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Chic-fil-A, Joel Osteen: Why Neutrality is not an Option in today’s culture war.

September 25, 2012 by  
Filed under Christian Talk, News, Opinion, Politics, Weekly Columns

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(ThyBlackMan.com)  There is an ancient story in the bible in which an old prophet (Elijah) confronts the people of Israel who at the time were engulfed in societal upheaval.

Major institutions at all levels were infected with corruption, ambiguity and compromise; as a result the Nation was turmoil. Unfortunately political and religious leaders were the main catalysts for this dysfunction. In the midst of this, Elijah boldly asks them a question that I believe is relative to our day and time:

How long will you waver between two ideologies?  Choose who you will serve.

Today in our Nation and across the world cultural wars have ensued in societies everywhere. Issues having to do with faith, family, education, marriage, gays, contraception, illegal immigration, religious freedom, etc… are now on the front lines of the battlefield.

This clash of ideologies that was once contained to only a few institutions has spilled over and spread to places that were once considered neutral.  Institutions like Religion and Business were virtually non-existent in this war and were given a pass.

That is no longer the case; every institution’s wall has been breached by the spirits of our age, so no matter how reluctant the inhabitants’ of these  institutions maybe. The age in which we now live has drawn them into this conflict no matter how inconvenient or unwilling they may be.

Two cases in point: First the recent Chic-fil-A controversy in which Dan Cathy publicly stated what everyone already knew about the company. That their founder’s biblical philosophy and ideology overlaps into their business philosophy/ ideology. So by default they promote and cultivate the biblical definition of the family in their business.

That is supporting and strengthening the concept of one man and one woman in a committed marital relationship as the foundation for a successful family. And the charitable arm of the company WinShape funnels money to groups, events and causes that support and strengthen that belief.

A simple mission statement that just a few short years ago would be considered, non-confrontational, positive and something that most people would agree with.  Well… not in our day and age.

Because of this stance a cultural firestorm (that already existed) erupted.  The forces of liberal/progressive ideology that have established a beachhead in our society launched a fierce air and ground campaign against Chic-fil-A with clear goals in mind.  Force unconditional surrender to their will meaning; adjust your ideological beliefs to ours. Or face market-place annihilation.  Thankfully, tens of thousands of reinforcements rallied to their defense and pushed back against the forces of fascism and suppression.

But battles even victorious ones, come with a price; Chic-fil-A came away a bit bruised and batter and sought to stay away from the field of cultural combat at least up to this point, by stating: “Chick-fil-A’s giving heritage is focused on programs that educate youth, strengthen families and enrich marriages, and support communities. We will continue to focus our giving in those areas. Our intent is not to support political or social agendas”.

Newsflash…. by supporting those things you are involved in political and social agendas. The question is… who’s political and social agendas are you supporting?

Second… Joel Osteen, Pastor of the largest church in America, while on a promotional tour for his latest book, was again ambushed and verbally attacked by some of the committed foot soldiers of the liberal/progressive forces, who have taken issue with the biblical view of sexual immorality as far as homosexuality, is concerned. He was caught off guard by this verbal body blow, and surprised by their effort not to focus on his positive and uplifting message, but instead they zeroed in on his counter-cultural biblical worldview.

Sadly and with all due respect, his neutral stance and capitulating posture was not only confusing but conjured up images in my mind of the pre- World War II Munich Pact in which Europe was bullied  and deceived by Hitler into thinking appeasement would bring peace and unity….. Well, we all know how that turned out.

You may be thinking… … That’s a stretch. Not really when you think about what a man like Joel Osteen represents. He is the pastor of the largest Church in America, sells millions of books; fills stadiums and arenas as well as a huge weekly TV audience. His influence is palpable.  But his ideological view about God and gays (though he never talks about it from his pulpit) is an affront to their strategic societal planning. So he must be made an example of; made to relent or face societal annihilation.  So that no one else dare challenge the progressive status quo.

What businesses like Chic-Fil-A and pastors like Joel Osteen must understand; as well as all of us who adhere to the same ideology as they do.…. Neutrality is no longer an option in the current culture war.

Neutrality is the disease that of the reluctant masses; the downfall of once powerful Nations.

Giving the impression of neutrality breeds confusion and instability, hence them most recent stand-off between Chic-fil-A and a Chicago alderman.

They don’t care about your chicken or how positive and uplifting you are. All they care about is what ideology you adhere too; and who’s side you are on.

Staying silent about the first and most important institution in mankind’s existence (the family) while it has clearly been targeted for re-definition with extreme prejudice by the forces of liberalism and progressivism; is no longer acceptable.  So is appeasement to those same forces; because one may be afraid of offending them; In reference to the unambiguous biblical ideology that speaks against the sexual immorality of homosexuality.

With this evidence presented and so much more that I didn’t even mention….I ask the same question of this generation that the prophet asked of his:

How long will you waver between two ideologies?  Choose who you will serve!

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Comments

7 Responses to “Chic-fil-A, Joel Osteen: Why Neutrality is not an Option in today’s culture war.”
  1. Rebecca says:

    Sin is sin. What else should be illegal and carry a prison sentence? The anger felt inside at people who cut in line? The times cleavage is noticed and dwelled on? The lie told to get oneself out of trouble at work and told against a coworker? The car wished for with all one’s heart that the friend owns? The model of the car sitting on display and adoringly touched, looked at and sighed over? The harsh word said in anger. The judgmental words said out of false self righteousness? It’s so much easier to pick on the sins we can SEE another committing in our self-professed piety isn’t it?

  2. john r gaither says:

    A JUDGE OF LEGAL LAWS HAS AN GUIDE LINE TO PRONOUN HIS JUDGEMENTS AS CHRISTIAN WE HAVE THE PERCEPTS AND RULES OF THE APOSTLIC CHURCH TO FOLLOW AN WE AS THE BODY OF CHRIST HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS , ONE BEING TO CALL WHATEVER YAH CALLS SIN TO JUDGE THAT AS SIN ND THE THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY WILL NOT ACCEPT THE SIN OF HOMOSEXUALITY AND IT RELIGION I DO KNOW ROMNEY IS AN CHRISTIAN OR NOT ,BUT THE MORMAN CHRUCH IS AN CULT

  3. sparetharod says:

    Wake up people. Please research the origins of Christianity. Research King James and why he has his own version of the bible. Start thinking for youself instead of waiting and hoping to be saved. Our community has more important problems to deal with besides who should be allowed to get narried. Wake up people!

  4. My viewpoint says:

    The issue is not love but the definition of marriage. I have gay friends and family members whom I love dearly. However, I support marriage defined as between a man and woman only.

  5. Wade in Austin says:

    The bible tells us that the punishment for sin is death. Period. It doesn’t matter how severe the sin. But God loves us more than anything so He provided us with Jesus, through Whom we can be absolved of our sins so that we can live with God in the after-life. God also told us not to judge one another; that’s for God to do. Joel Osteen was following God’s direction not to judge, but to love one another, including the gay men and women of the world. And everyone else, NO MATTER THE SIN. And we are ALL Sinners, every last one of us. That hateful thought you had while sitting in traffic, the dirty thought you had about that beautiful girl at the store…those are all sins! But when, like Joel, you have been born again with Jesus as your savior, the Holy Spirit guides you and encourages you not to sin. It also helps you begin to love one another, and really does help us not to judge the actions and words of others.

    That Holy Spirit has made a home in my heart as well. He encourages me to love and not to judge. He has washed away my past sins and provided me with grace that I didn’t deserve. I provide that grace to others that cross my path. I also happen to be gay (and God loves me anyway!). If God can love the gay people (and all the other sinners), can’t you love everyone, too?

    Finally, Mitt Romney is not a Christian, he is a Mormon, which is quite different from Christianity.

  6. LastManStanding says:

    Pastor Joel Osteen is now probably the most high profile Cristian leader in America to directly call homosexuality a sin. Interesting, given that he is constantly criticized for ‘not talking about sin.’ His stance has resulted in attacks against him not only from the militant gay community (read the blogs), but from the liberal media as well (Piers Morgan, Joy Behar, Solidad OBrien, etc.). When I watched Paul Driscoll (who criticizes Osteen regularly)on TV recently promoting his new book, he hedged and hem-hawed when asked about same-sex marriage and he never called homosexuality ‘sin.’ Kurt Cameron did the same dancing act when he was asked about homosexuality on TV a few months ago. Joel Osteen displays courage every time he is confronted by these liberal journalists. Hooray for you Joel Osteen!!!!

  7. Judy says:

    Joel, I want to thank you for stating that homosexulity is a sin on CNN. If we are Christians and read the Bible, we should know that abortions and homosexuality is a sin.

    President Obama said at the UN today that he is a Christian. How can a person confess to be a Christian and support gay rights and abortions.

    I realize that we aren’t suppose to judge people but it’s amazing that people are so gullible when it comes to President Obama. You would think that he is a King and does not do anything wrong.

    I truly believe that Mitt Romney is a Christian and has good morals and values. Between Harry Reid, President Obama and the news media, they have continued to attack Mitt’s character. I do believe that they will have to answer to God for their bad behavior. It’s amazing how attack ads can convince the American people that someone is bad.

    Why don’t the pastors in America stand up and speak out against homosexuality and abortions. As a Christian nation, we are letting President Obama make decisions for us.
    God Bless you and your ministry.

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