Message from Bishop David Anderson  Bishop Anderson Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, How is it that a small group of people, perhaps 2% or less, have managed to co-opt the Western culture, laws, school curricula, politics, churches, the media and now even the armed forces with their specific issues? First they push for open-mindedness and not being judgmental, and imply that anyone who doesn't agree with them is narrow-minded, bigoted, and hateful. Religions that turn to Holy Scripture and see God's condemnation upon homosexual practice are accused of being homophobic, an odd word since it means one who fears homosexuals rather than one who does not approve of the practice. Under the onslaught on the ABCXYZ sexual agenda (this is to leave room for any new groups that wish to be added into the usual LGBT collection) even the language has been corrupted, such that "gay" no longer means happy or festive, but homosexual. Over the last 40 years or so we have seen the constant erosion of traditional family values and ethics in both the heterosexual and homosexual communities. I for one am tired of the constant pushing and shoving of the homosexual community on their issues, trying to jam them down everyone else's throat. Why is it that the allegedly broad-minded liberal community is so narrow-minded on gay and lesbian issues, and so intolerant of those who object on religious grounds? Could it be that the allegedly broad-minded liberal community is actually a fraud, masquerading as liberals when in reality they are the hateful, narrow-minded, bigoted and judgmental ones? Could it be? Chick-fil-A restaurant president Dan Cathy is a supporter of traditional marriage, the Bible, and keeping his restaurants closed on Sundays so his employees can attend church or do whatever they want. He hasn't, to my knowledge, condemned gay or lesbian people or vilified their same-sex relationships, though he personally doesn't agree with them. He doesn't refuse to hire gay and lesbian people, nor refuse to serve them delicious chicken sandwiches. He is the truly liberal person, treating those he disagrees with fairly and honorably, and having his company treat everyone the same.

Many companies that I do business with or have done business with, including Ford Motor Company, Home Depot and a long list of others, are reportedly active supporters of homosexual causes and use the revenue from my shopping for causes I don't approve of. I don't go and demonstrate in their place of business and try to create a scene. But when the tables are turned, we are not allowed to have freedom of speech without calls from the gay and lesbian community for punishment and demonstrations such as the Chick-fil-A invasion called a gay "kiss-in" on August 3. You can quickly see where the real hateful, mean-spirited, bigoted people are to be found, wanting to silence those who disagree with them. Rick Santorum and Mike Huckabee have suggested that advocates of traditional marriage have a meal at Chick-fil-A next Thursday, August 1 to show their support for the Cathy's and their family values. Here's what I am going to do: on August 1st AND on August 3rd I'm going to my local Chick-fil-A for a traditional chicken sandwich, and I'll kiss my traditional wife of 45 years, support Dan Cathy and say by my presence that in this crazy world, the religious conservatives are now the truly open-minded non-bigoted ones, and the "anything goes" sexual revolutionaries are the bigots. Yes, this world has grown old and crazy, and if Leon Panetta, the Secretary of Defense, has his way, it will become more so. It has been illegal for men and women in the armed forces of the United States to take part in partisan demonstrations in their uniforms, since it would seem to imply that the military was somehow endorsing one point of view or the other. Until now that meant that military could not wear their uniforms at Right to Life demonstrations or Gay Pride parades, but Panetta has changed that. It is still illegal to wear your military uniform at any demonstration deemed conservative, such as Right to Life, and you can be hauled up on military charges, be fined and imprisoned and/or get a dishonorable discharge for such an outrage. However, now if you are a homosexual or transgendered or bisexual person, you can wear your United States military uniform in a Gay Pride parade, even ride on an obscene float, and that is perfectly OK because Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said so. And where might he have gotten the authority to permit this illegal behavior? From the person he reports to, the President of the United States. Indeed, the world has gone upside down. At this point, if we don't fight back at the ballot box, we will lose the right to speak the truth plainly and clearly. The ills of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion are only a small part of this larger battle for the very existence of people of faith. Circle your calendar for August 1, go find a Chick-fil-A, order a sandwich and tell them you are there to support Dan Cathy. Blessings and Peace in Jesus, +David The Rt. Rev. David C. Anderson, Sr. President and CEO, American Anglican Council Editor's note: ABC News has just reported that Chick-fil-A's Vice President of Public Relations, Don Perry, died of a heart attack this morning. Our prayers are with his family and all his coworkers at Chick-fil-A.