Faith Driven Consumer™, the group that emerged on the national stage last year with its #IStandWithPhil campaign that played a leading role in Phil Robertson's return to television's Duck Dynasty, continues to serve as an advocate for more than 41 million consumers who spend $2 trillion annually.
Today, the group launched a major petition campaign,#HoustonWeHaveAProblem, using the website HoustonProblem.com—demanding that the city of Houston immediately "cease and desist all bullying and other offensive actions" against a group of pastors who are victims of an aggressive harassment effort at the hands of the city government. The city is demanding that a group of pastors turn over any sermons—including personal correspondence such as emails—"dealing with homosexuality, gender identity or Annise Parker, the city's first openly lesbian mayor" as reported by Fox News.
Minutes after its launch, Twitter blocked the campaign—meaning that supporters cannot tweet the petition.
"There is a deeply troubling pattern of censorship with social-media companies when people of faith speak out. From Kirk Cameron, to Mike Huckabee, to our own #iStandWithPhil campaign earlier this year, faith voices have curiously been blocked during critical times as they seek to be heard. We are asking Twitter to immediately unblock thousands of people who have already flocked to our petition and want to spread the word from coast to coast," said Chris Stone, founder of Faith Driven Consumer.
Faith Driven Consumer's new #HoustonWeHaveAProblem petition campaign reminds everyone that "pastors have been at the very center of American society since even before our founding as a nation, and they remain an integral part of the lives of untold of millions of Americans today," that "our First Amendment protects freedom of speech and religion" and that "we ... live in a society that values equality, including the notion that everyone has the right to publicly express deeply held beliefs without fear of persecution or reprisal." Signers at HoustonProblem.com desire that "the City of Houston, in their quest to provide protection for LGBT citizens, to equally and explicitly acknowledge and ensure the equal rights of people of faith to live and express openly their deeply held religious beliefs."
Read the full petition at HoustonProblem.com.
Faith Driven Consumer leads a movement of more than 41 million Americans, 17% of the adult population, who spend $2 trillion dollars annually. The group educates, equips and motivates Faith Driven Consumers to action in the marketplace of goods, services and ideas—offering resources for making more faith-conscious decisions, including reviews of companies and entertainment products. Recognized for its #IStandWithPhil, #OpenZilla, #FlipThisDecision, #IStandwithHobbyLobby and #NoahMovie campaigns, the organization continues to serve as an advocate for people whose faith informs their daily decisions in the marketplace. For more information go to: faithdrivenconsumer.com.
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