Huckabee backs Chick-fil-A in same-sex marriage controversy

Mike Huckabee.

/ AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Updated: 3:52 p.m.

(CBS News) Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has jumped into the fray of an ongoing controversy over a fast food chain's outspoken stance against same-sex marriage, standing behind the company, Chick-fil-A, for supporting "the Biblical view of marriage."

Huckabee, in a statement on his Facebook page, said he has been "incensed at the vitriolic assaults on the Chick Fil-A company because the CEO, Dan Cathy, made comments recently in which he affirmed his view that the Biblical view of marriage should be upheld."

In a recent interview with the Baptist Press, Cathy said he was "guilty as charged" when asked about his "support of the traditional family."

"We are very much supportive of the family -- the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that," he said in the interview. "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."

Amid controversy sparked by the comments - including vehement opposition from the Muppets - Huckabee defended the company, and even called for a "Chick Fil-A Appreciation Day" this summer.

"Too often, those on the left make corporate statements to show support for same sex marriage, abortion, or profanity, but if Christians affirm traditional values, we're considered homophobic, fundamentalists, hate-mongers, and intolerant," he wrote. "Let's affirm a business that operates on Christian principles and whose executives are willing to take a stand for the Godly values we espouse by simply showing up and eating at Chick Fil-A on Wednesday, August 1."

Huckabee, a former Republican presidential contender, is a prominent voice in the Republican Party - and his name has been mentioned as a long-shot possibility to serve on the ticket with Mitt Romney.

In a statement, Chick-fil-A said it would be staying out of the debate over same-sex marriage going forward.

"The Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect -regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender," the statement read. "We will continue this tradition in the over 1,600 Restaurants run by independent Owner/Operators. Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena."

[billholahan]

People say they are exercising their freedom of religion and speech when they attend the Chick Fil A Appreciation Day; this is true! Why can't people understand that when gay people marry, all of the straight marriages remain as viable as they ever have been? All straight marriages in the future will also be valid and recognized by our Government. Why are people not able to accept the fact that BOTH are valid? One does not exclude the other.

But gay people and their supporters are fighting for CIVIL FREEDOM. Our civil rights should not be hijacked by the perceptions of a businessman who speaks of "God's judgment" against America. This is overstepping the realm of credibility. Gays and their supporters are also exercising their freedom of speech and religion, but the situation is direr than this. Gays are protesting all the money that Chick Fill A donates to anti-gay groups, who in turn line the pockets of lawmakers and politicians.. Anti-gay groups are responsible for the insidious TV ads that appear whenever there if a referendum on civil marriage. Why would gay people patronize a business whose profits contribute to bigotry against them?

This is a matter of civil freedom. Those who uphold religious values are not being denied their faith. But one's individual faith should not result in the unfairness of anti-gay legislation in our civil government.

The owner of the company says that we are inviting "God's judgment" upon our nation. Holy Cow! When will he and other Bible fanatics realize that the best family value is to include your gay members, not shun them!

[Mercurywings]

CFA has the right to express their views. People have the right to eat or not to eat there. The mayors of Boston and Chicago do NOT have the right to block CFA from opening a store. CFA has not broken any laws. They have expressed an opinion. People, vote with your dollars! Do not allow politicians to take away your right to choose!!

[kesterbird]

Dan Cathy and Mike Huckabee: one great American supporting another great American against religious persecution. The first thing evil people do is to try to silence good people, so it is so refreshing to see good people refusing to be silenced and not being afraid to call homosexuality what it is: a sin! Bestiality, incest, and homosexuality are all the same type of sin and should never be tolerated!!

[1swety1]

I totally agree with Dan Cathy. As a Christian, it states in the Bible marriage is a union between a man and a woman.

[ugot2bkiddgme]

What if this had been a Muslim owned business trying to get a permit for his restaurant with a CEO with the same view ?

[danp65]

I stand with Chick Fil A! Stop shoving your gay views on heterosexuals..We don't have to accept it and you can't make people believe it is normal!!

[norcalruss]

Who cares what this bigoted, idiotic, bible thumping, Gomer Pyle look-alike thinks? @holes like him belong in the nineteenth century.

[buonasera23]

just look at your statement. The eyes of the beholder!

[almostthere52]

The man did not say his company won't hire or serve people in same sex relationships of any sort. He said he does not believe that this is right, that the God he believes in doesn't approve. So, if I understand the protests correctly, his opinion differs on the morality of same sex relationships - not the worth of the people involved in those relationships - and therefore he is...what? He has a value system based on a religion. He owns a company. He speaks from that value system. In the USA. Where people say all kinds of things every day. He cannot exercise his right to speak because he owns a company and speaks from a position of power? REally? The power to own a company? But those who own companies and speak to other positions CAN speak? Just a tad confusing here. The man sacrifices income to hold to his religious beliefs, closing on Sundays. But he's not allowed to speak from that place because the owner of a fast food chain has such influence with the public that what? Seriously, people - be logical. If he were speaking FOR same sex marriages, he would be lauded, correct? So it's not his right to speak that is in question, I guess - just his position - this is NOT hate speech. This is a position on a social issue.

[Fatima1960]

It is so nice to hear someone and others actually defending God. Christians no longer hiding their lite under a bushel basket. Great news!

[Fatima1960]

Christians are no longer hiding their lites under a bushel basket. Good news. They are defending God.

[daffy64]

Let's hear it for holier-than-thou discrimination.

[n2enemyterritory]

Why would you even say anything like that? . . . Maybe so you, the "not-holy" will feel better about yourself when you discriminate against those who believe differently from you?

[WHAT-IS-HE-SMOKING]

Since the Huckster is not running, I could care less what he backs. I just know that I will not buy from them for a very long time.

[doobiedotoo]

Crappy food from a crappy fast food company, supported by a crappy excuse for a human being.

[TJphoto]

Once any one group tries to deny the same rights they enjoy to any other group, then all rights are in danger. As for Chick-fill-A, they have a right to voice their opinion as I have a right not to eat there.

[ugacrew]

My family and I will continue to eat there and more than make up for your absence.

[Mercurywings]

VERY true! Chick-Fil-A can voice their opinions and should not be banned from opening stores anywhere they meet the appropriate requirements. They have done nothing against the law. The mayors of Boston and Chicago have absolutely NO RIGHT to deny their presence. Let the people vote with their dollars. If you have a strong opinion yea or nay, eat there, or do not eat there.