A recent incident provided me perfect clarity on a volatile issue. My family and I recently stopped by our local Chick-fil-A – a family favorite – for some dinner. I posted to Facebook a status update on how we enjoyed the restaurant because of the good food and friendly people. In response, some friends and family on Facebook attacked my post, equating Chick-fil-A with the Nazis. Claims were made that the restaurant is the epitome of hatred.

Let’s be perfectly clear on the nature and definition of Hate. In 2012, Dan Cathy, the President and COO of Chick-fil-A, expressed his personal opinion of his personal views on the issue of marriage. That is not hate. He did not say Chick-fil-A corporate policy is to discriminate against gays or even that he himself would refuse to serve them.

However, in response, many LGBT activists and supporters attacked some restaurant locations, defacing property, and engaged in nation-wide…