Finding Inspiration from
Chick-fil-A Boycotters
By now, everyone’s quite familiar
with the Chick-fil-A “scandal,” in which Dan Cathy, president and son of the
fast food restaurant chain’s founder, professed support for the traditional
definition of marriage. The reaction on
both sides was extremely strong.
Pro-gay “marriage” groups denounced
the chain; people from all spheres said many hateful things; and the mayors of
at least three cities (as well as some college campuses) took the ridiculous
step of saying Chick-fil-A was not welcome there. (They have had to walk that back a bit. That troublesome Constitution.)
On the other side, many supporters of
the chain have made a point of eating there more often. There have even been local and national days
set aside for people to show support for Chick-fil-A by dining there, and the
chain has set sales records.
The comments of Mr. Cathy should have
come as no surprise to anyone. Though it
is not a “Christian business” per se, Chick-fil-A has long operated on
Christian principles, and maintained a family image. To own a franchise, people generally are
expected to be married to their first spouse as well as promise to maintain the
chain’s famous policy of being closed on Sundays.
Of course it does not discriminate
against people based on religion or lifestyle.
Anyone is free to eat there. But
now Mr. Cathy is being demonized for holding a personal opinion (shared by at
least half of the country) that has run afoul of the preferred social monologue.
Now I have some major problems with
many of the nasty statements that have been made recently, but I don’t really
mind that some people are deciding to boycott Chick-fil-A. Of course I am happy to support it, and my
kids have loved that restaurant for years, but if people hold a strong opinion
in support of same-sex marriage, don't like some of the pro-family projects Chick-fil-A supports, and feel the need to make a statement, a
personal boycott is quite an appropriate way to do that. I’ll take that over violence any time.
This whole event should actually serve
as an inspiration for us as Catholics.
Boycotts have long been a productive way to affect change. There are countless businesses large and
small that consistently give “charitable” contributions to Planned Parenthood
or population control (i.e. abortion, contraception, etc.) efforts, embryonic
stem cell research, and the same-sex “marriage” movement.
How many of us are constantly giving
our money to these businesses, which in turn give a portion of that to one of
these causes which we oppose.
It’s been said that the culture of
death will not be defeated until pro-lifers are willing to be
inconvenienced. My family boycotts numerous restaurants, department stores, gas stations, online retailers, etc.,
because they continue to give money to Planned Parenthood. For the most part, it’s not too difficult,
but there have been times that it has been.
A couple of times companies have ceased their contributions due to the
boycotts and we have been able to resume shopping there.
I would suggest that it is time that
the pro-life community adopt some of the zeal of the Chick-fil-A boycotters. As soon as we, as Catholics,
commit to living out our Faith in our personal, political, economic and business
lives, we will transform the world as Jesus instructs us to.
There are a number of places to find
boycott lists, and you can get on the email lists of groups that can keep you
updated on specific efforts, such as the American Family Association.
The best place I have found to receive an up-to-date list of companies
that support Planned Parenthood is Life Decisions International.
You do have to purchase the list, however, and promise not to reproduce
it.
