FLOYD COUNTY — A whole lot of people got their feathers ruffled earlier this month when news broke that Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy told The Baptist Press that he supported “the biblical definition of a family unit.”

Cathy didn’t stop there. Later, in an interview with the “Ken Coleman Show,” he said, “I think we are inviting God’s judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at him and say, ‘We know better than you’ as to what constitutes a marriage.”

With these words, a firestorm erupted that landed the company in some hot water among gay-rights activists. One such group, Equality Matters, reported that a charitable organization Cathy founded called The WinShape Foundation has donated more than $2 million to what they deemed as anti-gay organizations in 2010 alone.

If you want to know how to start a cultural war, start your note-taking now.  

Boycotts emerged protesting the company’s purported stance on gay marriage. Mayors and city officials threatened to prevent the restaurant from opening new stores in their wards. The Jim Henson Co. pulled its toys from Chick-fil-A stores, citing that they have “celebrated and embraced diversity for over 50 years.” The revenues acquired from the toys were then channeled to GLAAD, one of the foremost gay-rights associations.

Don’t think the supporters of Chick-fil-A were going to walk on egg shells. A counter-protest soon emerged. Banners dotted Facebook that proclaimed “friends’” support for the fast-food restaurant’s biblical based principles.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee even promoted tomorrow as “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day.” Christian minister Billy Graham weighed in on the debate by releasing a statement that read, “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.”

Holy cow, indeed!

Through the week, my own mind has been a churnin’. As a proponent of gay marriage, I disagree with the stance Cathy takes in his statements. Do I think they’re insensitive, according to my standards? Yes. Do I think his opinion in itself is discrimination and should be regulated? No.

Here’s the thing. Cathy can say whatever he desires. That’s what’s great about living in America, the freedom to express ourselves any way we see fit whether you’re gay, straight, married or single.

And I have the right to say the rationale for such an opinion is flawed.

Government shouldn’t intrude in people’s private lives. Nor should they encroach upon their professional lives either. The mayors who championed blocking new stores from being erected were wrong. Paying customers should decide whether or not they want to patronize establishments that operate on a doctrine contrary to their own personal views. Not an elected official.

Likewise, the world is not black and white. Neither are our worldly issues. Chick-fil-A supports a definition of marriage that I think should be broadened to encompass same-sex couples. Cathy donates money to some organizations that advocates positions I find unacceptable.

Despite this fact, you can’t deny that many local Chick-fil-A franchise owners and the company itself still sponsor positive programs that benefit both local and international communities. Some organize and pay for mission trips to help orphanages and destitute groups across the globe. Others donate food, money and gift certificates to area schools to help with student fundraising initiatives. They do a lot of good for a lot of people.

Too often nowadays, we demonize an individual or an organization for one issue. We hone in on the negative attributes without considering the positives. I’m against political parties’ using a one-strike-and-you’re-out litmus test as a way to define their membership. This should be applied to private businesses as well.

In addition, our citizens need to listen respectfully to one another without name-calling. Friends of mine share similar views as Casey on the biblical definition of marriage. I’ll challenge their assertions and question their facts on the matter, but in the end, despite our differing of opinion, we’re still friends.

Wouldn’t it be something to crow about if only our world as a whole could do the same?

— Amanda Beam is a Floyd County resident and Jeffersonville native. Contact her by email at hoosiermandyblog@gmail.com or visit her blog at HoosierMandy.com.