Dear Editor:I welcome the Chick-Fil-A restaurant to Downey! I hear the food is great and so is the service. On these conditions I will rate the restaurant and not on a statement of beliefs from the proprietor. Thankfully, in America one has freedom of speech, freedom of religion and has the freedom to live in an area that better supports his/her beliefs. As for me, I like our really-not-so-sleepy city of Downey and have noticed many favorable changes in the 25 years that I have lived here. Martha Call Downey

Dear Editor: The owner of that company quoted the Bible and he believes certain verses. The gay folks should not be so enraged about the owner. The Bible also teaches to love his neighbors and enemies. Christians are not to judge others. That is God's business. We are all sinners and I have to pray to God about mine. Discrimination is against the law, free speech is not. Dieter Oltersdorf Downey

Dear Editor: Chick-Fil-A does not donate money to organizations that support hate. That is a fallacy. Yes, they have been very vocal about their support of the Biblical definition of marriage and do support causes that support traditional family values but that is not hate. That is freedom of speech, freedom of religion and free enterprise, and those values are what this nation stands on. Last month, company president Dan Cathy gave an interview to the Biblical Recorder newspaper, which was re-published in the Baptist Press, quoting Cathy as say, "Well, guilty as charged," when asked about the company's support of the traditional family. "We are very much supportive of the family - the Biblical definition of the family unit," Cathy said. "We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that." If same sex marriage supporters choose not to support this establishment, well then, so be it. But don't call the rest of the people who support the biblical definition of marriage intolerant, hateful bigots. Tolerance is a two-way street. Apparently, Christians are supposed to tolerate everyone else and their beliefs but when it comes to tolerating Christian beliefs, Christians become the target and are considered intolerant, homophobic bigots if their beliefs are not in agreement with all other groups. Chick-Fil-A has not said they hate homosexuals. Mr. Cathy has simply expressed their family-owned Christian-based values and there is no crime in that. I wish same sex supporters would respect and tolerate those that don't support their views. This outrage over Mr. Cathy's beliefs and who his company chooses to support is intolerant and un-American. Enough said. Claudia Marroquin-Frometa Downey

Dear Editor: We are privileged to live in a nation that allows us freedom. Because a businessman exercises his rights to freedom of speech and religion, his business is accused of hate and inequality. Mr. Cathy was vocal about his beliefs. He expressed that his principles are Biblically rooted, gave some opinions and his thoughts on today's generation. He also said that he credits his business success to his adherence to these principles. Mr. Cathy never mentioned anything about hate, equality factors or that his restaurant was only going to serve a select group of people. As a matter of fact, he said his principles were not that of his business. The wonderful thing about this gift we know as freedom is that it allows us all rights. We make choices and decisions based on what we believe. We all have opinions. Right or wrong we should always be quick to own them. One should always be willing to stand for their principles and if this brings accusations of discrimination against them, then the question must be raised, "who really is the hater?" The simple anecdote here is "respect." Having respect for our fellow man's beliefs. Because a person's views differ from another or one vocalizes his beliefs does not make one a "hater." It is the way one receives another's view or beliefs that determines who the hater really is. I must do my own self justice and say that my principles are also Biblically rooted and I stand for my beliefs. Simply put, I believe in a living God who gave His son for my sins. I believe in a Heaven as much as I believe in Hell. Now you can call me a fanatic, a hater or even a discriminator but I know I am not any of these. I am one individual who is blessed to still have freedom and the ability to exercise my rights. Nellie Cantillo Downey

Dear Editor: When did stating your core values equate to promotion of hate and discrimination? Also, I wonder if using the corrupt and crime ridden city of Chicago as a model for Downey is a good idea. I have enjoyed a couple sandwiches over the years at Chick-Fil-A and they are pretty good. Let's bring them in to Downey - Lord knows we have plenty of Mexican food here. Randy Downey Downey

********** Published: August 09, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 17