Cochran’s 162-page self-published book, “Who Told You That You Are Naked?” seeks to help Christian men overcome feelings of guilt and condemnation over past sins. It discusses homosexuality for less than half a page, including a mention of uncleanness as the “opposite of purity; including sodomy, homosexuality, lesbianism, pederasty, bestiality, and all other forms of sexual perversion.”

ATLANTA (BP) — Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran has been terminated following a city investigation into a book he wrote that calls homosexual behavior immoral. But Cochran said the investigation, which has not been released to the public, produced no evidence of wrongdoing.

Allegations of discrimination against homosexuals were “completely unfounded,” Cochran said Jan. 6. “The investigation shows that there is no evidence. Under no circumstances have I been discriminatory or hateful towards any member of the department in the LGBT community or a member of the LGBT community at large.”

Cochran is a deacon, Sunday School teacher and Bible study leader at Atlanta’s Elizabeth Baptist Church, a cooperating church with the Georgia Baptist Convention. A two-time Atlanta fire chief, Cochran also served as U.S. Fire Administrator under President Obama from 2009-10.

Cochran’s 162-page self-published book, “Who Told You That You Are Naked?” seeks to help Christian men overcome feelings of guilt and condemnation over past sins. It discusses homosexuality for less than half a page, including a mention of uncleanness as the “opposite of purity; including sodomy, homosexuality, lesbianism, pederasty, bestiality, and all other forms of sexual perversion.”

Cochran told Fox News that someone within the fire department obtained a copy of the book and gave it to openly-gay city council member Alex Wan. LGBT activists responded to the book by calling for Cochran to be fired.

Mayor Kasim Reed said Jan. 6 that Cochran’s failure to obtain proper city permission to publish the book and his refusal to remain silent about the matter during the city’s investigation contributed to the firing.

In November Cochran was suspended without pay for a month and ordered to undergo sensitivity training.

Though Cochran spoke to religious groups about his suspension, he said he obeyed the city’s specific instruction not to speak with the media, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“Despite my respect for Chief Cochran’s service, I believe his actions and decision-making undermine his ability to manage our fire department,” Reed said at a press conference. “Every single employee under the fire chief’s command deserves the certainty that he or she is a valued member of the team and that fairness and respect guide employment decisions. His actions around the book and his statements during this investigation have eroded my confidence in his ability to convey that message.”

A “decision to retain Chief Cochran” could have caused the city to be held liable in potential antidiscrimination lawsuits, Reed said — presumably a reference to potential lawsuits by homosexual employees alleging discrimination.

The mayor said he has received numerous phone calls and emails from Atlanta residents who support Cochran. Reed responded to claims that Cochran’s religious liberty has been violated by saying his “personal religious beliefs are not the issue at all.”

“The city and my administration stand firmly in support of the right to religious freedom, freedom of speech and the right to freely observe one’s faith,” Reed said, adding that he, like Cochran, is “a person of very deep religious faith.”

Critics who believe in obeying the Bible should recognize that Cochran violated the command of 1 Corinthians 14:40 to do all things “decently and in order” surrounding the book and ensuing investigation, Reed said.

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A petition has been posted on Facebook to “Urge Mayor Reed To Reinstate Kelvin Cochran As Fire Chief Of Atlanta”