Losing patients with society
I am very upset today for reasons everyone can relate with
one way or another. I hope that this is the last time I think of this issue, or
talk of this issue, for awhile. The
issue I speak of is regarding the institution of chicken and God. Yes, you know
what I am referring to.
This is a rather hot topic, and I by no means write this
entry in attempt to stir up controversy, but to speak from my heart with all
the fairness I can give to both parties.
The owner of chicken and God has every right to state his
opinion of gay marriage, I agree. It’s
kind of humorous that someone would ask him this question in the first place.
My good friend, Erin stated, “What do you expect the answer to be when asked, “Do
you believe in gay marriage” to a devout Christian who owns a business that is
closed on Sundays?” I agree, absolutely. That’s setting the stage for
controversy.
However obvious the answer was, I feel as if openly
discussing this controversial topic has indeed formed a separation between
those for and against this civil liberty (ahem). This, I do not blame on the
owner of chicken and God whatsoever. It’s the reporter looking to stir the pot,
and guess what? You’ve made your news story. Bravo.
I have to say, I love the food at chicken and God like most
people who’ve had the opportunity to eat there. The service is excellent and
the employees appear to be genuinely happy. And the sauce; don’t get me started
on the sauce… However, there are consequences to every action that is openly
stated by someone of great power and influence. Though what the owner said was
not wrong (by his moral views), it has brought many people out of the woodworks
who are not just supporting his right to have this opinion, or to support his
Christian values, but those who have been hiding behind a veil of hate; those who
have been waiting for this moment to make others of non-traditional families feel
isolated and practitioners of sin.
It’s brought out the ugly in people.
The rally yesterday was my breaking point. Not only were the
unyielding Spacebook statuses and pictures an annoyance, but a slap in the face
to brothers and sisters of the human race. The endless lines that wrapped around chicken
and God were seen as unwavering middle fingers to those of non-traditional
families. The one “safe” time that people against equality had the chance to voice
their opinion. Yes, you have the right not to believe in gay marriage, but to
openly display this opinion was a sign of lacking discernment (another term
from my dear Christian friend, Erin).
I too lacked
discernment for a short while in my absolute rage from this action. I also
fired back on Spacebook for those who openly stated their support for chicken
and God. It is fine that you have your opinion, but I don’t want to see their
logo on my feed. For example, I do not believe in abortion, but if I put that
on my feed and you strongly disagreed, would you be happy? I don’t think so. I
respect my friends enough to be mindful of their feelings. I also respect them
enough to not judge them for their decision. Getting back to my lack of
discernment, for that, I am mildly ashamed. I am ashamed that I stooped to that
level of judgment, or lack thereof. I find it to be a hurtful and offensive
towards amazing families and individuals, who happen to be gay, that I’ve come
to know or know of. I hurt for the mommies in my Ds community of little Eli
that just passed yesterday. I hurt of Jaidin’s mommies because they are
excellent parents to that little boy. Jaidin too, has Ds. They do more for his
care and wellbeing than many traditional families.
I am not saying that those who agree with the owner of
chicken and God are people of hate – not at all. But the message that
action has made to those who are not like them was heartbreakingly unnecessary.
I just hope that priest, pastors, and other with similar power do not
acknowledge the rally this Sunday as an act of honor. There is no honor in
rallying against a fellow human being, regardless of if you agree with them or
not.
People fear what is
different. People fear what is not in accordance to their religious belief. The unknown can be scary for some. I get it.
But, we’re in a world filled with people who are different. Does that make who
they are bad? Not at all.
To tie this into the purpose of my blog, it made me not only
think of the numerous people I personally know who are gay, but also Wes. Wes
is different too. Even before the
understanding of my son’s diagnosis, I was a lover of all mankind. I may not
have understood it, or relate personally, but who am I to judge what is right
and wrong? This act, this rally, to those
who participated was a sign of solidarity. A sign that they support what chicken
and God stands for. However, to those on the outside it was seen as a thick
concrete wall erected to further segregate humankind.
Can’t we all just get along? Can't we all just love one another for our differences?
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