LifeSiteNews 16 May 2014
First, they lost their show. Now David and Jason Benham’s business is threatened, as SunTrust Banks pulled all its properties from the brothers’ real estate company, as well as several other franchisees. All, it seems, over their support for traditional marriage.
The brothers’ real estate company – the Benham REO Group, which has nearly 100 offices in 35 states – once held “preferred broker” status with the bank. But David and Jason say that longtime economic partnership came to an end without explanation during a 15-minute period on Thursday.
“We were caught off-guard with this one,” David Benham said. “Keeping us off television wasn’t enough, now this agenda to silence wants us out of the marketplace.”
They said while they respected the institution’s right to make or terminate contracts at will, they noted many of the individual franchisees affected by the decision do not share their views on life or marriage.
“As Americans we find ourselves at a crossroads and are forced with a decision to either stand up or sit down,” he said. “Evidently, SunTrust’s longstanding commitment to diversity must not include our historic Christian values.”
Building on his reaction to losing the HGTV show, Jason Benham said, “If our faith costs us our HGTV show and our business, then so be it.”
The HGTV network canceled their scheduled reality show Flip It Forward earlier this month after a left-wing website described the brothers’ pro-life, pro-family views.
http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/after-hgtv-cancels-show-suntrust-banks-cancel-business-deals-with-benham-br
Chillin’ with the Benham Bros.