"Many juveniles are in DJJ custody because of sexual crimes. Pastor Wells must be able to discuss what the Bible says about matters of sexuality with the juveniles he is trying to help. . . . DJJ 912 equates the teaching of biblical morality with ‘derogatory,’ ‘biased” and ‘hateful’ speech."UPDATE 10/15/15: Obama Plans to Ban Evangelism to 'Homosexual Kids'
-- Mat Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel (representing David Wells)
UPDATE 8/2/15: Christian Prayer Outrages California City Council
For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:
Religious Liberty in Homosexualists' Crosshairs
Pastor Arrested in California for Reading Bible in Public
Jesus Talk Outlawed in New Orleans, Arrests Made
Houston Lesbian Mayor Subpoenas Pastors' Sermons
Idaho Pastors Face Fines, Jail for Refusing 'Gay Wedding'
Also read how state legislators, governors and judges are forbidding troubled youth from seeking Christian counseling.
And read how President Obama and his federal government agencies are elevating the Gay Agenda above religious liberty.
In addition, read Gay Agenda will be Complete when Christians are Muzzled, Say Homosexualists as well as Senator Ted Cruz Says the Gay Agenda Ends Christian Liberty
-- From "State forbids pastors calling homosexuality 'sinful'" by Bob Unruh, World Net Daily 7/24/15
The policy states that DJJ staff, volunteers and others “shall not imply or tell LGBTQI juveniles that they are abnormal, deviant, sinful or that they can or should change their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Wells had volunteered more than 10 years at the facility under the prison ministry of Pleasant View Baptist Church in McQuady.
Liberty Counsel’s letter [to the DJJ] noted Wells was ordered to sign a form “promising to refrain from telling any juvenile inmates that homosexuality was ‘sinful.’”
The state demand “violates the First Amendment by prescribing an official state religious ‘orthodoxy:’ now, only a religious belief that homosexuality is not ‘sinful’ may be expressed in DJJ facilities.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Unconstitutional Restriction on Religious Speech - letter to Bob Hayter, Commissioner, Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice" by Liberty Counsel 7/23/15
Demand is hereby made that Mr. Wells and other volunteer ministers be immediately reinstated as volunteers at this facility, free from unconstitutional religious discrimination, Policy 912 notwithstanding,
.. [In the past, DJJ] children have asked Mr. Wells if there was any hope for them in this life, and in the life to come. He has told them without exception that Christ can, and would, forgive them, if they would repent and believe the gospel. This message has given them hope, and many have told him this personally and in written correspondence. Despite these facts, Superintendent [Gene] Wade has told Mr. Wells, on the basis of Policy 912, that if a child now asks questions of him on issues involving sexual activity, he may not discuss the same with them: “You can give a scripture reference to the kids, and let them look it up, but you can’t read it in their hearing. You can’t say “sinful;” you can’t discuss sexual orientation – heterosexual or homosexual - period.”
. . . By restricting speech which volunteers are allowed to use while ministering to youth detainees, the State of Kentucky and the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice have violated the protections given to private speech through the First Amendment and the Kentucky Constitution. Policy 912 requires affirmation of homosexuality as a condition of providing spiritual guidance to troubled youth, and singles out a particular theological viewpoint as expressly disfavored by the State of Kentucky. This the State cannot do.
To read the entire letter above above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Supreme Court Rules Bible as 'Hate Speech' in Canada
And read European Union High Court Rules Gay Agenda Trumps Christianity
