Monday, January 31, 2011

Conscience or Stomach?



I'm struggling a bit with a difficult decision.

I love Chick-Fil-A. They have excellent chicken sandwiches, as well as the Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad, better-than-average side salads (more than just iceberg lettuce) and good fountain Diet Coke. (Mock me all you want; these things are important.)

I've always known that Chick-Fil-A is a conservative- and Christian-leaning company. They're closed on Sundays, some of their franchises advertise Christian music concerts and I know their corporate purpose is "to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us and to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A."

I never let that bother me until I heard that recently, several franchises have donated meals to "pro-family" organizations. Pro-family, of course, means anti-gay, and in these cases, anti-gay marriage.

After word of these donations made its way into the media, Chick-Fil-A President Dan Cathy (son of the founder) posted a message on the company's Facebook page, and later said that Chick-fil-A will no longer donate to any organizations that take a political stand on marriage.

Does that make it better? Can I now continue to support this company with my money, when some of their franchisees are discriminating against my equal rights?

Stomach? Conscience?

Part of me can rationalize spending money at my local Chick-Fil-A because they haven't donated to anti-equality-related causes. But can I support a company whose previous behavior leans toward discrimination against gay people?

I know what my decision should be. I just don't know if that is what it will be. And I don't know if I'll feel guilty with that decision.

I sure do love the drama, don't I?

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