Beware the Dog Whistle

Sir Francis Galton , of fingerprint comparison and eugenics fame, determined that a dog can hear sounds in the ultrasonic range that humans can’t hear.  The “dog whistle” or “Galton Whistle” is designed to emit sounds at a range only dogs can hear and is used in dog training.  Wikepedia

Much has been made about the statements of Dan Cathy, president of the fast food chain Chick-fil-A. In an interview with Baptist Press, Mr. Cathy is quoted as saying, “"We are very much supportive of the family -- the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.

"We operate as a family business ... our restaurants are typically led by families; some are single. We want to do anything we possibly can to strengthen families. We are very much committed to that," Cathy emphasized.

"We intend to stay the course," he said. "We know that it might not be popular with everyone, but thank the Lord, we live in a country where we can share our values and operate on biblical principles."  You can read the entire interview here: http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38271

In a subsequent interview on the “Ken Colman Radio Show”, Mr. Cathy told the press, “"I think we are inviting God's judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at Him and say, 'We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage,' and I pray God's mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude to think that we have the audacity to define what marriage is about," You can read Mr. Cathy’s comments and even hear them in a video here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/17/dan-cathy-chick-fil-a-president-anti-gay_n_1680984.html

To the average person, Mr. Cathy’s statements seem very tame, almost run of the mill family values stuff.  To those who are attuned to what I like to call “Christianese”, his statements are a “Christian Dog Whistle” for the Faithfull.  You see the conservative, right-wing evangelicals want to return to “old time Christian ethics.”  They see society deteriorating due to the secular influence of today. They want to return to marriage between one man and one woman, and sex in the missionary position for the purposes of making babies only. 

The early Roman Catholics decreed that every sexual activity and every sexual desire that didn’t lead directly to reproduction was considered contra naturam, or against nature.    These sexual acts were considered sodomy and those who did them sodomites.  This is also why masturbation and contraceptives are a no no. The term sodomy was not specifically describing anal intercourse until hundreds of years later.  The original story of Sodom and Gomorrah was meant to refer to the issue of offering hospitality to strangers.

So who responded to the “Christian dog whistle?”  The Reverend Mike Huckabee, who is very outspoken about wanting Christianity to have a stronger influence in the governing of the U.S., was quick to organize a “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day” under the guise of 1^st Amendment violations and “hypocrisy against Christians.” 

So while the fight is, on the surface, same-sex marriage, their bigger objective is to return society to the 4^th century.  It’s about control of the masses.  They want Christianity to have more influence in governing the U.S., “One nation under our God.”  Kneel before the authority of the church.  Rule by the born elite.

Interestingly enough, many everyday Christians have no idea of the hidden agenda of the radical Christian right.  Many just want to live according to the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament.  Many believe in “Love God – Love one another” and have no problem with same-sex marriage.    

In conclusion, I have no problem with Mr. Cathy voicing his opinion or running his business the way he sees fit.  I don’t even care if he wishes to follow the Christian religion.  But beware the "Christian Dog Whistle.  There is more going on here than meets the eye.