It's crazy that they constantly say "this isn't political, this isn't about politics" and then, when given the opportunity, do everything they can to identify as conservative, God-fearing, and family values.
The restaurant has a gay pride flag out front. It's inherently political, because half the country wants to rescind rights given to the LGBT community. But when questioned on their materials, the Washers say it isn't political. It's just their values.
And that's the problem. One side knows that this is political. They know what is at stake, and how close it is to going away. The other side plugs it's ears and sings songs until they get the chance, and then they take away people's rights. But it's not political....
....because it's religious. It's a natural law dictated by a book only they care about.
I've been there many times, it's a great restaurant and a great community member in a tiny rural spot about 40 miles outside the beltway. The problem is absolutely the neighbors, they sound absolutely awful. They moved in next to a restaurant, they knew what they were doing.
There are Christians who oppose it including the Vatican itself, but Christianity is a Religion group from the protestants to the Catholics to the sevrell orthodoxies which all hold either Pro or negative stances to it. On top to it, the two biggest Christan churches work vary Independently in each country.
Also saying it's their Christan belief is a bullshit excuse to be bigot's.
I feel like the last paragraph is too abrupt. I don't understand why they didn't elaborate on exactly why they're selling the place. I mean we can guess that is about their terrible neighbors, but it could be health, finances, etc and it's like to hear it from the owners.
That was a rough read. It's so hard not to project these smaller-scale issues onto our larger political climate. I wonder how this whole situation would have shaken out if it had just been two businesses and noise/odor complaints, without hate and political tension to fuel things.
It's hard to know from a single article, but it sure seems like the tensions here are motivated by a serious (and unfounded) persecution complex on the part of the Washers. Either that or some very poorly-masked bigotry. It's hard not to view them as the aggressors in this situation, and my heart goes out to the Front Porch folks (and the whole town).
I wish we could walk back the increasing tensions in our country. It's hard to keep perspective.
I used to live out that way and the restaurant has been a cornerstone of the small Plains community for decades, the neighbors absolutely knew what they were getting into when they moved nextdoor. Nothing about the neighbors cause comes off sympathetic.
It's a core tenet of conservatism. Conservatives inherently believe they are being attacked and victimized by society not holding to all of their personal beliefs. It's a super easy fit for evangelicals to slide in there and claim persecution.