What it failed to do was detect an actual fire that didn't produce much, if any, smoke.
How does and old fashioned smoke detector fare at detecting fires that don't produce smoke?
What if he had said, "blacks don't deserve the right to vote"?
If someone said that in Alabama in 1957, would it be justified to deny them employment for the rest of their life even if they changed their mind after the Civil Rights Act passed?
Nope... but I certainly wouldn't put them as the CEO of an organization that officially places a higher value on openness and inclusiveness than profit.
As a CEO, can I not have any beliefs?
The CEO of a company can have religious beliefs. However, the Supreme Court of the US is about to decide if the a Corporation can have strongly religious beliefs based on the beliefs of it's CEO and if those beliefs justify not complying with Federal Laws (Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc).
Never ask two questions in a business letter. The reply will discuss the one you are least interested, and say nothing about the other.