Quick Note: "Christian" Self-Help Book Ends Atlanta Fire Chief's Career

Former Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran

Atlanta Fire Chief, Kelvin Cochran, wrote a Christian self-help book., "Who Told You You Were Naked?" intended to be used as a Bible study aide.  

In one section, he defines "uncleaness" as "whatever is opposite of purity; including sodomy, homosexuality, lesbianism, pederasty, bestiality, all other forms of sexual perversion."  

In another he writes, "Naked men refuse to give in, so they pursue sexual fulfillment through multiple partners, with the opposite sex, the same sex, and sex outside of marriage and many other vile, vulgar and inappropriate ways which defile their body-temple and dishonor God."

Rather than use the book appropriately within his church and belief circle, he decided to pass copies out to co-workers, including those who worked under him.  Gay rights supporters took offense and brought the book give-away to Mayor Kasim Reed's attention last November.  The Mayor immediately suspended Fire Chief Cochran and began an investigation of the Chief's actions. 

In announcing the suspension, Mr. Reed said, "I profoundly disagree with and am deeply disturbed by the sentiments expressed in the paperback regarding the LGBT community.  I will not tolerate discrimination of any kind within my administration."

Last week, Mayor Reed formally fired Kelvin Cochran, saying that he questioned Mr. Cochran's judgment and management capabilities.  "This is not about religious freedom.  This is not about free speech.  Judgment is the basis of the problem."

Mr. Cochran responded to his firing this way: "It's ironic that the city points to tolerance and inclusion as part of its reasoning. What could be more intolerant and exclusionary than ending a public servant's 30 years of distinguished service for his religious beliefs?"

Why is is that religious bigots are the first ones to yell "foul" when faced with the consequences of their own bigotry?  No one is telling Mr. Cochran or his church they must support or accept homosexual members.  No one is trying to prohibit Mr. Cochran from writing any hateful thing he wants to put in print.  Atlanta's mayor is saying that choosing to share your hate with co-workers--especially those who need your good opinion in order to keep their jobs--is not an acceptable management style.

Proselytizing on the public dime is not America's way--at least not yet.

Of course, state religious leaders are up in arms about this. Georgia Baptist Convention President Robert White said, "It's a frightening day in the United States when a person cannot express their faith without fears of persecution following."

I wonder if Mr. White was equally frightened by Georgia's public, open, and ultimately unsuccessful persecution of same-sex partners by fighting to deny them the right to marry?  And don't get me started on Georgia's fight against legal abortion--a fight based entirely on one side's religious views without respect or acknowledgement that not everyone goes to the same church--even in Georgia. 

A so-called "religious freedom" law has been pre-filed in Georgia's State House of Representatives in anticipation of the session that starts on Monday.  State Representative Ed Setzler (R) cites the Cochran case as one of a number of "outright examples of individuals' religious beliefs being deemed unacceptable by government entities."

The separation of church and state has been in place for 238 years for a reason. 

Last January, the Orange County, Florida School Board voted to allow Bibles to be passed out in their schools.  The Satanic Temple sued for equal representation and a state judge agreed.  So this school year, students are not only bringing home the Good Book in their backpacks, but a copy of "The Satanic Children's Big Book of Activities" as well.

Be careful what you wish for, Georgia.