In the Spotlight|February 12, 2015 04:50 EST
Benham Brothers Persecuted for 'Biblical Beliefs’? Jason & David Claim They are Still Under Attack for Christian Faith
Twin brothers David and Jason Benham revealed in a recent interview they are being persecuted by critics due to their Christian beliefs.
Last year, the HGTV network had canceled the debut of "Flip It Forward," after discovering the brothers had expressed their Christian views on various topics such as abortion and homosexuality.
"When we were fired by HGTV for standing by our biblical beliefs about marriage and life, countless men and women in the LGBTQ community reached out to us in support," wrote the Benhams in a Fox News article.
"We had, and continue to have, healthy conversations, even though we disagree. And isn't that the point? We're Americans-we can disagree and still get along. We don't steal the rights of dissenters. That's when all intellectual, spiritual, and civil progress stops."
In addition, the Benhams used other examples of other people in America who also faced opposition after they expressed their traditional viewpoints in public.
"In Oregon, our friends Aaron and Melissa Klein were found guilty of discrimination by the state just this week, and could face up to $150,000 in fines for not baking a cake for a same-sex wedding," wrote the Benhams.
"In Wisconsin, a 15-year-old boy was reprimanded and reportedly punished by his school for backing traditional family in adoption cases. In New Jersey, a high school teacher was suspended for stating her biblical beliefs about homosexuality on her personal Facebook page (while at home, off the clock)... The list goes on."
As a result, the Benhams believe that their First Amendment rights were violated due to their stance on same-sex marriage.
"The idea of forced acceptance infringes on our constitutional rights as Americans...My brother and I are perfectly okay with a gay owned t-shirt company refusing to make t-shirts that say, 'Homosexuality is sin.' And we're fine with a Jewish baker refusing to cater an event on the Sabbath. And we'd certainly agree with the gun range owner refusing to let self-identifying ISIS members practice shooting at his facility. These are their Constitutional rights as Americans. Thank God," wrote the Benham brothers.
"But what activists are asking is to flip the coin and make Christian companies that are asked to do something against their convictions, like support same-sex marriage or abortion, comply with whole-hearted enthusiasm. Isn't there a double standard here?"
Previously, the Benhams addressed the issue in another interview about the controversy that caused the cancellation of their home improvement reality show that was originally slated to debut last October.
"We love all people. I love homosexuals. I love Islam, Muslims, and my brother and I would never discriminate. Never have we - never would we," said David to CNN reporter Erin Burnett in May 2015.
"Never have I ever spoken against homosexuals, as individuals, and gone against them. I speak about an agenda. And that's really what the point of this is - is that there is an agenda that is seeking to silence the voices of men and women of faith."