Marriott, Wells Fargo, Comcast hit for discriminating against Christians

The group Faith Driven Consumer, which ranks how companies treat Christians, singled out Marriott, AT&T, Comcast, Wells Fargo and Allstate as companies that have made commitments to diversity for several minorities, but not specifically Christians.

“While each company states clearly that they do not discriminate—even on the basis of religion—in practice that is exactly what they are doing. That’s not inclusion, it’s not diversity—it’s hypocrisy—and it’s time to change,” said Chris Stone, founder of Faith Driven Consumer.

Like other groups, his evaluates companies for an index. His is called the “Faith Equality Index.” The index provides grades and found that while the five companies rank high among some minority groups, they do little to be inviting to Christian workers and customers.

The move by Stone’s group comes as the movie “God’s Not Dead 2” is in theaters, highlighting how Christians are discriminated against in public forum.

Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz, in advance of his win Tuesday in Wisconsin, held a preview of the movie in the state to show his support for Christians and their fight for equality and against discrimination.

It also comes at a time when Hollywood studios and major companies are threatening boycotts of states enacting or considering laws to let firms with moral concerns refuse LGBT business.

They have started a petition calling on companies to treat Christians the same as other minority groups. It is linked to the movie and called, “Gods Not Dead 2 Us.”

It’s below:

Dear Corporate Leader,

I am a Faith Driven Consumer—a member of a community of Faith Driven Consumers who spend $2 trillion every year in the marketplace. And since there are 41 million of us, we also come to work every day in your company—a company that claims to champion diversity and inclusion.

In reality, you don’t treat us as equally as other groups.

I watch Corporate America leading the charge for “tolerance” and “inclusivity” for a wide variety of ideas and viewpoints—all while taking steps that marginalize us. Equality means equality for all—including Faith Driven Consumers.

Just like everyone else, I want to be able to bring 100% of myself into the workplace and marketplace. And I want to feel welcomed, embraced and celebrated just like the other groups you and other brands prioritize.

Instead, I see headlines every day about brands embracing some groups over others—and creating second-class citizenship for Faith Driven Consumers like me. That’s unfair, but it’s also unwise—because ignoring us is bad for business.

By signing this petition, I am joining a national movement of Faith Driven Consumers pledging to support brands that score better than their competitors on the Faith Equality Index. Together, we ask your brand to publicly acknowledge Faith Driven Consumers and take specific, ongoing steps to welcome us into your rainbow of diversity and improve your company’s Faith Equality Index score—close the gaps.

While other indexes help consumers understand how brands welcome, embrace and celebrate the Hispanic, African-American, LGBT, disabled, and other communities, the Faith Equality Index is the benchmark resource focused on how you engage me—a member of the underserved Faith Driven Consumer market.

One of America’s greatest strengths is its diversity. Because Corporate America celebrates diversity and inclusion, I ask your brand to #AddUsIn—demonstrate your commitment to full application of equality.

Inclusiveness doesn’t mean welcoming some people, it means welcoming all.

Sincerely,

A Faith Driven Consumer

Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]