Contact: Laolu Akande, Executive Director, CANAN, 516-819-4355, Laolu@cananusa.org

NEW YORK, Dec. 23, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- It is unfair and suppressive, especially in a constitutional republic for those who endorse homosexuality to perceive, call or categorize dissent or different viewpoints based on conscience as hatred. If supporters and advocates of homosexual lifestyle do this, they will not be different from those highly condemned dictators, who never tolerate opposition.

While our constitution, as a Nation under GOD, allows individuals to pursue their happiness, the LGBT community should not muffle the Religious Freedom Rights and Conscience clause of those who believe in the authority of the Holy Scripture.

Everyone should be free to exercise freedom of speech in line with the extant provisions of the American constitution.

CANAN as an organization with about 1000 local parishes in the US believes that homosexuality is not the will of God as clearly revealed in God's inerrant word. Yet, no one should treat homosexuals with hatred, disdain or disgust. As believers in Christ, when we speak against sin, we also treat all with love, compassion and courtesy.

However, this should not and cannot mean that believers can no longer publicly express their bible-based beliefs for fear of a media onslaught or Taliban-style terrorist tendency that seeks to annihilate those who don't share their beliefs. This is America for God's sake.

We view the gathering public lynching of Phil Robertson of A&E's Duck Dynasty, as an unmitigated attack on a noble American public figure, and we are concerned that sections of the media are reporting this issue as if there are no active, "two-sides" to the issue of homosexuality in this country.

CANAN is therefore today calling on all its members in churches, ministries and groups all across the US to oppose A&E's management for its decision to suspend Robertson indefinitely because he commented that homosexuality is a sin in the eyes of God. We are asking our members to sign petitions in support of Robertson including istandwithphil.com.

We want to express the view that America is still a place for the freedom of speech and this intolerance against Christians including Robertson must stop.

CANAN aligns itself with those who embrace all people, gays and Lesbians included; we all are God's children whom He loves deeply. It is indeed because of this divine love that God came on to the earth in human flesh, in the person of Jesus Christ, whose divine birth is being celebrated all over the world at this season.

But we cannot, and should not be forced to abandon the teaching of our faith which views homosexuality a sin. No one should suffer reprisal or loss of livelihood because of the expression of their faith! If A & E wants to maintain a perception of fairness, freedom and reason, Robertson should be reinstated today.

And yes, homosexuality is a sin, just like "sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like," including lying. But Jesus has paid the price for all to be redeemed, so we concede that Christians were themselves sinners who have now been saved. So, we cannot continue in sin and ask that grace may abound.

We extend our love to those in the LGBT community and condemn any act of violence against any human being, but we appeal for true tolerance and respect for the individual's Freedom of Speech. While we believe this is a delicate issue, we also believe public discourse should be civil and not war-like or intimidating.

May the God of heaven bless America-God's own country.

Laolu Akande

Executive Director, CANAN

Laolu@cananusa.org