- @cnnbrk
- Followers: 64,158,500
DOJ convinces federal judge that former President Trump used his attorney in furtherance of a crime or fraud in claâ€twitter.com/i/web/status/1…ut
- @cnnbrk
- Followers: 64,158,500
A 6.4-magnitude earthquake has struck Afghanistan, according to the United States Geological Survey cnn.it/400yKUS
- @cnnbrk
- Followers: 64,158,500
Median US home prices fell in February, ending a record streak of 131 consecutive months of year-over-year increases cnn.it/3FENiBt
- @cnnbrk
- Followers: 64,158,500
Saudi Arabia has released US-Saudi dual national Saad Ibrahim Almadi from prison, more than a year after he was arrâ€twitter.com/i/web/status/1…Ig
- @cnnbrk
- Followers: 64,158,500
A Florida jury has convicted three men in the 2018 murder of rapper XXXTentacion. cnn.it/40qikoN
- @cnnbrk
- Followers: 64,158,500
Six people affiliated with the far-right Oath Keepers militia group were convicted of various charges related to thâ€twitter.com/i/web/status/1…S4
- @cnnbrk
- Followers: 64,158,500
President Biden issues the first veto of his presidency, rejecting a resolution to overturn an investment rule thatâ€twitter.com/i/web/status/1…Q8
CNN POLITICS ON FACEBOOK » | CNN POLITICS ON TWITTER »
Chick-fil-A's gay marriage stance causing a social storm
The fact that Chick-fil-A is a company that espouses Christian values is no secret. The fact that its 1,600 fast-food chicken restaurants across the country are closed on Sundays has long been testament to that.
But the comments of company President Dan Cathy about gay marriage to Baptist Press on Monday have ignited a social media wildfire.
"Guilty as charged," Cathy said when asked about his company's support of the traditional family unit as opposed to gay marriage.
"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," Cathy is quoted as saying.
Strong feelings of support and disagreement have followed, making Chick-fil-A the top Google trend on Thursday morning as the company's Facebook and Twitter pages were burning up with arguments.
"Hate mongers! Never again! Not another $ from me," Duke Richards wrote on Facebook.
"Goodbye Chikkk-fil-a! your food was delicious, but I can no longer eat nuggets filled with hate!" read a post by Blake Brown.
Eatocracy: Fast food with a side of faithÂ
"I am truly ashamed of the recent admittance from Mr Cathy about your bigoted company practices. I hate the fact that my money was used for this. I will never support your company (and) will make sure anyone I know does not either," Mikell Kirbis wrote on Facebook. "While I'm not a Christian I know that hate is not in God's plan nor (is) ignorantly picking sections of the Bible to brandish. Good bye and I hope either you change your ways or close down."
But the support for the company was just as vehement.
"Just wanted to say I'm proud that you stand firm in your beliefs. You knew the risks, and still took the plunge. May God bless this company with abundance. Never back down!" said a Facebook post from David Jones.
"Thank you for standing up for what you believe. The truth is not hate. It's just the truth," wrote Sharon R Boyd.
"I love the values that this restaurant stands for and will support it every dang chance I get! Pay no attention to the morons spewing hate!" read a post from Raymond Joy.
Does religion influence what you buy? Share your view on CNN iReport.
Twitter comments were also divided.
[tweet https://twitter.com/MissMerica/status/225806557227667457%5D
[tweet https://twitter.com/danforthfrance/status/225812600171139073%5D
[tweet https://twitter.com/TheEvilWesley/status/225760117864402944%5D
[tweet https://twitter.com/ChuckyMcDaniel/status/225814099492220928%5D
In a statement to CNN on Wednesday, the company said it would stick by its principles, but it tried to withdraw from the heated social media debate over them.
"The Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect – regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender. We will continue this tradition in the over 1,600 restaurants run by independent owner/operators. Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena," said a statement from Don Perry, the company's vice president of corporate public relations.
The Human Rights Campaign, a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy group, said Wednesday that Cathy's comments gave consumers a clear choice.
“It's strange to say, but it's good to see Chick-fil-A finally admit to their anti-LGBT policies," Michael Cole-Schwartz, the organization's director of communications, told CNN. "Now fair-minded consumers can make up their own minds whether they want to support an openly discriminatory company or take their business elsewhere.  As the country moves toward inclusion, Chick-fil-A has staked out a decidedly stuck-in-the-past mentality.â€
Polling shows increasing support for gay marriage in the United States. A CNN/ORC Poll conducted in late May found 54% of respondents favoring the legal recognition of gay marriage with 42% opposed. The poll had a sampling error of 3%.
Let us know what you think about Chick-fil-A's stance in the comments below.
10 religious companies besides Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A controversy sheds light on restaurant's Christian DNA
soundoff (4,679 Responses)
« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 Next »
On Twitter
On Twitter
@cnnbrk on Twitter
How come Christians are the only ones running around spreading hate and intolerance? Religion created hatred. Religion deminishes morals. Their actions are the opposite of their beliefs. Can't they see? Will they ever? If you're too afraid of life without religion, keep your beliefs to yourself already. How loud do the rest of us have to yell that. You are doing no good, only evil. The 'good' that comes out of religion is so ridiculously tainted and the credit can't be given to religion. We're all afraid of death, no waste your life and ruin others and bring everyone down just because you can't deal with it.
Not at all – most of the true Christians believe it is not their place to judge any one that commits a sin. hate the sin, not the sinner so to speak. Most Christians could care less what someone does or how they act, unless it becomes a fight to force them to believe something contradictory to the Christian principles that shape their moral foundation.
Truly seems to me the proponents of hateful language and personal insults are directed at the Christians or others that support the traditional family – not the other way around.
Dear Hypocrisy,
Of course you are right. That is why atheistic state's such as Lenin and Stalin's Soviet Union, Mao's China and Pol Pot's Cambodia are shining examples of humane, just, and decent societies. Oh wait, umh...not so much.
The fact that most religious people, myself included, do not live up to our ideals does not make those ideals invalid. Nor is there any meaningful evidence that religion "causes" evil. People have used religion to justify their violence but as the expressly atheistic states demonstrate, the human propensity for violence is not an expression of religious belief.
@hypocrisy. Hate is a human trait having nothing to do with religion. Religion only provides a means to justify that hate in peoples' minds.
sooo, we dont count drug dealers, serial killers, killing to take over governments, racial hatred....its just religion that kills. you may be the biggest idiot in the universe!
Your name bemoans your statement.
After reading your "comments" I can see that you are so filled with hate for anyone who dares to disagree with you that you don't think rationally or see life as it actually is. Your hate-mongering is appalling, and your deliberate distortion of reality is blatant and disingenuous. You should be ashamed of yourself ... but I know you aren't ... and for that you condemn yourself.
Islam is a pretty hate-filled religion...in fact, most religions are hate filled. Chik-fil-a should have just said no comment...They are BAPTIST owned so it is not a shock that they hate gay people. I'm not gay, I don't eat their but a couple times a year.
They don't hate gay people they hate the sin. God also hates that and all sin.
Are you really that much of an idiot. Taking a clear stance is not spreading hate. They did not say they wouldn't welcome or serve all peoples, they just voiced their stance on the subject. Everyone whines about people not speaking openly and then when someone does it gets twisted around. I tell you what, you just keep on being a good person and in the end we will all let God sort it out. Everyone can try to remove God, but they will fail. And by the way, if you say you don't believe in God, then by default you are saying you believe in evil, so who his contradicting themselves now. You can't have it both ways, so choose, like Chik-Fil-A did. And by the way, yes I am a Chirstian and a sinner and this post of mine shows my human side. Thank God I have His grace to fall back on.
hypocrisy: since when does disagreeing with someone or something = hate? Lookup hate in the dictionary. Since you disagree with your stance, then you must hate as well, so what's the difference between you and them?
Its not in this statment, but look at the groups chick donates to, they are anti gay rights groups. That clearly shows they are bigoted. anyone who doesn't want equal rights for all americans is hateful
You really should look in the mirror. There is nothing tolerent about your gay agenda if someone does not agree with you.
I am amused that you choose "hypocrisy" as your name when you post a hate-filled diatribe against hate-filled diatribes.
Hypocracy – When was the last time a Christian stoned a woman for adultry, or strapped a bomb to a person and detonated it in a crowded area? I agree that not all Christians are civil in communicating their beliefs, but I resent your implication that only Christians are running around spreading hate and intolerance. There are a number of groups, both religious and social that have their own agendas and throw around hyperbole (look it up if you need to) and un-founded claims to promote their position.
Based on the article, the entire paragraph from Michael Cole-Swartz is intollerant of Chick-Fil-A's right to hold and promote their own beliefs. No where in the article does Chick-Fil-A say they will deny food or service to any group, they are not discriminatory, they have a moral belief and base their personal and professional behaviors on these beliefs. If anything that is the exact opposite of hypocracy, they remain consistant regardless of public opinion.
Openly not agreeing with certain practices or views is not spreading hatred. It is standing up for what you believe in. It is a difference of opionion not an admission of guilt as it pertains to bigotry, evil, hatred, or any other negative term that you can come up with.
Hate and intolerance is not a trait to unique to Christians, or religious people in general.
Really? "Christians are the only ones...spreading hate and intolerance"? Come on! Sure there are people out there that "hate" but don't be so blind that just assume that they are Christians. We all at some level hate. This is a "sinnful" world and EVERYBODY at one point in their life has hated something or someone. Christ tells us to love the sinner but it also clearly says not to love the sin itself. Whether you want to believe in a True God or not, we can't live in a world that says there are no moral boundaries and people can do whatever they want...use your head and think where that will lead...to hate.
funny how your opinion is the only one that counts. so you are being intolerant of others opinions. Christians for the most part dont agree with gay marriage and they said so, and thats hate? No an opinion. Where were you when they didn't open on Sunday for the Christian beliefs? is that hate, no a basis of the religion, same as this. Wow also notice no yelling about Islam, last I check, they want to kill people who dont agree with their religion, and they dont agree with gay PERIOD.
Hello hypocrite. So you hate religion. If you're too afraid of religion, keep your belief to yourself. The louder you yell, the more you prove your hyprocrisy. Here's an idea, allow others to express their beliefs and you'll continue to be allowed to express yours.
Why should we be quiet when the LGBT community shouts just as loud?
Wow, good to see that you've clumped every sect and individual in to being hate mongers, or that being atheist/agnostic is now the majority. Please enlighten me on all the facts, o great one, for I am merely a sheep and have no mind of my own and only follow religion because I do what I have been told. Is your belief because of overly hyped stories speaking of the atrocities of a small percentage, or do you have some other basis for your ignorant comment?
All the hate and intolerance seems to be coming from everyone else except christians. Sounds like hypocrites to me.
The only real truth is Gods word,you should read it! It espouses love, as do most real Christians. Thanks for your witness Chick fil A
Most of the intolerant statement here seem to be coming from those supporting the gay lifestyle...
Go have another cup of Hater-Aid. "If you're too afraid of life without religion, keep your beliefs to yourself already." Really? Then why does everybody else get to tell me I'm intolerant if I am religious? Dumb argument.
Don't worry about it, when they get to heaven, Jesus will not let them enter, because of their pride, hatered, so they will get theirs in the end
At least you have an appropriate name. Read the comment hear before you claim Christians are the only ones to spew hate and bigotry. Cause there is an awful alot of hate coming from the LGBT community.
No one in that article said one thing about hating or being intolerant of gays or or any other segment of the population. Mr. Cathy simply stated his own beliefs as a Christian, and chooses to run his company with that in mind. He never said anything about not serving gays or providing the best service and best food possible to any customer. I imagine you and most everyone else frequents businesses about which you know absolutely nothing of the owner's beliefs...they could be Muslim, bigots, gays, or just about any ol' thing. Because you don't know what they believe, you think nothing of going to their establishments. And yet, you want to criticize Mr. Cathy and Chick-fil-A as "haters" because he simply stated his personal beliefs? Somehow, that seems very inconsistent.
TBH, not all Christians are like that. I for one have several gay friends. I don't AGREE with what they are doing, but I don't condemn them either, that's not my job! I hate when people say they are "Christian" when they are not CHRIST LIKE. Seriously, get with the program. Just because you go to church and give money to them, means eff all if you don't act like Christ has commanded you to be!
Since someone believes that a certain action or lifestyle is sin they are a bigot and just doing evil? Interesting, I didn't know that people weren't allowed to have their own opinions and think for themselves, or even have freedom of speech in this country. So much talk of hate and evil doing, when all you are doing is bashing on someone for stating their opinion in a way that was not hateful or attacking anyone in any way. They said that they believe in the Biblical format for a family, but will still serve EVERY person that walks into their buildings with the same service and treat them with respect no matter their own personal opinions. To me it sounds like you just can't deal with people having a different view on life than you. You said why can't Christians hear others yelling against them, in a room full of people the ones yelling the loudest usually need the most help. Just sayin.
You obviously have issues with Christianity & other religions; so much for Christians being the only ones spreading hate and intolerance.
Take a few history courses – Religion is where morality BEGAN. If you read the Bible you find all kinds of tolerant commandments like "Judge Not lest Ye be Judged".
But it's easier to label all religion as backwards. We're stoopid, you're smarter. Makes you feel superior, etc.
Count your blessings we aren't like we were in the Dark Ages...
You know, if I go to the store and slap labels that say 'banana' on all the apples, it still doesn't make them bananas. You can slap labels like 'hate' and 'intolerant' around as much as you want, but its still just you slapping labels on something. It in no way, shape or form makes it true. You're just mad because someone disagrees with your viewpoint. Perhaps you should look up the definition of bigotry, because you fit the definition to the letter! Anyway, I always thought that calling someone names when you don't get your way was something only 5 year old's do. I guess you proved that theory wrong also.
Just keep your mouth shut and eat!
They are insecure, stupid tiny people, that's why. But as a gay woman, I'd be beheaded in the Arab world.
I believe that Mr. Cathy was espousing more of a personal opinion than anything else. As the PR guy said, everyone is welcome at Chick-Fil-A. That they don't approve of gay marriage is sort of a moot point since they don't turn anyone away, no matter who they are. There's no hatred involved. Just personal opinion.
Since when is supporting traditional marriage hate?
Supporting traditional marriage is hate?
amen!
I'm sorry some choose to hate, but opposition does not equal hatred. And almost every person I know opposed to the LGBT lifestyle does not "hate" gays.
I would say that the uniform hatred for Christians is much more prevalent amongst gays, than the converse.
I believe the Bible says they will call evil good and good evil.
You view hate as anyone who tells you you're wrong. Religon did not create hate, but people hate to be told what they are doing is wrong. They just think it's hate because they "Hate" to hear it. You are the hater here, you're intolerance of Chick-fil-A's Christian belief.
If you feel so strongly about people keeping their views to themselves perhaps you should practice what you preach and keep your opinions to yourself.
@ hypocrisy: Why should Christians be the only once keeping their beliefs to themselves? Wouldn't we be better off if EVERYONE kept their beliefs to themselves? By your very comment, you're not capable of the very action that you're expecting of others, keeping your own belief to yourself. Tolerance starts at home.
And, by the way, the country was founded on religious principles. Christianity is still the largest religious affiliation in the Country. If they can't have a say in public policy (by expressing their beliefs) please give them significant tax breaks for the lack of representation.
It doesn't sound like you are being very tolerant of Christian Views.
how do you expect anyone to accept what YOU are saying? Looks like your remarks are the hatefilled ones. Paraphrasing: "If you're too afraid of life with religion, keep your beliefs to yourself already."
Shut lip. You dont know what you are saying.
That is not true. In California, Proposition 8 was supported by all including Christians, Mormons, Muslims, Jews, and Asian religions from Republicans and Democrats.
From reading the comments on here, seems the gays are the ones being hypocrits, being hateful and intollerant.
What hatred are you talking about, I see more hatred towards Christians from you and your gay community against Christians daily on cnn. The way i see it Christians just don't agree with your life style they don't hate you. but you and the gay community on the other hand are full of hatred towared's christians.
Agreed!!
Hypo – what hate / intolerance? Comments seemed pretty reasonable to me – think something like half of the country shares those views.
Christians are the ONLY ones spreading hate and intolerance? Are you freaking KIDDING ME? What about ample LIBERAL hate, like hating the Tea Party, hating Romney, hating the GOP, hating conservatives, hating CHRISTIANS, LIKE YOU DO, etc? How about hateful Muslims? How about hateful atheists? Lots of people hate lots of things. Still, just because someone doesn't like gay marriage doesn't make them hateful; in fact, the most hateful people I've ever met in my life were liberals, many of them gay. And I used to BE a liberal–big time–so I know what I'm talking about.
LOL good one dude. I love it and soo true, still a recovering catholic (trying to recover over what they tired to teach) & a atheist/Presbyterian here!
it not hate.. its holding to and defending a moral principal.. good for them.. hey everyone else is quick to push there agenda. why persicute them for thers
Oops.
I just love these hard core 'christians'. In my experience those that claim to be the most devout christians living gods word are the ugliest, nastiest creatures on earth. I bet jesus is rolling in his grave at the things people claim in his name. Asinine.
There are a few good Christians left that don't spread this kind of hate. God's Christians know better. Ignorant Americans who call themselves Christians are a joke.
But Jesus isn't in a grave...he rose from the dead!
...why wait until a religious group attacks gay marriage to deplore their behavior? Religion is the greatest sickness humanity has ever suffered...don't blame this restaurant for hating gays, blame them for being moronic enough to believe in a religion to begin with. Berating a religious group because they arbitrarily spew hatred, intolerance and ignorance around on one specific topic is like chastising a fish because it wants to live in the water. One can't be separated from the other.
There are those who think this life style is good, however there are those who think that it is bad. The bottom line is that God will judge in the end. Pick and chose wisely for truly your life depends on it.
Making the claim that some sky fairy will judge your life in the end might be valid IF you actually had evidence to this.
That's fine if you believe that. Could those of you that feel similarly stop trying to use the government to impose your beliefs on others though?
Cathy, what's the divorce rate among "Christians"? Ooops. Family values? yeah, ok. Hey, meet my friend "Ed". He's here, you just can't see him. He knows everything you do. I believe everything he says. I've even written much of what he's told me so that others will listen to his words. He says if they do their "soul" will live forever; if they don't it will still live forever, but in constant torment...but he still loves them. I'm telling you this because I don't want you to feel Ed's wrath. Please believe in Ed, love Ed more than anything, and never claim he doesn't exist.
I didn't go out of my way to eat there but I sure have absolutely no desire to eat there now. I'll get my chicken from else where.
I don't eat at fast food places much anymore, but I think after reading this, I may just eat at Chick-Fil-A once in a while. Thank you, Mr. Cathy, for not being browbeaten into claiming support for something you don't believe in. I applaud those for standing up to those that insist on shoving their beliefs down everyone's throat.
I used to love them, but I've been vegetarian over a year now and I'm loving it. Don't support them, but don't hate them for their ignorance. They are also children of the same God. Pray for their enlightment, don't eat their food, and get on with your day.
Seems kind of hypocritical to me that someone, who says they are supportive of family and speaks of being married to their first spouse, should work to deny others of the same happiness.
@ downinfront...I'm sure he would be happy for you to marry. He is not denying anyone anything. Love how you people want to make everything black or white.
Cool story, bro. Tell it again.
Bummer. I liked the food. bye bye
Cant really have an opinion anymore without people freaking out.
It's interesting that Chick-Fil-A is accused of hate, yet the comments are about pro-family and have no hateful tone in them. In contrast, the critiques of their policy are rife with hateful words and tone. It's ironic to me that Christians are so often accused of hate, yet it is the accusers that show the most hate in their criticism. The same "Christians sholuld be tolerant" people are the most intolerant of Christians whose beliefs differ from their own.
I agree totally. If a Christian has the audacity to speak their mind they are labeled as prejudice haters. But who's doing all the ranting? Each time I turn on the TV there's a different protest. Rarely are they Christians doing the protesting!
"How long before they start putting us in the lion dens..." In certain cases.... not soon enough....
Perhaps when gays develop a KKK mentality toward straight people. If that ever happens they can thank Mr. Cathy for his contribution, as they watch the cross in their yard burn long into the night.
Better now than on judgement day, huh?
Do your research before posting something like that... It made no sense whatsoever. Do some reading and try again later.