Petitioners are asking A&E to cease its discriminatory censorship of Phil Robertson and to treat people of faith with equality, fairness, and true tolerance

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

RALEIGH, N.C., Dec. 19, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Faith Driven Consumer, an organization connecting Christian consumers with faith-compatible companies, is seeing explosive participation in its IStandWithPhil.com petition drive, which calls for The A&E Network to immediately reinstate Phil Robertson to its #1 hit show, Duck Dynasty. IStandWithPhil.com has garnered more than 70,000 signatures from Faith Driven Consumers in just nine hours with its call for tolerance, fairness, and respect for differing viewpoints in America's rainbow of diversity.

"People are literally speaking out by the tens of thousands and joining the cause," said Chris Stone, Founder of Faith Driven Consumer. "I said this morning that everyday folks would not stand for this, because they know bullying and violation of religious freedom when they see it. We saw that play out with every passing minute today, and we've just gotten started. Over 70,000 petition signers are making a clear statement to A&E that its actions are censoring Faith Driven Consumers and eliminating them from an entertainment choice that people of faith overwhelmingly support."

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.