All week I’ve been thanking my lucky stars (and, erm, God) that I don’t live within 150 miles of the now-infamous poultry sandwich establishment, and that most of my far-North friends have no innate loyalty to the Southern chicken chain. For me, the ugly, aggravating, and to my mind incredibly stupid debate has played out online, and not in my community. *sigh of relief*
Still, there were some good, if searing, jewels that emerged from this dungheap of a debate. I will admit my bias up front: I am not half as concerned about Christians’ rights to express themselves as I am with HOW Christians express themselves. So that’s what these posts address.
Five Reasons Why the Church Failed Yesterday by Matthew Paul Turner
“People felt hate and we ignored that… Whether or not hate actually existed is not the point, people felt hated. And rather than acknowledging those feelings or trying to understand or engage them in any way, Christians everywhere marched off to their local CFA like it was a cross to bear, a necessity, a battle cry of some sort, the waffle fry’s last stand… How many times do we hear Christians say something like, “I don’t hate gay people. I may not agree with their lifestyle, But I don’t hate them.” If you were gay, would you believe that?”
Why Appreciating or Boycotting Chik-fil-A is an Adventure in Missing the Point by Larry Shallenberger
“In Jesus’ day, the religious lawyers used meals to prounounce moral judgement on their neighbors. They ate with those they deemed to be keepers of Moses’ law and shunned those they considered to be sinners. Tax collectors, shepherds, adulterers, drunks were all considered to be unworthy dining company. To eat with the unrighteous was to endorse their behavior… Jesus, on the other hand, found a far more interesting way to make a point with meals. He used meals to communicate his radical love for moral misfits. The Gospels are filled with accounts of Jesus eating with sinners: people who made careers by stealing from others, people who worked in shady occupations and people who even ignored God’s rules about the use of their sexual organs. He ate with them all. By doing so he communicated that a Heavenly King wanted to extend his protection and lordship to these people, knowing full well who they were.”
And, standing in because the post I really wanted to put here has gone missing, Jan Hatmaker’s invitation to join her In the Basement.
“Christians, do you really think posting pithy statments on Facebook about “standing firm in our values” and “resisting the liberal media” is helping? The lines we draw in the sand do absolutely nothing except assure everyone else: YOU’RE OUT. When we turn to politics and power to legislate our brand of morality, we take the opposite approach of Jesus whose power was activated in the margins with the outcasts…humbly…preipherally.”
And, of course, there’s this:
If that’s not convicting, I don’t know what is. Next time something like this happens, let’s line up to show our love for people who are truly hurting, hungry, and downtrodden, instead of feasting on the greasy pleasure of flaunting opinions others find hurtful. Let’s break bread with the “moral misfits” Jesus invited to the table, instead of seizing the opportunity to demonstrate our disapproval–as if they didn’t already know that.
If we expect people to believe that we love them, we’d better start proving it.
the thing is, the author herself does not know if those who patronized CFA serve at homeless shelters or minister to the downtrodden or talk with others about Jesus, or have gay friends etc etc…And whatever going down in the basement actually means (yes I read the article) let’s make sure we are ALL not just talk
True, Courtney–well, actually, I know that MANY people who patronized CFA are wonderful people who love their gay friends and minister very faithfully. It’s just a bummer that this is the face that was presented to the world. Wouldn’t it be cool if when we want to make a statement, Christians engaged in mass acts of service instead?
Everyone in America knows that would never be reported on. The posts you posted make me mad for two reasons. The first one asks the question as to whether or not I would believe Christians loved gays if I were one. I would say yes to that. I have a friend who is gay and he knows I love him, he loves me, and yes, he even knows that I think his lifestyle is wrong and that God considers it sinful. But I show love to him anyway, because, go figure I do love him. And secondly I am bothered by these posts b/c I didn’t go to CFA to be a witness to the world. I and others aught to be doing that 24/7. I went to CFA to support them in standing for Christian beliefs. They are a company that stands for what is right, not for what is accepted. I appreciate that and the whole day was about showing them appreciation. I never read on one single post that we should go to CFA on that day to show our Christian love to non-believers. It was about showing love and support to my brother, and yes, the bible says to do that, too ( and actually prioritizes that before the needs of non-believers).
Jen, we have CFA around here but I didn’t go to one on Wednesday. I think that means I’m a bad Christian. In fact, I’ve never been to a CFA. I think that means I’m a really bad Christian.
Oh well, good thing Jesus loves me.
Tim
Yes, but think how much HEALTHIER you are! ;-D
Yeah, healthier … that’s it. Eating at In-n-Out Burger is healthier. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!
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Tim
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P.S. Did you see the latest responsive tactic in this CFA battle? http://news.yahoo.com/chick-fil-opponents-stage-same-sex-kiss-225747622.html
My wife and I aren’t gay, but if there’s a good make-out session going on at the local CFA tonight we might just have to take our first trip to the resturant.
Hahaha!
If you had a CFA nearer by, you could tell Aaron tonight’s date night but the dinner location’s a surprise.
Tim
P.S. We actually are going out tonight, but taking our son. He’s leaving for Vietnam tomorrow, so this is a going-away dinner at his favorite sushi place. This time he’s going by himself for 4 weeks, but he’ll be working with one of the organizations his team worked with the last two trips.
Prayers for his time there would be greatly appreciated.