Let There Be Coleslaw - Religion in Restaurants

A few weeks ago, a friend visited me from Wisconsin. I live in North Carolina, and one of the things that my comrade was most looking forward to during his trip was our planned assemblage at Chick-Fil-A. We didn't plan the outing very well. We got caught up in several other activities over the weekend, and we only had one opportunity to stop at the home of the finest chicken sandwich on Earth. It was a Sunday. As soon as we pulled into the parking lot, I remembered that Chick-Fil-A is closed on Sundays. My friend will have to wait at least another year to eat at the popular fast food chain, as there aren't any Chick-Fil-A locations near his residence.

The nation has accepted Chick-Fil-A's unique hours of operation for over 60 years. But why do they close on Sundays? According to the company's website, founder Truett Cathy believed that Sundays should be reserved for rest and worship. There are a handful of references to God on the site. This may not seem like a big deal to anyone, unless you're a hungry atheist with a Chick-Fil-A coupon, and it just so happens to be Sunday. I'm going to keep my opinion to myself, but I felt compelled to write an article on a potentially controversial issue that doesn't seem to be raised often enough.

Is it fair for Chick-Fil-A to close on Sundays? The company is privately owned, and the owners are certainly free to run their business however they wish. But what of the paying customers who aren't Christians? They have cravings to feed and money to spend. I'm sure that Pagan Chick-Fil-A lovers are irritated by the restaurant's policies. On the other hand, if you know that Chick-Fil-A is closed on Sundays, then you should be able to plan your schedule accordingly (unless you're a forgetful dope like me). It shouldn't be a nagging inconvenience, should it? Let me toss another scenario into the mix to challenge your views.

Last week, I had lunch at Arby's. As I was heading towards the counter, I noticed something bizarre. A plaque with The Ten Commandments inscribed on it was hanging on the wall. At an Arby's. It seemed awfully random to me. What place does religion have at a fast food chain, especially one that is otherwise secular? Will there be holy and secular restaurants in the future? If so, will a secular restaurant be sinful somehow? In a sense, having The Ten Commandments at a fast food joint is hypocritical. Restaurants all but glorify gluttony. Over-indulgence is a sin, so will the "all you can eat" buffet become obsolete?

Maybe Christian restaurants aren't such singular oddities. Most Christians feel that society has been shrugging off theology for generations. The more pious believers are convinced that the Liberal media is aiming to expurgate religion from schools and other government institutions. Seeing The Ten Commandments in an Arby's is probably a beautiful sight to behold for those opposed to secularization. The United States has roots in faith. America was built upon Christian morals and values. Perhaps integrating religion into restaurants is a natural, appropriate thing to do.

I was inspired to write this piece after seeing "Jesus is Lord" printed on the back of a take-home menu from Hannah's BBQ, a local haunt. My mind was immediately ambushed by contrasting thoughts. I want to know what you think. Should religion be kept out of restaurants or is political correctness getting out of hand? Is having The Ten Commandments in an Arby's the American thing to do?