Big credit to both of these men, who show us all a great example of reaching across to the “other side,” building bridges and showing respect despite complete disagreement. We, and especially “we” as followers of Christ, should follow this example, which is truly the example our Savior taught us in multiple examples throughout the Gospels. We aren’t ever going to agree on everything – but we can respectfully listen, understand and…”If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18)

Chick-fil-A and An Unexpected Friendship

by Kelly Dunlap of Sojourners

Shane L. Windmeyer, a nationally recognized LGBT leader in higher education, recently ‘came out’ as a friend of Dan Cathy, Chick-fil-A’s president and COO, who found himself embroiled in a PR battle after making anti-gay marriage statements.. In Windmeyer’s article published in the HuffPost Gay Voices, Shane explains the unusual turn of events that led to his sitting alongside Dan Cathy at college football’s Chick-fil-A Bowl and going public with their friendship.

I find the significance of this article summed up in Shane’s words: “It is not often that people with deeply held and completely opposing viewpoints actually risk sitting down and listening to one another. We see this failure to listen and learn in our government, in our communities and in our own families.”

But something holy has happened. A conversation based on trust and respect has endured despite unlikely circumstances. Conversations like these, should we choose to pursue them, move us and our world from ignorance to understanding, from violence to peace, from pride to humility, from skepticism to trust, from hate to respect.

Thank you, Shane and Dan, for modeling this rare, risky and world-changing practice.

Read the full article here