A decision by a local Pennsylvania Chick-fil-A restaurant to donate food to a pro-biblical marriage seminar has sparked controversy in the homosexual community and caused a university to pull the franchise’s food. But it also has led to an outpouring of support from Chick-fil-A’s customers as the company has refused to back down.
At issue is the donation of food to a marriage enrichment seminar sponsored by the Pennsylvania Family Institute.
Although the “Art of Marriage” seminar itself has little if anything to do with politics and gay “marriage” — ads say the video-guided seminar will “help couples apply what the Bible teaches about marriage” — the fact that the institute has taken positions opposing gay “marriage” has led some in the homosexual community to say they’ll take their business elsewhere. The video curriculum wasn’t created by the institute but by FamilyLife, an Arkansas-based pro-family group.
Chick-fil-A’s ties to biblical values are no secret. The restaurants are closed on Sundays, and Chick-fil-A’s own website says its corporate purpose is, in part, “to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us.” Chick-fil-A’s founder, Truett Cathy, is a lifelong Southern Baptist and longtime member of the Atlanta-area First Baptist Church, Jonesboro. Christian families frequently visit the restaurant.
So far, no major homosexual group has urged a boycott, although a petition at the website Change.org — urging the local franchise not to support the event — has gained 25,000 signatures. One school, Indiana University at South Bend, chose to pull Chick-fil-A sandwiches from its lunch menu on Wednesdays, the only day of the week they were offered, before announcing Feb. 1 that Chick-fil-A food would once again be sold.
Chick-fil-A, though, hasn’t backed down. Dan Cathy, Chick-fil-A president and Truett’s son, released a Jan. 29 statement saying that “while my family and I believe in the biblical definition of marriage, we love and respect anyone who disagrees.” The statement also said the company will not “champion any political agendas on marriage and family” but “will continue to offer resources to strengthen marriages and families” — the goal of the Pennsylvania event. Cathy’s statement added, “To do anything different would be inconsistent with our purpose and belief in biblical principles.” In a video, Cathy said local restaurants assist many events and that helping with such an event “is not an endorsement.”
“Marriage has long been a focus of Chick-fil-A, starting with my own mom and dad who are celebrating their 63rd year of marriage,” Dan Cathy said in the video. “In this case, the operator simply agreed to provide sandwiches and brownies for the events, as many Chick-fil-A franchisees have done over the years for community events, businesses and civic groups … Let me be clear: Chick-fil-A serves all people and values all people.” (BP)
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