Toleration and Free Speech . . . As Long As You Are FOR Certain Topics
The current social uproar over Chick-fil-A’s recent funding of Christian, anti-gay organizations is quite a spectacle.
And it’s a major hypocrisy.
It’s quite ironic many of those people who preach toleration, kindness and acceptance of others are the ones screaming the loudest at Chick-fil-A’s recent anti-gay actions. Based on what I’ve seen on Facebook and other message forums, we’re not talking about mere screaming, but pure rage and hatred against the fast food company and those who stand and share similar beliefs. Take Rosanne Barr’s recent (and very hateful) comments against Chick-fil-A. She’s only wishing CANCER of all things on people who eat there. Hell, even the mayor of Boston, Thomas Menino, heavily recommended that Chick-fil-A not try to open any restaurants in their city of “pride”.
That’s right. A city’s mayor boasting of its so-called “pride” refuses to accept a major fast food franchise because the company is sticking with its core values, and those values happen to be against same-sex marriage. Instead of recognizing Chick-fil-A’s obviously different values and still accepting them for who they are, welcoming the top-quality fast food chain to their city, the mayor is basically telling the company to stay home. They don’t want them BECAUSE of their beliefs. So much for being tolerable of others.
What’s next? Attacking Chick-fil-A locations at night and smashing their glass windows?
Let me get this straight.
A Christian-based company is being criticised because the CEO has the guts to stand up for his religious beliefs. What “society” is saying is that the private company should instead be protested, ridiculed and FORCED to accept opposite values, no matter how much the leader and founder may be against it. That’s “toleration” for you. Accept OUR beliefs or we’ll protest and harass YOU until A) you accept us, or B) you’re out of business.
Sadly, this is common throughout today’s society, especially in the political spectrum. It’s the whole, “You have freedom of speech as long as it’s something that we agree. If you speak AGAINST our beliefs then we’ll scream and call YOU racist, bigoted, uneducated, unacceptable of others, or just plain full of HATE. That’s right, we’ll call YOU a hater if you speak against something that WE accept.”
That very mentality is somehow acceptable by today’s media and politicians. When you stand up for issues like traditional marriage between a man and a woman, many in today’s society will treat you like an outcast. “How DARE you be against gay people getting married? Why do you HATE them so much? What’s WRONG with YOU?”
If a private company wants to run its business based on certain beliefs, then that’s up to them. If a company wants to donate parts of its profit to organizations, whether to help a cause or just give back to the community, then that’s their business. The problem arises when a company like Chick-fil-A is “caught” (though the CEO freely admitted it) trying to defend a social value as “horrific” as something like traditional marriage between a man and a woman.
Does it matter that Chick-fil-A continues to receive awards and honors for its quality of food and supreme level of customer service? How about the fact that Chick-fil-A’s legendary customer service is being used as a model for other businesses. Sure, it costs a little bit more to enjoy their food, but the quality and service clearly make up for that price difference.
Do the fast food competitors complain that Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays and holidays, sending those days of business to them, the competitors? There have been many Sundays where I’ve craved some Chick-fil-A, but I respect the company’s values of family and religion, along with their decision to close for Sundays and holidays. I’ll gladly wait one more day if it means getting a fresh, juicy, and extremely tasty chicken sandwich on a Monday. I can live with that.
Let’s not forget that all customers are accepted and treated equally at Chick-fil-A restaurants. It doesn’t matter your race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion. You will be treated courteously and respectfully at the restaurant. I’ve been to many Chick-fil-A’s across the southeast, and that feeling of quality and strong customer service has been present at every location.
The bottom line here is this: Do you really want all businesses to have to agree with your point-of-view?
For example, I don’t care for the casual atmosphere and many of the people who eat at Panera Bread, but that restaurant chain has excellent service and makes some damn good sandwiches, too. It’s worth the price to treat yourself there every once in a while.
It’s the same when heading up north and visiting Tim Hortons. Casual restaurants dominated by coffee aren’t my thing, but the food there is great AND you get to enjoy a doughnut with the meal! They just need to fix their soft drink refill policy.
If somebody is homosexual (for whatever reason, whether it’s by choice or being “born that way”), then that’s their business. Personally, I don’t care what people do behind closed doors (or in the closet). I respect their privacy and decision to do whatever they please. If people want to be in a same-sex relationship, then that’s their business, not mine.
The people who are swearing and ranting about Chick-fil-A’s stance on same-sex marriages prove just how intolerable THEY really are when faced with opposite beliefs. Don’t like the company’s stance on social issues? Fine. Don’t give them any business. Nobody is putting a gun to your head and forcing you to order a combo meal at Chick-fil-A. There’s no need to rant and rave and bitch (especially with the vile and hateful words used by some people) just because a company or organization happens to have a different opinion on the subject matter.
Freedom of speech?
Not in this country.
Just make sure your opinion agrees with celebrities, talking heads, and members of the media BEFORE you make public your stance on certain issues.