Posted on 01/07/2015 11:24:29 AM PST by Graybeard58
ATLANTA (BP) -- Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran has been terminated following a city investigation into a book he wrote that calls homosexual behavior immoral and upholds a biblical view of sexuality.
Kelvin Cochran
Cochran is a deacon, Sunday School teacher and Bible study leader at Atlanta's Elizabeth Baptist Church, a cooperating church with the Georgia Baptist Convention. A two-time Atlanta fire chief, Cochran also served as U.S. Fire Administrator under President Obama from 2009-10.
Mayor Kasim Reed said Jan. 6 that Cochran's failure to obtain proper city permission to publish the book and his refusal to remain silent about the matter during an investigation contributed to the firing.
In December Cochran was suspended without pay for a month and ordered to undergo sensitivity training.
"Despite my respect for Chief Cochran's service, I believe his actions and decision-making undermine his ability to manage our fire department," Reed said at a press conference. "Every single employee under the fire chief's command deserves the certainty that he or she is a valued member of the team and that fairness and respect guide employment decisions. His actions around the book and his statements during this investigation have eroded my confidence in his ability to convey that message."
A "decision to retain Chief Cochran" could have caused the city to be held liable in potential antidiscrimination lawsuits, Reed said -- presumably a reference to potential lawsuits by homosexual employees alleging discrimination.
Cochran said he received verbal clearance to publish the book from the city's ethics officer and provided the mayor with a copy that Reed acknowledged receiving, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Though Cochran spoke to religious groups about his suspension, he said he obeyed the city's specific instruction not to speak with the media, according to the AJC.
Following Cochran's suspension, the Georgia Baptist Convention issued a news release calling Christians and other people of faith across Georgia to:
-- sign a petition in behalf of Cochran at http://gabaptist.org/petition on the Georgia Baptist Convention's website;
-- support Cochran by purchasing his book on Amazon, "Who Told You That You Are Naked?" which is at the center of the firestorm; and
-- enlist as many churches and believers as possible to contact Mayor Reed to reverse his actions against Cochran.
Please see more detailed story later today.
This incident smacks of religious prosecution against Christians.
Obviously the mayor doesn't understand the fraternity of firemen who count on their brother firemen to guard their back.
In Christianity , you can love the sinner , and despise the act of sin.
The mayor is guilty of religious discrminiation action on the remote possibility of a lawsuit , but has instead, exhibited by his own actions, his religious bias.
I judege a man by his actions ,.. not by their words , nor by their 'thoughts'.
Let the fraternity of firemen determine whether the chiefs words show a lack of faith/ confidence of those whose lives depend on him -,.. not some elected politician !
A. Sharpton and Eric Holder are bound to raise hell. NOT!
Just wrong. I hope he sues ‘em.
I don’t think the courts care about religious discrimination anymore, unless perhaps the victim is Wiccan or Islamic.
open and shut UNCONSTITUTIONAL!
.......this is why I say that it is time to re-visit politicians and judges from having COMPLETE and TOTAL exemption from liability for their actions. The world has changed and it is time their asses are on the line also.
At that level and executive can fire a person for any reason they so choose...and they don't even have to tell anyone why, or what the real reason was.
At that level and executive can fire a person for any reason they so choose...and they don’t even have to tell anyone why, or what the real reason was
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Since the mayor did indeed tell him, he may have a problem. He could have just said, “Chief, you’re fired” and let it go at that.
If I were an employer and I’m not, I wouldn’t hire a known homo to begin with. I just don’t like them. Why would I hire somebody I didn’t like.
The article is actually kind of incoherent about whether the chief received permission to write the book - as you point out, how do you send a “copy” of a verbal authorization? But above and beyond that, did the city have any authority to demand “permission” to write the book in the first place? Does an employer have a right to exercise prior restraint over an employee’s constitutional rights?
“At that level and executive can fire a person for any reason they so choose...and they don’t even have to tell anyone why, or what the real reason was.”
The above is not mine, I was quoting another poster.
Worked for a city with a mayor named “Kasim”, he should have known he was risking his job.
Kasim. Paris massacre. Gee, what’s the commonality?
Muslims HATE free speech.
“..he should have known he was risking his job....”
True enough... but sometimes you just have to throw that big old AMERICAN Middle Finger up and tell them to go f*** themselves with their political correctness BS.
You can always find another job; recovering your dignity after groveling to the dirtbags is another story entirely.
Never back down.
Kasim Reed is not actually a Muslim.
Even Christian Blacks are using Middle Eastern names now.
I see. Well, screw him anyway. Fascist swine.
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