Chick-fil-A’s anti-gay-marriage stance triggers online uproar

Some companies go out of their way to stay mum on hot-button issues for fear of driving off customers. You can’t say the same for Chick-fil-A. The company president wants the fast-food chain to be known for serving up Christian values along with juicy chicken sandwiches, proudly proclaiming the company’s anti-gay-marriage stance.

Now the company is reaping what it sows.

Social media circles were buzzing Wednesday about the company’s very public stance, with many users feeling obliged to pick a side. And did they ever. Many thanked the fast-food chain for voicing its support for traditional marriage, while others called for a boycott.

Chick-fil-A is “very much supportive of the family,” Dan Cathy, president of the popular fast-food chain, said in an interview with Baptist Press. That is, “the biblical definition of the family unit,” he said.

According to the Christian Post, Cathy went further during an interview on “The Ken Coleman Show,” saying, “I think we are inviting God’s judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at him and say, ‘We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage.’ ” Cathy was also quoted as saying during the interview, “I pray God’s mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude to think that we have the audacity to define what marriage is about.”

Our sister blog, Money & Co., wrote about the comments in a post that has been shared more than 3,800 times on Facebook -- and Tweeted and commented upon hundreds times more -- just one indication of how Cathy’s comments have struck a nerve.

Among those weighing in: Food Network star and “Iron Chef” Michael Symon, who Tweeted: “remind me to never eat at chick fil a ever again.”

Here’s a sampling of how Cathy’s comments are playing out elsewhere online: From the company’s Facebook page:

-- “Knowing your stance on gay marriage, I will eat here more often!” and “I LOVE Chick-fil-A!!! Love your food and your family values!!!”

-- “boycotting this hateful company with immediate effect” and “Served with an extra helping of hate! BOYCOTT!!!!”

From Twitter:

-- “There is no better fast food place than Chick-Fil-A”

-- “Chick-fil-A’s Delicious Chicken Sandwiches Are Deep Fried in Hate”

And from BuzzFeed:

-- “What if he is right? What makes anyone who disagrees right? What standard and authority are you using?”

-- “Looks like I’ll be headed to Wendy’s when I’m craving a chicken sandwich.”

What do you think about Cathy’s decision to go public on this hot-button issue: Smart business move? Or one he’ll regret?

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