Christian company, Hobby Lobby, issues statement after Chick Fil-A gay marriage-related controversy

Hobby Lobby International, a company founded on Christian values, has issued a statement published August 5 regarding comments attributed to the owner of Chik-Fil-A regarding the topic of same sex marriage.

"After numerous calls asking for comment, we believe that we need to clarify our position, especially since we are known as a Christian-based company," stated Debra Love, president of Hobby Lobby International. "Our core values call for respect for each other, our customers and our suppliers and for us to treat others as we would best like to be treated ourselves. We believe that we must demonstrate love for our fellow man as we are called upon to do as Christians. We respect our employees by offering a workplace that is free of judgment and bias, and one that gives everyone an opportunity to succeed and grow." Hobby Lobby does not discriminate with regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, sexual preference or any other basis protected by state or federal law.

Hobby Lobby, a family-owned business, has been serving hobbyists since 1964.

D. Beeksma

One of the growing crowd of American "nones" herself, Deborah is a prolific writer who finds religion, spirituality and the impact of belief (and non-belief) on culture inspiring, fascinating and at times, disturbing. She hosts the God Discussion show and handles the site's technical work. Her education and background is in business, ecommerce and law.

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  • http://www.houseofbetazed.com Mriana

    Well it's good they issued a statement. Hopefully they live up to it.

  • Henry

    Big thanks to Hobby Lobby and those companies who support freedom of speech, but understand when to limit actions.

    All of us have the freedom to think, feel, and speak any way we see fit. None of us are immune from personal bias. However we do not have the freedom to take action to discriminate, any action, be it voting, donating, or direct physical harm. I’ll never understand why people insist on using religion as an excuse for their personal politics, ego, and (lack of) morality. Shame on all those who do and may you receive two fold in return.

    You rock Hobby Lobby!

    • Brian Ortiz

      Voting? That's a slippery slope…

    • Spuddie

      People have a right to say whatever stupid thing comes to mind. It does not mean they are immune to criticism for the positions they take.

  • BLah BLah

    Does any one else realize they didnt acutualy comment as to their position on gay marrige? Of course they won't "discriminate" in the work place: they are legaly not allowed to. Besides, it is only good business ethics to treat people w/o bias, ya now, if you want them to acutually place another order for your goods. But they skirted the issue.

  • GulliverUK

    The problematic areas in their "Statement of Purpose" (from their web site) would be "operating the company in a manner consistent with Biblical principles" and "Providing a return on the owners' investment, sharing the Lord's blessings with our employees, and investing in our community." – this is what Chick-Fil-A does, in what we might consider an extreme form – funding anti-gay hate groups. Hobby Lobby haven't said what "our community" means – does it mean the whole wider community, or particularly narrow-focused religious community? They have not said they don't fund anti-gay hate groups.
    I don't have a problem with Dan Cathy's remarks, although I think they're crass and stupid, but rather his actions, donating millions of dollars to fund bullying, harassment and harm to others through anti-gay hate groups. That, .. is where the problem lies. The money people spend on their hate-burger is harming other people. Why not have a variety of hate-burgers with money donated to different causes? An anti-Muslim hate-burger, one which is against other faiths, one which is against democrats, one against republicans – give people some choice. Instead he seem to focus almost exclusive hate on people who are gay. Where does Hobby Lobby stand? I hope it's not doing any of that.

    • http://www.houseofbetazed.com Mriana

      I see what you are saying, GulliverUK, but it depends on how they define all of that and what I mean is, it is not clear if they define that the way groups such as the Episcopalians do or if they define it in an Fundamngelical manner. I wish they would have define what they mean, but since they did not, we can either assume they mean it as Chick-Fil-A does or in a more liberal sense. They are either being intentionally vague in order to follow a Fundamngelical agenda or they are being vague in order "to get along" and not cause controversy. They could very well support gay rights, but don't wish to say so they don't have a battle like the company working with Ellen has or like Chick-Fil-A has. The fact that they are appear to be trying to stay neutral is maybe a good thing. Time will tell.

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  • Henry (Again)

    I'm all for their freedom of speech and running their company as they see fit – AS LONG as they abide by the laws and do not discriminate of course. They should even be, and are, allowed to espouse anything they want publicly. However when their words become actions is where they DO NOT have any rights. That should include giving money to other organizations who take actions to discriminate or voting in such a away to support people and laws that do.

    • Jeremiah Shouts

      What positions did they take to
      discriminate. Against whom did they discriminate. If you are talking secular
      ways, no they did not discriminate. If you are talking about God's way, yes,
      they discriminate, but not in the way you suggest. They discriminate against those
      things and activities that are against God. They choose to follow Christ and
      God's definition of marriage. So how is that discrimination. Here is what the
      Word says, "But my people do not know the requirements of the Lord. The
      wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they
      have rejected the word of the Lord, what kind of wisdom do they have
      (Jeremiah 8:7-9)? You see, Dan Cathy knows the Word. He knows if he does
      not stand for God, he will not be blessed, nor will his company. There is a
      reason they are the most profitable per square foot, as far as restaurants, in
      the US.

      The Cathy’s don't listen to the P.
      C. crowd. Here is what Paul says, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the
      kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor
      idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor
      drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10 ESV). In the next
      verse Paul said you were some of those, but you were cleansed. In other words,
      former homosexuals were set free, debunking the lie that you are the way you
      are. Listen, I am not talking about homosexuality, it's any kind of sexual
      perversion. Paul also says any Christians who are in sexual perversions, have
      nothing to do with them (1 Corinthians 5:9-13).

      So
      what does this all mean? It means we have the right to judge sin within the
      church. We also have the right to discriminate against those who walk in open,
      unrepentant sin. By discriminate, I mean, we are not to socialize with them, if
      they call themselves Christians. This means drug addicts, fornicators, and
      others. Yes, we are to reach out to them. Yes, they have a place in church, but
      they must be willing to repent and turn from their sins. If not, they don't
      have a place, according to Paul.

      We
      get all lost in the homosexuals, heterosexuals, etc. The question is this;
      is what you are doing to your bodies honoring God? If not, then you are
      in need of repentance. It doesn't matter, gay, straight. But it does
      matter when it comes to defining marriage. Again Paul says, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold
      fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is
      profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church"
      (Ephesians 5:31-32 ESV). Would you dare tell God you know better?
      Would you want to stand before a Holy God and explain how you helped
      bring down this profound mystery?

      Yes Dan Cathy made a stand, but not
      against your right to eat at his place or your right to work. These are a
      given. He made a stance for His righteousness. For God proclaimed what marriage
      would be and the mystery it represents; Christ and His bride, and no, you are
      not allowed to change that. On this we stand.

      J Shouts

      Crosspolitics.com

      The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) is
      adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian
      Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All
      rights reserved.

      • Spuddie

        You certainly sound like you would not object if they are discriminating or at the very least look the other way if they are.

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  • Jeremiah Shouts

    Why is it people have to dance
    around gayness. If a gay person wants to repent and turn from his or her
    wickedness, they have a place in church, if they call themselves Christian and
    they do not repent and turn away, then they are no different than two people
    who are heterosexual and into perversion or fornication. Paul tells us to flee
    from fornication and not to involve ourselves in sexual perversion. In all this
    discussion, we have lost the real issue. And those who would want to tear down
    the symbol of Christ and His bride or church, which is traditional marriage,
    are in direct conflict with God. If we are Christian, we have to ask, is this
    from God or is it from man? If we are Christian and take positions against
    God's Word, we are treasonous in our actions and if we support positions that
    are against God in our writing and teaching, then we may be seditious in our
    action.

    As Christians, we don't have the
    pleasure of overlooking egregious sin. So let's quit dancing around.
    Homosexuals have the right to live and pursue their dreams. They don't
    have the right to force the church to accept them and reject God's Word.

    JShouts
    Crosspolitics.com

    • AntiHypocrit

      The bible says a lot of bullshit, should we abide by it all? Stop hating. 'for all have fallen short' see you in hell!

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  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Donna-Vogel/1177747624 Donna Vogel

    I don't care if they are for or against gay marriage – as long as they don't discriminate – I am personally never going to engage in gay behavior cuz I am not – but I won't tell another human they cannot get married to whom they desire – this is ok by me – it is in fact great – they also pay well – above the legal minimum – that's another plus – a real company that actually practices Christ Like values – about time.

  • redrose

    dear blah blah–did you NOT read their statement???? It says they DO NOT DISCRIMINATE on sexual preference (among the rest of the categories)!!!!