Posted on 01/22/2015 7:14:38 AM PST by xzins
Today's lead editorial in The New York Times came out in strong support of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed for firing the city's Fire Chief, Kelvin Cochran. Cochran, as you may know was fired recently for having “antigay views.” Christian author and professor, Denny Burk, took issue with the NYT editorial on his blog, arguing that if the Atlanta Fire Chief’s termination isn’t a religious liberty case, then nothing is.
Extensive details about this curious case of termination are easy to find elsewhere. For instance, see this Christianheadlines.com article, click the related links throughout this post, and view Chief Cochran’s own statement here. While it's important to be informed about the details this monumental event, it's just as important to know how to think clearly about it. Chief Cochran’s firing sets an alarming precedent that may have far-reaching implications for Christians throughout America. Follow the logic of Dr. Burk’s argument and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments below.
Burk contends:
“
The Times editorial acknowledges the fact that the Mayor’s own investigation turned up no evidence of discrimination against LGBT people on the Chief’s part. The Chief treated all his employees fairly, regardless of their sexuality. Nevertheless, the editorial says something quite stunning:
‘
It should not matter that the investigation found no evidence that Mr. Cochran had mistreated gays or lesbians. His position as a high-level public servant makes his remarks especially problematic, and requires that he be held to a different standard.’
Burk continues:
“
Did you get that? The editors at The New York Times think that it doesn’t matter that Chief Cochran treated all of his employees well. His views are so toxic that he has to be ‘held to a different standard’—apparently a standard that punishes city employees for their religious views.”
“
Chief Cochran’s book… [contains] …a passing reference to what Christians have always believed about homosexuality. There’s no evidence the Chief shared his book to make a statement about homosexuality. Nor is there any evidence that he mistreated any of his employees. Nevertheless, the editors at The New York Times are treating him like Jim Crow.”
In other words, the Atlanta Mayor's decision to terminate Chief Cochran means that simply believing your Bible amounts to discrimination now. And heaven help you if you hold a public position. Your free exercise of religion will simply not be tolerated.
Your turn: What are your thoughts on the termination of Kelvin Cochran? Do you disagree that this is a crucial moment for the fate of religious liberty in America? If you think it isn’t, share your reasons.
The anonymity of soft persecution
But if it was about mussies then .....
Exactly. If this fire chief had been a muslim, not a single soul would have said one word about muslim’s death to gays beliefs.
By the way, views regarding homosexuality can be religious, but can also be irreligious or a-religious or non-religious.
They can also be social, political, scientific, ethical, spiritual, empirical, objective, subjective, factual, false, relevant, and irrelevant.
Let us please not confine the discussion re homosexuality to one re Christianity or religion. The most hardened atheist or secular humanist, if he has the best interest of people and society and humanity in mind, has GOOD reason to be critical of the homosexual normalization movement.
I agree. Why target just the Christians?
This is definitely an example of the beginnings of persecution
They probably fired him because they have a clause in their employment contract that says he can’t use his position to sell things, or state a political (or otherwise) position on something. I.E. if he identified himself as a fire chief in his bio on his book, then he’s toast.
Anyone should be permitted to write a book and to give the basic truth about themselves. Where they were born, when, marital status, employment status, etc.
This is and will continue to be tied up in litigation and lots of political posturing. Reed has stated over and over that the firing was not about the book..... but then invokes we don’t discuss personnel matters. Always the easy way to avoid the obvious.
It leads the news on the ATL stations at least once a week. PLUS this issue may well finally shake some sense into folks that thought the dems were their friends and allies
The New York Times is a Sodomite newspaper - of course they support the oppression and firing of anyone who does not wave the pro-Sodomite flag.
Someone better wake up. Soft persecution of Christians in this country is becoming the norm.
Someone better wake up. Soft persecution of Christians in this country is becoming the norm.
The _owners_ of USA english & western civilization have carefully backed real USAians into religious chains. There is only freedom of religion for the _pieceful_. Being a true bond servant of YHVH does not count, it’s now the least of all, according to western culture. All religions are equal but _pieceful_ is more equal than others.
Simple being white, Christian, male or heterosexual is discriminatory. /sarc
Not disagreeing with you, I just know most government jobs are like that. I certainly know state and federal level jobs have those types of rules. Probably local level, too.
Just askin’: Did he ever fail to respond to a fire at a gay person’s home?
Wouldn’t a fire at a gay person’s home be a ‘faggot’? Is this some kind of joke? :>)
I don’t disagree. I am just saying we don’t know what all has gone on with this case. I do know it is hitting the local news several times a week.
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