#HoustonWeHaveAProblem Petition Surpasses 10,000 Supporters as Pressure Mounts for City of Houston to Drop Subpoenas

Faith Driven Consumer's grassroots effort supporting Houston's pastors--despite initially being blocked by Twitter after it launched last Thursday--continues to gain momentum as leaders around the nation call on city officials to reverse course

RALEIGH, NC - Oct. 20, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- 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 Duck Dynasty, has surpassed 10,000 signatures for its latest petition campaign, despite being initially blocked by Twitter. The petition--#HoustonWeHaveAProblem at HoustonProblem.com--asks that the City of Houston immediately "cease and desist all bullying and other offensive actions" against a group of pastors who are victims of aggressive harassment efforts at the hands of the city government.

Last week, dozens of media outlets reported that the City of Houston had demanded 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."

 "Thousands of concerned citizens are signing up in support of this important cause--harnessing the power of social media and keeping the pressure on Houston's governmental leaders. Faith Driven Consumers and people of conscience across the nation--including leaders at the local, state and national levels-are joining the call for the mayor and city officials to unequivocally reverse course and end their harassment of five respected area pastors and ultimately Christians throughout Houston," said Chris Stone, founder of Faith Driven Consumer. "We will continue to rally greater levels of grassroots support until tolerance and equality for people of faith are restored in the nation's fourth largest city."

Faith Driven Consumer serves as an advocate for more than 41 million consumers-one in every six American adults-who spend $2 trillion annually. The#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 express the desire that "the City of Houston, in its 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.

About Faith Driven Consumer

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: www.faithdrivenconsumer.com.

IStandWithPhil.com Petition Drive Calls for Phil Robertson's Immediate Return to Duck Dynasty

Petitioners ask A&E to cease its discriminatory censorship of Mr. Robertson and to treat people of faith with equality, fairness, and true tolerance

Contact: Kermit Rainman, Faith Driven Consumer, 919-645-0762,kermitr@faithdrivenconsumer.com

RALEIGH, N.C., Dec. 19, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Faith Driven Consumer, an organization connecting Christian consumers with faith-compatible companies, has launched the IStandWithPhil.com petition drive, which calls for The A&E Network to immediately reinstate Mr. Phil Robertson to its #1 hit show, Duck Dynasty. IStandWithPhil.com is garnering strong support from Faith Driven Consumers with its call for tolerance, fairness, and respect for differing viewpoints in America's rainbow of diversity.

"Simply put, Phil Robertson is being censored and punished for quoting the Bible, and A&E's treatment of him is punitive and highly discriminatory," said Chris Stone, founder of Faith Driven Consumer. "Everyday people will not stand for this, they know bullying and violation of religious freedom when they see it. A&E's actions are censoring Faith Driven Consumers and eliminating them from an entertainment choice that they have overwhelmingly supported."

IStandWithPhil.com is leading the charge in the call for fairness and equality as we defend the fundamental American right to free speech and tradition of tolerance.

The IStandWithPhil.com online petition drive cites the A&E network's "intolerant, discriminatory, and punitive treatment" of the Duck Dynasty star, noting that "A&E's position, which in your own words is 'championing' the gay and lesbian community...excludes the views of Faith Driven Consumers and effectively censors a legitimate viewpoint held by the majority of Americans." IStandWithPhil.com calls for respect for the millions of viewers of the show, and demands that the network immediately reinstate Mr. Robertson and "formally apologize to him, his family, and the millions of viewers who tune in every week, stand by him, and share his worldview."

The complete petition can be seen here: istandwithphil.com

The 46 million strong Faith Driven Consumer market segment, which spends 1.75 trillion dollars annually, is rallying in support of Mr. Robertson and is closely watching the network's response. In addition to breaking nearly every cable TV record and bringing in huge dollars for A&E, Duck Dynasty's product tie-ins are projected to bring in more than $400 million dollars in revenue by the end of 2013. There are more than 75 licensing deals in effect and more than 1,200 Robertson-related products currently available in stores nationwide this Christmas shopping season.

About Faith Driven Consumer
Faith Driven Consumer is a movement connecting Christian consumers with companies that are relatively more compatible with a biblical worldview. By educating and engaging Christian consumers, Faith Driven Consumer provides an online community forum offering resources for making more faith-conscious decisions, encourages companies to meet the unique needs of Faith Driven Consumers, and offers a national voice for this rapidly emerging, economically powerful and Christ-centered consumer market segment. Visit www.faithdrivenconsumer.com for more information.