Monday, August 6, 2012

Conflict Resolution?

Most of us know the recent events involving a national fast food chain and a special interest group. It created controversy, defamatory comments, untrue allegations, hundreds of thousands of people in the mix (myself included) and "taking sides". Well enough of being vague and speaking in generalized terms. Let me just put it out there: the LGBT community was outraged at Chick-fil-A for having a president who has Christian convictions. That's really it!

Think about it. Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays. You can't get chicken on a Sunday, a Sunday, a Sunday... at least at a Chick-fil-A restaurant. So what makes one think their no Sunday company policy would be any different than a typical Christian perspective that homosexuality is a sin? They just wanted to make a ruckus over their gay agenda (and it is a gay agenda that propagates "tolerance" through TV shows, movies and now restaurants)! And in doing so, they perpetuate lies about the Chick-fil-A company and restaurants.

First of all they say Chick-fil-A discriminates against homosexuals. The truth is that the official statement from the Chick-fil-A clarifies: The Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect — regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender. Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena
Denny Burk


The other distorted fact is that they say Dan Cathy made an anti-gay marriage statement. But in the interview they were referring to he never uses words like "homosexuals" or "gay marriage". My source is the link: www.dennyburk.com/two-lies-about-chick-fil-a-perpetuated-in-the-media/ .

 So as the controversy continued, mayors of cities got caught in the mix. I heard of many mayors of cities that don't even have a Chick-fil-A restaurant not wanting them to build in their cities. The one that caught national attention was the mayor of Boston, made by the former Governor and Presidential candidate, now talk show host Mike Huckabee. That started the Chick-fil-A appreciation day on Wednesday August 1st.
Mike Huckabee
So on August 1st, hundreds of thousands of people went to their local Chick-fil-A restaurant. Well, perhaps the "closest" Chick-fil-A restaurant they could go to. I heard of a couple from Oregon come down to the Sacramento (or Elk Grove) Chick-fil-A.

Rick Warren
 
The scene at the Alta Arden (Sacramento) Chick-fil-A
Friday, August 3rd was to be the gay day where they staged "kiss-ins" at the Chick-fil-A restaurants. And thus dividing the debate, rather than coming to compassion between the groups and cooler heads prevailing. But I saw some people at the restaurant I was at with stickers saying: "I support equality in marriage AND freedom of speech". I think these supporters of the restaurant get the message. Although I was there to support the restaurant for their conviction of traditional marriage, I commend those that believe in true freedom.
"Our culture has accepted two lies: The first is that if you disagree with someone's lifestyle, you must fear them or hate them. The second is that to love someone means to agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don't have to compromise convictions to be compassionate." -- Rick Warren
I love what Pastor Rick Warren says here, because it is true. Because we are all human, we are all going to have our own opinions. In a room of ten people, there are going to be ten opinions. Like my Pastor, Ray Johnston says, "If the two of you both agree on everything, there is no need for one of you". What that means is no two people are going to agree on everything. That's why God created diversity.

Especially where there is much diversity in cultures, ethnicities, and even sexual orientation, (as we do have in Sacramento and throughout California) we have to RESPECT each other! We will never agree on everything. And that's what makes this country so great. We have to have the freedom to love, express ourselves and to be ourselves. Please respect each other, whether or not we love or even like each other.

I know they always proclaim freedom of the church and state! But as believers and followers of Christ, we need to love the sinner, hate the sin!

This quote from my pastor, which he posted on Facebook was eloquently put:

"As Americans we live in a diverse country which means... that there are going to be people that occasionally express an opinion different than yours. In my view that is a very good thing because it adds richness and tapestry to our culture. It becomes a bad thing when those disagreements are expressed in hostile ways. Immature people love to pour gas and enjoy watching the destruction. As a culture we need two things: (1) Strong convictions, and (2) Civility. Maturity is walking hand in hand when you don't see eye to eye."   -- Ray Johnston
Ray Johnston

Simply put, Ellen De Generes, who is openly gay always ends her talk show by saying, " Be kind to one another".

Or even simpler is the old saying by Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?"

 Love and respect is all I'm trying to propose here. We cannot be the hands and feet of Jesus if we're turning those who need Jesus the most away from the Truth of the Gospel.

Blessings,
Garret
Elen De Generes
Rodney King