Chicken, Waffle Fries and Free Speech

The Food Court at Pierre Bossier Mall in Bossier City, La. was standing room only as people waited in line for Chick-Fil-A food during the unofficial "Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day."

Today, Chick-Fil-A restaurants all over the country are packed with customers. Is it because of the quality chicken they serve? Maybe it is the excellent customer service they provide? More than likely, it is because of a controversy that has grown legs and become the hot topic around many water coolers.

How did this “controversy” begin? It started with an article written by the Baptist Press as the result of an interview with Dan Cathy, CEO of Chick-Fil-A.

The story focuses on the success of Chick-Fil-A and it's Christian values. The “controversy” came when the interview turned toward marriage values. Here is an excerpt from that article:

The company invests in Christian growth and ministry through its WinShape Foundation (WinShape.com). The name comes from the idea of shaping people to be winners.

It began as a college scholarship and expanded to a foster care program, an international ministry, and a conference and retreat center modeled after the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove.

"That morphed into a marriage program in conjunction with national marriage ministries," Cathy added.

Some have opposed the company's support of the traditional family. "Well, guilty as charged," said Cathy when asked about the company's position.

"We are very much supportive of the family -- the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.

"We operate as a family business ... our restaurants are typically led by families; some are single. We want to do anything we possibly can to strengthen families. We are very much committed to that," Cathy emphasized.

"We intend to stay the course," he said. "We know that it might not be popular with everyone, but thank the Lord, we live in a country where we can share our values and operate on biblical principles."

And thus a firestorm ensued. From the mayors of Boston and Chicago saying that Chick-Fil-A and its values were less than welcome, to a grassroots effort to support Chick-Fil-A today, and beyond.

While not “official,” Aug. 1 has been declared as Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and others. Here are a few Facebook Posts and Tweets about today's events:

Christi Owens Smith

It's like Black Friday out there....but instead of waiting to get that big screen TV we are standing up for our rights & beliefs...and getting yummy waffle fries in the process!!!

Andy Harris

Just had a delicious meal at Chick-fil-A in Bossier City, LA with some of the nicest people in the world.

Kim Payne Ebey took a photo with Instagram.

It's about freedom of speech.... http://instagr.am/p/NyvFwfPObl/

@glennbeck By a complete coincidence today, #ChickfilA became our 1st ever free corporate sponsor… bit.ly/QeEiEd sj

@keder: The leftist boycott of #ChickFilA is the first actual economic stimulus of the Obama era.

Needless to say that those on either side of this issue are passionate about their position. The supporters see the controversy as yet another attack on Christians, Conservatives and free speech. Opponents view Cathy's comments as intolerant, hateful and wrong.

None of this is new. Take any issue on the table and you can pretty much guarantee the same reaction from either side. However there are some lessons to be learned from the Chick-Fil-A controversy.

First, the distance between apathy and action is shorter than you may think.

Second, If you take a stand for something you believe in, you will be both vilified and heralded as a hero.

Third, such stands are crucial to leadership. The fact that Cathy knew what would most likely happen and stood by his beliefs speaks volumes to every Chick-Fil-A employee. You will never be a true leader by always polling public perception.

Last, free speech is just that. Those on both sides of this issue are exercising that right. While some of the speech is considered venomous by many, it is still protected — and that's a good thing.

Until Next time...