I know better than to respond to right wing crap on facebook

[FourScore]

I do know better. I do know better. I do know better, but sometimes I do it anyway...

This time, the post was about everyone going out to eat at Chick-fil-A in order to support Mr. Cathey's BRAVERY!!! And his FREEDOM. His freedom of speech. His freedom of religion. And by golly, he's just such a good guy who never deserved such venomous hatred!

The poster (a conservative Christian I had known in college) insisted that she usually stays away from all things political...But, THIS TIME, this man, Mr. Cathey, had been treated so unfairly, his rights had been so trampled upon (no mention, of course, of the millions of people upon whose freedoms Mr. Cathey had trampled) and, by golly, did I mention his constitutional right to his own RELIGIOUS BELIEFS!!!! AND DID I MENTION FREEDOM???

{{{Sigh}}} Don't do it. Don't do it. Don't respond.

I was good. I held back.

A woman named Stacey was the first to respond, and her slap-down of our mutual "friend" actually gave me hope:

"Was his statement "tolerant"? Everyone has the right to express his or her beliefs, Cindy, but it disappoints me that you would go out of your way to defend someone who believes that my relationship and my family are less than his relationship and his family or yours, in the name of God, no less. We may have freedom of speech, but that is no reason to support someone whose beliefs equal discrimination, disrespect, and intolerance of fellow human beings who just want to live quiet lives with the same rights as anyone else. The marriage equality debate is not about beliefs. It is about civil rights, and it is about family. How would you feel if someone in a public role had spoke out against your relationship, and donated funds to political organizations that are working hard to prevent you from marrying the person you love? How would you feel if I supported that person and his "freedom of speech"? This is not a political issue. This is personal to many people. Including your own family members."

YAY, Stacey!!! She was goood. I clicked the "like" button on what she said. (Okay. I'll admit it. I even checked out her fb page and saw the beautiful photos of her and her partner. What a lovely couple!)

Then she got pummeled. She held her own for a while and then left.

Don't do it...Don't do it...DON'T. DO. IT!!! {{{sigh}}} I did it. I went there.

Let me be clear about this (especially to Stacey), I support those who are gay and lesbian with all my heart. The gay and lesbian community must fight bigotry and hate on a daily basis, and I am there fighting it with them. Discrimination and intolerance come in all forms, even wrapped in the cloak of religious righteousness - there is nothing new to that. Mr. Cathy's religious beliefs are his own, and no one is stopping him from having them. Yet, he is also the leader of a major food chain. If he makes public statements that are in any way discriminatory, there WILL BE A BACKLASH. It is naive to think there would be none. Of course, he has the RIGHT to say it. And he has the RIGHT to his beliefs. Just as those who are now boycotting him have the RIGHT to do that. So, in the last few days, I have been mulling a hypothetical question. Please allow me to ask it here -- If Mr.Cathy were a Muslim and his religious beliefs prevented him from supporting equality for women, would people still support his religious beliefs and his freedom of speech? Would all of you still meet up in his restaurant? I think not. Yet, what is the difference?

The response was an overwhelming...{{{crickets}}}

Eventually Stacey and another woman began arguing again (Stacey did fine without me.) I did repost my hypothetical question, but it was completely ignored. Probably deemed "too far out there". I've always had a history of being the odd one. Actually, I'm kinda proud to wear that badge.

[Sherman A1]

1. It comes down to this in my opinion

The owner of Chick fil a, has every right to his opinions and to do whatever he wants to do with his money. He however choose to make his opinions public and to donate money (I believe money of the business) to something in which I do not find particularly agreeable. He made a business decision to do so. I likewise am making a business decision to not shop at his stores as I find his expressed opinions and actions supporting those opinions offensive. His money, his choice. My money, my choice. He shared his opinions on the subject and I am sharing my opinions on the subject. If his business suffers as a consequence of his actions so be it, thats the chance you take in business when you take actions that venture into the social arena, that are exclusionary and it seems rather hate filled. He did not build his business alone, but he may have through his actions done it great damage all by himself. Time will tell.

[avebury]

4. Agreed. nt

[FourScore]

5. Exactly. n/t

[Selatius]

2. Most smart businessmen leave their political views out of it.

Taking a very prominent political stand on a divisive issue is risky at best in that you could alienate a significant chunk of your customer base. If you did alienate a good chunk of your base, another competitor that hasn't stated any position on the matter could easily cater to customers that were once yours. You are now at a competitive disadvantage.

A good capitalist leaves the issue of religion to those who support capitalism from the bully pulpit, not the boardroom. Anyone else who uses religion to advance socialism is labeled a communist.

[The Doctor.]

3. Your question was ignored because it was too uncomfortable.

It forced them to face a reality about discrimination that they did not want to face.

So they ignored it.

Because that is what they are: Ignorant.

[Sirveri]

6. He also donated money to anti-woman groups.

The biggest anti-GLBT donation went to a group that also sponsored the rape by the state vaginal ultrasound bill in VA.