Operations chief Don Thompson of McDonald’s Corporation citing his Christian faith as the reason the American McDonald’s Corporation would never run a gay theme advertisement in America like the one above that ran in France.

Cross-Posted at The Daily Kos, rec if you can.Asked about the ad in the Chicago Tribune:

Tribune: A French TV ad featuring a gay teen and his father has stirred some controversy – not there, but here. Can you talk about that?

Thompson: It is an example that markets, cultures are very different around the world. (For instance), I’ve never shied away from the fact that I’m a Christian. I have my own personal beliefs and I don’t impose those on anybody else. I’ve been in countries where the majority of the people in the country don’t believe in a deity or they may be atheist. Or the majority of the country is Muslim. Or it may be the majority is much younger skewed. So when you look at all these differences, it’s not that I’m to be the judge or the jury relative to right or wrong. Having said that, at McDonald’s, there are core values we stand for and the world is getting much closer. So we have a lot of conversations. We’re going to make some mistakes at times. (We talk) about things that may have an implication in one part of the world and may be the cultural norm in another part of the world. And those are things that, yes, we’re going to learn from. But, you’re right, that commercial won’t show in the United States.

I can leave aside the obviously false disclaimer that he doesn’t impose his Christian beliefs on others. Thompson is admitting to making his marketing decisions for his company and their 400,000+ employees based upon his Christian beliefs.

And you know what? Good for him. I understand and respect his desire to conduct his life and his business in a manner that comports with his own principles. Different though they may be, I try to be true and to my own principles as well.

If Thompson feels one of the “core values” McDonald’s stands for is decidedly not encouraging LGBT Americans to “come as they are,” I think we, the LGBT community, should absolutely respect that.

I pledge to show my respect for Thompson’s deeply felt Christian principles by not besmirching his establishment with my filthy, heathen presence. Clearly, there are good Christian families dining there and they don’t need to be exposed to an urban, atheist of questionable spiritual value such as myself. I will think of the children.

So, next time you’re tempted by a Big Mac attack, ask yourself: Am I spiritually pure enough to be a desired guest in the House of Ronald? Or am I a trespasser in hallowed ground? Remember, God is watching.

I thank Mr. Thompson for drawing my attention to my unworthiness to be welcomed into his establishment and will sully McDonald’s no more. My sinful lifestyle has presented many challenges, it appears a McFlurry-free life will be another sacrifice I’ll have to make to live honestly and true to my own principles.

Everyone knows their food is poison anyway.

This just in: via Chicagoist blog, the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce has cut ties with McDonald’s and issues a sharp statement of rebuke:

In response to Thompson’s comments, the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, the country’s largest LGBT business association, issued a letter cutting all ties with McDonald’s.

“We strongly believe that McDonald’s plan to distance itself from LGBT and other diverse business segments, coupled with the release of the French TV ad, is ill advised and counter to the spirit of good business and sound ethics,” the letter, which has since been removed from the NGLCC’s site, read. “We sincerely hope that McDonald’s will reconsider its position and that the company will again show its support for LGBT people, our families and our businesses — not just where it is politically expedient, but around the globe.”