Franklin Graham cannot help but express his agreement with former Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran, who has expressed his belief that every American deserves religious freedom and should not be forced to choose between one's job and faith.
On his Facebook page, Graham wrote: "In the United States of America, Americans should not have to choose between keeping your job and living out your faith — I agree with former Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran who was fired for publishing a devotional book for his church group that addressed issues of homosexuality, gay marriage, and premarital sex from a biblical perspective."
Cochran had served the fire bureau for 34 years, and he was even appointed as fire administrator for the US Fire Administration by President Barack Obama.
However, when he shared his religious views, he was immediately removed his position.
"This is his reward? What kind of country has this become when you get fired if you don't agree with the government's position on something?" Graham asked. "Especially when the government is wrong! There's another kind of fire raging—and it's burning against our freedom of religion and freedom of expression. Chief Cochran wants his job back—and I certainly hope he gets it!"
In line with this, Graham is lauding Kansas Governor Sam Brownback for issuing Executive Order 1505 called "Preservation and Protection of Religious Freedom" to protect Kansas clergy and religious organisations from being forced to go against their beliefs.
"Thank you Governor for taking action!" Graham said. "Our religious freedom is something to be protected at all cost—if you could ask all those who have died to give it to us, I'm sure they would be quick to tell you that we'd better not let it slip through our fingers."
Graham is urges other governors to take a cue from Brownback and issue a similar order in their respective states.
