# Maybe Chik-Fil-A and Dan Cathy aren't bigots? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 5, 2013, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-chik-fil-a-and-dan-cathy-arent-bigots/649361 "2013-02-05T04:12:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-chik-fil-a-and-dan-cathy-arent-bigots/649361/41 "2013-02-07T01:51:34Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Bad logic. Using the same kind of weird set-theory, a guy who hates Haitian blacks isn’t a bigot, because he doesn’t hate all blacks. Yes, well…QED. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-chik-fil-a-and-dan-cathy-arent-bigots/649361/42 "2013-02-07T01:53:21Z")
> [@Crime\_Scene](#): > > bigot >   Use Bigot in a sentence > big·ot > [big-uht] Show IPA > noun > a person who is utterly intolerant of any differing creed, belief, or opinion. > > By this definition, I do not think Dan Cathy is a bigot. Not all dictionaries define the word that strongly. [This one](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bigot), for example. ---
**Author:** ![Crime\_Scene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e495f1/32.png) [@Crime\_Scene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crime_Scene)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-chik-fil-a-and-dan-cathy-arent-bigots/649361/43 "2013-02-07T02:05:05Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Not all dictionaries define the word that strongly. [This one](http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bigot), for example. You’re right. ---
**Author:** ![Vaffanculo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc8723/32.png) [@Vaffanculo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vaffanculo)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-chik-fil-a-and-dan-cathy-arent-bigots/649361/44 "2013-02-07T02:31:02Z")
> [@typoink](#): > > Eh. “Bigot” is an invective, not a particularly useful term. As somebody who is a strong supporter of SSM and has been since…ever, I realize that not all who oppose it (even vocally) are “bigots.” They’re wrong. I prefer to live in a country where marriage is reserved for one man and one woman. But I understand this is a personal subject and reasonable people may feel otherwise. This is the difference between liberals and conservatives: the former “knows” those with opposing views are simply wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Shiloh2013](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@Shiloh2013](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shiloh2013)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-chik-fil-a-and-dan-cathy-arent-bigots/649361/45 "2013-02-07T02:32:20Z")
A few years ago, Ohio had a constitutional amendment to ban SSM on the ballot. It also banned anything simulating marriage, which is to say civil unions. Droves of people who didn’t want to outlaw civil unions or equal rights voted for the amendment because to vote against it would have been voting for SSM, or to redefine marriage. It passed by a wide margin, and as a result thousands are being denied equal rights because of someone’s wrong-headed need for some linguistic revenge. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-chik-fil-a-and-dan-cathy-arent-bigots/649361/46 "2013-02-07T02:39:03Z")
> [@Vaffanculo](#): > > I prefer to live in a country where marriage is reserved for one man and one woman. And there is no good reason for that whatsoever. You might as well say that you “prefer to live in a country where marriage is reserved for couples of the same race only”. > [@Vaffanculo](#): > > This is the difference between liberals and conservatives: the former “knows” those with opposing views are simply wrong. :rolleyes: Oh, please. Conservatives are known for their rabid intolerance and self righteousness; it’s one of their hallmarks. Conservatives have been given their chance to explain why same sex married is wrong or a bad idea; they’ve failed miserably. Liberals here just want same sex couples to have what everyone else has; it’s the conservatives who “just know” the other side is evil. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-chik-fil-a-and-dan-cathy-arent-bigots/649361/47 "2013-02-07T03:04:05Z")
> [@Shiloh2013](#): > > A few years ago, Ohio had a constitutional amendment to ban SSM on the ballot. It also banned anything simulating marriage, which is to say civil unions. Droves of people who didn’t want to outlaw civil unions or equal rights voted for the amendment because to vote against it would have been voting for SSM, or to redefine marriage. It passed by a wide margin, and as a result thousands are being denied equal rights because of someone’s wrong-headed need for some linguistic revenge. I agree that thousands are being denied rights because of wrong-headed beliefs, but there was no need to support that referendum just to prevent SSM. It was not legal in Ohio prior to the referendum and people who were not frightened into voting for the issue for bad reasons could have voted against it and then insisted that a new and differently worded amendment be passed. Voting against that amendment would not have made SSM legal in Ohio, it would have left SSM out of any Ohio law, so there was no reason to vote for such a poorly crafted law. That vote passed due to scare tactics by those who opposed SSM, despite efforts to show that it was punitive toward many other people. That is the legacy of anti-SSM forces. ---
**Author:** ![Crime\_Scene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e495f1/32.png) [@Crime\_Scene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crime_Scene)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-chik-fil-a-and-dan-cathy-arent-bigots/649361/48 "2013-02-07T03:19:41Z")
I had no idea there were still people on this board, liberal or conservative, who believed gay people should not be allowed to marry. I really just do not get it; this seems like a clear cut case of civil rights and what is the correct thing to do. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-chik-fil-a-and-dan-cathy-arent-bigots/649361/49 "2013-02-07T03:38:51Z")
> [@Vaffanculo](#): > > I prefer to live in a country where marriage is reserved for one man and one woman. But I understand this is a personal subject and reasonable people may feel otherwise. This is the difference between liberals and conservatives: the former “knows” those with opposing views are simply wrong. I’m sorry, which side of this debate is the one that thinks they’re [literally](http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/real-lesson-911-ban-gay-marriage-christian-author-says060213) [enforcing](http://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/gods_design_for_marriage.aspx) [God’s](http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-f018.html) [will](http://pleaseconvinceme.com/2012/what-does-god-say-about-same-sex-marriage/)? ---
**Author:** ![Condescending\_Robot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a183cd/32.png) [@Condescending\_Robot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Condescending_Robot)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-chik-fil-a-and-dan-cathy-arent-bigots/649361/50 "2013-02-07T03:48:57Z")
I wish self-hating gays who have to preen on and on about the personal “civility” and soft-spokenness of people who want us to die would stop being given a voice. But the whole cult of “niceness” in tone and “dialogue” and “compromise” overriding doing what is right is exactly what Obama campaigned on the first time, so it’s not surprising to see one of his fan blogs like the Huffington Post pick up on it. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-chik-fil-a-and-dan-cathy-arent-bigots/649361/51 "2013-02-07T03:52:20Z")
> [@Shiloh2013](#): > > A few years ago, Ohio had a constitutional amendment to ban SSM on the ballot. It also banned anything simulating marriage, which is to say civil unions. Droves of people who didn’t want to outlaw civil unions or equal rights voted for the amendment because to vote against it would have been voting for SSM, or to redefine marriage. It passed by a wide margin, and as a result thousands are being denied equal rights because of someone’s wrong-headed need for some linguistic revenge. Are you actually saying that the stripping of legal rights and protections of homosexuals in Ohio is the fault of the homosexuals themselves? I’m not sure if that is a greater offense to morality, or basic logic. ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-chik-fil-a-and-dan-cathy-arent-bigots/649361/52 "2013-02-07T04:20:26Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > :rolleyes: Oh, please. Conservatives are known for their rabid intolerance and self righteousness; it’s one of their hallmarks. While in the case of same-sex marriage, you’ve got a point… it’s sort of funny that you, of all people, would make it. You’re about the definition of liberal rabid intolerance and self-righteousness, aren’t you? ---
**Author:** ![Condescending\_Robot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a183cd/32.png) [@Condescending\_Robot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Condescending_Robot)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-chik-fil-a-and-dan-cathy-arent-bigots/649361/53 "2013-02-07T04:33:05Z")
Why would anyone NOT be intolerant of homophobia? If you “tolerate” that you’re flawed. ---
**Author:** ![anya\_marie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@anya\_marie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anya_marie)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-chik-fil-a-and-dan-cathy-arent-bigots/649361/54 "2013-02-07T04:37:14Z")
Yeah, well, Ted Bundy could have had a mean chocolate cookie recipe. Maybe Ted Nugent makes an awesome pizza. Would you want any knowing what we know now about them? ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-chik-fil-a-and-dan-cathy-arent-bigots/649361/55 "2013-02-07T05:27:02Z")
> [@Condescending\_Robot](#): > > Why would anyone NOT be intolerant of homophobia? If you “tolerate” that you’re flawed. I’m not saying you’re wrong. It’s just that **Der Trihs** has a tendency to argue in a very black/white, you either agree with him philosophically on all counts or you’re a bigot viewpoint. But approaching any debate with a stiff-necked refusal to grant that the opposition is anything but a bunch of hatemongers is definitely the sign of someone intolerant and self-righteous. I’m just surprised to learn that **DT** isn’t fine with those characteristics (in and of themselves), given his own self-assuredness. ---
**Author:** ![Condescending\_Robot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a183cd/32.png) [@Condescending\_Robot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Condescending_Robot)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-chik-fil-a-and-dan-cathy-arent-bigots/649361/56 "2013-02-07T05:32:07Z")
I mean, when the debate is over whether sexual minorities should be given equal legal rights (which is the MINIMUM standard of so-called “tolerance,” not some huge concession) then yes, the other side is “a bunch of hatemongers” to the extent that the “hate” concept is useful. That’s just what words mean. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-chik-fil-a-and-dan-cathy-arent-bigots/649361/57 "2013-02-07T05:42:55Z")
> [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](#): > > I’m not saying you’re wrong. It’s just that **Der Trihs** has a tendency to argue in a very black/white, you either agree with him philosophically on all counts or you’re a bigot viewpoint. Because the opposition is a bunch of rabid bigots. The modern Right is a very extreme, very nasty group of people; there’s grey on a lot of issues, but the Right left grey behind a long time ago. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-chik-fil-a-and-dan-cathy-arent-bigots/649361/58 "2013-02-07T11:30:53Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Nonsense. It’s simply extending marriage to more people, not “redefining” it. It is redefining the word, a modest change perhaps, but a clear expansion of the definition. What anti-SSM folks fail to show is how any such definition change matters to anyone but a few etymologists. My marriage will still fit the definition, and so will theirs, so why do they fucking care? Nobody’s happiness should be denied in order to save Webster the trouble of updating an entry in his book. ---
**Author:** ![Shiloh2013](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@Shiloh2013](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shiloh2013)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-chik-fil-a-and-dan-cathy-arent-bigots/649361/59 "2013-02-07T12:44:02Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Are you actually saying that the stripping of legal rights and protections of homosexuals in Ohio is the fault of the homosexuals themselves? > > I’m not sure if that is a greater offense to morality, or basic logic. There was no stripping of rights because the rights never existed. The constitutional amendment simply meant that no law could be passed and no court could back door it. And yes, it is the fault of stubborn gay rights militants that there is no civil union with full equal rights in Ohio. It could have been. But no, better to not have it at all than to not call it marriage. If full legal rights via civil union contracts (which should be none of the government’s business) could be a reality nationwide tomorrow, the militants, incl many on this board I presume, would still say NO because it wouldn’t be called marriage. Again, that’s just a mean-spirited desire to be in your face, and operates counter to the professed goals. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-chik-fil-a-and-dan-cathy-arent-bigots/649361/60 "2013-02-07T12:49:04Z")
> [@Shiloh2013](#): > > And yes, it is the fault of stubborn gay rights militants that there is no civil union with full equal rights in Ohio. No, it’s the fault of homophobic bigots. > [@Shiloh2013](#): > > If full legal rights via civil union contracts (which should be none of the government’s business) could be a reality nationwide tomorrow, the militants, incl many on this board I presume, would still say NO because it wouldn’t be called marriage. If it isn’t called marriage then it isn’t equal. That’s how marriage law works, and that’s the point of civil unions; to be inferior. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-chik-fil-a-and-dan-cathy-arent-bigots/649361.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-chik-fil-a-and-dan-cathy-arent-bigots/649361.md?page=4)