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The Silent Majority Speaks! NOM Marriage News

August 2, 2012 at 12:05 pm

NOM National Newsletter

Dear Marriage Supporter,

What a day! Thanks to all of you who made yesterday's Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day such a resounding success!

Over 665,000 people responded on Governor Mike Huckabee's Facebook event page saying they would visit Chick-fil-A on Wednesday. Media outlets across the nation carried the story. Chick-fil-A locations were swamped with customers.

My inbox was flooded with hundreds of pictures from all across the nation yesterday. Click here to see just a small sampling of the tremendous outpouring of support Americans gave the Cathy family yesterday.

We will be updating these throughout the next several days, so please continue to send in your Chick-fil-A pictures and stories to [email protected].

Let's keep the momentum going! Dan Cathy put his reputation and livelihood on the line when he stood up for marriage. Yesterday, we told him in concrete terms that we support his remarkable courage. Today we must continue to uphold him and his family as they continue to take fire from same-sex marriage supporters.

If you have not already done so, please visit www.ThankChickfilA.com and send the Cathy family a letter of appreciation for their commitment to marriage. If you have a chance to swing by a Chick-fil-A branch over the next couple of weeks, make a point to stop in and purchase even a small snack so that the Cathy family knows that we continue to stand with them. Let the manager know why you're there, and be sure to let us know, too!

Marriage Making National News

Chick-fil-A rules the roost this week in terms of the top news in the battle over marriage.

Rush Limbaugh chimed in recently with his typical passion and candor on the unconstitutional actions of several big city mayors who told Chick-fil-A—and, implicitly, any business that values free speech or stands for traditional values—that there are not welcome in these mayors' cities:

What do we have? We have two mayors who are essentially Stalinist, who have had no problem whatsoever—not one problem at all—with going before the microphones and telling an American business, "You are not welcome here. And if you come here, you will be penalized or whatever the hell will happen." All because the guy who owns the outfit happens to be a publicly professed Christian who believes that "marriage" has a specific definition.... This is a direct assault. That's a direct assault on Christianity. That is a direct assault on Christians. With economic punishment thrown in including threats from government officials that are in clear violation of the Constitution.

Thank you, Rush, for recognizing that these attacks on Chick-fil-A are simply the latest in a series of assaults on freedom of speech for Christians and those of other faiths who believe marriage to be the union of one man and one woman. These attacks on religious freedom will only continue and increase in frequency and boldness, if the pro-gay marriage radicals have their way and impose same-sex marriage on the entire nation.

Another voice heard from lately is Rick Santorum, a longtime ardent supporter of marriage; The Blaze reported Santorum's appearance on CNBC as the former Senator spoke up strongly in support of marriage and against the radical mayors' recent attacks on free speech.

"You just keep seeing this more and more, which is the absolute intolerance of the left in America. There can be no dissent from what their position is," he said on "The Kudlow Report."

The idea that the company would face pressure for its leader's beliefs was antithetical to the idea of the United States.

"This is why the Hugenots came to America," Santorum said, adding the Dutch Reform Church and Catholics to that list.

"They didn't want the government telling them what to believe and that they couldn't say things in public, that they had to keep it to themselves," he said, or be "barred from doing business."

Reverend Billy Graham has ministered to presidents and to peasants. He has shared Truth for decades with everyone who would listen. Earlier this spring he came out strongly in support of the North Carolina marriage amendment because it was in keeping with God's plan for marriage. Last week Rev. Graham shared his own statement in support of the Cathy family and marriage.

I want to express my support for my good friends Truett Cathy and his son Dan Cathy, and for their strong stand for the Christian faith. I've known their family for many years and have watched them grow Chick-fil-A into one of the best businesses in America while never compromising their values. Chick-fil-A serves each of its customers with excellence, and treats everyone like a neighbor. It's easy to see why Chick-fil-A has become so popular across America.

Support for marriage is not about hatred. It is about recognizing that marriage is the union of a man and woman because children have a right to their mother and father. Dan Cathy realizes this truth. Whether a liberal or conservative, anyone can understand why Mr. Cathy ought to have the right to share his personal opinions. The latest attacks on Dan Cathy and Chick-fil-A in the name of "tolerance" are constitutionally indefensible, and just the latest egregious example of the extremes to which anti-marriage radicals will go in an effort to silence those who disagree with them.

But the American people won't stand for it!

Supporting Dan Cathy and Chick-fil-A has been a wonderful opportunity to engage people in the discussion over how same-sex marriage threatens the religious freedom of Christians and the freedom of speech of all Americans who support marriage. Imagine how this situation would be different if same-sex marriage were the law of the land!

Two Simple Actions to Continue Our Success

There are two favors I have to ask of you today.

First, please keep up your support for the Cathy family and Chick-fil-A as they continue to be targeted by same-sex marriage activists. This Friday around the nation, same-sex marriage activists will be hosting their own protest event at Chick-fil-A restaurants—"Same-Sex Kiss Day."

So, the Cathys need our continued prayers and encouragement—after all, threats to their constitutional freedoms aren't going to disappear because of just one day of great sales. A quick visit to www.thankchickfila.com is all that it takes: do you have thirty seconds to sign the letter to the Cathys and stand in solidarity with them to support marriage?

Second, I would ask you to do is to please pray for our founder and friend Maggie Gallagher. Maggie recently stepped down from the NOM board to care for her mother, who is in hospice. Please pray for her and her family.

Please take a moment and send an email to Maggie letting her know that she and her family are in your prayers. Send the message to us at [email protected] and we'll make sure she receives your letter.

Let's all pray for each other as we continue together to stand on the front lines of this fight for marriage!

By Brian Brown | Posted in NOM Marriage News | Comments (5)

Chicago Cardinal Slams Mayor Rahm Emanuel over Chick-fil-A comments

August 2, 2012 at 11:00 am

In response to Mayor Emanuel's infamous "Chick-fil-A’s values are not Chicago values” remark, Cardinal Francis George had this to say:

Recent comments by those who administer our city seem to assume that the city government can decide for everyone what are the “values” that must be held by citizens of Chicago.

I was born and raised here, and my understanding of being a Chicagoan never included submitting my value system to the government for approval. Must those whose personal values do not conform to those of the government of the day move from the city? Is the City Council going to set up a “Council Committee on Un-Chicagoan Activities” and call those of us who are suspect to appear before it? I would have argued a few days ago that I believe such a move is, if I can borrow a phrase, “un-Chicagoan.”

Read Cardinal George's full statement here.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Same Sex Marriage | Comments (4)

New York Times on the Chick-fil-A Business

August 2, 2012 at 10:00 am

The editors of the New York Times include comments and conclude this way:

"...Speaker Christine Quinn of the New York City Council also overreached when she sent a letter, on Council stationery, calling for the president of New York University to “sever your relationship” with a Chick-fil-A eatery on campus. “Let me be clear,” she wrote, “I do not want establishments in my city that hold such discriminatory views.”

As a gay woman who recently got married, Ms. Quinn’s anger about Mr. Cathy’s comments is understandable. And she stressed on Monday that the letter was “solely my own opinion.” But, as a powerful city leader and a leading candidate for mayor, she and others in city governments should take care not to be seen muscling aside businesses whose owners don’t agree with their views. That won’t work, especially in a city as big, diverse and opinionated as New York."

By NOM Staff | Posted in Chick-fil-A | Comments (8)

NOM's Peters Reacts to News of Democrats Embracing SSM in Their Platform

August 2, 2012 at 9:00 am

OneNewsNow:

"...Thirty-two states have defined marriage as between one man and one woman, prohibiting recognition of marriage in any other form. Thomas Peters of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) tells OneNewsNow that President Obama and his party are apparently forgetting that.

"He's reopening a can of worms that the voters in these states all kind of conclusively settled for themselves," he says. "And one of our big points is that obviously if the Democrats have their way, all of the marriage amendments passed in [those states and] certainly Florida and other swing states are in jeopardy."

NOM president Brian Brown believes the Democratic Party "has been captured by extremists ... like Barney Frank and Nancy Pelosi who are determined to redefine marriage" in America. Peters says that being the case, the question for rank-and-file Democrats is what place they have at the table.

"It seems that the person who sort of leaked this news is [Massachusetts Congressman] Barney Frank," says Peters. "It's coastal liberals in states like California, New York, and Massachusetts that are more and more shaping the direction of the Democrat Party [sic], leaving behind Democrats with social conservative values."

By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, Marriage, Marriage Election Watch, Politics, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (2)

Chick-fil-A in West Virginia Deemed Safe After Bomb Threat

August 1, 2012 at 6:00 pm

The Journal:

Photo by Edward Marshall

Police and fire crews closed down the Chick-fil-A on Foxcroft Avenue in Martinsburg for nearly three hours following a bomb threat that was called in just before 1 p.m. today.

The caller mentioned that a "device" had been placed within the restaurant. The building was evacuated, but was deemed safe at about 3:45 p.m. after no bomb or any other type of device was discovered.

Martinsburg City Police and the Martinsburg Fire Department personnel investigated the scene, along with Berkeley County Sheriff Kenny Lemaster. A National Park Ranger with a canine unit arrived at the scene at approximately 2:45 p.m. to assist, and a second from the West Virginia State Police arrived later as well.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Chick-fil-A, Civility, Law, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (10)

LSN: Bakery Sees Business Boom After 'Gay Wedding Cake' Refusal

August 1, 2012 at 2:00 pm

Thaddeus Baklinski of LifeSiteNews:

The owner of a cake shop in Lakewood, Colorado said that, following a refusal to provide a wedding cake for a homosexual couple his business has more than doubled.

Jack Phillips, the owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop, told local media that this wasn’t the first time he had turned away homosexuals seeking wedding cakes, but it is the first time his stand for Christian principles has resulted in so much media attention and some death threats.

Phillips explained that since 1993 the family owned and operated business has refused about half-a-dozen requests for same-sex wedding cakes. However, on Sunday he said he was forced to call police because of several death threats over the latest refusal.

The situation developed on July 19 when two homosexuals entered the shop and announced they were getting “married” in Massachusetts and wanted to order a wedding reception cake for their reception in Colorado. When Phillips refused, one of the pair, 28-year-old Dave Mullins, is reported to have said, “F*** you and your homophobic cake shop,” and directed an obscene gesture at the owner before leaving.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Colorado, Corporate Ethics, Free Speech, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (16)

Prop 8 Proponents Seek Supreme Court Review

August 1, 2012 at 1:00 pm

The AP:

Backers of California's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriages asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday to overrule a federal appeals court that struck down the measure as unconstitutional.

Lawyers for the coalition of religious conservative groups that sponsored the ban, known as Proposition 8, petitioned the Supreme Court to review the lower court's finding that the 2008 amendment to the state constitution violated the civil rights of gay and lesbian Californians.

The move, which had been expected since a panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued its 2-1 decision earlier this year, means the bitter, 4-year-old court fight over the ban could soon be resolved.

...The Supreme Court is expected to act on the petition this fall.

By NOM Staff | Posted in California, Marriage, Prop 8, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (13)

Your Photos and Stories from Eat at Chick-fil-A Day!

August 1, 2012 at 12:00 pm

See the latest photos from the Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day below!

Loading slideshow ...

You can still send a Thank You Card to the Cathys, letting them know that you honor their bravery and appreciate the good work they do by adding your signature to this note of appreciation.

YOU are our eyes and ears on Eat at Chick-fil-A Day! This post will be updated throughout the day!

By NOM Staff | Posted in Chick-fil-A | Comments (137)

VA Gov. McDonnell Defends Chick-fil-A

August 1, 2012 at 11:30 am

The DCist:

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell waded into the still-simmering debate over Chick-fil-A today, saying that he didn't think that the fried chicken purveyor should be denied permits because of its donations to organizations that oppose same-sex marriage, a threat some elected officials have made in recent weeks.

"I love chicken. If we start having governments issue permits or zoning changes, or withholding those because of someone's political or religious beliefs, we are going down a very bad road. I think people have an ability to start and grow a business regardless of their political beliefs," he said on WTOP's Ask the Governor this morning.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Chick-fil-A | Comments (3)

Don't Forget! Eat at Chick-Fil-A Today!

August 1, 2012 at 11:25 am

Email Header Image

Dear Marriage Supporter,

It's going to be huge. Perhaps the busiest day in Chick-fil-A history.

If you haven't done so already, find a local Chick-fil-A restaurant so you can get out there today and participate in this historic event!

Today's "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" has become a national sensation since Governor Mike Huckabee began the grassroots campaign on his radio program two weeks ago. The efforts of politicians to intimidate Chick-fil-A restaurants in Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco and Washington, DC have only provoked more of a response from the people, with now more than half-a-million Americans pledging to pay their thanks to the Cathys today (in exchange for some great food)!

As the Rev. Billy Graham said last week: "I want to express my support for my good friends Truett Cathy and his son Dan Cathy, and for their strong stand for the Christian faith. . . . As the son of a dairy farmer who milked many a cow, I plan to 'Eat Mor Chikin' and show my support by visiting Chick-fil-A next Wednesday."

Join Rev. Billy Graham, Sarah Palin, Rick Santorum, Tim Pawlenty, Bob McDonnell and millions of your fellow Americans in supporting the Cathy family today!

As I told Governor Mike Huckabee on his radio show last week, we are thrilled to help spread the word about this terrific event. But there are two more things I am asking you to do:

The media will probably ignore today's event—so help us by being our team of reporters across the nation. Send your pictures and stories to [email protected] and we'll get the word out.
Visit www.ThankChickfilA.com to send a note of thanks to the Cathy family for their courage in standing for the true meaning of marriage, for religious freedom and free speech.

Get out there and show your support today, and make sure the Cathys know how much you honor their heroism—while at the same time making clear to the gay marriage bullies that those who believe in God's truth about marriage are strong and united.

PS: Can't make it to a Chick-fil-A restaurant today? No problem! Show your support by visiting their merchandise store online and purchasing some great stuff featuring those hilarious cows!

By Brian Brown | Posted in Chick-fil-A, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (6)

"Chick-fil-A Latest Example of How Same-Sex Marriage Threatens Religious Freedom"

August 1, 2012 at 11:00 am

Tom Messner for Heritage's The Foundry blog:

Same-sex marriage combined with nondiscrimination policies will result in significant discrimination against individuals and institutions that hold to the belief that marriage is—and should be defined in law as—the union of one man and one woman.

In the latest illustration of how this will happen, a Chicago alderman recently explained that he plans to block the chicken restaurant Chick-fil-A from building a new restaurant in his ward because he is offended by the belief of the company’s owners that marriage is between one man and one woman.

“There are consequences for one’s actions, statements and beliefs,” the official stated. “Because of this man’s ignorance, I will deny Chick-fil-A a permit to open a restaurant in my ward.”

Under pressure, this official might attempt to alter his rationale for targeting Chick-fil-A—or even back down altogether like the mayor of Boston did when he was criticized for targeting Chick-fil-A in his city.

However it turns out, though, the Chick-fil-A situation certainly adds to the growing list of cases illustrating how individuals and institutions that continue to support marriage as one man and one woman will likely face a variety of significant burdens [...]

By NOM Staff | Posted in Chick-fil-A, Marriage, Religious Liberty, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (6)

Former Archbishop of Los Angeles: Catholics Need to Stand Tall for Religious Freedom (and Chick-fil-A)

August 1, 2012 at 10:30 am

Cardinal Roger Mahony, the former Archbishop of Los Angeles and someone who has advocated for causes on both side of the aisle, comes out strongly in favor of religious freedom and Chick-fil-A:

"...Mayor Edwin Lee of San Francisco tweeted: "Closest Chick-fil-A to San Francisco is 40 miles away & and I strongly recommend that they not try to come any closer." California has 59 stores, Mayor Lee, and more are in the works.

... Regarding marriage, the question is rather simple: Is marriage of God's origin? Or, is marriage of government origin? We Catholics and many others of similar belief shout loudly that marriage is of God's origin, and we will never stop our efforts to maintain that understanding and practice of marriage in our broader society.

All Catholics, but especially Catholic business leaders, should be in the forefront of efforts to protect all religious liberties and freedoms across our nation. Because as we have just seen, lots of folks out there are eager to punish us for clinging to and expressing our faith beliefs, values, and practices. If government can "punish" a store owner for his faith beliefs and threaten to close his store because of those beliefs, then we are all in big trouble.

We as Catholics need to stand tall, know our faith beliefs, and proclaim those to the whole world in the name of Jesus Christ!

By NOM Staff | Posted in Catholic Church, Chick-fil-A | Comments (3)

Robert Knight: Eat Mor Chikin

August 1, 2012 at 9:00 am

Marriage Cow by Alexander Hunter, Washington Times

Robert Knight in the Washington Times:

"...This isn’t the first time Chick-fil-A has been singled out. In February 2011, homosexual activists launched an unsuccessful boycott when they found out that the company donated food to the Pennsylvania Family Institute’s marriage retreat. Seriously, it doesn’t take much to tick them off.

,...That’s what marriage laws do, too — they define the institution. It’s no accident that the media routinely describe marriage laws as “gay marriage bans,” as if marriage didn’t exist until recently, when it was invented solely to vex homosexuals. You think I’m joking? That’s what openly homosexual U.S. District Judge Vaughn R. Walker essentially said in his bizarre ruling striking down California’s voter-approved constitutional marriage amendment.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Chick-fil-A | Comments (12)

Illinois GOP Offers Chick-fil-A Gift Cards With Donation

August 1, 2012 at 8:00 am

The Illinois GOP, which obviously includes the 1st Ward of Chicago where Alderman Joe Moreno said he would try to ban Chick-fil-A, is offering a free gift card to Eat Mor Chikin with a donation to their organization, as local WJBC radio reports:

The Illinois Republican Party is hoping to cash in on the Chick-fil-A controversy.

In response to a Chicago alderman’s attempt to block Chick-fil-A from opening a restaurant in his ward, the GOP is offering $5 Chick-fil-A gift cards to anyone who donates at least $10 to the party. The appeal was included in an e-mail that the party sent to supporters.

Alderman Joe Moreno is blocking approval of a Chick-fil-A story on Chicago’s Northwest Side after restaurant president Dan Cathy publicly declared his opposition to gay marriage.