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While Seattle Mayor McGinn and want-to-be mayor Sen. Ed Murray are attacking Chick-fil-A because the owners believe in natural, biblical marriage; suggesting there is no place in Seattle for their company, Fox Sports has fired an announcer because he, too, believes in natural, biblical marriage.
It's a stunning story.
His firing is not related to anything he said on the air---its related to what he "believes."
Janet Parshall, host of the Moody Broadcasting Network program, "In The Market," says, "Enough!"
I agree.
She says, "Week after week we hear of some new, outlandish discrimination against Christians because they dare to adhere to the Word of God and not deviate on what God Himself calls sin."
"Articulate that truth in the marketplace of ideas," she says, "and it just might cost you your job or your business."
This past week another Christian was taken down for his beliefs.
Craig James is a former NFL quarterback ---he played for the New England Patriots, until retirement.
Here's the story:
When James left football, he wanted to make a difference in the culture. He entered politics. In fact, he ran for the seat that Ted Cruz would eventually be elected to.
During the course of the Texas primary, James, along with all the other candidates, was asked what he thought about marriage and sexuality.
Knowing research was on his side, he said, "No one is born gay."
He went on to say, "They are going to have to answer to the Lord for their actions," and pledged not to support same-sex "marriage."
After the election, James continued a career in sports broadcasting.
Apparently, Fox Sports felt James was a perfect fit.
They hired him as a college football studio analyst to do post game shows and appear on segments of Fox Sports Southwest Big 12 wrap-up shows.
Fox Sports executive producer Mike Anastassiou said, "He's a talented broadcaster who I have admired throughout his career. His knowledge of college football and the experience he brings as an analyst will be a tremendous asset to our coverage."
That was before the "sin" issue.
Following the glowing endorsement of the executive producer, Fox fired James on his second day on air.
Why?
Well, the Dallas Morning News was wondering the same thing, so they asked Fox.
Fox told them, "We just asked ourselves how Craig's statements would play in our human resources department. He couldn't say those things here."
But he didn't "say those things" here.
It doesn't matter. You're fired! For what you believe.
They fired him because of his beliefs, and what those beliefs "might" lead him to say at some future time.
There is a rising tide of hostility toward those who believe in biblical teaching on marriage and sin.
Similar attacks have been made against those who believe abortion is sin---that it is killing a human life.
Parshall says we are witnessing a new form of "acceptable" discrimination.
Biblical Christianity is under fire in this culture by those seeking to "affirm" sin and sinful behavior.
I believe that although the point of the spear is abortion and homosexual "rights," the thrust of it is much more.
The activism to advance this agenda is seeking not only "rights" but "affirmation." It is not just a matter of so-called "civil rights"---it is a matter of shaking a rebellious fist toward God and declaring, "I am god, I know better."
Those who do not conform to this new paradigm are punished.
Christians who stand publicly for biblical principles and Truth are being discriminated against. Individuals are attacked and fired, and attempts are made to shut down businesses owned by those who hold biblical beliefs on marriage and sin.
Have we now entered the era of "approved bigotry"? Is selective discrimination okay now? And what happened to the champions of tolerance?
Will Christians stand firm? Or will we conform to "this world?"
Yesterday, KOMO News carried an Associated Press story in which the Pope said, "The church's pastoral ministry cannot be obsessed with the transmission of a disjointed multitude of doctrines to be imposed insistently. We have to find a new balance; otherwise even the moral edifice of the church is likely to fall like a house of cards, losing the freshness and fragrance of the Gospel."
He said, "The church sometimes has locked itself up in small things, in small-minded rules."
Associated Press said, "The admonition is likely to have sharp reverberations in the United States, where some bishops have already publicly voiced dismay that Francis hasn't hammered home church teaching on abortion, contraception and homosexuality — areas of the culture wars where U.S. bishops often put themselves on the front lines. U.S. bishops were also behind Benedict's crackdown on American nuns, who were accused of letting doctrine take a backseat to their social justice work caring for the poor — precisely the priority that Francis is endorsing."
Just last week, Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence, Rhode Island, wrote in his diocesan newspaper that he was "a little bit disappointed" that Francis hadn't addressed abortion since being elected.
Francis acknowledged that he had been "reprimanded" for not speaking out on such issues. But he said he didn't need to.
Many are asking if this is a change in the Church's position.
Personally, I don't know what the Catholic Church is doing in this regard.
However, I do know that preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and speaking to sin in the culture is not mutually exclusive.
We are called to do both. Accommodating and affirming sin and deviant behavior will not transform lives with the gospel, regardless of how "welcoming" the approach. At best, the message of the gospel will be compromised---at worst, it will be silenced.
The gospel is the "power of God unto salvation." And "I am not ashamed of it." Nor does the Bible need to be made "relevant" to this generation. It is already relevant.
It needs only to be taught with clarity and conviction.
God help us.
Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Prayerful. Be Active. Be Blessed.