thoughts about a chicken sandwich company

stoles of LGBT pastors 

displayed at the general assembly meeting

along with their stories 

with gratitude i am able 

to wear my stole as i continue 

to actively serve the church.

many lgbt clergy are not

able to their ministry.

with gratitude i am serving

a church (denomination)

that is changing, 

opening 

living into grace

with 

out 

condition.

i'm filled with gratitude 

that i have space 

to speak and serve.

after many years of closeted silence

i now am able to speak.

so....

in light of the recent 

offenses of a certain chicken sandwich company 

and in the wake of those 

who ask

what the big deal is...

this is an occasion to speak.

here are a few thoughts 

i've had this past weekend:

1.  i don't and won't rely on the 

     c.e.o. of a chicken sandwich company 

     to interpret the "real" meaning of the BIBLE

     or to define how GOD intends for me

     or anyone else to live life.

   

          the c.e.o. of a chicken sandwich company 

          has one main concern....

          profit!  

      and i for one do not recognize this 

      man to be a prophet!

 

2.  chick-fil-a might as well hang 

     up a sign reading:

          W H I T E ' S    O N L Y !

     though gays can buy their chicken sandwich

     and sit in their restaurant and eat...

     they dine at a high personal price

     for the chicken they eat becomes profit 

     for groups whose work is offensive and abusive. 

3.  people i know are writing and saying

     that freedom allows a 

     c.e.o. of a chicken sandwich company 

     to say and believe whatever he wants.

          and this is true.

     

     and other's who like what he says 

     can speak and hand over their money to make him rich.

          and this is true.

    but when a backlash of offense is voiced

    and the same people who say there is freedom

    for a  c.e.o.  of a chicken sandwich company 

    to speak....

             but those who voice offense are defined as

             ridiculous, annoying, 

             uncivil, and vitriol....

          well...

          such an argument is not logical.

     

     if we live in a country 

     where we can speak freely,

     then i and others can freely 

     speak our offense

     with boldness and volume. 

         

          no one has to listen to my words

          just like i don't have to make 

          the c.e.o. of a chicken sandwich company 

          rich 

          by eating his chicken. 

4.  if we are what we eat

     then i suppose it matters what we eat.

     

      if you are not bothered by the fact that 

      the profit of a certain chicken sandwich company 

      funds organizations that slander and abuse

      GOD'S lgbt children....

      if you are not phased by the fact that people you 

      know are deeply hurt by the ongoing 

      judgment and condemnation  

      of those who call themselves 

      evangelical christians...

      if you can swallow fear and mean spiritedness...

   

      then by all means

      go eat chicken this wednesday

      and make a certain c.e.o.

      richer. 

5.   this is not about chicken.

      this is about the rights and dignity 

      of lgbt men and women who are:

      

      faithful ministers, elders and members 

      of CHRIST'S church; loving parents and children;

      hardworking AMERICANS; dedicated friends....

      people you know.

      people who live moral, ethical, faithful lives.

      people who GOD created and loves.