Thursday, August 02, 2012

Chick-fil-a Sacrificed to Idols

1 Corinthians 8: 9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.

This passage took on new meaning for me this morning and I wanted to share it with you.

Many well-meaning “Christians” took to the streets yesterday and PACKED Chick-fil-a’s across this country in what most deemed “Chick-fil-a Appreciation Day”. But we should know that is was more of a support of Dan Cathy’s stance on “biblical family values” than it was appreciation for good food and good service. Christians were countering an attempt by the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered) Community to show up en mass and merely order a cup of water in order to clog up lines and frustrate the staffs and management at CFA.

I saw pictures on Facebook of Christians standing in line, taking pictures with the CFA mascot, proudly carrying their cups and bags of CFA food around like a badge of honor. People actually ordered bags of CFA sandwiches to pass out to homeless people on street corners….all in support of CFA. While these are not all bad things, it is the tone and manner in which Christians are voicing their support of CFA that disturbs me. Our posture sucks.

The LGBT has, erroneously or not, taken Dan Cathy’s remarks that he supports a “traditional family unit, made up of a man and woman in marriage” as anti-gay. Their thought being, if you are FOR traditional marriage you hate gays. CFA’s known policies of hiring and serving everyone are the same. Patrons are not asked their sexual orientation when stepping to the counter and there is no blank on employment forms asking about sexual orientation. I also know that CFA donates moneys to pro-traditional family causes...(Focus on the Family being one and there are others).

But here is the rub for me in light of today’s reading……we need to be careful that we do not exercise our rights to a great chicken sandwich on a day and in a manner that is deemed to be anti-gay. Christ was not anti-gay. If we believe that he was, we have our theology screwed up. He was anti-sin. He was just as much anti-gossip, anti-adultery, anti-greed, anti-covetous, anti-glutton as he was anti-gay. Can we gossip and still be loved by Jesus? Can we covet and still be loved by Jesus? Then can’t a person be gay and still be loved by Jesus? And if Jesus loves them and the entire LGBT community, shouldn’t we also love them?

I am reminded of the story of the woman caught in adultery. Where he literally advocated for this woman as she was about to be stoned by the religious. The religious! He didn’t condemn her for her sin to the contrary. He knelt beside her and drew in the dirt, as the religious were picking out their stones to throw at her. He questioned their hearts asking the one that was without sin to cast the first stone. Then they dropped their stones and left. After they left he asked, “where are your accusers. Has no one condemned you (to die)?”. And she replied, “they have all left”. And he said to her, “nor do I condemn you…..go and sin no more.” Jesus himself did not condemn…what gives us the right? 


This condemning patriotic idol of traditional family values has become a STUMBLING BLOCK to the LGBT Community. I call it an idol because we have elevated it above our love for them. When Christ said, “love your neighbor as yourself”, he was talking about ALL of our neighbors, including the LGBT Community. When he said, “whatever you have done to the least of these brothers and sisters you have done to me” he was talking about ALL the marginalized, including the LGBT Community. Yet we have grabbed hold of their sin, elevated it above our own, and are willing to cast hate filled stones.

Right or wrong, our action of solidarity for a restaurant and it’s CEO can be construed as anti-gay. I’m not saying it is wrong, but if it is even perceived to be wrong by “the weak”, those “without knowledge” (of God) then it is wrong and we are “defiling” them. If it is perceived as wrong by the LGBT then we should not eat Chick-fil-a sandwiches sacrificed to the condemning patriotic idol of traditional family values.

I myself, am still for traditional family values. I still believe that God created man and woman to be married. And my understanding of scripture is that homosexuality is a sin. But because our country was founded on these values, we have certain rights that non-traditional couples don’t have. But since we know that all men are created equal….to have rights that others don’t have because of race, religious beliefs or sexual orientation is wrong.

So no…I didn’t go to CFA yesterday...much like I won’t drink alcohol if I am around someone who believes drinking to be sinful or if they struggle with alcohol. I am careful and use discernment when I drink alcohol…and the same should be done when eating meat sacrificed to idols,  even an idol of our own making.

Side note: I will still eat at CFA and enjoy their awesome sandwiches. But it was brought to light by someone in the LBGT Community that CFA supported a group in Uganda that promoted a “Kill the Gays Bill” that would not only make it illegal to be gay, but it would be punishable by death. If I find out or a strong connection can be made that that CFA knowingly supported a bill to exterminate gay people in Uganda….I will not eat Chick-fil-a again. Crap…I hope it’s not true.

19 comments:

CharCof said...

I wish I could crash the dinner party conversation on this...I am with you, just struggle to articulate my thoughts.

Anonymous said...

Deal is, He said, "Go and sin no more." Don't be a prostitute anymore... Don't be a gossip anymore. Don't be a homosexual anymore..
So, yes he was anti-sin.

Not just Christians were in line. It was people who believe in your first amendment right to express your beliefs. And yes, some gay people were there too..

It's about free speech and nothing more.

Samuel said...

When you read the entire chapter, or better yet, the entire letter, it is obvious that Paul is referring to eating meats that have been slain before idols. It was a common practice in Greece and Rome. It is also clear he is referring to the community of believers -- not nonbelievers. If you go back to 1 Corinthians 1 (23,24)Paul writes: 20Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

Anonymous said...

If Christians stop supporting one another in our stand with Biblical truths, then we will continue to see the decay of our moral society. We must stand with one another in love. At the same time, we must always continue to love the sinner. I did not see or hear of any hateful actions done by the consumers of CFA yesterday. I see too much passivity from Christians these days as they do not want to speak up in fear of offending someone. We must learn to be bold and speak in love. Again, I didn't see the "hate" yesterday or even "anti-gay" actions. It's a shame that people would choose to see hate in the action of simply supporting the Biblical truth as well as our first amendment right.

Anonymous said...

Yes, Jesus said, "Go and sin no more", but I still struggle with judgement and other sins. It's not a stumble and you're out kind of deal. It's not even a 3 strikes you're out kind of deal. Jesus came as a deliverer from our sin and death not because we could hear about Him or meet Him once on the street and then be a perfect reflection of His image, but because we are infinitely flawed and fall victim to our flesh over and again. We were born into a fallen world and eat from a buffet of sin each day. Jesus did not come to condemn, but for our salvation. If Jesus, the owner of the only sinless feet to ever walk the dust of the earth will not turn His back, I will not either. I agree exactly with homosexuality being a sin, but do believe they should have the same rights and exepmtions afforded them that I myself enjoy.

SagebrushFarm said...

Well said! Amen!

Anonymous said...

Tray,
I'm afraid dear pastor that you totally missed this one. I pray your belief/position do not represent the views of all Austin New Church Leadership.

This is not about the Holy Bible or Gay Marriage at all. This is simply about Politicians paid by We The People(tax payers)using there position to try and silence, intimidate and denigrate Private Citizens for their own opinions beliefs and hidden agenda. THIS IS TO ME A DEMONSTRATION FOR FREE SPEECH. (Just exercising my 1st Amendment right by expressing my personal opinion like Mr. Samuel Truett Cathy. Blessings to you sir

Standing by for liberals to attack me.

Tray said...

Dear Anonymous,
If I missed it, then this guy REALLY missed it.

http://matthewpaulturner.net/f1/5-reasons-why-the-church-failed-yesterday

If you would like to have a dialogue or discuss my views or that of ANC leadership, please call me.

Julie said...

The LGBT's are screaming at the world for tolerance which to them means I must tolerate their belief while they don't tolerate mine.

Anonymous said...

It makes me sad to see how Christians are so divided on this matter. I would think that showing support for another Christian who spoke of his belief in the words of the Bible would trump everything. Yes, even our first amendment right, which is also extremely important. But it appears that even some Christians seem offended by this action of support because they fear it sends a message of hate. Do you feel that Christians should stay silent and not support one another no matter how difficult times get? We are watching God get taken out of our society more and more... all in the name of not offending certain people. If standing up for Biblical truths (even in a peaceful manner) is perceived as hate, then we have a very, very long road ahead of us. I think many Christians live in fear of being persecuted as our Lord Jesus Christ was persecuted. If Christians won’t stand up for Christ, who will? Perhaps, then, we should indeed quit calling Christmas “Christmas” because the name could be sending a message of hate to those who don’t believe in Christ. Do you see where this is going?

Anonymous said...

If I missed it, then this guy REALLY missed it.

http://matthewpaulturner.net/f1/5-reasons-why-the-church-failed-yesterday

Yes Tray, it is my opinion that Mr. Turner did REALLY miss it. Apparently I am not alone in that belief from reading the many comments people posted in response to his article.

Pastor, I believe you are truly a good man, with strong faith. So the fact that you would use Mr. Turner’s article to come to your defense and support your position is simply imprudent and completely baffling to me.
……….
Interview with Matthew Paul Turner
Question: What do you think about atheists?

“I have a great deal of respect for atheists. Certainly, I can understand why a person would come to the conclusion that God doesn’t exist. I have moments in my life when I come to that conclusion too.”

Matthew Paul Turner - April 1, 2010

Tray said...

Again, I still wait on your call to clear any confusion.

Tray said...

http://traypruet.blogspot.com/2012/08/rights-vs-right.html

Unknown said...

Pastor,
You speak as one who loves people. Your love of people is scandalous and offensive to traditional, closed views.
My Savior is scandalous as such. He loved even me.

Thank you for the bold honesty. It's refreshing.

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