People pray to their deity of choice for many reasons: health, happiness or homophobia.
If that last one seems out of place you probably don't follow Evangelical Christian leader Franklin Graham on Facebook or Twitter.
On Saturday, November 30, Graham took to Facebook and Twitter to post about Chick-fil-A restaurants and how unfortunate it is that they receive backlash over homophobic actions by company executives.
Graham—who inherited his ministry and fortune from his father Billy—posted:
"Chick-fil-A has been in the news a lot, and every day it seems there's a new article about their charitable giving. There has been a lot of concern and criticism, and maybe rightly so."
"For Christian schools, businesses, and organizations, there is always a danger of drifting to the left. It is my sincere hope that Chick-fil-A will not allow that to happen."
"With the majority of corporate America caving to the LGBTQ agenda, Chick-fil-A has stood against the tide—with people of faith supporting them all the way."
"What can we do now?"
"I would encourage Christians everywhere to pray for Dan Cathy, his brother Bubba, and the family as they have some important decisions to make. It's their company, they can do what they want."
"But my prayer is that God will lead and direct them, and that they will continue to honor their late father Truett Cathy's strong stand for biblical values–all to the glory of God!"
"While Chick-fil-A is one of the few restaurants closed on Sunday to honor God, what if we make today 'Pray for Chick-fil-A Day?' Will you join me in praying?"
How a chicken sandwich gives glory to God was not specified.
In response to boycotts and the rejection and closure of some locations due to the company's formerly explicit anti-LGBTQ+ stance, in November, Chick-fil-A reportedly released a revised donation strategy. It would eliminate donations to groups which discriminate against LGBTQ+ people.
But Graham claimed the company's CEO personally assured him Chick-fil-A wouldn't "bow down" to the LGBTQ+ community. The controversial Christian leader—and friend of President Donald Trump—asked the chain to consolidate its anti-gay stance before "caving to the LGBTQ agenda."
Of the many things in the world a Christian leader could pray for—like an end to hunger, poverty, war, sexual exploitation, domestic violence, illness—Graham felt ensuring a chicken restaurant continues to fund bigotry against LGBTQ+ people was the most important.
People questioned Graham's priorities and integrity.
Whether Chick-fil-A decides to continue donations to groups that promote bigotry or to live and let live remains to be seen.
