My newsfeed on Facebook has been flooded with everyone’s thoughts and opinions about the recent controversy about the CEO of Chick Fil A, Dan Cathy, believing in Biblical views of marriage and making his beliefs public.

What my best friend wrote nailed it on the head for me:

Find it interesting that everything is seen as tolerance until it comes to Christianity....

I find that statement incredibly true.

We tolerate everything, it seems, until a man stands up and boldly proclaims that he believes marriage is to be between a man and woman.

When Dan Cathy was asked if his company is anti-gay marriage and he answered with “Guilty as charged” that statement was a bold statement towards his Biblical beliefs and not a statement of hate towards gays and lesbians.

He said, and this is a direct quote from this article: "We know that it might not be popular with everyone, but thank the Lord, we live in a country where we can share our values and operate on biblical principles," he said.

I am a Christian, too. My foundation for my beliefs and morals is the Word of God. We live in a free country. I can choose to believe what I want. So can Dan Cathy.

But, for some reason, everything is “tolerated” until it comes to Christianity.

But you know, the Bible warns us of this too. God warns us that if we choose to believe the Word of God and make it the foundation and standard of how we live our lives, we are bound to experience persecution.

Jesus warned His disciples of the persecution they would face for following Him. Remember the words I spoke to you: “No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.” John 15:20

God flat out tells us we will be persecuted in 2 Timothy 3:12 through the words of Paul when Paul writes in his letter to his son, Timothy, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

The controversy out there about this is just that: persecution for standing up for a Biblical belief (teaching) on marriage.

The accusations that Christians are homophobic, fundamentalists, hate-mongers, and intolerant are all just different forms of persecution for standing up for Christian beliefs.

The Bible also tells us what to do when persecuted.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh an blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13

Christians, we must stand strong in our beliefs.

I am a Christian who believes that the institute of marriage was established by God at the beginning of time and that it – marriage – was created for a man and woman.

I am not saying I dislike gays and lesbians and I do not wish to associate with them.

My husband has a friend who is gay.

Out of Christian love for his friend he took the time to talk to this friend about being gay and he told him that while he does not agree with his lifestyle, he loves him and wants to be there for him and pray for him.

It’s called loving the sinner, but hating the sin – just like Jesus demonstrates time and time again throughout the Bible. If God hated the sinner, He never would have sent His one and only Son to this earth to die on the cross as payment for our sins.

My husband’s friend was incredibly grateful that Dave took the time to talk to him, to hear his story, to be firm in his beliefs towards heterosexuality but yet still love him has a friend, in spite of the lifestyle choices he has made.

This Chick Fil A controversy shouldn’t be about anyone hating or being perceived to hate anyone.

Dan Cathy stood up for his Biblical views on marriage. He has the right to do so as an American.

And his beliefs should be tolerated, too.

- Elaine