I live in South Carolina. We’re conservative. We go to church. We’re all about faith and family … and we love Chick-fil-A.

Last week it was fun to see crowds of people dressed up as cows heading to their local Chick-fil-A for a free chicken sandwich. It was part of the restaurant chain’s annual Cow Appreciation Day. On July 9 If you turn up in cow costume or even take the trouble to paint black spotches on your white T-shirt you can claim your free lunch.

Chick-fil-A’s blend of great customer service, clean restaurants with flowers on the table, the best fries anywhere and terrific chicken has made them America’s favorite fast food chain four years running. They are expanding rapidly across the country. Chick-fil-A is a classic American success story.

The Face of Public Christianity: A Cow

Famous for never opening on Sunday, the restaurant chain has made the humble fried chicken sandwich the face of public Christianity. Being a family-owned-and-operated business strengthens Chick-fil-A’s appeal. The Cathy family are unapologetic about their Christian faith. That lodges their business right in the heart of Christians across the country.

It’s no surprise therefore that they would be the target of left wing bigotry and intolerance. This sarcastic article acknowledges the good food and fun of Cow Appreciation Day, but attacks Chick-fil-A for being anti-LGBTQ. Whatever that means.

Secular journalists don’t get religion. They can’t comprehend that people might donate money to support religious good works separate from political activism.

All Christians are called to give back through stewardship and tithing. The Cathy family who own Chick-fil-A is no exception. Most of their donations are to Christian organizations with strong, traditional, Christian family values. This means they believe God has established marriage to be between one man and one woman for life. It’s part of their religion.

These organizations are not anti-LGBTQ activists. They are not homophobic or gay bashers. However, they do support traditional marriage as part of their Christian faith.

The Left Can’t Tolerate Dissent

Despite the roaring success of Chick-fil-A and the family’s continued positive attitude, the left remains on the attack. When Chick-fil-A opened its largest restaurant in New York City, secular snowflakes were alarmed. The author of this ludicrous article in the New Yorker claimed that Chick-Fil-A was “infiltrating” New York. Imagine if people in South Carolina got all huffy about left wing activist Starbuck’s opening a coffee shop in their city. But we know that won’t happen. Only one side does the bullying.

It doesn’t end there. In 2016 New York mayor Bill Blasio called for a boycott of New York Chick-fil-A restaurants. Officials in Buffalo, New York and San Antonio, Texas have tried to block Chick-fil-A from opening outlets in their airports. Texans fought back with a new law barring stage agencies from discriminating against companies because of their religious affiliations.

The hypocrisy of the left is astonishing. The Cathy family and Chick-fil-A company have every right to support whatever religious organization they choose. They also have every right to support traditional marriage and oppose causes that erode the understanding of marriage which is at the heart of their faith.

Gung Ho Leftist Companies

In the meantime, Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream and Starbucks push a progressive agenda in their packaging, branding and naming of products. They openly support and promote particular political parties and activist causes and encourage their customers to do the same.

Chick-fil-A, on the other hand, does not engage in partisan political pressure. It don’t pressure its customers to support pet causes. Or don’t engage involved in anti-LGBTQ activism. The company has made it clear it welcomes and support all people without discrimination. The family owners donate to organizations like The Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Salvation Army — groups that assist the poor and run dynamic educational and evangelistic projects.

Targeting People’s Livelihoods

The persecution of Chick-fil-A by the politically correct bullies is part of an increasing pattern of behavior. Resist the secular, hedonistic, agenda and see yourself targeted next.

What is the best response? It’s worth remembering the first attack on Chick-fil-A. In 2012 LGBTQ activists organized a national boycott. They called on their people to flaunt their sexuality with a “kiss in” at Chick-fil-A outlets.

Not only did the boycott prove a huge flop, but Chick-fil-A loyalists countered with “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day”. Restaurants across the country flooded with customers. Lines were out the door. Neighbors and church friends were laughing and chatting in an upbeat party atmosphere. Management called in extra staff and ran out of food.

In other words, the best way to counter the aggressive attacks on Chick-fil-A is to listen to the cows and “Eat mor chikin’.

Read Dwight Longenecker’s blog, listen to his podcasts, browse his books and be in touch at dwightlongenecker.com