CHIK-FIL-GAY: FREEDOM, THE SOCIAL WEDGE, AND PEOPLE DOING GOD'S JOB FOR HIM

Most of our readers are probably aware that us Conspiracy Furists vehemently support freedom and personal rights. One of our main fears is losing those rights, and many of the actions of the US Government deeply worry us. The Patriot Act, the NDAA, the War on Drugs, and many laws regarding "taboo" social issues like same-sex marriage are just some examples of why we are scared.

What's scarier is that homophobia and hate, racism, class warfare, etc., are all used to drive a wedge between members of society. "Divided we fall; united we stand." It's not to say people aren't persecuted, sometimes violently, for being different, but the media and the powers that be exaggerate these issues to polarize us. They encourage that hatred to keep us under control and to keep themselves off our radar by distracting us.

Interference graphic by Dr. Schorsch via Wikimedia Commons

The Chik-fil-A situation is an example of this tactic. American citizens have far more to worry about than the deranged ramblings of a senile old man who's been in the business of slaughtering and frying bird meat for his entire life. We're in countless wars, our economy is collapsing, jobs are scarce, our prisons are overflowing, our education system is utterly broken, tax money (that's unfairly collected) is being wasted, our Congress exists only to serve their interests and the interests of hugely wealthy corporations, and on and on. And while it's unfortunate that Dan T. Carthy is using his social position to spread a message of hate, he's merely exercising his First Amendment Rights.

The Young Turks on Mr. Carthy's comments. (Note: this video is editorialized.)

We think boycotting Chik-fil-A is a great idea. If you don't support the owner's beliefs, you don't have to eat his greasy meat-sandwiches. But make the decision, and call it good. Don't let it consume your entire being. Don't dwell on it for days at a time and lash out at people who still want to eat his chicken. It's not that important.

While proponents of same-sex marriage are boycotting the chicken joint, opponents of same-sex marriage, in an attempt at restoring order in the universe, have decided to hold "eat-ins" to show support for Chik-fil-A's CEO and his remarks. John Stewart had a delicious commentary about it the other day. That's right. People are flocking en masse to buy fast food in an attempt to undermine the actions of their fellow Americans. In a time of financial instability, health concerns and worldwide turmoil, people are buying fried chicken as a social and political statement to spite other people.

The wedge has spread rapidly through the realm of social media. We saw this image on Facebook today:

When will you stop exploiting the suffering of the oppressed for a cheaply made e-card?

We won't go into the fact that America is supposed to be a shining light of democracy for the world. How at least our government has (for the most part) gotten past executing its own people for their beliefs. How the only way to promote and continue change and bring about a better society is to strive for more social acceptance and comradery. We will say, however, that these petty, user-made e-cards are just a tiny example of how the social wedge continues to grow. People are spreading messages of intolerance and veiled hate (that they most likely don't understand is hate) to make a point in regard to a non-issue.


As to the Bible-pushers(-down-throaters), this must be what people mean when they say they're "doing God's work". They're actually trying to do His job for Him, and we're pretty sure the Bible says He doesn't like that. We don't believe in God, per se, but to everyone who does, please let Him do His job. The evil, marriage-destroying gays will get theirs when they die and meet that giant burning Judge in the sky.

Passing judgement is fun, which is why God saved it for Himself.  

And so, the fight rages. One side is supporting people's rights, even though the catalyst for their anger is ridiculous. The other side is brandishing the Word of God in an attempt to control how other people live their lives. And as the e-cards get shared and liked online and the exaggerated news reports flow, the topic continues to move further and further away from the social issue of same-sex rights to the Chik-fil-A non-issue that is stupidly dividing people.

As freedom-lovers, we support everyone's right to ". . . life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Do what you want, just don't hurt anyone and don't mess with their rights, and don't get caught up in the media's ploys to distract and divide you. For now, we're going to take our own advice and move on with our lives. The Chik-fil-A "issue" is aggravating, but we ALL have bigger chicken to fry.

Would you eat this to support your cause? By Biswarup Ganguly via Wikimedia Commons.