It would seem the Chick-fil-A brouhaha has passed.

According to various news reports, the gay community did not show up in the numbers we had been told they would, thus sparing us from the sight of same-sex couples engaging in public in what most of us find out of place with heterosexual couples.

Let’s face it: Your local chicken eatery is just not a place one would go for a make-out session. A boy and girl playing kissy face are bad enough in public.

Say what you will, it just ain’t normal for boys to be kissing boys or girls to be smooching girls. And, for the most part, I happen to like normal.

Truett Cathey, founder of the eatery under fire, is a good Christian man. He gives his employees Sundays off to worship as they see fit. I admire the man for this. I wish more people would do this for their businesses. Even if it means a stop to my eating out on Sundays after church or a trip to the Sunday afternoon bargain matinee at the movies.

Why is it that Christians aren’t allowed to voice their opinions without the ACLU, the liberal left or the Gay Priders taking umbrage and threatening to boycott this or protest that?

I’m telling you, it’s making this ole Southern boy downright mad. Since when do I have to give up my rights and hide my beliefs to appease those who have a different viewpoint?

I used to think we should all be tolerant of one another’s views, but as time goes on and I see the injustices done to my Christian brethren, I can’t help but feel that the time has come to take a stand.

If I want to pray in public or have my community’s leaders pray on my behalf, then I should have that right. If I want to place a Christmas tree in the town square, I should have that right. It’s time to make those things happen.

Christians should stand up for our rights. We are as entitled as the atheists, the Muslims and the gays. Besides, from what my Bible tells me, they are wrong anyways.

Now, some people may tell me that “they” have their rights as well. That may be true, but since when did the rights of the minority trump the rights of the majority? Or, are we even in the majority any longer?

Christians, it’s time to stand up for our rights.

This country was founded on Christianity and a healthy fear of God. Today we seem to have forgotten that and if you don’t believe it, just look around.

Our government is in tatters, our children are running amok, drugs are everywhere and, for all practical ap-pearances, God has removed His hedge of protection that at one time surrounded us.

Gunfire is prevalent in our streets, our schools and even our movie theaters. Where can we begin to feel safe these days?

Pornography is everywhere. It is hard to believe that it is one of the leading industries in our nation, but it’s true. And it is one of the most addictive things a man or a woman can become involved in.

Even right here in Ringgold we’ve glorified a lady for being vulgar and dropping the (bleeped) F-bomb all over national television. What sort of example does this set for the next generation? Not a very good one, I can tell you that.

What is happening with our nation? We are losing touch with the very ideals our country was founded upon.

Violence is not the way to reclaim our rights and majority, the way some believe. I deplore the way the gunman brazenly opened fire on the Sikh compound in Wisconsin just because his beliefs excluded what they believed.

Peaceful protest and just plain standing up for our rights — not allowing ourselves to be run into a corner — that’s the way we should handle all the oppression thrown towards the Christian way of life. It’s time for the silent majority to become vocal.

And with that said, I think I’ll go have another chicken sandwich.

As usual, God bless …

Dennis Norwood is a reporter with The Catoosa County News. He can be reached at dnorwood@catoosacountynews.com or 706-935-2621.