Salutatorian
Speech Almost Censored Because Of Reference To Jesus 8-01-02
Family Threatened to Shut Down Home Bible Study 8-02-02
Pro-Lifers Intervene to Defend "Choose Life" License
Plate 08-05-02
Court Rules Choir Cannot Sing The "Lord's Prayer" 08-06-02
Federal Court Takes a Shot at The Pledge Of Allegiance 08-07-02
Ohio Passes Moment of Silence Law 08-08-02
Broward County School Board Flirting with Gay Agenda 08-09-02
Underground Churches in America? 08-12-02
Good News for a Wisconsin Christian Club 08-13-02
College's Ban on Christian Club Results in Lawsuit 08-14-02
Montana City Pays Damages to Pro-Lifers 08-15-02
Do Pastors and Politics Mix? 08-16-02
Student Told to Support Gay Rights or Get an "F" 08-19-02
Mother Rejected from School Assembly on Homosexuality 08-20-02
Massachusetts Court Rejects Same-Sex Marriage 08-21-02
Religious College Denied Accreditation Over Creationism 08-22-02
Protesters Arrested Over Veiled Ten Commandments 08-23-02
A Graduation Speech to the Entire Country 08-26-02
Citation Against Home Bible Study Dropped 08-27-02
High School Salutatorian Refuses to be Silenced 08-28-02
California School Allows Teachers to Flaunt Homosexual Lifestyle
08-29 -02
Woman Almost Evicted Over Prayer Sign 08-30-02
Salutatorian Speech Almost Censored Because Of Reference To Jesus 8-01-02
Shannon Wray had studied hard all the way through high school. She graduated number two in the class and was chosen to give the salutatorian speech, in which she was requested to address the past. In her prepared speech, Shannon overviewed past events that have shaped her life. Toward the end of her speech, she stated that Jesus is her best friend. To her surprise, the principal marked out the paragraph. The principal also circled the word "prayer" and, in the margin, noted that the word be changed to "hope." When she refused, the school stated that she would not be able to present her speech. Liberty Counsel intervened and contacted the school district attorney. He insisted that the school must censor her speech. We then told the school that if the speech was censored, we would most assuredly file suit. Two days before the graduation, the school backed down and agreed to allow Shannon to give her unedited speech. It is constitutional to reference God or Jesus in a graduation speech. Call Liberty Counsel at 1-800-671-1776 and ask for our student rights brochure and our book, Religious Expression in Public Schools.
Family Threatened to Shut Down Home Bible Study 8-02-02
The Bosch family were surprised when they received a Notice of Violation in the mail from the zoning officials in Orange County, Florida. The Bosch's opened up their home on Wednesday evening to host their church's youth Bible study. The Notice of Violation stated that the Bosch's were operating a church, which was not a permitted use in a residential area. The zoning officials warned that the Bible study must immediately cease within 10 days, pointing out that the family would be fined $250.00 per day if the Bible study continued. The letter also stated that the Bosch's could apply for a special exception by paying a $950.00 application fee. We learned that other families had also been cited. These families paid the $950.00 fee and they were denied a special exception. That's when Liberty Council wrote a letter to the Orange County officials, in which we demanded that the Notice of Violation be withdrawn to avoid a lawsuit. The County responded quickly, and the Notice of Violation was withdrawn. For more information on your rights, call Liberty Counsel at 1-800-671-1776 and ask for the free memo on the Religious Land Use law.
Pro-Lifers Intervene to Defend "Choose Life" License Plate 08-05-02
Federal Court in Miami, Florida, granted Liberty Counsel's request to intervene on behalf of pro-lifers to defend Florida's "Choose Life" license plate. Pro-abortion providers challenged Florida's law that allows for specialty license plates. The extra fee paid to purchase the specialty plate goes toward the specific cause to which the plate is directed. The private fees from the "Choose Life" plate are used to promote adoption. The pro-abortion groups argued that the "Choose Life" plate should be stricken, or alternatively, the abortion providers should obtain some of the fees from the plates. The Federal Court has now allowed pro-life individuals and crisis pregnancy centers that encourage adoption to intervene in order to defend this case. Liberty Counsel's request to intervene is the first of its kind in the country where the Court has allowed pro-lifers to defend the challenge against the specialty license plate. So far, more than one million dollars have been generated by the sale of these plates to promote adoption. For more information, call 1-800-671-1776 and ask for Dr. Larry White's pro-life message called "Solemn Warning to America."
Court Rules Choir Cannot Sing The "Lord's Prayer" 08-06-02
The Woodbine High School Choir has for many years sung the Lord's Prayer during the annual graduation ceremony. This year the Choir was scheduled to sing "The Lord's Prayer" and the secular song, "Maybe Someday." Of the more than seventy students in the Choir, two atheist Choir members brought suit to stop the Lord's Prayer. A Federal Court ruled that the Choir could not sing the Lord's Prayer during the graduation ceremony. Although the ruling, in my opinion, is incorrect, the school decided not to appeal the decision. Since the Lord's Prayer was sung along with another secular song, the singing of the song should be permissible. This ruling regarding Lord's Prayer no more reflects the understanding of the First Amendment than does the recent decision by a Federal Court stating that the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional. The First Amendment is not designed to eliminate God or religion from public assemblies. If you know of threats to your liberty, call 1-800-671-1776. To become more informed about your rights and the First Amendment, ask for the book, Faith and Freedom. Be sure to visit us on the web at lc.org.
Federal Court Takes a Shot at The Pledge Of Allegiance 08-07-02
The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which governs the western states, ruled in a 2 to 1 decision that the phrase "under God" in the Pledge is unconstitutional. At the time this ruling was handed down, I received a call from my office with the news that the Pledge had just been ruled unconstitutional. At first I thought it was a joke, but then I realized the call was serious. I immediately returned to our office and we began formulating a strategy to intervene in this matter to defend the Pledge of Allegiance. It is outrageous that a Federal Court would declare our Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional, especially so close after September 11. This decision essentially spits in the face of our veterans who gave their lives in defense of this country. This case should be a wake up call to all Americans to stand up in defense of our liberties, and to put a stop to judicial activism. Liberty Counsel has formulated a petition to impeach these judges. Contact our office at 1-800-671-1776 or visit us on the web at lc.org to sign your petition. Thousands of petitions will be sent to the United States Congress. This judicial madness must stop.
Ohio Passes Moment of Silence Law 08-08-02
The Ohio Legislature has passed a Moment of Silence law. Under the law, each school board may enact a rule requiring students to participate in a daily minute of silence or silent prayer. The vast majority of states have statutes allowing public schools to begin each day with a moment of silence. Moment of Silence statutes are clearly constitutional. During this moment, students may pray silently or may simply think about secular thoughts. A Moment of Silence does not coerce anyone to conform to any religious practice. Although groups like the ACLU oppose moment of silence laws, these laws have been found constitutional by many courts. In Virginia, the ACLU challenged a Moment of Silence law, but the court rejected the challenge and upheld the statute. Liberty Counsel has prepared a model Moment of Silence and Pledge of Allegiance policy. To obtain a copy, call Liberty Counsel at 1-800-671-1776. I would encourage you to pass this on to your state legislators and to your local school boards. For more information regarding your rights, call Liberty Counsel and ask for our book, Faith and Freedom. Be sure to visit our website at lc.org.
Broward County School Board Flirting with Gay Agenda 08-09-02
Broward County, Florida elevated "sexual orientation" to a civil right status. Last year, the Broward County School Board named an openly gay middle school educator as Teacher of the Year. This year the school board attempted to formalize an agreement with a pro-homosexual organization known as GLSEN, which stands for the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. Within an hour of a draft agreement being signed, someone from the District leaked the information to a local Christian organization and then the firestorm began. The GLSEN organization promotes teacher indoctrination about homosexuality. The training includes role playing, vulgarities, and offensive questions regarding homosexuality. One question to students asks the following: "Isn't it possible that you just need a good gay experience?" For now the homosexual agenda has been defeated in Broward County because the community rose up in opposition. Make sure you know what your kids are learning. If you need assistance, call Liberty Counsel at 1-800-671-1776. When you call, ask for my book, Take Back America.
Underground Churches in America? 08-12-02
Two dozen members of the
Freedom Baptist Church met quietly for almost a year in a little room below
a dental office before city officials found out and ordered them to stop meeting.
These people were meeting illegally. Was this in a foreign country? Could this
be China? Surprisingly, this occurred in Media, Pennsylvania. Despite the fact
that the makeshift chapel sits next to a Synagogue with a Presbyterian Church
across the street, the zoning law allows only commercial buildings. New houses
of worship are no longer permitted. A Federal lawsuit has now ensured claiming
a violation of the Religious Land Use law that became effective in September
of 2000. The Religious Land Use law is designed to stop this unbelievable discriminatory
action against houses of worship. Many zoning laws have targeted churches for
discriminatory treatment, but the Religious Land Use law is now a powerful tool
to defend religious liberty. For more information, call Liberty Counsel at 1-800-671-1776
and ask for a copy of the Religious Land Use Law and a copy of my book, Faith
and Freedom. Check us out on the web at www.lc.org.
Good News for a Wisconsin Christian Club 08-13-02
The Good News Club is a Christian after-school program for children age 6 through 12. The club had been meeting at White Rock Elementary School in Waukesha, Wisconsin for some time. However, a new principal decided she did not like the club because of its doctrine regarding sin. The principal then evicted the club. Liberty Counsel intervened by sending a letter to the principal and to the superintendent. The letter advised the school regarding the United States Supreme Court decision in the Good News Club case. The Supreme Court clearly ruled that public schools may not prohibit after school Christian clubs from meeting in school facilities at the conclusion of the school day. The school responded by allowing the club on campus, and notifying all the parents that the Good News Club was available for an after school program. This is truly good news for the Christian club. For more information about starting a Good News Club in your local elementary school, call Liberty Counsel at 1-800-671-1776. Good News Clubs are adult-led programs conducted after school hours. If you would like to start a Good News Club in your local elementary school, call us today.
College's Ban on Christian Club Results in Lawsuit 08-14-02
A community college in Ann Arbor, Michigan is now at the center of a controversy because it refused to permit a Christian club on campus. The lawsuit claims that the community college denied official recognition of the Christian club because of the club's religious beliefs. The mission and goal of the club is obviously to spread the Gospel on the college campus. College officials stated the reason for the denial was based on a concern that the members of the club would go throughout the campus with signs and pamphlets attempting to tell others what to believe. Apparently the college has no problem with students telling others what to believe on secular matters, but somehow these officials have the mistaken notion that the First Amendment doesn't protect religious expression. The action of this college is clearly unconstitutional. The First Amendment protects religious expression and beliefs. If religious liberties or family values are threatened in your area, contact Liberty Counsel immediately at 1-800-671-1776. When you call, ask for our patriotic t-shirts and my book, Faith and Freedom.
Montana City Pays Damages to Pro-Lifers 08-15-02
A Federal Court recently
signed a consent judgment which formalized a settlement in which the City of
Great Falls, Montana, agreed to pay damages to pro-life protesters. The case
began with a pro-life demonstration outside of a Planned Parenthood facility
in Great Falls. Some of the pro-lifers carried signs displaying Bible verses,
pro-life messages and images of aborted babies. An assistant city attorney,
who was escorted by two police officers, notified a few of the protesters that
the signs depicting aborted babies constituted a public nuisance. The assistant
city attorney directed the protestors to remove the signs or else they would
be confiscated. The protesters complied with the demand and then filed suit.
Abortion proponents don't like to look at the gruesome evidence of their destructive
behavior. However, the First Amendment protects pro-life speech. It's time we
stand up for the unborn. For more information, call Liberty Counsel at 1-800-671-177,
and ask for the book Faith and Freedom. Be sure to request the powerful pro-life
message by Dr. Larry White. This is a message you'll never forget.
Do Pastors and Politics Mix? 08-16-02
I received an email from a man who was frustrated to learn that his pastor would not become involved in political issues out of a mistaken notion that doing so would jeopardize the church's tax exempt status. Not only would his pastor not address political issues, but he also wanted to steer clear of any social or controversial matters. He stated that his church had not distributed voter guides for the past two years. The pastor advised that a friend of his stated that the church would lose its tax exempt status for distributing voter guides. This statement obviously is false. No church in the history of America has ever lost its tax exempt status for distributing voter guides. I have written extensively about a church's ability to get involved in political and social issues. If you don't speak up, then you can bet the liberal voice will be heard. For more information on what pastors and churches can do in terms of lobbying legislation or speaking out on political candidates, call Liberty Counsel at 1-800-671-1776 and ask for our political activity material. You can also order my book, Political Activity of Non-Profit Organizations.
Student Told to Support Gay Rights or Get an "F" 08-19-02
A class of students at Lakeland Community College in Ohio was told to wear a pink triangle for the day to symbolize gay pride. One student confronted his teacher, stating that he felt uncomfortable with the assignment and asked for an alternative assignment. The teacher refused and said that the student would get and F and possibly face expulsion from the class. Were it not for the local television news that highlighted the issue, this student would have faced a real dilemma. Once the issue was made known to the public, the reaction was swift and immediate. The teacher who refused to grant an alternative assignment later apologized and waived the requirement to wear a pink triangle. This situation illustrates that the homosexual agenda is not about tolerance, its about dominance. The homosexual agenda is not merely a "live and let live" philosophy. The real agenda is forcing everyone to accept a homosexual lifestyle, and anyone with an opposing view is ridiculed. Stand up with Liberty Counsel as we defend family values around the country. Call us at 1-800-671-1776 and ask for the books Take Back America and Faith and Freedom.
Mother Rejected from School Assembly on Homosexuality 08-20-02
A mother whose daughter attends Metro High School in St. Louis, Missouri was ejected from a school-sponsored assembly on homosexuality. The assembly was conducted by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. This pro-homosexual organization had conducted two previous school assemblies. The mother sought to attend the assembly in order to observe what was happening. However since the mother was known for her religious objections to the program, school officials and security guards escorted the mother off the school grounds. The mother has now filed a lawsuit against the school board. A number of schools around the country are starting to implement the pro-homosexual curriculum of this activist organization. This group urges teachers to remove wedding bands so as not to flaunt their heterosexuality. Teachers are also advised to put gay symbols on their desk to symbolize so-called "safe zones." Find out what's happening in your local school, and if you detect a pro-homosexual agenda, contact Liberty Counsel at 1-800-671-1776. Ask for our free newsletter the Liberator and the Liberty Alert email.
Massachusetts Court Rejects Same-Sex Marriage 08-21-02
A State Court Judge in Boston, Massachusetts issued a twenty-six page opinion in which he rejected same-sex marriage. A lawsuit was brought by a pro-homosexual organization which argued that same-sex marriage should be protected by the Massachusetts Constitution. The Court concluded that there was no right to same-sex marriage. The Court ruled that the State was justified in limiting marriage to a male-female union. The opinion specifically noted the unique contributions which marriage makes to society through pro-creation and the raising of children. This ruling has now been appealed. Liberty Counsel will now file an important brief in this case to defend marriage. We must be vigilant to defend traditional family values. Liberty Counsel has been defending marriage all over the country. This battle is critical and must be won at every level. Join with Liberty Counsel as we defend family, faith and freedom. Call 1-800-671-1776 and ask for my book, Take Back America. Be sure you receive the Liberator newsletter and the Liberty Alert. You can subscribe free of charge to these publications by going to our website at lc.org.
Religious College Denied Accreditation Over Creationism 08-22-02
A Virginia religious college has been denied accreditation by the private accrediting agency known as the American Academy for Liberal Education. The reason for the denial was because of the school's "Biblical worldview". Patrick Henry College was started by the Home School Legal Defense Association. Many of the students who attend the college are from a home school background. Academically and competitively the school is exceptional. However, the accrediting agency rejected the college, concluding the school did not provide "liberty of thought and freedom of speech." The agency pointed to the college's teaching of creationism. So much for liberty of thought and freedom of speech. I'm amazed at how some people in institutions hold to evolution as though it is an established fact. The tenacity to which someone holds to evolution is simply illogical. The real basis is a rejection of God and certainly such a tenacious view of evolution is not grounded in science. For more information regarding your constitutional rights, call Liberty Counsel at 1-800-671-1776. When you call ask for my book Take Back America.
Protesters Arrested Over Veiled Ten Commandments 08-23-02
Four people in West Chester, Pennsylvania were detained by sheriff deputies for attempting to block workers from placing a plastic shroud over a Ten Commandments plaque on the county courthouse. A Federal Judge had ordered an eighty-two year old Ten Commandments plaque to be covered with a veil. The Court ruled that the plaque is unconstitutional. More than one hundred protesters gathered at the building to demonstrate against the Order. When county workers were scheduled to place a beige plastic cover over the plaque, three men and one woman sat in front of the bronze panel and refused move. Officers moved in minutes later, carrying the protesters away. The crowd then booed and chanted, "You can't cover the truth" as the county officials placed the cover over the Ten Commandments. This scene is incredible. The First Amendment was not meant to eliminate public acknowledgments of God. We have prepared a Ten Commandments memo which outlines how the Commandments have significantly influenced the development of American law and government. To obtain your copy, call 1-800-671-1776.
A Graduation Speech to the Entire Country 08-26-02
Shannon Wray graduated from her Pennsylvania high school with the second highest grade of her senior class. She was asked to give a Salutatorian speech addressing the past. Her written speech thanked her family and friends, and then stated that Jesus is her best friend. The school principal censored out the reference to Jesus. When we received a call from the family, we immediately faxed out a letter to school officials. Over the next few days we negotiated with the school. On the day we were preparing to fly to Pennsylvania to request an emergency hearing in Federal Court, the school backed down and agreed to allow Shannon to say her speech unedited. The news hit the media and Shannon and I appeared on the Hannity and Colmes TV program and later the O'Reilly Factor. Instead of giving her graduation speech to only a few hundred students, Shannon was able to tell a few million households that Jesus is her best friend. Shannon sets an example for courage and underscores why it is right to stand up for Jesus Christ whenever challenged. For more information about your liberties, call 1-800-671-1776 and ask for the book, Faith and Freedom.
Citation Against Home Bible Study Dropped 08-27-02
Paul and Dawn Bosch live in Orange County, Florida. They are members of a local church and have opened their home where the youth of their church can gather on Wednesday night for Bible study and prayer. To their surprise, they received a Notice of Violation from the zoning officials. The Notice stated that the Bible study violated the zoning code because the Bosch's were operating a church in a residential area without a Special Exception. They were warned to immediately cease their activities or face a fine of $250.00 per day. After Liberty Counsel faxed a letter to the zoning officials, the County immediately dropped the Notice of Violation. A new policy has now been instituted so that those conducting Bible studies and prayer meetings in their homes will not face future threats from zoning officials. If you hear of threats to shut down home Bible studies or prayer meetings, call Liberty Counsel immediately. For more information regarding your right to conduct home Bible studies and prayer meetings, call 1-800-671-1776 and ask for our Religious Land Use Law. Check us out on the web at www.lc.org.
High School Salutatorian Refuses to be Silenced 08-28-02
Shannon Wray worked hard all the way through high school. She was selected to give a Salutatorian speech at her graduation ceremony. The school asked Shannon to speak about the past, including how friendships helped her get through high school. As a Christian, Shannon felt she could not address the past without talking about her best friend. In her speech she stated that Jesus is her best friend, and that he is closer than a brother. When her prepared speech was returned by the principal with edited remarks demanding that the paragraph referencing Jesus be removed, Shannon faced a dilemma. She chose to stand up for her best friend and that's when sparks began to fly. We were within twenty-four hours of filing suit in Federal Court when the school backed down and allowed Shannon to present her speech without any edits. A few days later, Shannon and I appeared on the Hannity and Colmes TV show and later on the O'Reilly Factor. Shannon is probably the first student to give her high school graduation speech to several million people around the country. Join Liberty Counsel as we defend family, faith and freedom. Call 1-800-671-1776.
California School Allows Teachers to Flaunt Homosexual Lifestyle 08-29 -02
The Hayward Unified School District in California has passed a policy allowing district employees to flaunt their homosexual lifestyles to students. The resolution allows teachers and staff to talk to students during class time about their own homosexuality and their homosexual lifestyles. The teachers are allowed to include various items in their instruction and to read books on homosexual characters such as "Heather has Two Mommies." Contrary to State law, the resolution also notes that teachers are not obligated to notify parents. Although California law is very liberal on this issue it does require parental notification and opt out on matters of sexuality. Check out your local school and find out what the district is teaching the children. You may be surprised to detect a homosexual curriculum or a training course by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. Some schools are pushing the homosexual lifestyle, and unless you object, the instruction will continue. If you have questions on these matters, call Liberty Counsel at 1-800-671-1776. Ask for our book Take Back America, our newsletter and the Liberty Alert email.
Woman Almost Evicted Over Prayer Sign 08-30-02
Johnie Heard lives in low income, government housing located in Taylor, Michigan. She has lived there for over ten years, but she faced eviction for displaying an eight-inch stop sign-shaped window sign containing the message "24 Hr. Prayer Station." Although other residents had secular yard and window signs, the authorities targeted only the religious sign. One resident had a yard sign that was also shaped like stop sign, containing the message "Santa Stops Here." However, the housing authorities literally filed suit in State Court demanding that Ms. Heard be evicted. Stunned by this development, Ms. Heard contacted Liberty Counsel. We immediately intervened and had the matter dismissed. We then filed a Federal lawsuit claiming the Housing Authority violated her constitutional rights. The government can not single out religious speech for discriminatory treatment. To learn more about your constitutional rights, call Liberty Counsel at 1-800-671-1776. Ask for a list of our free brochures and my book Take Back America. Be sure that you receive our monthly newsletter, the Liberator and the Liberty Alert email. Visit us on the web at lc.org.