Celebs weigh in on Chick-fil-A flap
UPDATE: Chick-fil-A just announced the sudden death of its longtime spokesman this morning, reportedly from a heart attack. Here is a link to that story.
A number of celebrities have joined the myriad other commentators in discussing Chick-fil-A.
“Chick Fil A is delicious, give me a #1 with cheese cut in half,” tweeted Atlanta hip hop star Big Boi, who later tweeted, “Chick-fil-A is closed on Sunday in honor of the Sabbath, you know how many folk miss that chicken for 1 day.”
Roseanne Barr struck a differing tone, tweeting that anyone who dines at the restaurant chain “deserves to get the cancer that is sure to come from eating antibiotic filled tortured chickens 4Christ.” She later clarified her sentiments, saying she did not actually wish cancer on anyone. “I should have been more careful in choice of words,” she said in a follow-up tweet.
Also invoking medical conditions was celebrity blogger Perez Hilton, who tweeted, “I heard #ChickFilA gives you diarrhea!”
Atlanta native Ed Helms, the actor of “The Office,” “The Hangover” and “Jeff, Who Lives at Home” note, tweeted: “Chick-Fil-A doesn’t like gay people? So lame. Hate to think what they do to the gay chickens! Lost a loyal fan.”
Celebrities Roseanne Barr, from top left, Perez Hilton, Dave Ramsey and Big Boi have weighed in on Chick-fil-A
And Mia Farrow tweeted a link to an essay on the Think Progress website that said in part, “”There is … no accurate way to reduce Chick-fil-A’s words and actions to merely defending ‘biblical principles.’ This is — in every way, shape, and form — a company proactively engaging against the interests of LGBT people, and that is the quite justified reason for outcry.”
Prominent supporters of the Atlanta-based chain include pro hockey player Tim Thomas. “I stand with Chick-fil-A,” he wrote on his Facebook page. Mike Hubbard, speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives, had Chick-fil-A for breakfast today. “Treated my staff to breakfast from Chick-fil-A to support free speech, family values and delicious chicken biscuits,” he tweeted.
U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, on the other hand, tweeted, “For the record, I prefer Kentucky Fried Chicken.”
And San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee joined Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in urging the chain to stay away. “Closest Chick-fil-A to San Francisco is 40 miles away and I strongly recommend that they not try to come any closer,” Lee tweeted.
Financial guru Dave Ramsey, a bestselling author and talk-show host who sells out stadiums all across the country with his live events, tweeted his support: “I LOVE Chick-fil-A food and Dan Cathy is a personal friend. I will be buying a biscuit on Aug. 1 to tell them I love them. Join me.”
He was referring to a movement spearheaded by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who is encouraging people to dine at Chick-fil-A on Aug. 1. Former presidential candidate Rick Santorum is actively supporting “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day” as well. In a statement, the Rev. Billy Graham said he will participate as well.
“I … appreciate Gov. Mike Huckabee’s leadership and for encouraging Americans to support Chick-fil-A on Aug. 1,” he said. “As the son of a dairy farmer who milked many a cow, I plan to ‘Eat Mor Chikin’ and show my support by visiting Chick-fil-A next Wednesday.”
Atlanta author Jackson Pearce is urging a counter-movement on that date. “On … the day Mike Huckabee wants Chick-Fil-A supporters to patronize the restaurant, go to Chick-Fil-A. Ask for a large water and nothing else,” she said in a post on YouTube. “See if they adhere to Proverbs 25:21 (”If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.”) and give it to you. If they do, yay! You took a few cents from their hate fund! If they don’t, well…I guess they’re proving their principals aren’t so ‘biblical.’”
The debate stems from Cathy’s comments regarding marriage.
“We are very much supportive of the family – the biblical definition of the family unit,” he said in an interview with the Biblical Reporter. Here is a link to his entire statement.
While a number of economics experts pondered whether the flap will harm Chick-fil-A’s bottom line, University of Georgia marketing professor Sundar Bharadwaj told the Associated Press that it likely will weather the criticism relatively unscathed.
With more than 5.2 million Facebook fans and more than 180,000 Facebook users discussing it at the moment (according to a metrics snapshot), Chick-fil-A is certainly awash in commentary. The women on “The View” discussed it with Elisabeth Hasselbeck saying, “As citizens, if you don’t like something… you don’t have to buy anything there” and Whoopi Goldberg saying, “You don’t like what they’re doing, don’t go. But do not step on their right to have an opinion. This is still America.”
- Jennifer Brett/The Buzz/jbrett@ajc.com
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837 comments Add your comment
The Truth
July 27th, 2012
9:09 am
Who didn’t assume this was the case? They are closed on Sunday, have biblical-themed kids meals, and host a myriad of bible studies and other church-related activities. So the topic came up at a christian event, and they stated their faith-based opinion. BIG DEAL. It’s one thing to be against something, but yet another to discriminate based upon your opinion – and I don’t see Chic-fil-a turning away anyone. Our country is full of whiners that just can’t accept people having different opinions. If your opinion isn’t in line with the PC/popular view of the day, you’re crucified. Who’s next in line to whine about Chic-fil-a? Maybe the 7th Day Adventists should boycott – after all, Chic-fil-a has the gall to proudly tout that they are closed on Sunday, yet they remain OPEN on Saturday. We all know Saturday is the true sabbath! Oh, and by we, I mean those of y’all who are 7th Day Adventists. What about the Jews? Are they cool with a Jesus Sandwich and a side of the new testament? Heed the call Jews! Join the gays and 7th Day Adventists in boycotting Chic-fil-a! Are you an NFL fan? Are you interested in having a Chic-fil-a party tray for your next tailgating event? Sucks for you! Chic-fil-a hates the NFL because your teams play on Sunday! BOYCOTT! The bottom line is that this is all absolutely ridiculous.
By the way, I think christianity is kinda silly too…denomination of religion is quite comical. You do realize that the bible was written by various authors of the day during King James’ reign, and that most of those passages were written to reflect King James’ view. In reality, you’re not christians – you’re King Jamesians. Kind of funny when you think about it like that. Most religions of the world have the same basic principles, but use different stories to relate their belief sets, yet you silly christians insist on going on mission trips to “save” the heathens. Everyone’s a-o-k with you, until they believe something different. Lord knows we don’t want people having different beliefs.
The bottom line is that you shouldn’t care what Chic-fil-a believes, as long as they make a darn good chicken sandwich and don’t bash/discriminate against people – which they haven’t based on their response to this silliness. I mean really – it’s not like they went out and put David Duke or George Wallace in charge of public relations, or started forcing you to play with a poisonous snake to prove your faith prior to ordering.
JB
July 27th, 2012
9:09 am
OEStar………..good post
The Mic
July 27th, 2012
9:10 am
Mr. Cathy, has biblical principles, he agrees with God. When you chose to argue with the Bible, you are arguing with God, guess who’s wrong? Bottom line, if you have a problem with Chick-Fil-A’s stand on marriage, your real problem is with creator of the universe and you need to get that settled!
Billie
July 27th, 2012
9:12 am
People are allowed to have their own beliefs, but does that mean anyone should be allosed to put millions or even billions of dollars against others simply being happy? NO it doesn’t. Gays and lesbians should be allowed the same rights as everyone else, and quite frankly many of them make better families and stay together longer than us hetero’s I think that says something. You don’t see anyone trying to keep us “straight” people from anything so why is it ok for anyone to do this to gays/lesbians??
Not to mention the jerk is against single mothers and people who get divorced too, which is also totally outrageous!! Plus it seems as though he has a ‘god’ complex. As far as their food goes, it’s ok but definitely not really worth how much they charge for it, I’ll go somewhere else for my chicken fix positively. Hopefully all gays/lesbians and people who support them will, because if we do you can be that they won’t be as big as they are now for long!!
jdatl
July 27th, 2012
9:13 am
I’m so proud of the folks standing up for Chic Fil A. They are great folks. When has Roseanne sponsored scholarships or helped needy kids. They are blind guides, and they will reap their reward.
root4au
July 27th, 2012
9:14 am
Do we really care what these so called celebs think. I admire what chic fil a stands for and doesn’t cave to our left wing, hyper sensative media…
Thank you Jennifer
July 27th, 2012
9:16 am
For sharing with us what important people think. Could you extend your list to Kim K., Paris HIlton, and maybe even Andy DICK??? That would be so great thank you, we really need to know more of what important famous people think about this topic.
DawginLex
July 27th, 2012
9:16 am
Not to mention the jerk is against single mothers and people who get divorced too, which is also totally outrageous!!
******************************
Show me where that was said by the Cathy family. Show me where they said “we hate gay people”.
They didn’t. They said “we support the Biblical version of marriage.”
Everyone else is putting words into their mouth and making them out to be hateful people when as evidenced by their actions over a long period of time, it is clear they are not.
jimmyraybillybob
July 27th, 2012
9:16 am
Most of our problems come from the attitude of “You’re not like me…. and you should be!” That’s not how God made us. Why is there so much hate speech? A man says he believes what the Bible says about marriage, and suddenly he and his company are intolerant and bigots? Every person who eats at Chick Fil A has always been treated with dignity and respect, in fact their service is far better than any other fast food restaurant. The Bible also says to love your neighbor as yourself. But we can’t seem to do that b/c we only want to love certain people. That’ll never lead to peace or unity. Haven’t we learned anything from our ugly past? Stop hatin’ and start lovin’!
cb
July 27th, 2012
9:16 am
ALL citizens have a right to their own opinion. But Celebs think that THEY are the only ones allowed that right. The Cathy’s have every right to believe in the biblical family unit, as many Americans do, and every right to tell whoever that they do. Love their chicken and love their “talk the talk, walk the walk” attitudes. Hollywood should take note.
Kramer
July 27th, 2012
9:16 am
By the way, I have no problem with gay marriage and I ALWAYS vote Republican. If they want to get tied down to one person who down the road they grow to not like, then decide they want someone else, guess what? You now have to go get a lawyer and split up your belongings and one of you will be paying the other support. Yes sir/ma’am, have at it. Welcome to our world. Today, you can pack up your troubles and move away.
root4au
July 27th, 2012
9:17 am
Billie, that’s your opinion that they should have the same rights. The breakdown of the traditional family and single, non working, non productive mothers having kids with no dad in sight, is a huge problem for our society.
emmysmom
July 27th, 2012
9:17 am
In case it hasn’t been noticed by now, Roseanne Barr is a moron. I’ll be there August 1st–and frequently thereafter, just as I always have.
Tucker
July 27th, 2012
9:17 am
The Whoopi statement is on the mark. Congratulations to her for showing some mental prowess among so many celebs who do not.
Retort
July 27th, 2012
9:17 am
@Barr – let me know how living antibiotic free goes for you.
@Hilton – No, but too much astroglide surely will.
@Helms – Rendering machines are equal opportunity servicers.
For the love of whatever – make sense when taking a stand, and try to know more about the issue besides a byline from the AP.
On an aside, I suppose if the ajc were to slip in and ask 100 or so Islamic business owners their opinion on same-sex marriage, they’d be 100% for it.
JB
July 27th, 2012
9:18 am
Democrats love to corral “blocks of voters” by America be damned, we’re with you. Illegals, Gays, unions, blacks etc………And don’t get me wrong, they have rights, and the right to pursue happiness………..as long as the constitution is upheld……….But here is example of how Dems think. We have 30-40 million people that don’t have health care. Let’s take the greatest health care system in the world ( rich Arab leaders come here for it) and implode it to make it right for 10% of the population who don’t have it. Votes..
shaggy
July 27th, 2012
9:18 am
OH my GOD! I must get into lock step with the celebrities on this, or…………..
………..I will just drive to the nearest Chik Fila for a delicious chicken biscuit, which is ALL I want from them, delicious chicken.
Once I start to even begin to worry about what any celebrity thinks about anything besides catching the ball, singing a song, or acting in a movie, just shoot me then.
puntthemarxist
July 27th, 2012
9:19 am
Love me some Chick-Fil-A!!! Look, this is America…they have every right to express their opinion. If you are a supporter of gay marriage, cool. If you are not, cool. However, just because Chick Fil A voices their opinion and it happens to disagree with yours, the last thing you should do is wish them harm and go out of business. That is ridiculous. Our economy simply can’t tolerate any more jobs being lost. I’ll be eating a Chick-Fil A sammy August 1. Join the cause!!
My Rights
July 27th, 2012
9:19 am
Thank you Elizabeth and Whoopi! This gay rights issue is starting to impede upon my first amendment rights. I had no problem with gay rights until now. It is the homosexual community that is quickly becoming hetrophobo bigots. I have just as much of a right to say I am Heterosexual or straight and proud as you do to say you are gay. And I will continue to eat Chick-Fil-A as often as I CHOOSE that is and continues to be my choice just as much as it is my choice to be straight. HETROSEXAL and PROUD!!!!
suggs
July 27th, 2012
9:20 am
I have nothing against gay marriage and normal marriage. And I love me some chik-fil-a
joe
July 27th, 2012
9:21 am
Love me some Chick-Fil-A!!! Look, this is America…they have every right to express their opinion. If you are a supporter of gay marriage, cool. If you are not, cool. However, just because Chick Fil A voices their opinion and it happens to disagree with yours, the last thing you should do is wish them harm and go out of business. That is ridiculous. Our economy simply can’t tolerate any more jobs being lost. I’ll be eating a Chick-Fil A sammy August 1. Join the cause!!
Kitty
July 27th, 2012
9:22 am
Well said suggs! People need to get over themselves!
Concerned
July 27th, 2012
9:23 am
Father, please forgive Saul Good – he doesn’t understand the implications of what he says. I pray that he is enlighted before it is too late – but your will be done in his life.
Richard Jones
July 27th, 2012
9:23 am
Would someone please give me the biblical citation that defines marriage? I would like to know what it is.
Gone Fishin'
July 27th, 2012
9:24 am
Don’t agree with Whoopi on alot of things but do so on this one…..last we checked it is ok to have different opinions as long as you don’t infringe rights of others. Stating you support traditional marriage did not infringe on anyones rights. Just as stating you suppoort gay marriage does not infringe upon my rights. Much ado about nothing.
Mark
July 27th, 2012
9:24 am
I do not pay any attention to anything Roseanne Barr would have to say, Look at her track history and singing the National Anthem,etc.. If you are going to print celebrity opinions you need to find educated ones.
JB
July 27th, 2012
9:24 am
I may be a little hypocritical on here this morning. I have my own little boycott I’ve been doing for 20 + years, although I’m not hateful about it. I haven’t bought a movie ticket during that time. Hollywood went anti america and pro gay a long time ago, so I don’t support them. It’s my right and my money………………….But I don’t go around getting everyone else to do it.
KU
July 27th, 2012
9:24 am
I support chick-fil-A & Marriage is between a man and a woman…. God bless U all…. Stand Strong Chick-fil-A…..
ASHCAN!!!!
July 27th, 2012
9:24 am
The(my) bible says in romans chapter 1:18-32 (see verses 24-28, v:32) that all gays will bust hell wide open! Sure God loves us but we forget, he’s also a God of wrath. Check ananias in the book of acts chapter 5 who was a leader and God killed him for just one lie.
Braves #17 Fan
July 27th, 2012
9:25 am
We stand among the silent majority in full support of Chick Fil A. It seems that 2% of the population is making 98% of the noise against them, trying their hardest to persuade public opinion.
GOD
July 27th, 2012
9:27 am
Ok let me get this straight, you are going to boycott Chick-fil-a, because they believe marriage should be between a man and a women. What has happened to this country? But I will support your boycott, but only if you going all in. Please park your cars immediately! Trust me the gas that is in your tank comes from a middle east country that would kill you for being LBGT. So no more driving!
July 27th, 2012
9:28 am
Well, looks like the gay drama queens are out in full force.
Just goes to show you that they demand “tolerance” while not tolerating those whose disagree with their agenda.
When no controversy exists, the gay agenda manufactures it:
Label moderate people who haven’t made any extreme comments as “homophobes”, “gay haters”, etc.
Completely ignore the fact that the company in question hires gay employees
Completely ignore positive contributions made by the company to the country & community (scholarships, charity, and more)
Provide NO specific facts to back up claims of “discrimination”
Make aggressive, hateful comments against the management & customers of said company while preaching about ‘tolerance” and “peace”
Claim to “boycott” a company they never went to anyway
It seems a lot of people posting here have the same juvenile, disgusting behavior all while espousing “tolerance”.
It saddens me to think we live in a country where some are attempting to remove one’s ability to have their own beliefs & actually have a moral backbone.
Tolerance indeed.
Christine
July 27th, 2012
9:28 am
Once again, the liberals do what they always do: Advocate shutting down or closing any establishment that does something they don’t like or agree with. Conservatives (the normal people) just would not eat there, but would acknowledge their right to their opinion.
Extra Pickles
July 27th, 2012
9:28 am
Barr and Hilton are Hollywood scanks,and this is the only way they stay in the spot light.These two give you diarrhea. Who cares what they think.Chick-fil-A’s values are the same as mine. Typical of the media to try and make this some big discriminating issue. Chick-fil-A doesn’t discriminate. They are only stating their beliefs and values.
Walter Little, Jr.
July 27th, 2012
9:30 am
I thank those who have stood in support of Chick-Fil-A because their position in support of the biblical definition of marriage is spot on! Payday is the 1st., so the wife and I will, at the very least, be stopping by for a chicken biscuit on the way to work!
Braygun
July 27th, 2012
9:30 am
You gays need to chill. Chick fil A has every right to say anything they like. Just because someone’s opinion differs from yours, you lose your cookies. Do whatever you like in your house, but don’t tread on my chicken sammys!
Steve
July 27th, 2012
9:31 am
Imagine if your favorite junk food fattening chain came out against interracial marriage? Or against Jews? That wouldn’t be acceptable. But hey, trash the gays and it’s OK!
Right wing Christians, you have it wrong on so many levels, and your Jesus would be disgusted with you. Remember, HE hung out with the “sinners.”
You eat fast food, get fat, and act like a dufus.
Last Man Standing
July 27th, 2012
9:32 am
Saul Good:
“Besides the fact that the company is run by homophobe bigots”
Of course anyone who dares to voice an opinion in opposition to the homosexual agenda will be described exactly as you have done. I submit to you that the overused term ‘homophobe’ suggests that someone fears homosexuals or homosexuality. I can only assume that it is beyond your ability to comprehend that fear isn’t even a factor. Most people just do not approve of homosexuality and many simply dislike homosexuals.
Steve
July 27th, 2012
9:33 am
The Bible says divorce is ADULTERY you freaking hypocrites! Guess where the divorce rate is the highest – yep, you guessed it. Right here in the fat hypocritical Bible belt.
Go freakin figure.
DAVID
July 27th, 2012
9:33 am
CALM DOWN EVERYONE…The last time I check “marriage” in my worn Bible..which was 7-26-2012, Scripture states several places that marriage is a Holy Union between a man & a woman…Anyone who thinks otherwise does not follow SCRIPTURE…& the political left does not. They don’t even believe in God. Enough said. , ..
Katdaddy13
July 27th, 2012
9:33 am
Didnt GOD destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because they were so Gay? Hmmmm Happy that someone has the nerves to stand for Biblical principles. Dont bend or break CFA very proud of you!
Justin Case
July 27th, 2012
9:33 am
Actually listening to Roseanne Barr can give you cancer & any time I saw anything with that twit Paris Hilton I get a bad case of the diarrhea. As far as Mia is concerned…oh she’s not a celeb!
Will
July 27th, 2012
9:35 am
I support Chickfila and their views on this. This company has been very successful and they have been very open about their core beliefs all along. This is America and they have freedom of speech as well. If you don’t like them, you have the freedom to pass their establishment by when you are hungry. These so called “celebs” have demonstrated a lack of morals throughout their “less-than-storied” careers and you see where that has gotten them; nowhere.
Gone Fishin'
July 27th, 2012
9:35 am
I love men and I am a man.
Proud American
July 27th, 2012
9:35 am
I am a Gay, Christian, Republican…just a few thoughts and questions for the “moral majority”:
There are a few activists out there who give our community a bad name. Please don’t judge us all by the actions of a few. Most gays I know are just like Sally Ride, hardworking, smart, successful and living their lives without making an issue of their sexuality. We pay taxes, fly the American flag outside our homes and follow the law just like everyone else.
The national conversation should be focusing on the economy and other relevant topics like why straights can’t seem to get their divorce rate under control and figure out why so many children today are born out of wedlock. Talk about the sanctity of marriage!! You ladies that are married should be worried about why your husband’s spend their lunch hour over at Hooters or the Tilted Kilt or worse, the strip bars. Ever drive by these places at lunch time?? Gays are not the downfall of the American Family! I am afraid you straights need to look in the mirror for that one!
Just a few questions before you “judge” (sin, thank you):
1) How did all the straight people posting on boards these days become such experts on the homosexual?
2) When did you choose to be straight?
3) Why do you assume gays are not Christians?? Really, when is the last time YOU ACTUALLY attended church??? I know when I go!
One last thing…Obama will not be receiving my vote! I will not fall for his pandering! And for the record, Dan Cathy is well within is right as an American to voice his opinion as we all are! There is not a person in the world who is not a sinner and if you ask me we could all benefit for being a little more like Jesus! If Cathy wants to pick a fight, he should go after the Hooter’s and the Tilted Kilt. Imagine how much businees he could gain!!
Steve
July 27th, 2012
9:36 am
Bible also says that gluttony is a sin. Get your fat asses out of fast food joints and get to the gym before you are damned to hell, hypocrites.
Specialk
July 27th, 2012
9:36 am
SMH – people lets stick to the issue at hand. This is not about fast food. I haven’t eaten fast food in over 2 years, but I will be there Aug. 1 – me AND my husband. I agree with Whoopi as well. But I do have a question – more like “food for thought”: Why is it that the ones who support the alternative lifestyles take the most offense and make the most noise? Cathy did not say they hate gays. His statement has been twisted out of context. Let’s think people! Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays in honor of the Sabbath – what position did you think they were going to take? duh!!!
Skitty Fritty
July 27th, 2012
9:36 am
This was Dan Cathy’s opinion. He did not make a statement on behalf of his company. Doesn’t he have a right to his own opinion?
Should the movie companies be held liable for what Rosanne Barr & Ed Helms say in public?
What a double standard. Why does Mr. Cathy’s statement hit you to the core? Maybe that is the question you should ask yourself?
EA
July 27th, 2012
9:36 am
I will support Chick-Fil-A more now than ever. Every American is entited to their own opinion. If you do not like it, don’t eat there. Plain and simple.
curt
July 27th, 2012
9:36 am
While I disagree with Chick Fill A’s beliefs I understand their right to say it. However, when they’re giving millions to to anti-gay groups, I will not add to their coffers by eating there.