Today, I spent a bunch of time arguing with people about Chick-Fil-A, and I also spent a lot of time listening to my dad explain (kinda) why Dan Cathy is somewhat similar to St. Thomas More (and therefore, somewhat similar to Jesus).

You see, Dan Cathy said he supported and believed in traditional family values.

Then, people were really incredulous, because they disagreed with him, so they asked him if he really meant what he said.

Dan Cathy knew that saying "Yes" could cause turmoil for him and for his company, but you know what he did?

He stood by his original statement. And that is pretty freaking awesome.

Dan Cathy's affirmation of his beliefs, without eSven considering what those beliefs are, makes me really want to support him and his company even more, not because he's Christian, but because he's honest and firm about his beliefs.

To me, it wouldn't have mattered if Dan Cathy had said "I'm flaming gay and I'm in love with Michael Phelps," as long as he stood by the statement when tested.

Don't be lukewarm, be hot or cold!

So, how is he like St. Thomas More?

Well, St. Thomas More was beheaded not for dissenting from any political proposal of Henry VIII, but for refusing to swear to something he did not believe.

When asked if Henry's new "marriage" was valid, he said "No."

And they chopped off his head!

It's not just the fact that he said, "No," that he chose correctly when choosing whether to say "Yes" or "No" that is so Christ-like and awesome - it is the fact that he was willing to stick by what he believed, no matter how controversial his beliefs were. If he had firmly believed the marriage was valid and had sworn so, he would have been wrong in his beliefs, but he still would have possessed amazing, admirable conviction, and that is something our society needs so much right now.

How are they both imitating Christ?

When standing before Pilate, Christ said that He had come into this world to testify to the truth.

And He suffered and died and rose from the dead all in testament to the truth, even as the modern world looks on incredulously and asks with Pilate, "What is truth?"

Also, another awesome point is, as Marc has pointed out in Bad Catholic, it is so much easier to argue with and persuade somebody who's wholly against you then somebody who couldn't care less what side they're on.

So, tonight, I pray that you may be firm in your convictions, that you may stand by what you believe, defend your beliefs no matter what others say, and always be completely truthful about what you believe, what you've said about your beliefs, and how your beliefs shape your life. May Christ lead you to a true and perfect understanding of Himself, but may He first give you the fortitude to defend your belief in Him. Amen.

I came into this world to testify to the truth.

I'm praying for you!

:)