Chicken, Christian, or Both?

This whole gay marriage debate has me nauseous.  In response to all the media coverage of Chick-fil-a's position on the matter, facebook is all abuzz and it seems everyone wants to voice their opinions and feelings on the matter...including me.  It's exhausting.

What bothers me the most is seeing my Christian friends in support of it, but to make the matter worse, to question my heart because of my differing view.  To be called unloving and intolerant by the world is one thing, but to be told by those claiming to be Christians that "people like you are the reason Christians have a bad name" is just heartbreaking.

I hear Christian friends saying things like, "It's not our job to legalize morality or push our beliefs on other people."  Or they might say, "We are called to love.  Where is your compassion and empathy?"  As if Jesus would somehow approve of gay marriage and I am the cold-hearted snake for thinking otherwise.  Really??  Is this what our nation and CHURCH has come to?  I try to have a respectful debate about the issue, raising what I believe to be valid concerns and rather than get any answers, my Christian character is attacked, I'm compared to those who were against slavery and women's rights, accused of suppressing the rights of others (or out-and-out hating them) and labeled "insecure".

Is there anyone out there willing to critically think through the implications of this issue and have a respectful dialogue without resorting to name calling and attacking the individual (or company, in Chick-fil-a's case)?

I plan to blog another post explaining why I believe legalizing gay marriage is bad for America.  At least this way, whenever the subject comes up online I can just post a link to my thoughts without regurgitating them over and over and over again.  We, as Christians, really cannot remain silent on this issue.  Brothers and sisters, it is time to get involved.  Take a lesson from Chick-fil-a and don't be a Christian chicken.  ;)  Speak out.  More on that later.  Right now, I need to recharge.

My Attempt at Becoming the Next "Betty Crocker"

I just created my own recipe (probably for the first time).  I dumped a bunch of stuff in the slow cooker and I'm hoping that it will #1) be fully cooked by dinner time and #2) that it will taste halfway decent.  I don't really know what possessed me to try this today.  I guess I'm wanting to use what fresh produce we currently have before it goes bad and thought, "What the hay?  Let's see what happens." ;-)

Here's what I used in case you'd like to try it too.  I'll let you know how it turns out...

• 1 whole chicken fryer
• 10-12 baby carrots
• 2 onions, peeled and quartered
• 1-14.5 oz can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano
• 1/2 cup apple juice
• 2 Tbs. vinegar
• 1 Tbs. chili powder
• 1/2 tsp. onion powder
• basil
• oregano
• honey

I placed my frozen fryer (see why I'm hoping it's done by dinner time?) in the cooker and dumped the diced tomatoes on top.  Then I added the apple juice and vinegar (along the sides, not over the chicken).  Next came the chili and onion powders over the chicken as well as a sprinkling of basil and oregano to taste.  I placed the carrots and onions around the chicken, onions on top and drizzled with honey to taste.

I probably would have added some potatoes too, if we'd had any.  Guess we'll see what happens.  If this is any good, I'll need a name for it.  Thoughts? :)  Wish me luck!