

Chick-fil-A isn’t the only large company making the news for its Christian outlook. My good friend and associate, Brandon Morse notes that In-N-Out Burger Joins Chick-Fil-A As A Company That Openly Celebrates Its Christian Values.

If you remember, Chick-fil-A has been under constant attack from the left over its founder Truett Cathy’s Christian values. Specifically, he believes that the physical practice of the disorder known as homosexuality is a sin. From that one personal view, the left has organized boycotts and sit-ins at Chick-Fi-A locations. It has bullied local authorities into denying permits or location access for new restaurants. One case in point is the San Antonio Airport Authority refusing to allow a Chick-fil-A store in its retail area. Even some colleges, like Rider University in New Jersey, have banned the restaurant from the campus.

Interestingly, Chick-fil-A doesn’t discriminate at all in its hiring or customer service practices. They merely serve good chicken at a fair price and always with a smile. They also appear to live their Christian values. It seems every other week I see a story here or there about some Chick-fil-A employee going the extra mile for a customer, sometimes even at extreme risk to his own life.

Chick-fil-A employees even live those values when egregiously provoked. Turning the other cheek isn’t just a Gospel verse to them. They actually practice it. Many of you have seen the viral video of the “man”** who actually videoed his abusive, verbal assault on a young female at the drive though window of a Chick-fil-A. While he was about as nasty as he could be, that young lady was the epitome of composure and Christian charity, not saying one harsh word in return. That company is obviously doing something right. See video below.

During that same time period, Chick-fil-A’s locations that had protestors, had their employees serve those same protestors cold water while they were out in the hot sun. That’s a company owned and staffed by better folks than I’ll ever be.

Now we come to In-N-Out Burger. As my colleague quotes in his article, the current owner-heiress Liysi Snyder

It was my uncle Rich who put the Bible verses on the cups and wrappers in the early ‘90s, just before he passed away,” she told the Christian Post. “He had just accepted the Lord and wanted to put that little touch of his faith on our brand. It’s a family business and will always be, and that’s a family touch. In later years, I added verses to the fry boat, coffee, and hot cocoa cups.

Morse goes on to describe Snyder’s Christian philosophy. You can see the details in the article. Below is his wrap up with one very interesting point, which is the subject of my follow on,

It’s very brave, especially in this day and age, for any CEO to openly come out and proclaim their love of Christ. However, the backlash that typically follows from doing so is made moot in the face of the support from American Christians. Chick-fil-A has also had its share of backlash and continues to fight battles for its open adherence to scripture, but its support is so wide and far that it’s become the third most successful fast food joint in America.

A Forbes 2018 article goes on to add more detail to Snyder’s faith and to topline the business numbers

Revenue should surpass $1 billion this year, roughly doubling in eight years, and the business is debt-free, according to the company. In-N-Out is conservatively worth $3 billion.

Those are just two businesses run by practicing Christians. I mean real, practicing Christians. There are others, others who got national attention as they were persecuted by leftists — both private citizens and those in government. One such is Hobby Lobby, which had to spend millions in litigation costs until the United States Supreme Court removed the government boot of the Obama Administration from its neck.

There are a number of things common to the companies I just mentioned. First of all, these companies make no secret of their profound belief in the teachings of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. It’s also not that big a secret that these companies and more than a few others, big and small (Christian Baker in Colorado?), have been targeted by the leftists in this country, often brutally so and with the acceptance if not downright connivance of leftist Local, State and Federal Governments. It has taken U.S. Supreme Court intervention to bring some sort of relief.

Here is some good news in all of this. Doing the right thing, staying the course, standing firm can often result in triumph. Although as a Christian, who is not supposed to indulge in schadenfreude, I experienced a “mild satisfaction,” OK…OK, I was flat out tickled pink to read that Chick-fil-A has moved into the number 3 spot in U.S. sales behind Starbucks and Mickey D’s. This achievement despite being closed on Sunday’s. That’s right, in an affirmation of its Christian value set, Chick-fil-A willingly foregoes a 14 percent revenue bump, right off the bat in its competition with other fast food places, yet there they are, in third place.

There are a couple of morals to this story. First, you cannot go wrong by following God’s word and holding fast to traditional American values and morality. Here’s the second…The silent majority of America is very powerful. Courts may rule, politicians may pontificate and leftist agitators can protest and bully young counter clerks, but that silent majority sees this and says, We get a vote too. We will vote with our dollars. We will throw our support behind American companies with American values, with Godly values.

Other American companies might wish to take this approach. Instead of running from the American flag. Instead of running from God, embrace them both. Next time I’m in Texas, In-N-Out will definitely be on my dinner list. Meanwhile, here in Alabama, we will turn the other cheek and order another Chicken Sandwich and waffle fries.

**Men don’t browbeat or bully young girls, they protect them.

Mike Ford, a retired Infantry Officer, writes on Military, Foreign Affairs and occasionally dabbles in Political and Economic matters.

Follow him on Twitter: @MikeFor10394583

You can find his other Red State work here.