‘Discrimination’ just another word for ‘hate’

I sit here and wonder how hoards of people could head to Chick-fil-A’s Appreciation Day solely to support a company which proudly donates their money to organizations that discriminate. Oh, I know that they would say it’s to protect free speech, but is that really it?

I sit here and wonder if discrimination is just another word for hate. I believe so. I sit here and wonder if we, as a nation, are ever going to decide that we have hated enough. I sit here and wonder if it is all right to discriminate against another group of people, and no doubt many of Chick-fil-A’s own customers, all in the name of Christianity.

I sit here and weep when I think of Billy Graham having lunch at Chick-fil-A on that day. I used to have so much respect for him. I sit here and wonder if there is a church somewhere out there where I could feel comfortable going with my beliefs. I sit here and wonder how many closeted gay children saw their mom, dad, grandmother or grandfather at Chick-fil-A on that day and feel heartbroken for them. I sit here and wonder how the Boy Scouts of American could ever choose pedophiles over gays.

As I have spent this time struggling to understand why I feel the way I do, I think I finally may have the answer. Even though I have been retired for more than 11 years now, I realize that I am and always will be a teacher and teachers must never discriminate.

I will, instead, choose to support the many businesses who would use my money to make a positive impact on people’s lives. This is the way I choose to honor what I believe are the Christian values that were taught to me as a child.

Marlo Miller

Dundee Township