old jewish family here is never mentioned. Is what media say a lie or truth—-we have difficulties in both of our lands discerning the truth.
I am in no doubt on the WW2 general handling of the Jew question and Swedens generally positive attitude to Germany and the Nazis, especially by Gustav V. no doubt that expressions of anti-semitism frequently occured in both articles and yellow-journalistic cartoons. It goes back into the 19th century in persons who persecuted two of our best artists because of their jewish ancestry. A tragedy.
Yesterday had a nice conversation with Pone Vanderxxxx from Iran of half Polish ancestry. A member of a exiled/refugee Iranian family. She’s, at 20, on her way to become a journalist. A friend told her the story of a woman journalist who was blocked from doing further productions on Swedish Television because of “jewish” intervention because she had done ones exposing Israel to criticixm. Truth? I asked her about her feelings vv jews. Oh I love them, they are like us. You would never see such poverty as in the USA that my brother saw. They take care of their own, just as we do. She said in Teheran that they have the open door to neighbors custom, who are like family. I told her that a friend told me of the same practice in Tel Aviv (some 29 years ago).
I am not painting an authentic study of Sweden, only my experiences. If you value that then fine.
The night before in the old town I was almost ripped off on changing a 500 crown bill by the only jewish merchant I have ever seen in the tobacco shops of Stockholm. Did I think something pejorative as to his origin. Not a chance. But thief crossed my mind.
It was on the infamous tourist street in the Old Town, where I am certain such practices occur in most of the restaurants and other stores there. Not impugning the places but the employees who may be tempted to fix extra income. And if it is the Serbian who runs one restaurant who I chatted with (he was doubling as incaster), or some other nationality for ex., the swedish ex-con doing bartender service at the exclusive whiskey bar (only Islay single malt, (mainly Arbeg in 16 varieties) then greediness seems equally bad whatever DNA or origin you are sporting.
On the same round I could have shown you folks from Skåne where they are infamous for their hatred of immigrants, a Hungarina street singer who tipped me on a good music pub, and an upstate New Yorker, ca 50, who owns a supper boat in the harbor but spends summers here and winters in Florida, and his young Swedish wife with two longhaired chihuahuas. Oh, I should mention that the gays run a club after serving hours there, but supper is a mixed clientele in full harmony. Tolerance is widenimg even here.
(It was my Swedish female student summer caretaker who informed of the goings on there the next morning.)
My jewish contacts?: Far too few for my taste. One I have tried to cultivate is Lena who does rehab gym with me, of Polish parentage, Swedish diplomat in NYC, from well-read parents, mom cited O. Mandelstam latest poems which she received in letters. She flirts willingly, and suggests we should wave from our respective balconies. but has not yet said yes to coffee at a café.
So, perhaps the circle will widen.
So, I will Google your sugggestion, not because you say so, but because I am bitten by the curiosity bug.
If the Iranian girl had suggested googling the role of the military in the Shah’s regime, then I might have done that too. But I know a bit about that already, and jews are more interesting. Military and dictators are almost synonyms, I feel.
“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)”
If you examine things in context, you’ll gain the understanding that a rich man that wants to hold on to his possessions – therefore putting them above everything else, will have a harder time getting to heaven than someone who doesn’t. Now, if you examine the charitable contributions made by Chick-Fil-A and the programs they support, obviously they aren’t holding onto their possessions. And their adherence to Biblical principles are paying off.
I was wondering why our Chick-Fil-A was so busy today. They’re normally busy and the drive-thru line extends past the front of the building but today it was almost doubled up. That would explain why they were so busy. I’ll make it a point to go there tomorrow as well. Good for them. Why must everyone bow to the politically correct militant nutjobs every time. It’s about time businesses and individuals start standing up for what is right instead of caving to political correctness.
“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.”
I don’t think they’ll miss you… They were extremely busy today and tomorrow I’ll go an extra trip, to make up for your whining.
“Why must everyone bow to the politically correct militant nutjobs every time.”
Mr. Cumberdale,
I’ve been worried about the same thing. Take yourself for instance and your continued support for Chik-Fil-A. You’re bowing to the phony Christian owner of that company, who praises Jesus, but has no understanding of his teachings.
pete,
I wouldn’t hold my breath that Mr. Chick fil would be that consistent.
does this mean if an employee throws rocks at adulterers dannyboy will back them up in court?
Great story Malisha!
Malisha,
So that store didn’t get on the list. Josh sent his boss a nice Christmas present and a few of his friends added to it a lovely Christmas basket with treats, wine and fruit, anonymously adding our approval for his indignation.
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Sounds like he was a good boss.