Texas Faith - Chick-fil-A’s moment in the news

Gov. Mike Huckabee capitalized on the situation and called on conservative Christians to rally for Chick-fil-A. There is nothing wrong in doing that, but using the opportunity to goad one American against the other is despicably wrong. An act like that weakens the cohesiveness of America.

How do you see the flap about Chick-fil-A’s moment in the news? Where do you come down?

Texas Faith is a weekly column at Dallas Morning News managed by Editors William McKenzie and Wayne Slater, the material is contributed by several panelists, for all responses please visit http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2012/08/texas-faith-chick-fil-as-moment-in-the-news.html/

MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas

No matter what controversy hits the nation, the opportunists jump right in to take advantage of the situation.

Gov. Mike Huckabee capitalized on the situation and called on conservative Christians to rally for Chick-fil-A. There is nothing wrong in doing that, but using the opportunity to goad one American against the other is despicably wrong. An act like that weakens the cohesiveness of America.

We can understand Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh’s eagerness to get their share of the spoil. Indeed, this was a rare opportunity for them to regain their lost ratings.

However, I cannot fathom men like Governor Huckabee, Pastor Robert Jeffress and others posing as conservative Christians, and completely disregarding the very teachings of Jesus.

“Blessed are the peace makers” said the man in the Sermon on the Mount some 2000 years ago. Indeed, blessed are the ones who mitigate conflicts and nurture good will for the well being of a given society – everyone stands to benefit from such attitudes.

Instead of aggravating the situation, I wish Huckabee and his ilk had explained that free speech is God-given as well as a guaranteed right in our Constitution. I would have expected them to allay the fears of fellow Americans, and assured gays and lesbians that it did not amount to infringement of their rights. Mr. Cathy was not calling for a ban on gays; he was simply expressing his belief.

Rev. Michael Piazza of the Cathedral of Hope writes, “I couldn’t disagree more with Mr. Cathy’s views, but I also couldn’t feel more protective about his right to say it. I’m also very protective of our right to protest what he says and believes.”

I urge conservative Christians to behave like peace makers for the sake of Christ. The role of religion is to build cohesive societies, where no member of the society has to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of the other.

As an American, I would come down on Chick-fil-a, if they deny employment or access to any one on any basis, other than required by law.

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I am pleased to invite you to the
VIII Annual Unity Day
on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 11:30 am
at Unity of Dallas, 6525 Forest Lane, Dallas, TX 75230
Details at - www.UnityDayUSA.com 

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Mike Ghouse is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, Israel, peace and justice. Mike is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News and regularly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. The blog www.TheGhousediary.comis updated daily.