Tony Perkins On Atlanta's Fired Fire Chief

"Atlanta's Kelvin Cochran knows all about fire -- but being fired? That's a whole new experience -- one Cochran hopes other Christians never face. The long-time member of the city's Fire Rescue Department was forced out of the squad in a shocking display of anti-religious prejudice after a distinguished career that [sic] an appointment by the Obama administration as the U.S. Fire Administrator. Unfortunately for Cochran, Mayor Kasim Reed seems intent on making an example of the African-American, who self-published a book -- with the permission of the mayor's office -- on biblical morality. After chatting with a handful of Christian co-workers, Kelvin offered them copies of Who Told You That You Were Naked? which includes a chapter on human sexuality that's consistent with the Bible's teaching on the subject. Despite the fact that Cochran had his superiors' approval, and despite the fact that he only gave the book to friends, he was suspended late last year -- until yesterday, when the Mayor fired him. Obviously, it's one thing to use your platform to intimidate subordinates, but the idea that you should have to surrender your First Amendment rights merely for being a public servant is outrageous. What's to prevent the government from going after another employer or contractor?" - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, in a press release that fails to report that Mayor Reed's office denies having been notified about the book.

FRC staffer Travis Weber picks up the story in a posting on their blog today:

In essence, the chief was fired by the mayor and his allies because (if they were honest) they “think he might discriminate against gay people.” Never mind there is zero evidence of any such discrimination. Simply put, no one can point to any adverse action Chief Cochran has ever taken against someone based on their homosexuality! If they could, we certainly would have heard about it, given the frenzied fears of “potential” future discrimination and a “possible” hostile work environment. But because that’s all the mayor and his allies have to go on, all we’ve heard about is the “possibility” of future discrimination. This is a clear case of someone being eliminated from their position because of their views alone. This is even worse than other recent cases of disapproval of orthodox Christian views among public figures in the United States. Without exaggeration, we can say we have just seen the government monitoring personal expression for approval or disapproval, backed up by power of law.

As the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has made clear, Cochran "forced his own firing" by going on a speaking tour of churches during his suspension where he declared (to great applause, no doubt) that he would continue to proselytize at the workplace upon his return. The FRC has launched a pro-Cochran petition as have the anti-gay Faith Driven Consumer, who writes:

People of faith in Atlanta have been sent a clear message -- unless you agree with the mayor and his point of view, you could be subject to persecution. Concerned citizens aware of similar actions taking place in other parts of the world where human rights are not respected, but are stunned to learn this is happening not only in America, but also in the very city that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born and raised. "We are calling on Mayor Reed to immediately reinstate Chief Cochran, to apologize for his actions, and to take specific steps to ensure that no person of faith in Atlanta will be singled out by his administration simply due to the expression of their religious convictions. The people of Atlanta and America will not stand for intolerance, inequality, and flagrant bigotry. We are demanding Equal Application of Equal Protection for all people -- including people of faith.

The name of their petition: Extinguish Intolerance, which they are supporting with a hashtag campaign on Twitter. Time for some hijacking!

Haters Have The HGTV Sadz

The anti-gay Christian group Faith Driven Consumer has launched a petition campaign which demands that HGTV reinstate the reality show that was to have been hosted by anti-gay activists David and Jason Benham. HGTV canceled the show yesterday after Right Wing Watch exposed the Benhams' history of advocating against LGBT civil rights. Via press release:

Following the sudden cancellation of the upcoming HGTV series “Flip It Forward” simply because the stars of the show, brothers David and Jason Benham, hold a biblical worldview on the issues of life and marriage, Faith Driven Consumer is announcing a brand new grassroots campaign called #FlipThisDecision to return the show to the network’s fall lineup.

“David and Jason Benham are well-qualified to star on an HGTV show, they are well-respected members of their community, and the network has invested time and treasure in developing 'Flip It Forward’. Now, this project has come to a screeching halt simply because the Benham brothers hold a biblical view of life and marriage. This is pure intolerance, discrimination, and bullying toward those who hold to widely held and legitimate views. HGTV’s rash actions hold no place in America’s rainbow of diversity. Whether people agree or disagree with the Beham’s faith-driven perspective is beside the point; the Benhams have a right to have those views and to be treated equally with those who hold to other viewpoints. This is the very definition of tolerance,” said Chris Stone, Founder of Faith Driven Consumer and Certified Brand Strategist.

"Through its actions, HGTV is in conflict with its own stated core values of integrity and diversity, which emphasize 'having a strong moral compass which points to character, honesty, ethical practice and accountability' and hold that all are included in the 'broad canvas of interests, backgrounds, lifestyles and ethnicities.’ This is the height of hypocrisy.

Faith Driven Consumer is endorsed by the American Family Association and Focus On The Family.

RELATED:  In December 2013 Faith Driven Consumer launched a petition campaign to reinstate Phil Robertson to Duck Dynasty. That campaign garnered over 250K signatures. Also that month Faith Driven Consumer launched a campaign which called on Christians to boycott retailers that have pro-LGBT policies. Their list of stores to be boycotted was culled from the HRC's Corporate Equality Index. Among the companies which scored the lowest on their list: Macy's, Home Depot, Gap, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Abercrombie & Fitch, Amazon, and Levi's. Two months ago the group launched a boycott of  the movie Noah for its non-Biblical message.

Anti-Gay Group Targets Mozilla

Back in December, Faith Driven Consumer used the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index to create a list of pro-gay companies for Christians to boycott during their holiday shopping. Today the group issued a press release which demands that Mozilla respond to three questions.

According to pro-gay advocates, it’s theoretically acceptable for companies like Mozilla to hire Christians as long as they are never permitted to assume leadership roles. The same people who claim to support equal treatment for everyone want to deny access to employment opportunities based on personal convictions – in effect a new “glass ceiling” for a faith-driven worldview. Faith Driven Consumer reached out to Mozilla to clarify what their policy is toward faith-driven employees, asking them to respond to three specific questions:

1. Will faith-driven employees be discriminated against and forced into the closet for their personal views on marriage? 2. Is there a “pro gay marriage” litmus test for working at Mozilla? 3. Will the next CEO be required to openly express support for gay marriage as a condition for being hired? While we wait to hear back, let’s make sure they HEAR from YOU.

Last last month as the controversy was at its peak, Mozilla posted a statement affirming its corporate support of marriage equality. That statement also addresses the questions posed today by Faith Driven Consumer.

Mozilla’s mission is to make the Web more open so that humanity is stronger, more inclusive and more just. This is why BOTH Mozilla Corporation and Mozilla Foundation support equality for all, including marriage equality for LGBT couples. No matter who you are or who you love, everyone deserves the same rights and to be treated equally.

We realize that not everyone in our community or who uses our products will agree with this. But we have always maintained that as long as you are willing to respect others, and come together for our larger mission, you are welcome. Mozilla’s community is made up of people who have very diverse personal beliefs working on a common cause, which is a free and open internet. That is a very rare and special thing.

Mozilla has always worked to be a welcoming community, committed to inclusiveness and equality for all people. One voice will not limit opportunity for anyone. That was true yesterday and will be true tomorrow.

Faith Driven Consumer doesn't need to "wait to hear back" from Mozilla as anybody with a computer can learn their position. But that doesn't fuel the outrage machine, does it? The hypocrisy of boycotting companies for supporting marriage equality and then making this kind of demand is truly mind-numbing.