On Wednesday, August 1, 2012, crowds of people took part in national “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day” to stand with the company and its president, Dan Cathy, who made headlines for his comments in support of traditional marriage.
As an evangelical myself, I agree with the traditional definition of marriage and Dan Cathy’s statements. However, I did not eat at Chick-Fil-A on Wednesday, for a variety of reasons. The most important reason has already been articulated by Barnabas Piper, the son of famous evangelical pastor John Piper, in an
online opinion piece.
In short, by eating at Chick-Fil-A on Wednesday, supporters meant to send the message that they stand in support of freedom of speech and religious convictions. However, because there was no one unified organization directing the event, supporters did not send simply one message; they sent multiple ones, which may have included the idea (real or imagined) that this component of the culture war revolves around an “us versus them” mentality. Engaging in these protests in such a way does not, in my opinion, help the faithful proclamation of the Gospel.
To this end, much has been said about the negative aspects the American culture wars have wrought on the church. Evangelicals must stand on religious and moral issues, yet sometimes, I fear we may totalize peripheral issues while neglecting more fundamental truths. When religious conservatives make “liberalism” their overarching enemy, we not only alienate those among us who identify as evangelical Democrats (myself included), but we also send an easily misunderstood message about what it means to love and serve others.
I do not believe the church was instituted to win political battles. When we become overly committed to winning debates about peripheral, albeit important, political and social issues at the expense of loving others and serving Jesus, we often forfeit many opportunities to be faithfully present with those with whom we disagree. Christians, like any other people, can and should bring their religious convictions to bear in the public arena. By tabernacling among those with whom we disagree, we can avoid drawing lines in the sand and provide a much fuller and more faithful testimony.
