Contact: Ermias Alemayehu, 323-782-1980, 213-804-1872

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 19 /Christian Newswire/ -- Former NBA star and TNT basketball analyst Charles Barkley attacked Christian conservatives Friday on CNN's The Situation Room news show, referring to them as "fake Christians" and "hypocritical" people. Barkley has endorsed Barack Obama and has a problem with conservative Republican stances against abortion and homosexual marriage. He repeatedly told CNN anchorman Wolf Blitzer "I'm pro-choice" and "I'm for gay marriage." Conservative radio talk show host Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson is calling on Barkley to apologize for his bigoted remarks or face pressure for TNT to suspend him.  

"If a white conservative Republican commentator called liberal Christians who support Obama and Hillary 'fake Christians' he would be publicly repudiated by the liberal press," said Rev. Peterson. "Barkley is getting a pass because he's a black liberal Democrat attacking Christian conservatives. The man is a bigot and has no moral character. He should apologize for his remarks."  

Since the early 90's Barkley has had a checkered record. In two separate incidents he was reportedly arrested and charged with assault and disorderly conduct for allegedly throwing one man through a plate-glass window and breaking another man's nose. In 1991 he allegedly spat on a young girl in New Jersey while trying to go after a heckler. He's also been caught on tape saying, "I hate white people."  

"I can think of at least four white public figures that have been fired or suspended for comments deemed offensive to blacks including: Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.); shock jock Don Imus; Dune "DOG" Chapman; and The Golf Channel's Kelly Tilghman. Despite making public apologies, all these people were mercilessly hounded and excoriated by the liberal press. So, where's the demand for an apology and suspension of Barkley for his offensive comments about Christian conservatives?" asked Rev. Peterson.  

Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson is the founder and president of BOND, the Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny. He's also the host of "The Jesse Lee Peterson Radio Show." For more information, visit www.bondinfo.org