There is one hero in this story, and her name is Cynthia Newman, the former Dean at Rider University’s School of Business.
There is also an absolute fool in this one: the administrators at Rider University.
Professor Newman resigned after the school banned Chick-fil-A on campus, despite the fact that students loved the chicken joint.
The university said in an email to students in November, 2018, that the chain restaurant’s “corporate values have not sufficiently progressed enough to align with those of Rider.” Chick-fil-A has been under scrutiny from the intolerant left since 2012, after CEO Dan Kathy acknowledged (what God long ago acknowledged) that marriage is between a man and a woman.
In a statement made to Campus Reform, Newman said, “I felt like I was punched in the stomach when I read that statement because I’m a very committed Christian and Chick-fil-A’s values, their corporate purpose statement is to glorify God in and to be faithful stewards in all that is entrusted to them and to have a positive influence on everyone who comes into contact with them and that mirrors my personal beliefs perfectly.”
So, when will we see a ban on these companies, all founded by very committed Christian people?
- Forever 21. Printed on the bottom of each of the store’s bags, the biblical reference is perhaps the most obvious reference to the religious beliefs promoted by the store’s owners, the Chang Family, who are born-again Christians.
- Mary Kay Cosmetics. Mary Kay Ash, founder of the cosmetics behemoth of the same name, attributed her company’s success to the choice to “take God as our partner.”
- In-N-Out Burger. The fast food restaurant with it’s cult-like following is well known for the citation of Bible passages printed on the chain’s cardboard cups, containers and wrappers.
- Interstate Batteries. According to the company’s website, the mission is “to glorify God as we supply our customers worldwide with top quality, value-priced batteries, related electrical power-source products, and distribution services.”
- Hobby Lobby. The company’s first mission statement is “Honoring the Lord in all we do by operating the company in a manner consistent with biblical principles,” according to its website, and ends with, “We believe that it is by God’s grace and provision that Hobby Lobby has endured. He has been faithful in the past, we trust Him for our future.”