Posted: 07/26/2012 at 11:07am | IP Logged

Battle Lines Drawn in Chick-fil-A Gay Marriage Flap

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CBNnews.com

Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy has never made it a secret that his company, Chick-fil-A, is based on biblical values.

Last week, Cathy publicly voiced his support of traditional marriage.

"I think we are inviting God's judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at Him and say 'we know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage," he said.

His comments put Chick-fil-A at the center of a public debate, and battle lines are being drawn nationwide.

Public officials in both Boston and Chicago say new Chick-fil-A stores are not welcome in their cities.

Join the #ISupportChickfilA Twitter campaign. Tweet us @CBNNews your reason for supporting Chick-fil-A.

"Chick-fil-A 's values are not Chicago values," Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel declared. "They're not respectful of our residents, neighbors and family members, and if you're going to be part of the Chicago community you should reflect the Chicago values."

"I don't believe a company that speaks out against gay rights in our country today should have the opportunity to operate in the city of Boston," Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said.

Other city leaders, like Chicago's 24th Ward Ald. Michael Chandler, disagree with keeping a company out simply because of its owner's religious beliefs.

"Yes, if it produced jobs," Chandler said. "And then if there were another business that they believe in gay marriage and wanted to locate in my Ward, I'd put them right next door to them."

Meanwhile, Chick-fil-A customers are more interested in rewarding their taste buds than punishing Chick-fil-A.

Chicago radio station, WBEZ 91.5, recently asked its listeners how Cathy's comments would affect their eating habits.

"Everybody is entitled to their opinion and my opinion is I like Chick-fil-A food," one listener said. "Now whatever...he wants to do with his life and how he wants to feel, that's on him. But I do appreciate him coming up with chicken."

In a statement to ABC News, Chick-fil-A said it treats "every person with honor, dignity and respect-regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender."

Supporters of the fast food chain, like former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, are organizing a "Chick-fil-A Day." Everyone is encouraged to go eat at one of the restaurants on Aug. 1 in a massive show of support for the company.

"I have been incensed at the vitriolic assaults on the Chick fil-A company because the CEO [sic], Dan Cathy, made comments recently in which he affirmed his view that the biblical view of marriage should be upheld," Huckabee said.

"The Cathy family, led by Chick fil-A founder Truett Cathy, are a wonderful Christian family who are committed to operating the company with biblical principles and whose story is the true American success story," he said.

Huckabee and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum are also backing Chick-fil-A through Facebook and Twitter.