People pray to their deity of choice for many reasons: health, happiness or homophobia.
If that last one seems out of place you probably don't follow Evangelical Christian leader Franklin Graham on Facebook or Twitter.
On Saturday, November 30, Graham took to Facebook and Twitter to post about Chick-fil-A restaurants and how unfortunate it is that they receive backlash over homophobic actions by company executives.
Graham—who inherited his ministry and fortune from his father Billy—posted:
"Chick-fil-A has been in the news a lot, and every day it seems there's a new article about their charitable giving. There has been a lot of concern and criticism, and maybe rightly so."
"For Christian schools, businesses, and organizations, there is always a danger of drifting to the left. It is my sincere hope that Chick-fil-A will not allow that to happen."
"With the majority of corporate America caving to the LGBTQ agenda, Chick-fil-A has stood against the tide—with people of faith supporting them all the way."
"What can we do now?"
"I would encourage Christians everywhere to pray for Dan Cathy, his brother Bubba, and the family as they have some important decisions to make. It's their company, they can do what they want."
"But my prayer is that God will lead and direct them, and that they will continue to honor their late father Truett Cathy's strong stand for biblical values–all to the glory of God!"
"While Chick-fil-A is one of the few restaurants closed on Sunday to honor God, what if we make today 'Pray for Chick-fil-A Day?' Will you join me in praying?"
There’s been a lot of concern & criticism regarding @ChickfilA’s charitable giving—& maybe rightly so. For Christia… https://t.co/L3TC5c3lk0— Franklin Graham (@Franklin Graham)1575155958.0
My prayer is that God will lead & direct @ChickfilA & the Cathy family, & that they will continue to honor their la… https://t.co/UNYD2SZc2L— Franklin Graham (@Franklin Graham)1575156050.0
How a chicken sandwich gives glory to God was not specified.
In response to boycotts and the rejection and closure of some locations due to the company's formerly explicit anti-LGBTQ+ stance, in November, Chick-fil-A reportedly released a revised donation strategy. It would eliminate donations to groups which discriminate against LGBTQ+ people.
But Graham claimed the company's CEO personally assured him Chick-fil-A wouldn't "bow down" to the LGBTQ+ community. The controversial Christian leader—and friend of President Donald Trump—asked the chain to consolidate its anti-gay stance before "caving to the LGBTQ agenda."
Franklin Graham: Chick-fil-A Told Me It Hasn't ‘Bowed’ to LGBT Demands https://t.co/3ieys7CWPR— Tim Squires (@Tim Squires)1574729593.0
Of the many things in the world a Christian leader could pray for—like an end to hunger, poverty, war, sexual exploitation, domestic violence, illness—Graham felt ensuring a chicken restaurant continues to fund bigotry against LGBTQ+ people was the most important.
People questioned Graham's priorities and integrity.
@Franklin_Graham @ChickfilA How about you donating some scratch and lay off the mini-chicks... https://t.co/CAyTpiBVJN— Ivan McValdez (@Ivan McValdez)1575160349.0
@Franklin_Graham @ChickfilA There’s been a lot of concern & criticism regarding @SamaritainsPurse's uncharitable gi… https://t.co/GhykFFE0m1— Judy Ruliani (@Judy Ruliani)1575174819.0
@Franklin_Graham @ChickfilA This was Franklin calling for honesty and then came Trump and all of a sudden crickets.… https://t.co/2SjimGkKgv— Jeff Olefson (@Jeff Olefson)1575205990.0
@Franklin_Graham @ChickfilA I feel like it was not that long ago that liberals were derided as activist snowflakes… https://t.co/Tlilg8N4TJ— lady.miss.crystal (@lady.miss.crystal)1575211805.0
@Franklin_Graham @ChickfilA All Hail the Christian Caliphate!!— Ivanka's Stolen Shoe (@Ivanka's Stolen Shoe)1575156054.0
@Franklin_Graham @ChickfilA Franklin- ever hear the old hymn “In Christ there is no east or west”? Safe to assume… https://t.co/wzwABQWPs0— Phil Madeira (@Phil Madeira)1575181289.0
@Franklin_Graham @ChickfilA “...a danger of drifting to the left...” Looking forward to your future denunciation o… https://t.co/wE2gB3l8Q9— Todd Smith (@Todd Smith)1575174067.0
@Franklin_Graham @ChickfilA Keep religion and politics separate. Nothing worse than a “religious leader” spreading hate.— Marcia (@Marcia)1575165839.0
Whether Chick-fil-A decides to continue donations to groups that promote bigotry or to live and let live remains to be seen.
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