Richland County clergy cancel ‘dinner date’ with Chick fil-a

MANSFIELD — With widespread cancellations from the COVID-19 pandemic occurring throughout the state, North Central Ohio clergy are making an additional cancellation: their ‘dinner date’ with Chick fil-A.

Last summer, over one hundred Ohio clergy invited Chick fil-A to build a restaurant in their county primarily because of the company’s strong Bible-based values. But after its charitable foundation changed its menu of priorities by replacing Christian ministries with anti-religious groups on its donation list, the chickens are coming home to roost for the third-largest food chain in the nation.

“Turning its back on their customer base, will burn Chick fil-A’s profits to a crisp,” says Reverend El Akuchie of the Richland Community Prayer Network. “Evangelicals had staunchly supported Chick fil-A for standing for family values during a 2012 national boycott. But when the curtain was lifted, we find Chick fil-A unapologetically supports the Southern Poverty Law Center. The company can no longer be considered family-friendly or even socially neutral-they are radical left.”

A discovery several months ago found Chick fil-A has been financially supporting the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). SPLC runs a hate-based scam by labeling ministries as hate groups due to their Biblical orthodoxy. Accused by former employees of racism and sexism, SLPC has already paid millions in penalties for its defamation of other conservative groups. Consequently, SPLC’s incendiary rhetoric has led to violence.

In FBI testimony the assailant of a mass murder plot acknowledged he had targeted Family Research Center’s (FRC) headquarters precisely because the SPLC labeled FRC as a “hate group.” The convicted-felon was planning to stuff a Chick fil-A sandwich in each dead victim’s face. Fortunately the plot was thwarted. In fact, the Obama Administration reprimanded SPLC for its part in the incident.

Another new recipient of Chick-fil-A’s charitable donations includes Covenant House, a non-profit which does not hold to a Biblical or biological view of human sexuality. Covenant House promotes homosexuality as normal, natural, and healthy. It participated in this past year’s New York City gay pride event.

Due to Chick fil-A’s about-face, forty-nine faith leaders sent letter and several family groups collected petitions in response to the departure of Chick fil-A’s faith-based values. The restaurant chain has yet to repair its relationship with evangelicals.

“Chick fil-A no longer represents the values of our faith community,” says Pastor Randy Raynes of Mansfield Fellowship Baptist. It seemed too good be true (Chick fil-A’s moral stance) and now we find out it really was too good be true. Contrary to their company motto, it appears Chick fil-A serves mammon and not GOD. Their financing of risky behavior and hostility towards religious groups leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I used to travel out of my way to frequent a Chick fil-A, now all fast-food tastes the same.”

According to Pastor Raynes, it makes it that much harder for other Christian businesses to operate.

“Chick fil-A’s compromise creates a lot of collateral damage and puts Christian businesses and Bible-based ministries at risk. By discontinuing donations to Salvation Army and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, it gives the false appearance they are hate groups.”

Reverend Akuchie adds “Since I went on record as a supporter, I feel compelled to clarify that I no longer support Chick fil-A coming to our community. It is shameful that credible ministries have been put on a blacklist due in part to the charity of Chick fil-A. Chick fil-a has complete freedom to give to whichever philanthropic causes it chooses. In the same way, I have complete freedom to take my support away from Chick Fil-A.”

The Bottom Line:

The Bible says in Second Corinthians Six, “For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”

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