News of Chick-fil-A’s decision to reprioritize their charitable giving and part ways with faith-based organizations like the Salvation Army and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has understandably disappointed its legions of Christian supporters, including me.
Established in 1946 by S. Truett Cathy, the then fledgling chicken franchise grew rapidly throughout the United States, its business guided by their self-described mission “to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us.”
I’ve long loved Chick-fil-A, not just for its food but also because of the strong Christian principles the company has adhered to – even against the changing tides of culture whose forces have continuously harassed and bullied the restaurant chain over the course of the last two decades.
Monday’s news was particularly disconcerting, not just because the company has appeared to capitulate to the leftist mafia – but because Chick-fil-A’s decision financially impacts some of our nation’s premier Christian organizations.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes played a critical role in my coming to Christ. They continue to serve our nation’s youth in remarkable ways and are on the front lines in schools across the country. Likewise, the Salvation Army ministers in powerful ways, alleviating hunger and suffering on so many levels.
It would appear that Chick-fil-A has grown weary of the unrelenting attacks of the left and has concluded their affiliations with socially conservative organizations are negatively impacting their ability to expand in certain domestic and international markets.
Sadly, the left-wing mob that has harangued our friends at Chick-fil-A has perfected the art of the shakedown. They’ve come after Focus on the Family, and they’ve come after me. Recently, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees upset the left when he supported our ministry’s Bring Your Bible to School effort. Their antagonism towards Chick-fil-A is just the tip of the spear.
Thuggish groups like the Southern Poverty Law Center and GLAAD have raised millions of dollars by absurdly labeling organizations who support the biblical definition of marriage as “hate” groups. As it turns out, acquiescing to their demands is unproductive. Not only is appeasement a bad policy, but short of full surrender, it’ll never satisfy the aggrieved antagonists.