Michael Rowe believes that even if Dan Cathy were a medieval peddler selling slivers of the One True Cross, he couldn’t be more of a fraud than he is in this instance.
Originally appeared at The Huffington Post
Notably absent from the conservative Christian Sturm und Drang over Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy’s recent collision with LGBT America (and their increasingly vocal, and visible, straight allies) over his “free speech” to voice his “opinion” is a discussion of the degree to which — from a faith perspective — this Emperor is not only without clothes, but is actually frying his chicken in the nude.
As has been pointed out already in countless enlightened editorials and blog postings elsewhere, this was never about “free speech.” No one was proposing a law to censor Mr. Cathy’s right to his “opinions,” as his followers call funneling millions of dollars to anti-gay organizations whose sole purpose is to maintain LGBT Americans in a second-class social, political, and legal status in the United States, organizations that contribute to consigning gays and lesbians to to an even deadlier fate abroad — to wit, funds to the Family Research Council, which lobbied Congress not to oppose the infamous Ugandan “kill the gays” bill that proposed death sentences for gays and lesbians in that country.
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…from a faith perspective, this Emperor is not only without clothes, but is actually frying his chicken in the nude.
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The concept of “free speech,” which was designed to keep governments from throwing dissenters into prison to silence them, is never more degraded than it is in cases like these. To people like Mr. Cathy’s followers, the First Amendment is a sort of shapeless, elasticized polyester pant suit that will stretch to accommodate any amount of ugliness, all the while allowing the wearer to claim that he or she is dressed in something at least technically decent.
It seems unlikely that Mr. Cathy’s “free speech” would be something Michele Bachmann, or Sarah Palin, or Rick Santorum, or Mike Huckabee would have cared to weigh in on if Chick-fil-A had an overtly racist message, or contributed to anti-Semitic causes. Surely those would theoretically also have been cases of “free speech,” but not popular cases, not ones that would curry political favor with their base voters.
But since LGBT Americans are always expendable to these people, any attacks on their legal or social dignity is fodder for “free speech” posturing.
It’s a classic playground bully’s gambit: pick an apparently vulnerable and unpopular victim, get your fawning gang to watch for teachers, then have at the victim as viciously as possible. If caught, claim that the victim “asked for it” and hope for the best, and they claim that the only real oppressed group in America today are heterosexual Christians, and seem to genuinely believe that if they say it fervently enough, people will be convinced by them.
Over the past week or so, I’ve interacted with some of these people in the comments section of Huffington Post, and elsewhere.
What they all appear to have in common is a type of moronic, simmering frustration, mixed with an equally dull-witted glee, as though they truly believe they are on a crusade for justice. Their posts are often inarticulate and badly spelled. They fall just short of calling opponents of Chick-Fil-A’s bigotry “uppity faggots” but many seem to genuinely see their consumption of greasy, pre-cardiac disease fast food as a strike against the forces of darkness in the name of their American Jesus.
Or do they?
What surprises me (but doesn’t, sadly, at the same time) is the silence from mainstream Christians, at least some of whom must see what a repulsive mockery Dan Cathy and his “chicken-fried Jesus” cult have made of Christ’s actual teachings on love and grace.
Quite apart from the fact that hatred is — or ought to be, at least — inimical with Christianity as it is understood in the red-letter portions of the New Testament (the hard part for these people, the part dealing with love and humility) Dan Cathy has turned his rage-filled version of Christianity into a sort of lucrative branding slogan in the service of his own bottom line. He’s actually making millions from it, and he’s done it cynically, and at the expense of other human beings, then sharing that blood money with others like him, whose mandate isn’t holiness, but hatred, violence, division, and ostracism.
This week, I’ve listened to heartbreaking stories of gay sons and lesbian daughters whose parents have made it a point to inform them that they’d lined up in Wednesday’s blazing heat in order to drop their thirty pieces of silver into Dan Cathy’s coffers at the expense of their own children.
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This week, I’ve listened to heartbreaking stories of gay sons and lesbian daughters whose parents have made it a point to inform them that they’d lined up in Wednesday’s blazing heat in order to drop their thirty pieces of silver into Dan Cathy’s coffers at the expense of their own children.
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Any decent American Christian should be outraged by stories like those — as should any decent person, especially any parent — but in the same way that their Bible recounts the disciples denying Christ during his arrest and interrogation in order to avoid bringing the wrath of the mob down on their heads, that segment of American Christians have found their own place in this history still being written. Instead of trotting out Leviticus, that perennial Biblical horror story, or the misogyny and patriarchal sexism of Paul, they would do well to look to John 13:35 — “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another,” and ask themselves where they think they fit in, or even if they honestly believe they do.
If Cathy were a medieval peddler selling relics of the saints of disputable authenticity, or slivers of the One True Cross, or the nails he claims were used to crucify the Messiah, he couldn’t be more of a fraud than he is in this instance.
The spectacle this past Wednesday of “Christians” and other, more generic garden-variety anti-gay bigots lining up around the block to “support” Mr. Cathy’s enterprise and to cram their faces with junk food on the specious grounds of “supporting Biblical marriage,” or “supporting free speech,” was a pageant of banal, cheerful deep-fried American hate, unified in bigotry and detestation of a group of their fellow Americans who were different from them, all the while licking grease from their fingers and congratulating themselves on their piety and rectitude and patriotism.
The fact that Chick-fil-A claims to have posted “record” sales on Wednesday doesn’t mean that thousands of Americans waddled into a fast-food joint to deliver a “blow for freedom” or a “blow for Jesus” or “traditional values.” America didn’t get any holier or more “free” last Wednesday. It just got meaner and fatter, and even more rage-filled than it was before Mr. Cathy decided to sell his version of Christianity instead of chicken.
About Michael Rowe
Regardless of all blame assignment and positioning for, by, at, Christianity; I as a marketing guy have to conclude one big item in my report to the Board:
Perception is reality! In consumer marketing, “perception is reality!” If they think you are, you are. If they think you do, you do! If the think you beat your employees with a bull-whip…you ARE a truly evil company.
If they think you hate…you do hate.
Even if none of the perceived elements of your existence are even slightly true, they may as well be reality. They will never buy nor like your product. They will never trust you. They will never align with you.
I too often jump to defense as a lawyer; examining facts, drawing conclusions and analogy…But Its ALL for not! The perception of Christians is reality for ALL non-Christians.
Rob.
Couple of points. “They” who have the perception of Christianity are a very few. In addition, “they” do not have the perception that Christians hate. “They” hope that Christians, faced with a bogus charge of “hate” will cave. “They” know very well it’s a bogus, manipulative scam. What “they” don’t know is that “hate” has as much clout as “racist”, which is to say, none. “Racist” wore out and “hate” never got going.
Great! Where does that leave ME if I would HATE to be a RACIST???
Rob.
You say “would”, which implies you’re not sure if you’d hate to be a racist. Let’s call that sloppy phrasing.
So if you’d hate to be a racist, don’t be one.
Keep in mind, though, that if you have views which differ from the views of the Progressives, you will be called a racist anyway.
The Progs have apparently been left off the mailing list of “Accusations that make the accused laugh at us.”
RaceISM is a tough define. I can pretty much wrestle anyone through a logic and confession path that would make them say “I did not know that about myself.” Sometimes they will throw a fit, a glass or even a gauntlet. But it happened to me first.
Twas a German-born surgeon who saved my life (literally where others failed) who was watching TV news with me in my hospital room one night they were waiting for me to go kaput. He enjoyed that I lived in an all-black neighborhood in Syracuse for one year.
He asked; “at the end, were you glad to be back to where you were no longer unique?”
Honestly, “Yes…I was.” I can’t find any foundation or basis for that answer other than some sort of racism.
Rob. I have no doubt you could mis/re/un/dis define words until you got the unwary into cerebral gridlock. I once argued perpetual motion machines with a guy who made me crazy. Seems he’d had that subject on his HS debate team. Turned me inside out. Didn’t make perpetual motion machines any more plausible.
Racism is acting on the doctrine of racialism which is the view that some races are superior and others inferior. That’s it. The rest is bullshit. Manipulative bullshit.
Thing is, when you live for any length of time in a place which is, even slightly, different from how you were raised, it takes mental energy beyond the usual. Mostly, you don’t recognize it until, first, you are relieved by not being there for a time and, second, go back to it.
When I was in the Army, I might take goodish trip around the countryside on the weekends. At Ft. Jackson, it was down to Charleston, Savannah, or Gatlinburg. I would feel myself getting slightly wound back up when I returned to base. I was no longer an autonomous unit but–as an officer–had responsibility to take charge of anything that might need it happening in front of me, plus my usual duties, plus people were always saluting.
So, I was relieved when I went off post–not that I recall feeling it–and unrelieved coming back which I did feel. Pretty normal. That doesn’t make me any kind of Armyphobe.
I liked going home from my freshman year in college because the differences required me to be on the qui vive, ever so slightly when on campus. And that didn’t make me collegephobe.
You think it’s racist to be aware that people in a black neighborhood are looking at you and wondering what you’re doing there? That you might drop a dog-whistle word inadvertently? Let on that you know you have privilege? Nobody in your family ever got affirmative action–implicitly that nobody in your family ever needed it?
That’s not racist except in the broad sense that is so often used to accuse other people. It’s bogus to accuse others of it, and equally bogus to think you do it. And the constant awareness costs mental energy which, under other circumstances, isnot necessary and thus you feel relieved.
Yeah…LOL. I learned logic-fueled brain gridlock by debating gun control stuff since age 10. Course, my favorite debater is Ron White: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_B8joWR8BY
Rob.
Couple of points.
“They”, whoever they are, do not believe Christians hate. “they” think that Christians, in order to avoid being thought of as haters, will cave. Problem is, Christians know this is a bogus, manipulative scam.
No reason to cave.
The accusation of “hate” has no clout, no impact, no momentum. Everybody, including the accusers, know it’s a fraud.
It does serve, however, to tell who’s acting in good faith.
Damn. Stuff is awaiting moderation. Then it disappears, then I refill, presuming it’s lost in cyberspace, then it comes back. All about the timing, I guess.
There is a website (boycottchifila.com) that has articles and traffic going back to Jan 2011. This has obviously been an orchestrated effort within the LGBT community for some time, which is perfectly fine and I entirely support that.
My main point from the previous post remains valid. They took a very weak comment out of Baptist Press and some creative interpretation of FRCs lobbying efforts to press the issue. Then a bunch of progressive mayors jumped on the bandwagon and shifted the focus to limiting CFAs business opportunities.
In my opinion, they should have waited until Mr Cathy stepped in it big time (you know that’s going to happen sooner or later) in an unambiguous way. The way this protest was executed diluted the desired message and garnered a lot of oppositional support some of which would have been theirs had they better timed and framed the argument.
Rick.
I think you’re right about the mayors. Most folks–it’s hard to explain the depth of absolute disinterest in SSM most folks have–were annoyed about the mayors. The prospect of punishment by government not for actions but for beliefs was the major issue. If the government can do that to Chik Fil A, what couldn’t they do to folks who know they’ve been labeled and considered bitter clingers?
Considering Cathy made an innocuous remark about traditional marriage to an obscure religious pub, the possibility he’d step in it conveniently either as to depth or timing is slim.
There are two other items which may have contributed to the mass annoyance. One is the stunning–altough by this time we should be used to it–of hypocrisy of the Right Sort of People who saw a major threat in Chik Fil A for the same view that the president held until early May. The other is the attempt, yet again, to demonize opposition by using the term “hate” for a difference of opinion.
As i posted on that mega-lame site:
I’ll be donating a stack (Like a TON) of CFA gift coupons to your SF people. There are hungary homeless people in San Fran. Now, will you dispose of them, or feed the poor?
I love it when Politics And The Bible Get Into Bed Together ….. and the finger food is great too! P^)
Hand me a Crab Pouf – I’ll eat me seafood in spite of Leviticus 11:9, and take me chances with a Jealous God who preaches domestic violence, murder, slavery, matricide, fratricide and even loving your neighbour, which so many have used to justify adultery! I always wonder why some thought it was such a good idea to have a separation of Church And State.
I have to say, that from outside of the Goldfish Bowl, this whole deep-fried fiasco is plain bonkers. So it’s not about free speech – it’s not about gay chickens – and it’s not about nutrition of the soul. Is it even about God Fearing American Christians – and one has to wonder if the Christian is optional?
I always wonder why Christians are God fearing, given that they preach that God Loves them (Makes it all sort of Domestic Violence based) – or is it just In America – and if there is a different God who made it across on the May Flower?
I get the message – You buy chicken – The pedlar makes profits – pedlar uses tax loopholes to give to groups that call themselves charities etc – charities chosen are groups that have issues with GLBT and Same Same Marriage – you buy Chicken products from pedlar, you fund oppression, even your own oppression.
It’s like buying petroleum products – you buy gas – you use gas – you add to environmental degradation on a global scale. What is the position of American Christians on driving around in cars and using drive through to buy fast food products, whilst that gas usage profits apostate Moslem groups and countries? Exactly where is the oil being cooked to serve up chicken soul food?
This whole deep fried fiasco seems to play to the lowest common denominator, and a mixed salad of justification from supposed authority and differences driven by a need to belong. I supposes the Church of the deep fried Sausage Breakfast Burrito is as good as any when it comes to the numinous – but then again it raises biblical issues – Ten Commandants and Idols, as well as Exodus Exodus 20:4-5
…. and that domestic Violence Motif is So heavy too – and even generational! So for me it’s easy – all those who have bought into the God of chicken sandwiches have just damned themselves and their progeny unto the fourth generation, and all because they have not read the rule book they play by!
It wasn’t that long ago that the same rule book had to be re-written – cos it says slavery is fine and so many were convinced that God – Jesus – All Apostles – A Virgin and even the ox, ass and sheep were all Caucasian, Anglo-Saxon and Protestant …. and so were Adam and Eve! Leviticus – Exodus – and so much more Onion Skin thrown away, and yet selective reading retained so that control issues can be expressed.
Why is this so news worthy? Is it that people have woken up to a great deal of reality, or is it just part of a long standing and well planned political campaign aimed at some election in November? The campaign against this Soul Food Supplier is long standing, the soul food suppliers position is long standing – politics is long standing – media is opportunistic and has to be flung at you faster than any greasy burger …. and it gets colder quicker too!
…. as for Biblical Values and what the bible says, is it really necessary to revisit all the highly questionable claims made about a highly questionable book subject to highly questionable revisions and highly questionable translations in the hands of people with highly questionable attitudes and highly questionable reading abilities, political agendas and controlling attitudes? ….. and given that Nationalism has been raised, one wonders why King James features so heavily in the views expressed over so much Onion Skin, when King James and all were thrown under the bus over 200 years ago!
It does seem that the only winners in this mess are any shareholders in a certain food supplier.
Mediahound.
Missed the point. It was about political thuggery, punishment for wrongthought by several mayors and, by implication, other units of government.
Richard – as I said “I love it when Politics And The Bible Get Into Bed Together …”
It just depends on which one is wearing the trousers, and who is taking the lead for the Horizontal Tango! It can get so S&M, one ties up the other and they struggle in their mutual search for satisfaction, and then hey presto it’s role reversal, with the other on top and the bottom partner wondering how they ended up that way – and how it will all look on camera!
I love a particular Futuristic Quote:
“When religion and politics travel in the same cart, the riders believe nothing can stand in their way. Their movement become headlong – faster and faster and faster. They put aside all thought of obstacles and forget that a precipice does not show itself to the man in a blind rush until it is too late.”
-Dune, Frank Herbert, 1965.
… and they also tend forget how fickle modern media is, and that is why so many come a cropper at the bottom of the precipice. Media have moved on before they go over the edge and no comment is made on CNN or Fox news of a minor carting disaster with minor celebrities. Those who fail to learn the lessons of media are bound to a precipitous end.
Beautiful.