What Did Dan Cathy Say?

What Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy said to Biblical Reporter, published July 2, when asked about the company’s support for traditional marriage and opposition to gay marriage...... “Well, guilty as charged. We are very much supportive of the family – the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that. We operate as a family business ... our restaurants are typically led by families – some are single. We want to do anything we possibly can to strengthen families. We are very much committed to that ... We intend to stay the course. We know that it might not be popular with everyone, but thank the Lord, we live in a country where we can share our values and operate on biblical principles.” ---- On the Ken Coleman radio program June 16: “As it relates to society in general, I think we are inviting God’s judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at him and say, ‘We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage. I pray God’s mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude to think that we would have the audacity to try to redefine what marriage is all about.” (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution) .....The problem is not so much what Dan Cathy said, but what people assume he meant....what people think he said....and what people are quoting him as saying. Being a public speaker myself, I know the value of choosing my words wisely. A one minute lapse in judgment when speaking publicly can result in a barrage of “he said”... “she said he said”...”they said he said”...and once the cat is out of the bag regarding what I supposedly meant when I said what I said, the tsunami of hate, judgment, and stereotyping is coming in full force. Take this week for instance. If I make the statement this week that I love Chik-fil-A, suddenly I have offended thousands because, not only do I love Chik-fil-A, I also hate the gay community. Just for the record, I love Zaxbys too and I have no idea where they stand on anything political. Please give Dan Cathy a break. He was asked...for goodness sake. If you ask me my opinion about a particular hot topic, please don’t be offended if my answer is based on what the Bible says. That’s what I do for a living. I preach and teach the Bible. I am constantly seeking to give biblical answers to life’s problems. Dan Cathy is a Christian. He is a businessman who is a Christian...a businessman who owns one of the most successful businesses in the country. Evidently some people are interested in what this chicken salesman thinks about marriage. I wonder if anyone ever asked Colonel Sanders what he thought about such things. Which reminds me...I guess I better ‘fess up. I also like Kentucky Fried Chicken...along with Zaxbys and Chik-fil-A. I am with Billy Graham on this. He said this week, “Each generation faces different issues and challenges, but our standard must always be measured by God’s word.” I am afraid the real issue this week has nothing to do with Dan Cathy or Chik-fil-A. My guess is it has a lot to do with what the Bible says...about everything. The Bible is an old book and it seems the older it gets the less people agree with what it says. This week in particular we may not like what it says about marriage. But don’t forget what it says about God’s love. He so loved the world so much that he gave His only son to take away our sin. God loves the world....saints and sinners alike. And He will help, guide, forgive, and save anyone who asks. Well it’s about dinner time. What will it be? Zaxbys, Chik-fil-A, or Kentucky Fried? Neither...I’m craving a burrito. MM