The Chick-fil-A Phenomenon: Revealing the Indispensable Importance of The Catholic Church

By F. K. Bartels
8/7/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

The reactions surrounding the Chick-fil-A stance on marriage are indicative of not only the steady advance of relativism and secularism, but of a nation suffering from the effects of Christian division.

The solution to the present disunity and doctrinal confusion in contemporary Christendom, the answers to questions about who man is, the nature of the human person and the nature of the institution of marriage, and much more, are all found within the womb of holy mother Church,where we learn how to live a fully human life in loving freedom as God's adopted children.

The Church is an expert on the Word made flesh, and therefore an expert on the nature of man, his purpose, goals and destiny.

Facebook Delicous MySpace

Twitter Stumble Digg

More Destinations

GLADE PARK, CO (Catholic Online) -- When Dan Cathy told the Baptist Press that, as "an organization," Chick-fil-A "can operate on biblical principles," he was simply stating his family's long held religious conviction that their chicken sandwich business be conducted according to Christian values. In fact, about six decades ago that was the guiding principle of the majority of American businesses. If that alone were all he said, while it would have attracted some attention, today's obdurate critics of Christianity would soon have turned their gaze elsewhere.

However, given the present moral climate of widespread relativism, when Mr. Cathy publicly stated that those same values meant opposing same-sex unions, the fires of outrage against the truth were ignited.

No one minds much when someone insists on principles; however, once those principles are articulated in such a way so as to make clear their opposition to moral relativists who deny, either in word or deed, the existence of the natural law, the divine law, and an absolute truth about what marriage is and about what the human person is, the banners of "discrimination," "intolerance," and "homophobic-hate-speech" are run up against anyone who even suggests that there is a divinely created order and reality intrinsic to human nature which the human person is not free to ignore.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco have all told the Atlanta-based chicken sandwich chain to "keep out." Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel trumpeted: "Chick-fil-A values are not Chicago values. They disrespect our fellow neighbors and residents." Alderman Proco "Joe" Moreno, one of fifty individuals who make up the Chicago City Council, showed his own distaste for Chick-fil-A's support of marriage when he voiced his intent to exercise a government strong-arm maneuver blocking the building of a second Chicago restaurant.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a strong advocate of homosexual unions, stated on a radio show that he doesn't think it's the local "government's business" to ban the building of new Chick-fil-A's based on the restaurant chain owners' views on marriage. "You really don't want to ask political beliefs or religious beliefs before you issue a [building] permit. That's just not government's job." Taken at face value, his comments appear to be on the right track. However, less than a week earlier Bloomberg and other city officials gathered to celebrate the first year anniversary of homosexual unions in New York. Apparently, Bloomberg and his political colleagues do think it is the "government's business" to attempt to force a redefinition of marriage.

We should not be surprised by the anti-truth and anti-religious-freedom mentality displayed by these politicians. After all, they are simply following the lead of the present Administration's open, blatant and historically unparalleled-in-America attack on religious freedom and freedom of conscience recently manifested by the HHS mandate. We should also recognize that America has been on a steady march toward secularization for decades. Therefore the relativistic philosophies often displayed by our nation's politicians are but a reflection of the views of a wide section of the populace. After all, these public officials were elected.

But it is not only politicians who are sounding off. So-called ordinary Americans on both sides of the issue of homosexual unions are readily offering their opinions on Facebook, Twitter, and the millions of personal blogs scattered over the electronic social media landscape. There are people who are, both Christian and otherwise, "ashamed of the intolerance of Christians"; and others who "can't imagine why heterosexual people would deny homosexual persons the ability to express sexual love." There are those who are apparently allergic to an objective judgment about what is good and right and what is not, and what is aligned with the nature of the human person and what is out of sync with it. And there are still others who insist that "God's love is without limit, and Jesus accepts everyone exactly as they are, so nobody can say how anyone else should live." What is perhaps most disturbing, is that, given their context and phrasing, the majority of these often theologically ...

1 | 2 Next Page

Rate This Article

Was this helpful to you? Very Helpful Somewhat Helpful Not Helpful at All

Would you be interested in more articles like this? Yes, I am Interested No, I am not Interested

Rate Article

1 - 8 of 8 Comments

harry reyhing
9 months ago
Great article.But also remember that though Jesus died for all and the call is universal there is still many who refuse the call refuse to repent and die lost.Our call is to bring as many as possible to salvation but the Bible,the early church fathers,2000 years of the magisterium all the greatest of saints affirmed there is a heaven and a hell.god gave us free will he forces heaven on no one.Sadly post vat 2 there have been heretical liberal priests and bishops who have watered down hell and make it seem like hardly anyone goes there.that is a total lie according to Jesus and all the greatest saints hell is well populated and very horrible.That should spur us all the more to witness to others.but God forbid we water down his word as that will help damn souls
Meo
9 months ago
This is an awesome article, and as for the Basilica it is called " Notre-Dame-de-Montreal " or Our Lady of Montreal Basilica, it is in Montreal, Quebec Canada. Butiful Church.
mikem
9 months ago
which church is that pictured as the lead to this article???! wow is that gorgeous. the widest church I have ever seen! three levels of seating on the sides, and a super amazing main altar? where is that? (I don't get around too much...:-( Has anyone ever seen or visited the basilica of La Virgen De Las Lajas in Colombia, South America? That is amazing how it was constructed in mid-air hanging above a deep gorge with a river beneath it. But this church in the photo with this article is really beautiful. ty. I wish there were photo credits available for Catholic online....:-(
Kasoy
9 months ago
Many young Catholics were raised by busy parents who hardly have time themselves to read the Bible and the CCC. It's not too surprising that many Catholics grow up having no in-depth understanding of even the basic tenets of the Church. Many do not even realize the real presence of Jesus in the consecrated host they receive during communion. Confession is no longer seen as an indispensable remedy to receive sanctifying grace that will make us worthy to receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. We no longer dread falling into mortal sin by casually missing Sunday Masses. Here are some books that may be much easier to read for those who grew up not knowing much about our Catholic faith: "The Way of Divine Love" by Sis. Josefa Menendez (1890-1923) - particularly Chapter 8 - The Lent of 1923 wherein Jesus explained to her His thoughts and feelings during His Passion from the Last Supper to the Crucifixion, and the other book is "The Glories of Divine Grace" by Fr. Matthias J. Scheeben (1835-1888) which expounds on the necessity for grace. Both books are divided into very short independent sections that can each be read within 5 minutes. For those who have a more advance knowledge of our faith (after having read and understood the CCC) can also read "The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena" which many, I'm sure will discover surprising principles (eg, God told St. Catherine that even the devils give glory to God, then explained at length to her how).
abey
9 months ago
They the opponents of the Will of God by His creation, changing the love of God into a lie, reflect the false gods, of whom the Bible says "Are reserved for the Judgement even unto their gods".
Phyllis
9 months ago
Excellent and very informative! The quote from the CCC 760 I had never read nor the sentence that follows, It beautifully states God's desire for our life in Him.
"God created the world for the sake of communion with his divine life, a communion brought about by the 'convocation' of men in Christ, and this 'convocation' is the Church" (CCC 760).
Full communion with the Church, as Christ's body in union with the Spirit, is the goal toward which the Father is directing the whole of humankind, one which is ultimately for the sake of our reception of divine love.
Tonna Ezedigwe
9 months ago
I love dis page
Nathan
9 months ago
This is a great article. It is very rich. Catholics and non-Catholics need to come to the beautiful understanding about the nature of the Church and its vital importance in our lives. This is a good one to pass on to others!

Comments submitted must be civil, remain on-topic and not violate any laws including copyright. We reserve the right to delete any comments which are abusive, inappropriate or not constructive to the discussion.

Though we invite robust discussion, we reserve the right to not publish any comment which denigrates the human person, undermines marriage and the family, or advocates for positions which openly oppose the teaching of the Catholic Church.

This is a supervised forum and the Editors of Catholic Online retain the right to direct it.

We also reserve the right to block any commenter for repeated violations. Your email address is required to post, but it will not be published on the site.

We ask that you NOT post your comment more than once. Catholic Online is growing and our ability to review all comments sometimes results in a delay in their publication.

Name *

Email *

Comment *

Send me important information from Catholic Online and it's partners. See Sample

Post Comment