Chick-fil-A is under fire from the gay community for only supporting heterosexual marriages and Christian-based associations. But bashing Chick-fil-A for the use of their money seems quite unreasonable.

One Chick-fil-A in Pennsylvania sponsored a marriage tutorial in February. This group is known to be outspoken and against homosexuality; it caused quite the uproar in the gay community, according to The New York Times.

Part of Chick-fil-A’s motto —”To glorify God by being a faithful steward” — speaks directly to the character of the association, and how the running of the corporation is set on a firm base.

The company is known for supporting community events and starting their own special organization, the WinShape Foundation. Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy founded the WinShape Foundation in 1984, with the main goal being to “shape winners.”

The foundation is for anyone that feels like their life needs change or to assist in building leadership skills. No matter the lifestyle choice that one chooses, anyone is welcome to the WinShape Foundation.

“The issue here is respect,” said Martha Lang, visiting assistant professor of sociology and anthropology. “Will I disagree with people for thinking the LGBT (community) is sinful? Sure. But when it comes down to agreeing to disagree, we need to find ways to agree with individuals.”

The gay community has the right to say what they want, but Chick-fil-A is not known for mistreatment of customers due to their particular lifestyle choice.

“I feel like they have good service,” said senior Brian Daniel, vice president of Pride. “I don’t go there often, but when I do, they always seem friendly.”

Customer service is one of the most important elements to why Chick-fil-A loves to do what they do.

“Obviously, news of this is frustrating to hear, but at the end of the day, they are a business and who they choose to do business with is up to them,” said Daniel. “I must say that I do not agree about who they have catered to, but the bottom line is that it’s a business.” 

Because Chick-fil-A is a Christian-based organization, there is a policy stating that all Chick-fil-A establishments are to be closed on Sundays. This policy started when Truett Cathy opened his first restaurant, according to the Chick-fil-A corporate website.

“I think (giving the employees Sundays off) is amazing,” sophomore Kent Peterson, a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, said. “It still generates enough revenue to grow as an organization while taking the Sabbath off.”

Going to church and building a relationship with God is something that is exceedingly important in the Christian faith. Employees are not required to go to church on Sundays; it simply gives employees the opportunity to know who God is. Thus, there are many individualistic workers for Chick-fil-A that can have their own lifestyle choices and not support what the organization sustains.

“I have never witnessed any employee of Chick-fil-A be mistreated or mistreat a customer due to religious beliefs or lifestyle choices,” said Jamie Surprenant, a former Chick-fil-A employee and the wife of an FCA mentor. “In fact, the only Christian employee when I was working was the manager. None of the other employees had a religious belief.”

Choosing to be a consumer of Chick-fil-A is left up to the discretion of individuals. If members of the gay community do not want to buy from Chick-fil-A, then that is okay, but boycotting Chick-fil-A for supporting any type of organization is quite judgmental.