Atlanta Sacks Christian Fire Chief For Having Biblical Worldview

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed fired Chief Kelvin Cochran, the chief of the city’s Fire Rescue Department, for giving his Christian co-workers a religious book he wrote. Parts of the book contained passages condemning homosexuality.

At a news conference Mayor Reed said Mr. Cochran’s “personal religious beliefs are not the issue,” but Atlanta’s nondiscrimination policy, is “nonnegotiable.” Reed argued, “I believe his actions and decision-making undermine his ability to effectively manage a large, diverse work force.” Mr. Cochran held his own news conference and stated an investigation found that he had not acted in a discriminatory way toward homosexuals.

“The discrimination against Christians continues. Now simply upholding traditional Christian morality automatically makes you unfit for any kind of leadership in the morally upside down world of political correctness. Chief Cochran is being fired, not for his actions, but simply for holding a biblical worldview, “ said Dr. Gary Cass. “Thomas Jefferson told us the powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions. This is clearly a violation of Chief Cochran’s First Amendment liberties.”

“Ironically, Mayor Reed’s own bio says he is a member of Cascade United Methodist Church,” Cass added. “Reed claims to be a Christian and believes he can serve the public, yet he insists another Christian can’t. Does Mayor Reed believe what the Bible says about the sin of homosexuality? If so, shouldn’t he resign, too? Chief Cochran must sue the Mayor and the city for wrongful termination and religious discrimination.”

The firing was condemned by the Georgia Baptist Convention, the Southern Baptist Convention’s state chapter and by the Faith and Freedom Coalition. Georgia Equality and the Atlanta Professional Firefighters Local 134 praised the mayor’s decision.

TAKE ACTION:

Contact the Mayor Reed’s Office at 404-330-6100. Demand that Chief Cochran be reinstated and his First Amendment rights to free speech and religious liberty be respected.