Pastor Jordan Brown of Austin, Texas is dropping his suit against Whole Food Market over a homophobic slur on a cake. While not saying who really wrote the word “Fag” under “Love Wins” on the cake he ordered, he has publicly stated it wasn’t Whole Foods. The cake was, in fact, a lie. In other words, the “promised reward [was] merely a fictitious motivator.”
Pastor Jordan Brown of Austin, Texas is dropping his suit against Whole Foods Market over a homophobic slur on a cake. While not saying who really wrote the word “Fag” under “Love Wins” on the cake he ordered, he has publicly stated it wasn’t Whole Foods. The cake was, in fact, a lie. In other words, the “promised reward [was] merely a fictitious motivator.” Brown should have stuck with, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” ~ Galatians 6:9 That harvest would’ve been a lot sweeter than the public shaming. Maybe even as sweet as a piece of cake.
According to Brown’s statement, “The company did nothing wrong. I was wrong to pursue this matter and use the media to perpetuate this story.”
Ya think? Nothing like setting the Internet on fire with hate, first toward Whole Foods, then toward yourself. It’s also a great way of giving the public the impression that those LGBTQ folks with legitimate complaints are nothing more than whiners. Now, I’m no biblical scholar, but I do recall a line about “reaping what you sow.” Pastor Brown, your harvest is not going to be enjoyable and that has nothing to do with the hereafter.
Some reports have it that Brown’s church, the Church of Open Doors, may not even be open anymore. The public events room at Brown’s apartment complex, where services were held, hasn’t been reserved since the story broke last month. Of course, the “harvest” also included a $100,000 countersuit from the grocery chain.
However, the disgraced pastor will be spared that particular harvest as Whole Foods, “very pleased that the truth has come to light,” is dropping the countersuit. In a statement, the company said, “Given Mr. Brown’s apology and public admission that his story was a complete fabrication, we see no reason to move forward with our counter suit to defend the integrity of our brand and team members.”
The comment threads on several of the stories surrounding Brown are a mix of speculation as to why he made the accusation (the popular one being that he himself is being sued for $27,000 in seriously delinquent student loan debt) and downright, mouth-breathing bigotry (“Another faggot going to hell!” Do you kiss your Momma with that mouth?). In any case, Brown has been fairly incommunicado after issuing the apology and his attorney, Austin Kaplan, wasn’t available for comment.
Brown’s apology statement said, “I want to apologize to Whole Foods and its team members for questioning the company’s commitment to its values.” He also apologized to his partner, fellow church members, family, lawyer and the LGBTQ community as a whole for his actions, which, he said were “diverting attention from real issues.”
The moral of the story is: the cake is a lie. Whether you raise your hands to heaven or bust your buns with hard work, there are better ways of finding your “reward” than dishonesty.
I’m not qualified to pass judgment on Brown (and not because I’m not God – which I’m not – but because I’m not a judge and there’s no longer any case to be heard). However, I will say this: Pastor, if you truly follow the teachings you profess guide your life, you have some serious time on your knees ahead of you.
*Drops mic*
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