Owner of Large US 'Curves' Fitness Chain Attacked for Contributing to Pro-Life Cause

Life Site News ^ | 4-30-04

[truthandlife]

A successful Christian business owner has come under attack by feminist extremists for using his profits to support pro-life charities.

Gary Heavin, the owner of a chain of extremely successful health and fitness centres for women, is a born-again Christian who gives 10% of his gross annual income to charities. Heavin is also the author of two books on fitness that take a Christian approach. His wife, Diana produces Christian music. Curves fitness centres cater particularly to middle-aged women who may be intimidated by other more youth-oriented fitness venues.

Curves franchises have surpassed Starbucks in numbers in the United States and are closing on McDonalds with sales that have hit $750 million a year. Heavin chooses to support the pro-life movement and that has elicited a powerful response from some feminist organizations and writers. We get a lot of heat because we're so expressive of our faith, and we encourage our faith,'' Heavin says.

In a vitriolic article in the San Francisco Chronicle, Heavin's contributions are described in terms often employed for supporters of terrorist organizations. He is accused of supporting Operation Save America that "blamed the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on God's retribution for abortions and whose purpose, as described on its Web site, is to 'unashamedly take up the cause of pre-born children in the name of Jesus Christ.'" The implication strongly appears to be that, if a successful business owner gives money to charity, he may not support organizations that oppose the feminist pro-abortion agenda.

A quick search on Google reveals that Heavin has come under fire from a phalanx of feminist writers in magazines such as "Bitch" and on listserves and weblogs where he is variously called a "pro-life-deadbeat-dad" and accused of the crime of supporting "fake pregnancy crisis centres." Some writers speak of "sounding the alarm" on Heavin's activities in a tone that suggests that to give money to the pro-life cause is tantamount to terrorism or conspiracy.

Annie Lamott, a feminist writer, said of the Curves franchises, "I hate the idea that this right-wing fundamentalist is making a profit on these places that make it easy for women to exercise. I don't see how, in good conscience, someone like me, a staunch feminist and progressive, can in any way contribute to any organization that undermines women's rights."

"It seems everything is tolerated except the Christian, and that's a tragedy because of the need to put values in our boardrooms and classrooms," Heavin says.

Read about Heavin's success story: http://www.christianitytoday.com/tc/2004 /001/3.30.html

San Francisco Chronicle article: http://www.sfgate.com/cgibin/article.cgi ?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/04/29/EDGA B6C1IO1.DTL

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[mollynme]

I guess one of these leftist feminists wouldn't eat at a Chick Fil'a either....since that is a Christian owned company.....

Or Hobby Lobby either. It is the only place I shop for craft supplies now.

[hollywood]

I don't patronize Outback Steakhouse since it is a major contributor to the Million (+/- 995,000) Moron March.

[Osage Orange]

You wrote:

"She said that anyone who believes in separation of church and state should stay away from Curves. I kid you not; she actually said that. I'm still shaking my head over the depth of stupidity of that one."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

LOL!!

Your post reminded me of a nurse I worked with in California....at a private hospital. When one of the staff was asked by a patient to pray for them....this nurse said, " No, you can't do that...because of separation of church and state". I busted out laughing...and said, "You can't be serious?" She was.

This nurse was a very educated good resource ICU RN with a BSN.......but unfortunately....she was , for some reason, very anti-Christian.

Oh yeah....the patient was prayed with, but that nurse didn't like it one bit.

[mollynme]

A nurse at a hospital where I once worked actually filed a complaint against one of her co-workers who was seen praying with patients on several occasions. Seems she didn't think it was "professional". Nothing came of it but the Christian nurse was so upset by the whole incident that she left shortly after.

[traumer]

What exactly doe that mean ?

" Large US 'Curves' "

[Hildy]

Ugly on the outside and the inside.

[Nebr FAL owner]

Now you know why I keep a welders helmet close at hand ! For just such occasions as that "things" picture may come up on the screen.

[ChevyZ28]

These attacks on the Curves organization ranks right up there with the crowd who have been attacking General Motors Corporation for sponsoring the Contemporary Christian Concert series featuring Third Day, Micheal W. Smith and others. One group actually acussed General Motors of violating the "separation of church and state" for sponsoring these concert series. Thank God General Motors didn't back down, and neither should Curves. These feminazis are mad because when major corporations sponsor and support things like this, it destroys all of their efforts to delegitimize the Pro life movement and Christians everywhere.

[Cinnamon Girl]

I'm on my way to Curves now. Glad to know I won't need to quit in protest over something.

[Lancey Howard]

bttt

[secret garden]

My sister who had never exercised in her life goes to one of these centers now and is having great results. I'm glad they are successful.

[Arthur McGowan]

Which Million Moron March do you mean? The recent March for Death, or the Million Man March, or the Million Mom March?

[MHGinTN]

Her face forces a 'smile' but her eyes are as dead as two glass tacks.

[hollywood]

Mom.

[pollywog]

Makes me want to go to a Curves fitness center.

ME TOO!!!!!!! I am going to write them and let them know I am proud of the Curves program!!!!!

[Alouette]

There is a solution for Annie Lamott:

[AnAmericanMother]

My dog wishes to register a complaint . . .

She does woof occasionally and doesn't wish that wholesome and friendly self-expression to be associated with this ugly toad.

(I'm sure we'll hear from somebody's pet toad soon . . . )

< good lord but that "woman" is ugly. Inside and out. >

[Ignatz]

Oh dear God! Kill it! Kill it with a stick!
I'm gonna have to watch someone slaughter a hog just to get that image outta my mind.

[NYC GOP Chick]

For a number of reasons, Curves just isn't my thing -- but I find it hysterical that over on Usenet, the same leftist hags who used to screech at and hector those of us who said we'd no longer listen to the Dixie Twits are now planning to do the very thing to Curves that they yelled us for doing to the anti-American bimbos!

[TASMANIANRED]

That face is crying out to be smacked with a frying pan.