Mayor: Fire chief's termination based on judgment, not faith

ATLANTA (AP) -- Religious groups have rallied to support former Atlanta fire chief Kelvin Cochran, however Mayor Kasim Reed says his termination was based on his judgment and not anti-gay statements in his self-published religious book.<br /> <br /> Mayor Kasim Reed suspended then fired Cochran after learning of his self-published book in which he described homosexuality as a perversion.<br /> <br /> Reed said in a statement Tuesday that an investigative report shows Cochran didn't have clearance to publish the book he gave to several subordinates at work.<br /> <br /> Cochran has said he did get approval from city officials to publish the book. His termination has led to outcry from several local and national groups, including the Washington-based Family Research Council and the Georgia-based Faith and Freedom Coalition.<br /> <br /> Reed says he and Cochran are both men of faith.