He's entitled to hisopinion and I'm entitled to mine. I willnot support hate and his position is hateful.

OK...this is just ridiculous. Marriage is and was started as a result of "religion". In most religions, if not all, marriage is between a man and s woman and is specified as such. Why is it that gays and lesbians want to take part in a religious ceremony that specifically precludes them? If you don't like the religion then why would you want to be a part of its custom and rituals? Its like joining a baseball team and then demanding that the team play with a beachball instead if a baseball. Its no longer baseball then...its some modification of what was originally intended. Who are you to tell religion how they should exercise their ritual. Do a civil union..that's fine, but don't call it marriage. That is a religious right.

It has nothing to do with hate and everything to do with preserving the religious aspect of marriage. Hate is calling for harm against another. I don't see Denis Cathy doing that...just like LGB community is standing for what they believe. I don't see the Christians saying that the LGB community is preaching hate against them?

They also never said LGB folks would not be allowed in chick fil a...that would be a civil rights violation.All he did was let his personal opinion be known. People are not allowed to have opinions unless it falls in toe with what the LGB community thinks? That is not freedom...that is brainwashing. Don't like Dennis Cathy...then don't go there. Why organize a protest?

@ The Illuminati - "Hate is calling for harm against another. I don't see Denis Cathy doing that...just like LGB community is standing for what they believe."

Probably the reason you don't 'see' Dan Cathy doing that is because you have researched the anti-gay groups to which he contributes millions. Groups actively fighting AGAINST gay rights. Read up on it a bit, and you might get a better understanding of the issue.

Gays aren't seeking involvement in the religious aspect of marriage, they are looking toward the LEGAL aspects of marriage, you know, the part that lets you own property together, or allows them into the ICU when their partner is ill, allows them to make legal and medical decisions. Those silly little things rights that straight couples have.

that should read "because you have NOT researched......"

I believe that it is not my place to judge gay people, that is God's right, not mine; however, those activists urging boycotts against Chick-fil-a are showing the same intolerance they decry. It's fine to chose to take your business elsewhere but I find the message hypocritical when tolerance is defined as "acceptance of different views: the acceptance of the differing views of other people, e.g. in religious or political matters, and fairness toward the people who hold these different views".

What gay rights do you think they are against? Marriage? Sure. As I said before, call it a civil union and enjoy all of the legal benefits of marriage without calling it marriage. I have no problem with that. Marriage is a religious rite. So if I as a business owner have a personal belief against abortion do I deserve to be protested? Its my right to have a belief and to donate my own money yo whatever cause I feel is worthy? The LGB community is being quite hypocritical on this. When they do it...its OK. When the opposing viewpoint does it, its considered hateful and intolerant.

Is Dennis Cathy calling for the illegalization of homosexuals? No. Is he telling people to harm them or violate their civil rights?No. He is simply stating his view and if he chooses to donate to a group that supports his view then that is his right. Just as you have the right to not patronize his business. I don't like Ben and Jerry's because they support a convicted cop killer in Mumia Abu Jamal. I do not give them my business, but I do not call for their stores to be shut down.

It is ashame we hold our fast food companies to a higher standard than our own president.

Marriage has been usurped by the government. It was around as a religious practice centuries before there was a court system.

If the government places a tax on the air you breathe, does that mean it is legal?

This all about our 1st Ammendment rights of freedom of speech. He has a right to voice his personal opinions and those who do not agree with him have the right to boycott his business. This is why so many immigrants want to come to this country; to enjoy our freedoms. I do not agree that the mayor of several major cities have stated that Chick Fil-A is not welcome in "thier" citgies. I these tough economic times they should welcome the business but boycott if they choose.

America is all about all citizens having a right to life, to liberty, and to the freedom to pursue happiness as long as it doesn't harm one's fellow citizens. Our history has shown an inevitable progress to granting these rights to all despite past bigotries. So it is just a matter of time before gay people will enjoy the full rights of all American citizens.

If some religions want to exclude from their club gay people who wish to marry, they have the religious freedom to do so.

But if gay people wish to enjoy the full legal and civil rights of marriage, our beautiful democracy should not stand in their way.

Ask yourself. If you had a gay son or daughter, wouldn't you want them to enjoy all the rights of American citizens? Or would you want them to be second class citizens?

It is only a matter of time before such outdated biases will disappear. The young people of today are learning to be so open-minded and tolerant. I am only so sad that so many old folks still cling to their hurtful prejudices. The tyranny of the majority has always been a cause for concern for the powerless minority. Our Founding Fathers were quite aware of this tension in the construction of our democracy so I am hopeful that progress in this arena will be inevitable as our democratic experiment continues to unfold.

I only wish it would come sooner.

So a man and a woman who do not necessarily practice any religion and choose to legalize their love in front of a judge appointed by the state should not be legally "married" it should be a "civil union" because they chose not to have the religious aspect as part of their ceremony???

This is America, You have the right to support anyone or NOT support , it's whatever You want. Some groups have to over react to get attention !

the VOICE - I totally agree with you. It is ashame that they will stoop to such a level. It is all about decorum which to no surprise is severely lacking.

I GOT A FREE MILKSHAKE YESTERDAY, I TOLD THEM I WAS A SWINGER!!

Bob Penland, well said: It's about equality under the law. Dan Cathy isn't fighting a religious fight - his religion already forbids gay marriage. He is fighting to ensure that, in a purely legal context, homosexuals are unable to attain the same rights as heterosexuals. He's using his religion to shield his bigotry and deny people the same legal protections under the law.

I support speaking up with kissing -- that is hardly hateful. It is just a gentle way to be heard in the face of those who publicly call for denying others their rights. Since Americans speak with their pocketbooks, Chik-fil-A is a great place to do it. I, for one, won't be eating there again.

I will act to support everyone's right to speak out and say what he or she stands for regardless of whether I agree with it and it is for that reason that I support Chick Fil A. I find it alarming that individuals in our country want to silence other individuals and further alarming that public officials would step in to attempt to silence people's personal views and prohibit them from expanding legal enterprise based on their personal views or how they donate their money. Chick Fil A is an EOE and provides all with the same high level of service regardless of one's personal views. It would be just as wrong as someone trying to run someone's real estate business out of town because that business was in favor of gay marriage and donated money to pro gay causes.

And I respect peaceful dissent to each of these sides and would support both sides to the death so they will always have the right to speak their mind. Maybe we should consider banning religion all together because so often it is at the root of these things, right? If there were no Christians or Muslims or Jews would the world be a better place? Doesn't this smell like that? Aren't people really saying that Chick Fil A's Christian principles aren't acceptable and not welcomed? Rahm Emmanuel said Chick Fil A values are not Chicago's values...really? Are there NO Christians in Chicago? Or is he saying that the Christians in Chicago are not welcomed there? Is is only the Christians who agree with Emmanuel who are welcomed in Chicago. This is a slippery slope and in the long run promotes more bigotry . If we speak tolerance, then let's act tolerance....even when it offends us

Ernie, perfectly put. Thank you.

Really? What does going to Chick-fil-a on Friday to make out have to do with anything? I have a live and let live attitude but I really can't say I am thrilled to go to any restaurant on any day and see couples (straight or gay) making out. How does that further any "cause?" It just annoys me that people would purposely do that regardless of their sexuality. I would ask them to please leave my place of business because it is inappropriate! Why antagonize people if you are trying to get their support? This goes way beyond freedom of speech -- seems like they are trying to put a large employer out of business for their personal agenda. Sad, because whether you eat at Chick-fil-a or not (and I generally don't being a vegan) they do employ a large number of people in an economy where everyone needs their job.

Just know that 1 lawsuit can make this debate over same-sex-marriage a thing of the past. Look stay away from the bible, find a state that doesn't allow same sex marriage and sue.. take it all the way to high courts .. It's a civil liberties slam dunk .. really .. just try and watch

Conservative values mean nothing in the world today. They are for extremely ignorant and hateful people who just want something to bitch about. Going to these stores to kiss someone of the same sex is showing that we are here and we aren't going anywhere. It doesn't matter how much money you waste on supporting anti-gay movements. You are wasting your money completely. Plus chik-Fil-a's food is nasty as shit anyways, everyone who went yesterday and waited for fake chicken filled with unnatural chemicals was just proving how ignorant they really are. Do you even know what you are eating? No, you don't.

I beg to differ Sara but I am tolerant of others opinions.

I do not believe "making out" as a protest is in good taste. Why use what should be part of "love" as an act of protest. -- Why not just eat somewhere else if you don't want "your money" going to causes that Dan Cathy supports? He's not getting taxpayer funds. He using his own money. He is not obligated to spend his money in a way that you (pl) approve. If he wants to spend zilllions saving icebergs, that's his right. Don't agree; go eat at McDonald's.

I also do not think it is appropriate for any couple; hetero or homosexual, to "make out" in public venues. It's just in poor taste, IMO.