What are you - Chicken?

So - I guess I am trying to stir up some controversy here - but what's new? I am a Christian (not easy - and most days I am not a very good one; but I love the Lord and try to live by the 10 commandments and love others, everyone, as Jesus does - just as you are, no matter what). Read the bible - Jesus ate meals with everyone, he welcomed everyone at his table (including children) and to his teachings. The only people he condemned were those that judged others, those who lashed out in violence and anger. I want to be like him. I love my family and friends. I love my city. I love my country. I love my world. I love them for their diversity. Gay and Straight, Christian and Atheist, Muslim and Wiccan, Male and Female, Liberal and Conservative, Crunchy and Traditional. That being said - being the strong willed woman I am; I am grateful everyday I was born "white" to a Christian family in America in a time where freedom was at its greatest. With my underdog mentality and deep seeded ideals of equality and anger at injustice I do not know if I would have survived puberty in a society that does not grant women freedoms or in which differences are death sentences. I am also a Libertarian who believes in the basic freedoms and principals of the constitution ( however, I am glad we have had the sense to recognize that "all men" meant all people - not just white land owners). I am also a feminist and equalatist. I think everyone should have the same access and opportunity. I think pay should be based on performance not gender, seniority, or nepotism. I don't think your sexuality, your political preferences, your religion, or your family status/style should have any effect on your opportunity or potential. I do want to clarify one thing. America is a Christian nation. This nation was founded by WASPs on Christian principals. God is in the constitution, the declaration of independence, and the pledge of allegiance. However, the founders of this country had experienced religious intolerance so they provided for religious freedom. You do not have to be a Christian to be an American. Many Americans have died for your right to practice whatever religion you choose. Make no mistake though - this country was founded on Christian principals and ideals and there is no caveat for separation of Church and State in the constitution. Functionally - to respect religious freedom - it is sensible if the government operates in a secular manner. As a libertarian I do not feel more legislation can create more equality. I believe only education and love can do that. I also do not feel the government should tell anyone how we are allowed to feel, whom we should love, or how we should live. As long as we respect one another's basic human rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness) and abide by the laws of the land (no stealing, no cheating, no killing, etc) then the government's only other role is to help to provide the infrastructure (including available education) necessary for free enterprise and defense of the nation. I do not believe the government should have any role in personal lives of its citizens with exception of guaranteeing safety (making sure no one is being physically or emotionally abused). I personally do not feel the government has any role in marriage - gay or straight. Marriage is a commitment of individuals within the confines of their religions and beliefs. What in the world does Government (or even employers?) have anything to do with that? Yet in today's media oriented society Government is not the biggest bully. The media and biased presentations are the bullies. I know reality is based on perspective and "facts" are indeed subjective. I support Chick-fil-A as a company that is a private company, which operates on sound business principals, based in Christian values. They are ranked as one of the most friendly places to work for Christians and families and are lauded for their lack of debt. As a private company that is very open about their religious ideals they have the right to not offer domestic partnership benefits. As a private company I feel they should have the right to offer benefits or not! If they do not pay well and offer benefits why would anyone ever want to work there? If you are homosexual and in a committed relationship and you know the company you work for does not offer benefits to your partner or any non biological children why would you choose to work there? Because - lets get real - you choose where you work. America is not a communist society. We do not force you to work, we do not force you to work in a specific industry nor for a specific company. It is your CHOICE! I understand - better than most - that options may be limited. Maybe location, education, or the economic environment have limited opportunity. Yet if you choose to work for a company you disagree with fundamentally it is your choice (one I have made a few times out of desperation but it was not a good experience and it damaged my soul and my self image and self worth). But nobody put a gun to my head and said I had to. I chose to so I could pay my bills and feed my family and live in a lifestyle I had become accustomed to. I see Chick-fil-a as a company that walks their talk - and I respect that. I also respect that they close on Sundays. Just like a Jewish deli that is closed on Saturday - it makes be want to be a patron. I do not appreciate companies that spout a certain ideology just because they think it will appeal to a certain audience but none of their products or business practices support it. I also adore and love Henson Company and their work (except dang Elmo). I respect their right to make a business decision based on differing ideals and I will continue to watch and patronize the Henson product. I'll close on this - I have NEVER had a poor experience at Chick-fil-A. I have always gotten good service and good food. In today's corporate environment of quantity over quality, getting crappy products for a little money, paying employees as little as possible and giving them as few benefits as they can get away with getting good product and service with respect and a smile is a rarity. I have "boycotted" Wal-Mart for the past 7 years (not bought a single thing from them and request others to not buy things for us from Wal-Mart). I do this based on good economics and personal beliefs on how people, and more specifically communities, should be treated. My problem with Wal-Mart is business practices and how they affect the global economy - not any specific personal ideals they propagate. For this same reason I will continue to spend my funds at Chick-fil-a and suggest you look at your own heart before jumping on a bandwagon.