It’s Eat a Chicken Sandwich for Freedom of Speech Day !

August 1, 2012 By 72 Comments

It’s eat a chicken sandwich for freedom of speech day. Enjoy.

I got the idea for this card from a very similar one I saw on Tumblr. If I find that card again, I’ll give you the person’s name.

Filed Under: America, Christian Persecution, Freedom of Speech, Humor, Politics, Same Sex Marriage, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , 72 Comments
  • http://jessicahof.wordpress.com JessicaHof

    Well, being in the UK, I couldn’t go to this outlet – but I had a chicken sandwich for my lunch in solidarity. NEO says there are queues round the block in some places – the silent (and hungry) majority :)

    • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

      :-)

  • http:s.com//mcdermottfootcare.wordpress.com McDermott Footcare

    from http://8kidsandabusiness.wordpress.com There’s no Chik-fil-A in Canada either, so someone please go to Chik-Fil-A and have a chicken sandwich for me.

    • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

      There was a huge line that went out of the parking lot and into the street at the window and standing room only at my local Chick-Fil-A !!

    • http://catholicnomad.wordpress.com The Catholic Nomad: Reclaiming the Sacred

      I will be happy to have one in your honor. :)

      • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

        The honor is mine. Happy eating!

        • http://catholicnomad.wordpress.com The Catholic Nomad: Reclaiming the Sacred

          Thanks!

  • http://jeanbrunson.wordpress.com jritterbrunson

    We just finished gorging ourselves on Check-fil-a with no guilty conscience for the fries and shakes. The place was packed. I’m guessing 125 people were there standing in line outside with a heat index of 104. There was a traffic jam on a major east-west road. Everyone was cheerful and co-operative. It is about freedom of speech. I’m sure Check-fil-a is crying all the way to the bank. We still live in America. We can stand up with our cash and enjoy a great chicken sandwich.

    • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

      It was 111 degrees here, and the place was packed!

  • http://lifevigil.wordpress.com Beverly

    Breakfast and lunch were at Chick-fil-A. It was busy at breakfast, but absolutely slammed at lunch. What a great problem!

    • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

      Same here.

  • http://jessicahof.wordpress.com JessicaHof

    Jritter, that is the silent – and the hungry- majority that will sweep the chief rascal out in November!

    • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

      Based on the turnout today, we ARE a hungry majority!

  • http://theshepherdspresence.wordpress.com theshepherdspresence

    It seems that some people of faith have taken this personally, when in actuality, it is the question of freedom of speech. Let’s hope that in November people will flock to the polls and make their voices heard for candidates who truly want to uphold the Constitution as Madison intended. Our personal freedoms are really at stake. And I hope that around the country (And Canada–you are far reaching Rebecca!) people are kind and considerate in spite of bitterness and blatant remarks being slung at them. I don’t have a chick fil a close to me, but when I am near one, I usually choose them anyhow.

    • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

      I couldn’t have said this better! Thank you.

  • http://theshepherdspresence.wordpress.com theshepherdspresence

    addendum: I forgot to check the little box for following comments. Sorry, here I am again. :)

    • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

      :-) !

  • http://menofoneaccord.wordpress.com Men of One Accord

    We do not have a Chick-Fil-a in our small town, but I am going to the next town council meeting to see if we can in them invite them here.

    • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

      :-) !!

  • http://beingtim.wordpress.com Tim Graves

    Rebecca, you assume in your cute cartoon that Christians are of one mind on what the Bible says about homosexuality. They are not. Though, writing as Public Catholic as you do, it is consistent with church doctrine.

    • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

      Thanks for your comment Tim.

      My primary concern with the Chick-Fil-A controversy isn’t homosexuality. It’s freedom of speech. When elected officials announce, as they have, that they will use the power of government to punish someone for expressing their viewpoint on a public issue, then the matter is no longer sectarian. It is a question of First Amendment freedoms.

      I am also sick and tired of the practice of bullying, slandering and smearing people for expressing their opinions on public issues. This is usually not government intimidation, but it IS intimidation, and it has a chilling effect on free speech, nonetheless. I think everyone, regardless of where they stand on the different issues we face, should stop doing this.

      The only assumption I intended to make in that cartoon was that, considering his long-standing history in this area, the outrage against this man was manufactured for the purpose of bullying and intimidating him into silence. I’m tired of that kind of behavior. I don’t care who does it.

      There are more than 2 billion Christians on this planet. I assume that there’s more than one opinion among us — on any given question.

  • http://homelesscrisis.wordpress.com @homelesscrisis

    I ate at Chick-Fil-A today in support of them.

    • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

      Good for you!!

  • http://scpeanutgallery.com abcinsc

    I did… and so did hundreds of others. Two hour wait for counter service with line just as long when I left. These folks were motivated….

    • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

      One thing that struck me was what a pleasant, courteous crowd they were.

  • http://beingtim.wordpress.com Tim Graves

    Rebecca, your point is very well-taken. What would it be like if we talked civilly to one another and tried to understand our divergent opinions? Please forgive my misunderstanding of your initial post.

    • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

      Thank you Tim. I hope you comment here often.

      • http://beingtim.wordpress.com Tim Graves

        Rebecca, I’ve been thinking about this post off and on over the last several days. Perhaps, because I keep getting notices that someone else has commented but more likely because of my discomfort with my last response. I think it was incomplete.

        This is indeed a free speech issue when mayors and others in elected or bureaucratic positions seek to keep a legitimate business from operating in their city or other jurisdiction. People also need to learn to talk with one another civilly. We do too much screaming and not enough listening.

        The owner of any business has the right to express his own religious and political views. Whether he was asked or not is irrelevant; he chose to state them. At this point those with differing perspectives have as much right to express their views as Dan Cathy. He may spend his money how he chooses but as an outspoken business leader he can expect some to choose not to support his business. They may also exercise their constitutional rights to protest in a variety of ways.

        This becomes a justice issue when he expresses opinions and spends $5 million on oppression of a minority. Some of that money has been spent on a program to “fix” people who are GLBTQ. That is, he denies that their sexuality is God-given. It is a gift just as my heterosexuality is a gift from God.

        Mr. Cathy goes further, though, and seeks to deny the rights of those with whom he diminishes. He tells my child, my friends, and my human kin that because of their sexuality — which hurts no one — that they are not worthy of the right of visitation as family when their beloved is hospitalized. He tells them that they must pay higher taxes because they are not legally married and so cannot file jointly. He tells them that their loving relationship is less valuable than someone who is married to someone of another gender. He implies that they are less than the beloved children of God.

        I am saddened by the display of Christians lining up to eat chicken in the name of free speech that hurts so many of our human kindred. Though, I fully support their right to do so it is hard for me to comprehend why this issue which gets marginal treatment (even if interpreted as condemnation) in the Bible rallies so many to eat chicken. The biblical witness is chock-full of the importance of hospitality and welcome of the other. Jesus is persistent in his call for us to reach out to the poor, the marginalized, and the despised of society.

        The body of Christ is not about hatred. It is about love. My friends and family who are GLBTQ do not feel loved by the Christians who went out to eat chicken.

        • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

          Tim, I think that the question of whether or not the various states should change the legal definition of marriage is too big to bring into a comments section. I’ve addressed some of the concerns you share in this comment in replies to other comments, elsewhere on this blog. It would get tedious to the other people who follow Public Catholic go over and over the same questions. For those reasons, I’m just going to say thank you for taking the time to write such a passionate response.

          I feel it comes from your heart, and I respect that.

          I noticed that you linked your comment to your blog. I think it would be more clear for both our readers if you just re-blog and then comment instead. It’s ok for now, just remember that for future reference. So long as you don’t misrepresent what I’ve said or call me ugly names, you can disagree with me all day long and we’ll still be friends.

          I appreciate your passion about this, as well as your concerns.

  • http://jamesbrownlord.wordpress.com J.G.Brown

    We do not have that franchise here in left of God West Virginia, where the O man won and the miners decadants of the first red neacks( not the ingorant fools portrayed on television but those men and women who were proud and standing up for their rights to speak and be paid an honest wage) the place where minning was once king and the peopple proud where now little things called Cafe’s dot the road gambeling and strip clubs are glorified yes West Virginia proud to give its women over to voyerism and prostution and celebrate the depraved life styles all because they seek to be Nevada east. That is my open opinion of my home today I live in shame as Lot…just as the owner of Chix Fiil A can have an opinion so should we all and so say we all. It is our right it is our choice for it is as our founders stated so cleary two hundred and fifty years ago we hold these thruths to be self evident that all men are created equal and are indowed by their creator with certain inalible rights; those spuwing the hate lashing out in anger against Chix fil A are attacking the very foundations our nation thay are attacking everyone.We were given the bill of rights and the few amendments to protect everyone evern those we do not agree with that is why we are a great Republic and not a demoracy that is ruled by the whims of the time.

    • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

      Thank you JG!

      • http://jamesbrownlord.wordpress.com J.G.Brown

        My apologies for such an out raucous reply to a well written piece,I do once again apologize. JG

        • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

          JG, I know how you feel about the things you described. We have the same things here. You have no reason to apologize.

  • http://lifevigil.wordpress.com Beverly

    Hello, Rebecca. This is James from Biltrix, commenting vicariously through another blog to let you know that you have been nominated for some awards. Please, follow this link for the award/s: http://lifevigil.wordpress.com/2012/08/02/wow-blogger-awards-you-shouldnt-have/. If you choose to accept any of these awards, I would be most honored. God bless!

    • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

      Thank you James from Biltrix! I am most honored that you thought of me. I’ll look at the awards later tonight when I can finally settle. Right now, I’m chasing myself, running in circles.

      • http://lifevigil.wordpress.com Beverly

        You’re most welcome, Rebecca.

  • http://hiddeninjesus.wordpress.com Jessica

    CHICK, CHICK, FIL-A!

    We joined the long but cheerful lines at our local Chick-Fil-A last night and ordered a feast to celebrate God’s magnificent design of male-female monogamy in marriage with many of you around the country!

    We’re not anti-gay. We’re pro-God.

    Shall we make it an annual celebration?

    Posted on my blog hiddeninjesus (wordpress) with Tim Hawkins’ video, God Bless you, Chick-fil-A. If the video doesn’t show here, check it out on You Tube!

    • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

      Thanks Jessica. I enjoy your exuberance.

  • http://xercised.wordpress.com/ Mike

    Thanks for visiting my Blog Rebecca. Wish I could have stood in line with you. Couldn’t see that happening in the UK somehow – we are so apathetic as our freedoms are slowly going down the pan.

    • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

      Mike, it will change in the UK. People like you are the reason why.

      • http://xercised.wordpress.com/ Mike

        Thanks Rebecca. I pray God will have mercy on us – as I pray He will on the US.

        • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

          My prayers are the same.

  • http://caitlinlittlejohn.wordpress.com Caitlin

    I stopped in! :) the drive through line took 45 minutes start to finish and circled the building twice, but it was so worth it!

    • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

      It was VERY worth it! Thanks for your comment.

      • http://caitlinlittlejohn.wordpress.com Caitlin

        you’re very welcome! and I agree — such a simple way to show support for those who stand in the face of opposition :)

  • http://bythepen.me erhignite

    I tried to wait until the sun and lines died down, but there was still a huge crowd at nearly 10 P.M. Well worth it to stand up for our freedoms in even a small way. That their chicken is delicious is a definite plus!

    • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

      Agreed!

  • Pingback: Chicken: Justice or Free Speech? | Being, Wandering

  • http://stevenjeffries.wordpress.com Steven Jeffries

    Thanks for visiting my site, Rebecca. I will say that I stand up in support of not only what Dan Cathy says about gay marriage, but his American right to say it! What ever has happened to the “moral majority” in our great nation anyway?

    • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

      I think they’ve been cowed, bullied and guilted into silence.

  • http://dominiquetreu.wordpress.com dominiquetreu

    This is so true. Gotta love bluntcards. Chick-Fil-A is still packed whenever I see it. I went there not too long ago.

    • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

      I had never eaten there before this happened, but it’s on my lunch list now!

      • http://dominiquetreu.wordpress.com dominiquetreu

        Ha ha It is SO good! The best chicken sandwich you will ever taste! They are a bit pricey but it’s worth it. Plus, knowing their beliefs makes me feel good about buying from them.

        • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

          Agreed.

  • http://fightingtrafficking.wordpress.com usapink

    Thanks for liking my posts!

    I’m eating a chicken sandwich for freedom of speech right now!

    Juha Nilsson, For USA Pink

    • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

      Your blog is about one of the most important human rights abuses in the world today. Thank you for the work you do. Enjoy your sandwich!

  • http://journeytotheson.wordpress.com 4sunshinesmommy

    Love this cartoon/comic! I also blogged on my surprise of of people being shocked on the subject.

    • http://publiccatholic.wordpress.com Rebecca Hamilton

      I know. Two great minds, thinking alike!

  • http://journeytotheson.wordpress.com 4sunshinesmommy

    Reblogged this on journeytotheson.

  • http://doyoumeanwhatiknow.wordpress.com Angela Young

    Lol!

    • Rebecca Hamilton

      {grin}

  • http://googolplexaire.wordpress.com Paul

    Thank you for liking my post on my blog: http://googolplexaire.wordpress.com

    I love this post and the picture! Awesome! Its soooo true! :)

    • Rebecca Hamilton

      Thanks Paul!

  • http://twitter.com/EyeEdinburgh EdinburghEye

    Thank you very much for liking my blog post, Rebecca. I admit to being a bit startled, since I was writing for religious freedom and human rights, and therefore against your brand of homophobic Christianity, but it’s appreciated!

    • Rebecca Hamilton

      What I like about your post is that you give a comprehensive and thoughtful explanation of your viewpoint. I don’t agree with you that the Catholic Church is homophobic (I assume that’s what you mean by my “brand” of Christianity. But I’ve only come to that conclusion after many years of looking at things in much the same way you do. Keep thinking, my friend.

      • http://twitter.com/EyeEdinburgh EdinburghEye

        No, I don’t believe the Catholic Church is always homophobic, and by “your brand” of Christianity I mean the sort of thing that is sadly prevalent in many more churches than loving-kindness.

        (I linked to a post I wrote about Chick-Fil-A, though it begins with my issues about the Bishop of Aberdeen.)

        • Rebecca Hamilton

          There are certainly Christians who’ve lost their way and need conversion to loving kindness. No argument there. But there are also many others who walk their talk with grace, love and humility. We don’t hear so much about them because the failed Christians tend to also be noisy.

          • http://twitter.com/EyeEdinburgh EdinburghEye

            There are certainly Christians who’ve lost their way and need conversion to loving kindness. No argument there.

            Indeed there are, though my guess is that we will strongly disagree which ones have lost their way. I try not to refer to you as “failed Christians”: that just seems rude. I go with “homophobic Christians” which is plain speaking.

  • http://ThoughtsonGod Robert Lee Beers

    Thanks for the kind response, Rebecca. I too spent some time as a state representative.

    • Rebecca Hamilton

      Where did you serve?

  • http://www.lorischulz.wordpress.com Lori Schulz

    We need a Chick-Fil-A in our city. I would have liked to go that day! Great card!

    • Rebecca Hamilton

      Thanks Lori!