"Where the Spirit of the Lord
is, there is Liberty."
(2 Corinthians 3:17)
April 2003: Vol.14,
No. 4
Middle
Eastern-Managed Public Charter School
Bans Students From Forming Christian Club,
Studying the
Bible, or Praying
by Mathew D. Staver
Elisha Moore is a sophomore high school student who
attends the International Academy of Flint in Flint, Michigan. The public
charter school is managed by a Middle Eastern company known as Sabis. The
Academy is one of several public charter schools managed by Sabis throughout
the United States. In addition to the public charter schools, Sabis also
manages a number of other private schools throughout the U.S., but is primarily
concentrated in the Middle East where it operates a number of schools in
the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Lebanon, and a number of other Middle
Eastern countries.
Apparently, one of the goals of Sabis is to teach internationalism,
which obviously places very little focus on United States history or sovereignty.
The Sabis website outlines its heavy concentration in the Middle East,
but in recent years, Sabis has expanded to the United States and has become
involved in the public and private education business.
The stress on internationalism became quite apparent
when our client requested to form an after-school Christian Bible club.
Although the school allows a number of other noncurriculum-related student
clubs to meet after school, Elisha’s request was repeatedly denied.
After facing months of denials, Liberty Counsel filed a federal lawsuit.
Elisha was told that she could not start a Christian
Bible club. School officials later told Elisha that while she could not
form a Christian student club, the school would allow her to form a world
religions club to discuss all religions, provided that the club did not
study the Bible nor engage in prayer. There was no restriction placed on
Elisha for studying the Koran. Rather, she was told that she could not
start a Christian club, could not study the Bible, and could not pray.
Officials with the International Academy of Flint must
have forgotten American history and certainly ignored the First Amendment.
This, after all, is a student after-school club. Since the school allows
other student after-school clubs, the school is required by the First Amendment
and the federal Equal Access Act to allow the student Christian Bible club.
The school may not dictate the topic of study and certainly cannot censor
Christianity from the student club. In the Academy’s effort to teach
internationalism and to erase what the school deems to be “bigotry”
and “intolerance”, school officials clearly crossed the line
by showing bigotry and intolerance to students who hold a Christian worldview.
Such “bigotry” is not permitted under the First Amendment.
Department of Justice Supports Liberty Counsel
in Candy Cane Case
On the eve of the hearing before a Massachusetts federal
court regarding Liberty Counsel’s request for an injunction against
Westfield High School, the United States Department of Justice filed a
brief in support of our position. The case involved six high school students,
all members of the Bible Club, who were suspended after distributing candy
canes containing a card announcing the time of the club meeting, Scripture
verses and a religious message about the origin of the candy cane. One
of our clients is a senior who is a member of the National Honor Society.
Another is a freshman who desires to enter a military academy upon graduation.
Both of these students face dire consequences if the suspension is not
removed from their records. School officials suspended them after the students
passed out the candy canes to other classmates during non-class time.
The United States Department of Justice filed a brief
in support of our clients, arguing that the school overstepped its authority
and violated the Constitution when it suspended the students for engaging
in constitutionally protected activity.
An attorney representing the school officials was stunned
by the action, acknowledging that we had the United States of America on
our side! In addition to the welcomed participation by the Department of
Justice, Liberty Counsel also filed the new Guidelines on Constitutionally
Protected Prayer in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools issued by the
United States Secretary of Education. Since the candy cane message included
an announcement about the Bible club, this case falls under the new Guidelines,
which state that schools may not prohibit the distribution of leaflets
related to Bible clubs. A hearing was conducted in February regarding our
request to the court to enter an injunction barring the school from interfering
with the students’ distribution of religious literature and requesting
that the suspensions be removed from their permanent files. A ruling is
expected in the near future.
Supreme Court Hands Down Huge Victory for Pro-Life
Protesters
On February 26, the United States Supreme Court ended
a long-fought battle over whether abortion advocates may use the federal
RICO law to stifle pro-lifers from protesting abortion clinics. Liberty
Counsel filed an amicus brief in support of the pro-life protesters. My
good friend, Walter Weber of the American Center for Law and Justice, worked
on the case for almost ten years.
RICO is a federal law that enhances penalties and damages
when other enumerated federal laws are violated. In other words, in order
for RICO to apply, the defendant must violate some other specified law.
When this occurs, RICO enhances the penalties by requiring the defendant
to pay attorney’s fees and tripling the damage award. In the case
known as Scheidler v. NOW, the National Organization of Women won a huge
damage claim against pro-life protesters by arguing that the object of
the pickets was to extort property from abortion clinics under the federal
law know as the Hobbs Act. Extortion is the taking of property against
someone’s will by another through force or threat of force. The clinics
argued that they lost money because the object of the protesters was to
cause women to avoid undergoing abortions, and thus, the clinics were forced
to relinquish their “property interest” they would otherwise
receive from the intended abortions. Fortunately, the Supreme Court ruled
that the extortion law cannot form the basis for a RICO violation under
the First Amendment.
This ruling is a welcome result not only to pro-lifers,
but to any person who engages in protest. In fact, labor unions even supported
the pro-lifers. Either the object or the result of most pickets against
any business is the loss of income. That is certainly the case with a labor
picket and may no less be the result of a pro-life picket. If this ruling
were not reversed, then every boycott or picket in America would be threatened
into silence by the bankruptcy potential wrought by a RICO lawsuit. The
axe which the abortion clinics held over pro-lifers’ necks by threatening
RICO lawsuits has now been removed.
New Ways You Can Support Liberty Counsel
Healthy Soy Protein
We have recently created two new opportunities for you to support Liberty
Counsel besides donating directly. First, you can support Liberty Counsel
by purchasing soy protein shakes, bars, snacks and supplements at www.revivalsoy.com,
or by calling 1-800-REVIVAL (800-738-4825). When you order, use reference
number 3535 and you’ll receive a free variety pack of bars and shakes
with your first order, and 10% of all your purchases will go to support
Liberty Counsel.
I use the shakes and bars every day because they taste great and because
I believe that adding soy to my diet will improve my health. I have tried
dozens of protein powders and bars over the years and this is the first
brand I can honestly and wholeheartedly endorse. The problem with the other
brands I have tried is that they either taste terrible or contain artificial
sweeteners that can be harmful. Now, I look forward to a satisfying and
delicious shake in the morning – with flavors like peach, chocolate,
cappuccino, vanilla and strawberry. You can choose either fructose or sucralose
sweetened soy or the unsweetened version.
The soy snack bars are also delicious. My personal favorite is the low-carb,
sugar-free chocolate raspberry, but you also have choices like peanut butter
chocolate, peanut butter, apple cinnamon, chocolate temptation and marshmallow
krunch. Other snack items include seven flavors of soy nuts (including
chocolate-covered and yogurt-covered). Six versions of soy pasta and soy
“coffee” are also available.
Their doctor-recommended soy is backed by years of research. Many people
take soy because research indicates that isoflavones in the soy may provide
health and weight loss benefits. Each bar or shake provides the same amount
of isoflavones in six cups of soy milk at a more economical price. I have
personally selected Revival Soy as our ministry partner because I believe
that you will also benefit from using their products. Revival Soy offers
a satisfaction guarantee, so you can try everything they offer risk-free.
When you do, I am convinced you will be as excited as I am about Revival
Soy.
Online Shopping
The second way to support Liberty Counsel is to shop in our new online
shopping mall on our website. The mall has over 300 online stores, including
Barnes & Noble, Dell, Delta Airlines, the Gap, Office Depot and Target.
This month we are highlighting a few of our favorite merchants: Abbey Press,
Best to You Christian Gifts, Give Anything, and J.C. Whitney.
Abbey Press sells inspirational, religious products that help people celebrate
seasons and occasions in a special way. They have a gift selection service
that will help you choose an appropriate gift within a price category.
Best to You Christian Gifts sells gifts and goods, including some for as
little as $1. The company also supports efforts to provide Bibles to children
around the world. You can also buy gift certificates through Give Anything
and the recipient can receive the certificate by email and redeem it in
many online stores. J.C. Whitney is an automotive store where you can buy
parts and accessories for practically any type of vehicle.
As you shop, each store pays a percentage (averaging 4%) of your purchase
price to Liberty Counsel. The products and pricing are the same as going
to the merchants directly. There is no added expense to you or to us. Plus,
many merchants offer specials and coupons so you can save money and support
this ministry at the same time. To get started, just go to our website
at www.lc.org and click on the internet shopping link. Remember, you must
go through our website in order for Liberty Counsel to get credit for your
purchases.
Dear Friend,
The first quarter of 2003 has been quite active.
During the first nine weeks of the year, Liberty Counsel has appeared in
court in eight separate states. Additionally, we filed a brief in the United
States Supreme Court in support of a Texas law banning homosexual sodomy.
I recently successfully argued in Los Angeles federal court against the
Los Angeles Unified School District’s attempt to set aside our victory
in the Good News Club case. In addition to our many pro-family and religious
liberty cases, Professor Teresa Collett authored a brief for Liberty Counsel
in defense of a Florida law that requires physicians to inform women about
the consequences of abortion, including information about fetal development
and alternatives to abortion.
I just returned from Chicago where I participated
in training approximately forty attorneys in constitutional litigation.
On top of all of this excitement, the Liberty University School of Law
is gaining momentum. The School of Law has begun hiring experienced professors
who will devote their careers to training students to approach law from
a Christian worldview. In addition to our Center for Constitutional Litigation
and Policy, the School of Law will also partner with sheriffs and prosecuting
attorneys by providing clinical experience and training in the area of
prosecuting violent criminal offenders, which will include developing an
arsenal of trained professionals to target online child pornography and
child sexual predators. To my knowledge, the School of Law partnership
will be first of its kind in the country.
Despite the many economic and political uncertainties
we face today, one thing is certain – God is in control and He has
called us to bring renewal to the culture. We cannot abandon defending.
the sanctity of human life, family values, and religious liberty. No matter
the cost, we must show up to defend the borders. Without your prayers and
financial support, Liberty Counsel is an ineffective tool. Your prayers
and financial support supply the mechanism that allows us to show up to
do battle. While we are battling to defend our freedoms, we are always
conscious that each one of you is by our side, pulling together as a unified
team.
I challenge you to remain faithful, even in uncertain
times. I thank you for your regular prayers for this ministry. Please take
a step of faith this year and commit to financially support Liberty Counsel
each month. Together, let us move forward as we bring renewal to our culture.
Sincerely,
Mathew D. Staver
P.S. Thank you for your continual prayers and financial
support of this ministry. If you haven’t already done so, please
take a step of faith this year to regularly give financial support to this
ministry. If you have already taken that step, I thank you for your faithfulness.
Support Liberty Counsel
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The New England Primer
The New England Primer was the first textbook ever
printed in America and was used to teach reading and Bible lessons in
our schools until the twentieth century. This is a reprint of the original
1777 version used by many of the Founding Fathers to teach their own
children. Hardcover. 86 pp. Order your copy of The New England Primer,
available for a suggested donation of $7.00 or more plus $1.50 shipping
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Statement
of Purpose
Liberty
Counsel is a nonprofit religious civil liberties education and legal defense
organization established to preserve religious freedom.
The
Liberator is a monthly newsletter published by Liberty Counsel.
President and General Counsel: Mathew D. Staver
Copyright
© 2003. Liberty Counsel grants permission to copy any of its materials
with attribution. Please submit a copy of the publication in which it appears.
Liberty Counsel - Post Office Box 540774 - Orlando, FL 32854
(407) 875-2100 -FAX:
(407) 875-0770
Email: liberty@lc.org
Copyright ©1995-2003 Mathew
D. Staver and Liberty Counsel
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