Now, there are a LOT of comments supporting this store, and a lot that don't. I urge you to read through them for yourself and make your own opinions.
At the time of THIS post, I didn't see any "Christians are fucking nasty. Christians are idiots" posts. However, I did see a lot of posts about gays, and how disgusting and abominable they are. I stopped reading after the first four pages or so of comments.
Click each image to enlarge.
Look, my problem is not with Christianity as a whole. I think it's great that people have faith in something. I feel sorry for the ones who are genuinely kind, loving people, and get thrown in with people like the above, who are so ignorant and hateful, who pick and choose things from the bible that support their own agenda, but ignore the rest.
"Th bible is very clear about gays". Yes. It's also clear about selling your daughter, marrying your rapist, beating your wife, eating shellfish, and wearing polyester. I'll be more inclined to take you seriously when you stop picking-and-choosing.
I feel like this Chick Fil A thing is pulling me in two directions.
On the one hand, I have to respect Mr. Cathy's right to do with his money, and think what he pleases... Because I don't want him getting all up in my business and telling me I can't buy a pair of RuPaul's Iron Fist shoes.
On the other hand, me buying said shoes isn't hurting anyone... (except me...) He's giving money to groups that are supporting hate and encouraging a new generation of people to hate.
Back on the first hand, many of the employees of Chick Fil A don't agree with Mr. Cathy, and by choosing not to spend my money there, I am hurting them more than I'm probably hurting Mr. Cathy.
But on the second hand, all of the people who showed up on Chick Fil A Appreciation Day... I wonder how many of them showed up just to "stick it to the homos", rather than support the staff of the restaurant. And there are people like this guy... While I don't agree with what Dan Cathy is doing, I don't really agree we should be taking it out on Chick Fil A Employees.
While, if I worked there, I would probably find a new job myself after the discovery of Mr. Cathy's views, I understand that some people have to take whatever job they can get. Maybe they're supporting a family. It's not their fault. They don't have to agree with their corporation. They just have to make money for their babies. Or maybe they're a college kid trying to pay their way through school. you never know what brought a person to their situation.
Another person pointed out that "the gays" love to compare their struggle to the civil rights movement.
It's a struggle to be given the same rights as everyone else. It IS a civil rights struggle. Gay people, and people who support them, are targeted for violence. We're told that gay people can have a civil union, which is a separate but equal alternative to a marriage.
We're not trying to force our agenda on you... we just don't want to be denied the rights that would be guaranteed to someone who preferred Jasmine instead of James. We don't want to have sex with your pets, your kids, or you. We're not rapists and pedophiles. We're people, just like you.
I say we... I count myself with "the gays". They are my friends, my family and my love. I'm not an "ally". I'm a member of their community.
Chances are, though, if you're reading this, you're not one of the people who thinks like the people who left those comments. Chances are, you're more like me. So you all ready know everything I all ready said.
So, where to go from here?
Look, I don't think all Christians, or people of other religions that don't support fair rights for homosexuals (because I understand that it's NOT JUST Christians that are spreading hate, or denying rights) are inherently bad, whatever they may think of me. I don't think that they are stupid, or evil. I just think that some of them have never thought about what it must be like to stand in someone else's shoes. I think that they've never had a positive interaction with a gay person. I think that they've been told their whole lives that something is bad, so they continue to believe it.
And that's their right.
To the Christians, and people of other religions who have broken with tradition and embrace my community, I say thank you. Your support has made so many things better for so many people. Your love and acceptance has warmed my heart. Teach your children this as well, and teach them to think for themselves.
Let's stop fighting and start trying to find a positive way around this. Because in 50 years, history will look back on the people who denied us, and paint them the same way that oppressors have been painted all through out history.
We may not win this battle in our lifetime, but we may make it a better place for generations to come.
