Jul 25, 2012
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Officials in at least three cities have vowed to block efforts to open Chick-fil-A restaurants after the company’s president told reporters that he supported the traditional definition of marriage – and warned that redefining marriage might bring God’s judgment on the nation.
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“Chick-fil-A values are not Chicago values,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel in a statement to the Chicago Tribune. “They disrespect our fellow neighbors and residents.”
Emanuel was vowing his support for Alderman Proco Moreno’s announcement that he would block construction of a Chick-fil-A restaurant in his district.
“If you are discriminating against a segment of the community, I don’t want you in the First Ward,” he told the newspaper.
Chick-fil-A is privately owned by the Cathy family. The company president, Dan Cathy, drew the wrath of gay rights advocates and supporters when he made recent statements that some have alleged are anti-gay.
Cathy told Baptist Press that the company was unapologetically in favor of traditional marriage.
“Guilty as charged,” he 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.”
In a separate interview on the Ken Coleman Show — Cathy suggested that the nation could face God’s wrath over the redefinition of marriage.
“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,’” Cathy said. “I pray God’s mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude to think that we would have the audacity to try to redefine what marriage is all about.”
Alderman Moreno called Cathy’s comments “bigoted” and “homophobic.”
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“Because of this man’s ignorance, I will now be denying Chick-fil-A’s permit to open a restaurant in the First Ward,” he announced.
Boston Mayor Tom Menino was the first to announce that the Atlanta-based company would not be welcomed in his city.
“You can’t have a business in the City of Boston that discriminates against a population,” he told the Boston Globe. “We’re an open city. We’re a city that’s at the forefront of inclusion.”
And Mountain View, Calif, a bedroom community of San Francisco, has temporarily blocked the chicken chain from opening.
A homosexual couple spearheaded an effort to launch a zoning challenge.
“It could be Mother Teresa that owns it and it would be a bad place,” resident David Speakman told SFGate.com. “But because it was a bunch of bigots, it gave us an extra nudge.”
With the help of friends, a gay South Bay couple has at least temporarily blocked the very Christian-minded Chick-fil-A
The company’s position on traditional marriage notwithstanding, threats to ban the company have drawn fire from editorial pages across the nation.
The Los Angeles Times condemned the decision, calling it far more troubling than Chick-fil-A’s support of traditional marriage.
“Public officials have a responsibility to carry out their ministerial tasks fairly and evenhandedly – and to uphold the principle of free speech – whether or not they like a business executive’s social or political stances,” the Times opined.
The Boston Globe wondered “which part of the First Amendment does Menino not understand? A business owner’s political or religious beliefs should not be a test for the worthiness of his or her application for a business license.
Conservative columnist Michelle Malkin said “Boston’s Founding Fathers must be steaming in their graves.”
“When an elected public official wields the club of government against a Christian business in the name of “tolerance,” it’s not harmless kid stuff,” Malkin wrote. “It’s chilling.”
Meanwhile, thousands of Christians are mobilizing efforts to support Chick-fil-A – led by Fox News Channel host and former Ark. Governor Mike Huckabee.
Huckabee has declared August 1st as Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day.
“Let’s affirm a business that operates on Christian principles and whose executives are willing to take a stand for the Godly values we espouse by simply showing up and eating at Chick-fil-A on Wednesday, August 1,” Huckabee said.
Huckabee said the company has come under attack from militant homosexuals and is being “smeared by vicious hate speech and intolerant bigotry from the left.”
“The militant homosexual advocates have launched an all out assault on Dan Cathy and Chick-fil-A,” he said. “The attempts to hurt or destroy Chick-fil-A are nothing short of economic bullying.”
Donald Wildmon, the founder of the American Family Association, is backing Huckabee’s efforts saying he hoped it would generate the largest one-day sales in the company’s history.
“I have been incensed at the vitriolic assaults on the Chick-fil-A company,” Wildmon wrote in an email. “It’s a great American story that is being smeared by vicious hate speech and intolerant bigotry from the left.”
Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, was especially disturbed by the actions of Boston’s mayor.
“This is really outrageous when you see this is the train that follows same sex marriage,” Perkins told Fox News. “This idea of the loss of religious freedom – the freedom of speech — and it’s on perfect display in Boston with the intolerance of this mayor.”
Perkins noted that Americans have overwhelmingly endorsed the traditional definition of marriage – 32 times in 32 states.
“Chick-fil-A is in the mainstream, he said. “The mayor of Boston is in the minority.”
“It’s about forcing Americans who do not agree with this agenda to comply and if a business dare step outside of the PC lines they will be attacked just as we are seeing Chick-fil-A being attacked,” Perkins added.
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All the owner of Chick-fill said was he supports traditional marrage. What is wrong with that view, most Americans believe the same. The last thing the left wants is feedom of speech unless you agree with them. What kind of a country would we have if a person can't make a simple statement without the hate group wanting to kill a business and many employees losing there jobs. Sad, sad, sad.
Considering that the word "Chicago" evokes images of thugs with tommy guns spraying people dead, not to mention their corrupt politics, yeah, I'd say Chick-fil-A doesn't share their values!
Let's see……
Chick fil a restaurant, 1 location = 95 jobs in 1 year.
Obama administration, everywhere in America = 0 jobs, high unemployment.
Eat mor chickin!
I LOVE CHICK-FIL-A AND SUPPORT THEM 100%.
So should all heterosexual people boycott these cities who don't allow the fundamentals of the constitution to exist? I think so.
Since one member of the Chicago PD recently stated that Chicago has "tribal warfare" in the streets right now, I consider this statement to be a compliment to Chick-Fil-A.
This is tragic!!! Since when can a mayor deny rights because of ones religious views??? There are a lot of people who support the Cathy family & their views not to mention the food at chick-fil-a is great. The company is very successful on their Christian values and should not be kept from opening because of a mayor pulling political gain. That chain would mean business and money for a lot of individuals that need jobs. I will support chick-fil- a more now than ever!!!!
Chicago values?
Chicago values?
I say boycott Chicago, Boston and any other city that wants to opress free speech and free enterprise, these left wing nuts are going to be the down fall of this GREAT NATION, God bless CFA, and the Boy Scouts of America.
Very interesting how the average person is supposed to exercise tolerance for those with nontraditional values but the opposite is not true. Mayors should have no dog in this race either. This is very unconstitutional!
Very interesting how the average person is supposed to exercise tolerance for those with nontraditional values but the opposite is not true. Mayors should have no dog in this race either. This is very unconstitutional!
Oh Yeah! That's the thing to do in this economy. Discourage a clean profitable TAX PAYING business from coming to your community!
Oh Yeah! That's the thing to do in this economy. Discourage a clean profitable TAX PAYING business from coming to your community!
very astute observation John.
Where is the tolerance for everyone's religious values?
exacctly
It is becoming clearly evident our nation is being divided on all levels, morally. politically, spiritually, etc,. What happen to "ONE nation Under God"? Oh, I guess we forgot about him. I think a line is being drawn.
It is becoming clearly evident our nation is being divided on all levels, morally. politically, spiritually, etc,. What happen to "ONE nation Under God"? Oh, I guess we forgot about him. I think a line is being drawn.
It is becoming clearly evident our nation is being divided on all levels, morally. politically, spiritually, etc,. What happen to "ONE nation Under God"? Oh, I guess we forgot about him. I think a line is being drawn.
It is becoming clearly evident our nation is being divided on all levels, morally. politically, spiritually, etc,. What happen to "ONE nation Under God"? Oh, I guess we forgot about him. I think a line is being drawn.
Really…talk about discrimination! How did these fools ever get into office, ever hear of the First Amendment? Boycott Chicago! Boycott Boston! Recall these ignorant leaders!
If its legal for the CEO of JC Pennys to promote homosexuality in his department stores by hiring ellen degenerate as cheerleader for JC Pennys, then its legal for the CEO of Chick-fil-A to defend Christian morals and values.
Wow last time I checked freedom of speech was still in effect and he is entitled to his opinion…..all he said was he believes in traditional marriage, he never said Chick-Fil-A would refuse those who believe differently….it's idiotic and childish to try and stop a restaurant chain from making money for the community because of a simple statement….whether you agree w/ him or not it's juvenile to react the way Rahm and these others are….quit trying to regulate everything people do and let them run their business!
http://www.jesusonhomosexuality.com/
How about the center/right Majority of Americans start boycotting the Liberal agenda.
Maybe then, the movies, news, schools, economy, etc, would start to improve.
All this overblown sodomite hysteria is again pristine proof of how violently intolerant the forces of Political Correctness truly are! Why all the fuss? If you don't like what the chain's owner stands for, don't go there! But no, that is not how it works – the Left cannot abide any dissent!
This is the new America – suddenly, the entire country is supposed to be 100% fine with Queer perversion, up to and including marriage, and all who disagree are deemd a social paraiah.
Unbelievable!
A piece of Chicagocrat garbage who arrived at his office through cronyism and corruptiion, has the nerve to talk about that city's values. What's next? Sanduusky speaking on behalf of children?
What if the Cathy's started firing all the Gays that work for them? I think that would be cause for uproar. There is a clear war on the catholic religion from this administration and it's cronies! What I don't understand is, since all these people think the USA is so bad, why don't they get the hell out of the country I love, and stop trying to change it into some form of Socialism that they think might work better for them. I mean really move to France- you only have to work 32hrs a week, retire when your 50 and live off the Govt dole. Oh let's not forget who provided France the right to form such crap. So for all you Libs out there, One Big Ass Mistake America> OBAMA> You can't deny the facts that when the Govt promises you everything (IE- Greece) it's unsustainable unless said Govt takes away all the money you make and even then it's unsustainable. Think about it- How much do you want them to take from you so they can take care of people who don't want to do anything for themselves. Like I always say the Libs don't mind spending your money and they go behind closed doors to figure out how to get more of it. Transperency from this administration, LOL. Conservatives need to stand up against these hypocrits. I think the gloves need to come off. This administration has gone to war with just about everybody and now they are going to give up our right to bear arms to the UN. Come on! make Nov. count and let's get rid of these bums!
You know what, I am taking my 5 kids to eat there now. Sorry Chicagays, I let you know how good it was! HAHA. Thank your Mayor for that one!!!
Dan Cathy’s comments are unquestionably within his First Amendment rights of Free Speech and Freedom of Religion. Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion are constitutionally guaranteed to every American citizen.
During a radio interview he stated, “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."
Liberty Counsel’s new petition declares that…“we support Dan Cathy’s First Amendment rights – and we endorse his stand on biblically defined marriage! You can view more or sign it here. http://www.libertyaction.org/365/petition.asp?PID=36613693&NID=1
Dan Cathy’s comments are unquestionably within his First Amendment rights of Free Speech and Freedom of Religion. Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion are constitutionally guaranteed to every American citizen.
During a radio interview he stated, “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."
Liberty Counsel’s new petition declares that…“we support Dan Cathy’s First Amendment rights – and we endorse his stand on biblically defined marriage! You can view more or sign it here. http://www.libertyaction.org/365/petition.asp?PID=36613693&NID=1
It does not matter how much opposition to gay marriage there is. The Constitution guarantees equal rights and, just as women got the right to vote and so many other social justice issues, gay marriage will be legal sooner or later. it is unavoidable. So go ahead and eat the crap they serve at Chick-f-A , but nothing will stop the wave of social justice.
Mr. Cathy only expressed his family's values. If you disagree with those values good for you that's America. Chick-fil-A franchises create jobs for everyone. They do ask if you are gay lesbian, Christian Muslim, Jewish or any other denomination. Why is it that a person in America cannot express his beliefs, even if different from others and be chastised for it? Get a grip people, many people think this way, and who the heck is Rahm Emanuel to tell us what Chicago's beliefs are. I DON"T REALLY CARE WHAT HE THINKS! The liberals in America need to get some thicker skin. It's all about you!
Meant DON'T ask
I guess they will kick out the Boy Scouts next. Since when is same sex marriage a minority view?
since when does Emanuel and/or Chicago have values? That little pantywaist needs to quit whining like his former boss…
I'm sorry, I must have been asleep when Joe Moreno, Rahm Emanuel and Thomas Menino were granted the right to control what people think and believe. What arrogance of these men to think they can deny a business access to their cities simply because the owner of that business has different moral convictions then their own. For them to not see their own blatant discrimination of a United States citizens constitutional rights is astounding. If the citizens of Boston and Chicago do not see how their own rights are being taken away from them by their own Mayors and Aldermen they had better wake up. As for me, I will not be visiting Boston or Chicago as a tourist, will encourage any professional organization that I am associated with to not hold conferences in those cities and would encourage all of the free thinking citizens out their who value their right to freely choose their own moral convictions to boycott Boston and Chicago. I think I'll go to Chick-Fil-A for lunch now.
Thank God Chick-fil-A doesn't share Chicago's values! Who does?
I bet they'd change their mind if they sold penises on a plate!
Bet they like them if they sold the peckers , too!
Religion + Chicken….wow, what more crazy combinations can idiots think of next. They sure got you all arguing about it.
Perhaps Rahm and others would prefer that businesses that are now in their cities and who are opposed to same-sex marriage should move out. I'm sure that would be good for their economy. Eat Mo' Chicken'!
Wish there was a Chick-fil-A in this area. I'd be a regular customer.
the mayor of chicago and his liberal agenda is the same as the president are* Confusing" ,* inmoral *and* anti-biblica*. Since when Civil Right Movement is inmoral? ask yourself a question Martin Luther King Jr was a preacher , a christian , afro-american , what he will think about same sex marriage. Ask a real Baptist what the bible say about it and you will get the answer , and I would like to remind my jewish friend what the Torah says. Pride and money kill society. All you here born from a woman and male seeds please give a break, and let honor the founder of this great nation. God bless you all, We are a Judeo- Christian nation. please don't call love , lust and inmoral behavior. Repent. Jesus die for our sins. What side are you lean on, lean on the Lord side please. Viva USA and VIVA Israel. stop the attack to christianity , thank to God Almighty we have this liberty and blessed nation. Heavenly Father please help us to go back to our foundation which is your Holy Word.
http://youtu.be/m40r1KeOjX8
"Chick-fil-A values are not Chicago style values", I thank GOD they are not! Just heard Amazon is the latest to jump on the altar of homosexuality, along with Starbucks, and others. Now if they can come out with their beliefs and the media and others think that is so good, then why when the Cathy's express their beliefs, these city leaders want to ban them from their cities.What is the difference? PC? Thank GOD for the Cathy's and other business leaders who are not afraid to be "unpolitically" correct or to live their Christianity.Bring on the chicken!
A cesspool more closely emulates Rahm Emanuel's values.
A cesspool more closely emulates Rahm Emanuel's values.
Not Chicago values ? Does all of Chicago agree with this ? Ok they may not be his values but geez why the implication what " chicago's values "
This is amazing! Why is there such an outrage – Emanuel's behavior follows that of his mentor, Barack Obama. If the last three and a half years haven't given people a wake up call I don't know what will. This is just a continuation of the disintegration of our Constitution. Wake up people!
I guess the next term to coin another group of sexual deviants will be called "pedophobic".
Jim your funny !
Fascinating. One man exercises freedom of speech to further practice his religious freedom without denying the rights of anyone while those with opposing viewpoints demand that his rights be taken away.
Why? Why do those with opposing views from his demand that he be ostracized in the name of freedom? Why is so important to them that this man's viewpoint be silenced while their own be heard without fear of reprisal and under threat castigation if they are resisted?
Matthew 13:9 “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 12 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."
Question: Would Fox News and Chick-Fil-A supporters be just as outraged and vocal if it was a Muslim temple that was unwanted in all of these cities?
Whoever claimed Rahm Emanuel or anyone in Chicago politics cared anything about values. Chik-fil-A serves anyone regardless of race or gender identity (God, did I just actually type that…lol). For a Jew, he sure hates religion and Israel, unlike his parents.
Chicago will be sued for millions. You cannot deny building permits based on freedom of speech or their would be no liberal businesses in Texas either.
Can I ever visit Chicago, even if I don't embrace "ALL" of chicago's so called "values"? Will I be burned at the stake? Fed to the lions? subjected to public humiliation? Our constitutional rights are subtly being stripped from us.
It really is a fine line… and a hard one to walk at that. I am a supporter of gay marriage; to me, it is a contract between two consenting adults. I can understand, perhaps, a church not performing a ceremony for a gay couple, but the state should not be allowed to make laws that are based around a religious belief. That is a violation of the separation of church and state. Historically, marriage has always been a contract – often women and young girls were sold into marriage for a profit , as way of bringing peace, power, or money. I belief that religions can’t lay claim to the ownership of it and shouldn’t have the right to declare what marriage can and cannot be in the eyes of the law. The bible says many things – some which are written off because they are no longer morally appropriate or don’t fit into the daily lives of the practicing (shellfish, pigs, cutting hair, stoning, sacrifice, etc). Just like people have the right to choose their religion, people should have the right to live their lives in a manner that makes them happy as long as it does not infringe upon other people’s ability to live safely. Gay marriage will not do anything to your daily life. Just as gay adoption does no harm. I believe, statically, there is a lot less abuse and incest in gay families than in heterosexual families, and there is a lot of homosexual abuse in the church. It’s all crazy. I believe that individuals have the right to pick and choose which companies they want to support, and it is also their right to boycott companies whose values do not match their own – animal testing, immoral business practices, environmental concerns, etc. This is my right as a consumer to be choosey about what products I buy. I will not buy from Chick-fil-A (even though they may have yummy chicken). I also do not buy from Dole or Chiquita because they use indentured servitude (a form of slavery) to grow and harvest their fruit in South America. I also believe that other companies (such as Jim Henson and the Muppets) have a right to avoid doing business with other companies because of their beliefs as long as their choices are consistent. However, I am not sure how I feel about a city or municipality denying businesses the right to operate within their region due to the personal (albeit public) beliefs of the company’s private owners. IF the company (Chick-fil-A) denies service or employment to people based on their sexuality it would be a violation of rights – just as it would be if they denied it based on religion, ethnicity, or disability. If Mr. Cathy said that he thought all blacks, Jews, and mentally handicap people are an abomination like gay people, and allowing any of them to marry is also an insult to god, what would your opinion be then? I respect your right to have your own opinion, and I am in no way trying to put you down or insult your beliefs. I just done understand how a religious group, who idolizes a man who believed that everyone was worthy of love and respect , can go around saying that this group or that group is dammed. It makes no sense to me. But I admit, I don’t read the bible nor go to church, but even if I did, I believe I would practice acceptance and unconditional love for all of my neighbors, just like I try to do now. Although we disagree on many things, Steve, I still try to hear and understand your point of view, as you do with me. You know?
All this talk of Chick-filet is really making me hungry. Think I'll stop off at Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Amazing. Amazing. How dare Rahm discriminate against those who believe in Christianity to open a business in Chicago? Rahm — YOU are the one who needs to conquer his own prejudice, if these are Mr. Cathy's beliefs leave him alone, he has a right to believe what he believes, you have no right to judge his beliefs, nor persecute him because his beliefs are different from yours!
Incredible! How does Chicago have its own religious values?!
BOYCOTT CHICAGO AND BOSTON! DON'T TAKE A VACATION THERE OR BUY THEIR PRODUCTS! SUPPORT CHICK-FIL-A! TELL THESE LIBERAL POLITICIANS WHERE THEY CAN STICK THEIR LIBERAL AGENDA!
BOYCOTT CHICAGO AND BOSTON! DON'T TAKE A VACATION THERE OR BUY THEIR PRODUCTS! SUPPORT CHICK-FIL-A! TELL THESE LIBERAL POLITICIANS WHERE THEY CAN STICK THEIR LIBERAL AGENDA!