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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsChristian group accuses HGTV of ‘intolerance’ for axing anti-gay Benham twins’ reality show
By Travis Gettys
Thursday, May 8, 2014 9:52 EDT
Conservative Christians are urging HGTV to resume production of a new reality show featuring twin brothers who have made public statements against LGBT people, Muslims, and other groups.
The cable network announced last month that David and Jason Benham would star in a reality TV series, Flip It Forward, that was scheduled to premiere in October.
But Right Wing Watch reported Tuesday on the pairs political activities, which includes a prayer rally they organized outside the 2012 Democratic National Convention, work to promote a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in North Carolina, and published columns comparing same-sex marriage to Nazi Germany and calling Muslims enemies of America.
HGTV abruptly canceled the show Wednesday, shortly after Raw Story and other media outlets sought comment on the brothers and their past statements and actions which are easily found in an Internet search.
The pair released a statement saying that anyone who suggested they hated any one or any groups was misinformed or lying.
Over the last decade, weve sold thousands of homes with the guiding principle of producing value and breathing life into each family that has crossed our path, and we do not, nor will we ever discriminate against people who do not share our views, the brothers said in a statement.
A conservative Christian consumer advocacy group that has protested the recent Noah movie and backed another reality TV show star who was briefly suspended for his own anti-LGBT remarks, launched a Twitter campaign to reverse HGTVs decision.
Faith Driven Consumer has asked like-minded social media users to use a hashtag campaign to pressure the cable network, owned by Scripps Networks Interactive, to #FlipThisDecision.
This project has come to a screeching halt simply because the Benham brothers hold a biblical view of life and marriage, the advocacy group said in a statement. This is pure intolerance, discrimination, and bullying toward those who hold to widely held and legitimate views. HGTVs rash actions hold no place in Americas rainbow of diversity.
The group also launched the #IStandWithPhil campaign to support Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson, who was suspended from the popular A&E reality TV series in December after he made disparaging remarks about gay people and expressed nostalgia for the Jim Crow era in a published interview.
Whether people agree or disagree with the Benhams faith-driven perspective is beside the point, said Chris Stone, of Faith Driven Consumer. The Benhams have a right to have those views and to be treated equally with those who hold to other viewpoints. This is the very definition of tolerance.
The brothers said in a statement that they were saddened by HGTVs decision.
With all of the grotesque things that can be seen and heard on television today, you would think there would be room for two twin brothers who are faithful to our families, committed to biblical principles, and dedicated professionals, the statement said. If our faith costs us a television show, then so be it.
Watch this video report posted online by The Christian Broadcasting Network:
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/05/08/christian-group-accuses-hgtv-of-intolerance-for-axing-anti-gay-benham-twins-reality-show/
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Posted with permission
Lex
(34,108 posts)Quit oppressing us!
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)IS a lifestyle choice....
RockaFowler
(7,429 posts)These 2 hacks weren't needed on HGTV anyway
Oh and HGTV can you please stop with the Real Estate shows?? We need real projects for real people's homes!!
DonViejo
(60,536 posts)after the announcement was made that the show was being cancelled; EVERY comment on the page said the same thing as you wrote, above. And there were HUNDREDS, if not thousands, of similar comments.
immoderate
(20,885 posts)Amen.
--imm
atreides1
(16,093 posts)They don't have a right to a TV show! If they want it that bad then approach Pat Robertson with the idea...I'm sure he'll be happy to let them use his studio and network access!
Exposethefrauds
(531 posts)That are free to broadcast anything and any one they want
Atheists are not demanding equal time on Jesus TV
HGTV is a PRIVATE Company who is free to broadcast what they want, no equal time is required. HGTV and other broadcasters have chosen not to hire or broadcast a show featuring Christian bigots.
The Benham brothers are free to be Christian bigots and I will even defend their right to be out, loud and proud Christian bigots however the bigot bros have no right to be on private tv channel.
As far as I am concerned one of the Jesus channels can broadcast the bigot bros I am sure there is an audience for Christian bigots.
dem in texas
(2,674 posts)I can't believe they did not check the background of these guys. If they'd read the father's last name, Flip Benham, they would have know they were headed to right-wing crazy land. Flip Benham is a ultra right wing woman hating right to lifer. He has a long history in Dallas. I am sure his hands are not clean in regards to some of the violence aimed at abortion clinics and doctors. He may not have participated, but his words encouraged the behavior of the violent ones and possibly death or injury of some of these people.
LeftinOH
(5,358 posts)Jonathan and Drew Scott... not to be confused with the Benhams.
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)into bed with bigots turns me off, cancelling the project does not help much. I have noticed that people I respect leave HG and Travel as soon as they can and I am beginning to see why that is.
What really bothers me is that people are paid huge sums who do not do due diligence prior to entering development deals with well known and public hate mongers, not simply anti gay but also racist as fuck. Heads should roll out of their offices one after the other, they should find people of ability to take those huge checks.
Unless they retool the network, I'm going to assume they are all bigots and watch other programming. Travel Channel does not even have good travel shows really, CNN and PBS do.
meadowlark5
(2,795 posts)have mobilized their army of useful idiots. I went over to the HGTV FB page and it's filled with outraged christians who are threatening to boycott HGTV and companies who advertise on their network.
I will be very curious if HGTV reinstates them. Seems these loud mouths usually get results.