Cop Fired for Praying for Traffic Violator

14-year veteran of the Indiana State Police, Brian L. Hamilton, 40, of Connersville was fired yesterday for twice asking drivers about their faith during routine stops for traffic violations over the past two years.

“[Later, the ticketed driver] was approached by someone who attended church with Trooper Hamilton who informed her that Trooper Hamilton had placed her on a prayer list.”
-- Lawsuit against ex-Trooper Hamilton

“I was just following what the Lord told me to do and you can’t change what the Lord tells you to do. So if the Lord tells me to speak about Jesus Christ, I do. And that’s why they fired me so that’s where we’re at.”
-- Brian Hamilton

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

National Park Fires Pastor for Public Baptizing in California

Atlanta Fires Fire Chief for 'Anti-gay' Bible Study

NASA Bans Jesus, Threatening Employees' Freedom

California City Official Yanked: Caught Reading Bible

Praying Bus Driver Fired at Rutgers: Safety Issue

Michigan Dentist Sued for Playing Christian Music

Iowa Newspaper Editor, Fired for Being Christian, Sues

Internet CEO Forced to Resign for Being Christian

Oregon Woman Fired for Being Pro-life Leader

Media Help Homosexuals Shut Down Indiana Christian Pizza Restaurant





-- From "Senior State Trooper fired for preaching on duty" by Kayla Crandall, WPTA-TV21 (Fort Wayne, IN) 4/7/16

ISP officials said that Hamilton directly violated an August 2014 counseling statement where he was told in writing: "During the course of his official duties, S/Trp. Hamilton will not question others regarding their religious beliefs nor provide religious pamphlets or similar advertisements.”

This allegation brought a lawsuit against the ISP, and it was brought to a close in April 2015.

The most recent allegation of Hamilton questioning a citizen’s religious affiliation, while engaged in enforcement actions, was reported in a citizen complaint on January 14, 2016.

He allegedly invited her to his church, and gave her the address, and then went on to ask her if she was saved.

The Indiana Civil Liberties Union [ACLU] is preparing to sue Hamilton as an individual.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Jesus-preaching trooper fired after proselytizing — yet again — during a traffic stop" by Sarah Larimer, Washington Post 4/8/16

Indiana State Police trooper Brian Hamilton pulled over Wendy Pyle in January, according to a lawsuit filed this week. He told Pyle that she had been speeding, went back to his patrol car and returned with a warning ticket.

Then, the lawsuit alleges, Hamilton asked Pyle where she attended church — and whether she had been “saved.”

As the state police indicated, this isn’t the first time Hamilton has been sued for on-the-job displays of faith. In 2014, another driver, Ellen Bogan, filed suit after Hamilton gave her a warning ticket during a traffic stop — and a pamphlet for a church.

The material from the First Baptist Church in Cambridge City, Ind., referred to a radio broadcast, called “Policing for Jesus Ministries,” among other items.

“The pamphlet also outlines ‘God’s Plan of Salvation’ that requires the reader to acknowledge that she is a sinner and to realize that ‘Salvation is a gift and is received by faith in Jesus Christ’ and that ‘the Lord Jesus Christ paid the penalty for your sins,'” the 2014 complaint stated. “Ms. Bogan said thank you to the Trooper and the Trooper said ‘God Bless You,’ and returned to his car.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Jesus-preaching Indiana State Police trooper fired" by Jill Disis, Indianapolis Star 4/8/16

"While all of us — citizen and police officer — enjoy the right to freedom of religion and freedom of speech, there are appropriate and proper restrictions placed on agents of the State related to their actions while engaged in their official duties," State Police Superintendent Doug Carter said in a statement. “While I respect Mr. Hamilton’s religious views I am also charged to respect every citizen’s rights, and the best way forward for the citizens of Indiana, and for Mr. Hamilton, was to end his employment as a State Police officer.”

State Police Capt. Dave Bursten said the department's internal investigation was separate from the lawsuit pending against Hamilton, adding that it "would have occurred regardless of any legal action initiated" by the ACLU.

Bogan’s lawsuit was eventually settled. According to court records, Hamilton was counseled not to question others regarding their religious beliefs, nor was he to provide religious pamphlets or similar advertisements to them.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "If Gov. Pence, elected officials can be openly Christian, why not fired trooper?" by Jordan Fischer, WRTV-TV6 (Indianapolis, IN) Scripps Media, Inc. 4/8/16

State police said Hamilton was fired for insubordination and neglect of duty . . . But those same restrictions are not applied to the state's elected officials, many of whom, like Gov. Mike Pence, speak openly and often about their faith.

In January, during his State of the State address, Pence spoke at length about protecting the freedom of religious beliefs and invoked God's blessing on four separate occasions.

But displays of religiosity aren't limited just to the governor's office. Lawmakers in both chambers of the state legislature cited their religious beliefs as reasons for supporting Indiana's controversial new abortion law. And in March, Hoosier evangelist (and former RTV6 employee) Clayton Jennings was invited to deliver a prayer on the floor of the Indiana House of Representatives . . .

While the debate over where to properly draw the line between the separation of church and state isn't limited to Indiana, who else should Hoosiers look to for guidance but their own elected officials?

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Florida Student Failed for Being Christian, Lawyer Says

And read Wisconsin Prof. Threatens Student for her Christianity

Feds Fire Pastor for Public Baptizing in Calif.

Roger Holly, a Baptist minister, was fired from his job as maintenance worker at the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park because he unnoticeably baptized a park visitor in the Pacific Ocean during lunch.  Holly has since filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of the Interior for being fired by the National Park Service, and for being told not to discuss religion with the public and being restricted from reading his Bible at lunchtime.

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

New Mexico Museum Seeks Atheists, Slams Christians

California City Official Yanked: Caught Reading Bible

California University Fires Scientist for Being Christian

Praying Bus Driver Fired at Rutgers: Safety Issue

Christians Can Forget Having Any Career at NASA

Atlanta Fires Fire Chief for 'Anti-gay' Bible Study

Iowa Newspaper Editor, Fired for Being Christian, Sues

Internet CEO Forced to Resign for Being Christian

Christian Sports Commentator Fired for Supporting Natural Marriage

Also read Christians Cause Workplace Conflict, Therefore Silence Them

-- From "Worker Claims He Was Fired for a Baptism" by Nicholas Iovino, Courthouse News Service 1/6/16

He says he was out of uniform at the time and simply helped dunk the visitor into the ocean.

"The religious 'ceremony' Holly performed did not include any outward, objective display of religion, such as reading sacred texts, public prayer, sermonizing or the like," the complaint states. "It simply appeared that two persons were swimming in the ocean, much like other park visitors."

Holly says no other members of the public were involved or raised an issue about the baptism. He claims that one of his former coworkers, a Native American woman, is allowed to display spiritually symbolic feathers in her Park Service vehicle, but his supervisor, defendant Robert Kier, interrogated him about the baptism.

He is represented by Alan J. Reinach with the Church State Council, of Westlake Village.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Florida Student Failed for Being Christian, Lawyer Says

And read Wisconsin Prof. Threatens Student for her Christianity

Baptist, ACLU Force Ten Commandments Demo in Okla.

On June 30, 2015, the Oklahoma Supreme Court agreed with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Oklahoma, and its lead plaintiff Rev. Bruce Prescott, that the Ten Commandments on display near the state Capitol since 2012 violates the state constitution.  Last week, District Judge Thomas Prince ordered the privately funded $10,000 monument, authorized by the Legislature in 2009, be removed by October 12.

"The Constitution forbids states from banning all religion from public spaces, and from making churches the ghettos of religion where all manifestations of faith are kept separate from public life."
-- Attorney General Scott Pruitt

For background, read Atheists' Oklahoma Lawsuit vs. Ten Commandments Tossed by Federal Judge and also read Satan on Throne at Oklahoma Capitol with ACLU Help

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Federal Judge Allows Ten Commandments in Ohio Display

Ten Commandments Returns to Kentucky Courthouse after Appeal Win

Kentucky School Dumps Ten Commandments as Atheist Demand

Virginia School Compromises with ACLU for Ten Commandments Display

Pennsylvania Atheists Sue to Remove Ten Commandments from Church Land







-- From "Judge orders Ten Commandments monument removed" by Tim Talley, Associated Press 9/12/15

The American Civil Liberties Union sued the state in 2013 on behalf of the Rev. Bruce Prescott, a Baptist minister in Norman, and others who argued that the monument’s location violated the Oklahoma Constitution’s ban against using public property to support “any sect, church, denomination or system of religion.”

Prince initially sided with the state, ruling last year that the privately funded monument could remain on the Capitol grounds. Pruitt’s office argued that the statue was permitted because of the historical significance of the text.

But in a 7-2 ruling, the Oklahoma Supreme Court said the monument was a religious symbol and violated the state constitution. The high court reaffirmed its ruling in July, when it denied a rehearing sought by Pruitt’s office.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Judge gives Oklahoma a month to remove Ten Commandments from Capitol" by Heide Brandes, Reuters 9/11/15

District Judge Thomas Prince denied a motion from Attorney General Scott Pruitt to keep in place the monument that had been on Capitol grounds since 2012 and garnered strong support from Oklahoma's Republican leadership.

The decision prompted Republican lawmakers to say they will look at impeachment for the [Supreme Court] justices who made the decision and legal briefs from the attorney general's office to keep the monument in the shadow of the Statehouse.

Lawmakers have argued that the monument was not serving a religious purpose but was meant to mark a historical event.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Judge orders removal of Ten Commandments monument" by Bob Allen, Baptist News Global 9/15/15

Bruce Prescott, an ordained Baptist minister and former executive director of Mainstream Oklahoma Baptists, sued the state in 2013 seeking removal of a 6-foot-tall stone monument authorized by state lawmakers in 2009.

On July 27 the high court denied a request for rehearing by Attorney General Scott Pruitt. Pruitt then filed a brief with Oklahoma County Judge Thomas Prince, asking the trial judge to consider if the state Supreme Court ruling "creates hostility toward religion that violates the U.S. Constitution."

The state Supreme Court refused to apply a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court upholding the placement of a similar monument on the Texas Capitol grounds, finding the issue lies with the Oklahoma constitution rather than the federal Bill of Rights.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2005 that as a historical monument the Texas Ten Commandments display served a secular purpose. Prescott said in his lawsuit that as a Christian, he regards the Ten Commandments as religious doctrine and that attempts to co-opt them amounted to “a cheapening and denigration” of his faith.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Last Round in 10 Commandments Fight?" by David Lee, Courthouse News Service 9/14/15

The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled on June 30 that the privately funded monument violates the Oklahoma Constitution prohibition of using public money or property for any church, denomination, religious leader or sectarian institution.

"The issue in the case at hand is whether the Oklahoma Ten Commandments monument violates the Oklahoma Constitution, not whether it violates the Establishment Clause," the per curiam opinion stated. "Our opinion rests solely on the Oklahoma Constitution with no regard for federal jurisprudence. As concerns the 'historic purpose' justification, the Ten Commandments are obviously religious in nature and are an integral part of the Jewish and Christian faiths."

The Oklahoma Supreme Court denied Attorney General Scott Pruitt's request for a rehearing on July 27.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Oklahoma judge orders Ten Commandments monument be removed from Capitol grounds in 30 days" by Kyle Schwab, The Oklahoman 9/11/15

The Capitol Preservation Commission has 30 days to remove the religious monument from the Capitol grounds.

District Judge Thomas Prince chose to follow the June 30 Oklahoma Supreme Court decision to remove the monument. The Supreme Court found the monument was a religious symbol and violated the state constitutional ban on using public property for “the benefit of any religious purpose.”

In a statement released after the ruling, Attorney General Scott Pruitt said he wants voters to have the chance to “rectify this problem” by voting to remove the section from the state Constitution.

To read the entire article above (with links to the complete news saga), CLICK HERE.

Atheists Threaten GA School for 'Football Baptisms'

Kevin Williams, pastor of First Baptist Church of Villa Rica, Georgia, was asked by a coach to baptize him on the football field at Villa Rica High School after dismissal, and he agreed.  So, without involving the school administration, the coach was baptized and so were several student football players — all by their own requests.  After the church posted a video of the event, the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) was alerted and have now threatened a lawsuit against the Carroll County School District.

"We had the privilege of baptizing a bunch of football players and a coach on the field of Villa Rica High School! We did this right before practice! Take a look and see how God is STILL in our schools!"
-- Caption of church YouTube video

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Georgia Football Monument Must Go, Atheists Demand

Atheists Frantic: Prayer Uncovered at Univ. of Toledo Football

Arizona Schools Ban Christian Football Coaches

Also read Teacher Prayers for Students Illegal, Atheists Say

And read Texas School Supt. Tells Atheists to Go Fly a Kite





-- From "Video Shows Mass Baptism on High School Football Field" by The Associated Press 9/2/15

The Freedom from Religion Foundation sent a letter to Carroll County officials Tuesday asking the district to investigate the incident and ensure there are no more religious events that violate students' constitutional rights on school grounds. The group also requested that the district state the steps it is taking to protect the constitutional rights of students.

Carroll County assistant superintendent Terry S. Jones said in a statement emailed Wednesday to The Associated Press that the school district is taking the "appropriate steps" to investigate the matter.

"The Carroll County School System was made aware of a situation that took place at Villa Rica High School prior to football practice on August 17th," Jones said. "The District is currently looking into the specifics of this situation and will take appropriate steps to ensure all state and federal laws are followed."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Carroll schools investigating ‘mass baptism’ at football practice" posted at Atlanta Journal Constitution 9/2/15

. . . details raised the eyebrows of the Wisconsin-based Freedom from Religion Foundation, which asked Carroll County schools to instruct coaches and school staff “that they cannot participate in religious activities with students while acting in their official capacity.”

Federal guidelines released in 2003 say that “teachers and other public school officials may not lead their classes in prayer, devotional readings from the Bible, or other religious activities.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Georgia public school investigates a mass baptism on its football field" by Sarah Pulliam Bailey, Washington Post 9/2/15

Heather Weaver, an attorney for the ACLU, said that if the video and reports are correct, use of public school property and the school coach’s involvement would be unconstitutional. She said the ACLU often receives reports of public schools promoting religion, “but this is one of the most egregious examples I have seen.”

Charles Haynes, vice president of the Newseum Institute’s Religious Freedom Center, said the activity was problematic because football practice is a school-sponsored activity, not a community event, even though it takes place after school.

If the church had rented the space or was allowed to use the space on the same basis as other community groups in non-school hours, then the church could have had a worship service or baptism on the field and students could participate, Haynes said.

In the past, Americans have tended to favor looser limits on religion in public schools. According to an August 2006 survey by the Pew Research Center, more than two-thirds of Americans agreed with the statement that “liberals have gone too far in trying to keep religion out of the schools and the government.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "School District Investigates After Mass Baptism Takes Place Before Football Practice at Villa Rica High School" by Leonardo Blair, Christian Post Reporter 9/3/15

Kevin Williams, the pastor of First Baptist Church and members of his congregation were involved in the baptisms which attracted a diverse group of about 75 people — they were reportedly all voluntary decisions.

"We never meant to cause any problems for the school and we never thought we would get this much media attention for baptizing kids," said Williams whose church has provided both spiritual and financial support to the school community.

He explained that the church recently held a football themed worship service called "Gridiron Day" and one of the coaches asked if he could be baptized on the football field. A number of players, who had recently converted to Christianity, he said, also asked to be baptized as well.

"It was their choice to do that," said Williams. "We live in a free nation. People choose what they want. These people that got baptized — freely chose at a church service to accept Christ and this was a follow up to that."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Church in hot water over football field baptism" by Todd Starnes, FoxNews.com 9/2/15

At the end of the school day somebody hauled out an old feeding trough, plopped it in the end zone near the field house and filled it with water.

A crowd of about 75 folks, black and white, young and old, gathered in the sweltering August heat to watch the coach take the Baptist plunge.

Perhaps inspired by their coach’s public display of his faith, some of the players also asked to be baptized. One by one the teenage boys stepped into the trough – as onlookers prayed and rejoiced and applauded.

The question is whether the atheist carpetbaggers will bully the school district into silencing people of faith.

To read the entire opinion column above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Atheists Say Illegal Christianity is 'Rampant' in Georgia Schools

And read Atheists Want to Ban Christians from Schools in Michigan, West Virginia, Oklahoma, California, Florida, Ohio, etc.

However, there's no complaint from atheists about overt indoctrination of Islam in public schools.

Gay Agenda Forced on Christian Colleges by Supremes

In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court blessing of the Gay Agenda, homosexualists are gearing up to launch legal assaults against Christians on all fronts.  In response to those threats, Christian colleges are girding up with lawyers — perhaps to defend themselves, or simply to surrender.

"Weakening the churches will leave individuals subject to the direct control of the state. Weakening the churches erodes freedom."
-- Peter Leithart, President of the Theopolis Institute

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

South Carolina Seminary: Homosexuality Sinful — Media Outraged

Massachusetts Christian College Ostracized by City & Media for Opposing Gay Agenda

Gays and Media Attack Nebraska Christian College for Being Moral

Liberal Media Pounce on Evangelical Liberty University

Religious Liberty in Homosexualists' Crosshairs

ACLU Sues Christians for Refusing 'Gay Marriage'

Kansas Gov. Protects Religious Liberty, Homosexualists Attack

Homosexualists Admit Goal to End Religious Liberty

Michigan Christian Business Trashed by Homosexualists

Homosexuals Force Closure of Iowa Christian Wedding Chapel

Pastors Face Fines, Jail for Refusing 'Gay Wedding'

U.S. Catholic Bishops vs. U.S. Supreme Court Gay Agenda

-- From "3 Christian schools shift their policies on homosexuality" compiled by Massarah Mikati, Deseret News 7/12/15

"In employment policy and practice, Hope College [in Holland, Michigan] has always followed the state's legal definition of marriage," school president, John Knapp, wrote in a statement. "Spouses are eligible for benefits, so long as their marriage is legally recognized the state of Michigan."

"Notre Dame is a Catholic university and endorses a Catholic view of marriage. However, it will follow the relevant civil law and begin to implement this change immediately," the university emailed to employees.

And on Tuesday, Baylor University — the world's largest Baptist university — dropped a ban on "homosexual acts" in its sexual conduct policy, according to the Houston Chronicle.

While before, Baylor's policy said homosexual acts were a misuse of "God's gift," it now says the university "will be guided by the biblical understanding that human sexuality is a gift from God and that physical sexual intimacy is to be expressed in the context of marital fidelity."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Hope College to extend spousal benefits to gay couples after high court ruling" by Amy Biolchini, Holland Michigan Sentinel 7/5/15

Hope provides benefits to spouses legally recognized by the state of Michigan, said Jennifer Fellinger, vice president for public affairs and marketing at Hope.

Prior to June 26, that meant if a Hope employee was married to someone of the same sex in another state, the couple would not receive the benefits that a heterosexual married couple would at Hope.

As a result of Michigan’s ban on same-sex marriage being overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, a same-sex spouse of a Hope employee is now eligible for spousal benefits.

Hope is a private, Christian college affiliated with the Reformed Church in America. The RCA has historically stuck to a Biblical definition of marriage — between one man and one woman.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Two Christian Colleges Extend Employment Benefits to Same-Sex Spouses" by Samuel Smith, Christian Post Reporter 7/12/15

On Monday, Hope College President John Knapp sent an email to the Hope community explaining that while Hope will continue to offer benefits to spouses of employees recognized by the state, the Supreme Court's ruling has effectively changed the definition of marriages recognized by the state of Michigan to include same-sex couples.

Knapp explained that after consulting with members of the Hope community and other Christian educators, it was determined that it's in the best interest of the school to keep the same employment policy and extend benefits same-sex spouses recognized in Michigan.

Knapp also explains that although the school will extend benefits to same-sex spouses, that does not mean the school will open use of the Dimnent Chapel for same-sex wedding ceremonies.

Although employees' same-sex spouses will now receive benefits from Hope college, Hope's statement on sexuality still states: "This biblical witness calls us to a life of chastity among the unmarried and the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Why Baylor University’s sexual conduct policy no longer calls out ‘homosexual acts’" by Abby Ohlheiser, Washington Post 7/8/15

Baylor University, one of the nation’s most prominent Christian colleges, has dropped a phrase from its student policy on sexual misconduct that specifically forbade “homosexual acts.” Although the revised code does not appear to alter the school’s policy barring same-sex relationships, the change comes as many Christian colleges grapple with how to define their standards for student conduct.

In a document outlining how the school will apply the new policy, Baylor says that it will “be interpreted by the Baptist University in a manner consistent with the Baptist Faith and Message of 1963,” a reference to a doctrinal document from the Southern Baptist Convention. That document, among other things, defines marriage as “the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime.”

Lori Fogleman, Baylor’s assistant vice president for media communications, said in an e-mail to The Washington Post on Monday that the changes “were made because we didn’t believe the language reflected Baylor’s caring community.” The new policy went into effect in May of this year.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "The Supreme Court Ruling and Christian Colleges" by Scott Jaschik, Inside Higher Ed 6/29/15

In a dissent, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that the [majority, ruling] decision's language did not go far enough. "Hard questions arise when people of faith exercise religion in ways that may be seen to conflict with the new right to same-sex marriage -- when, for example, a religious college provides married student housing only to opposite-sex married couples," Roberts wrote.

[Christian evangelical colleges], some legal experts believe, may now face challenges to their tax-exempt status or other government benefits. . . .

Seventy leaders of Christian colleges and schools wrote to congressional leaders this month -- prior to the Supreme Court's ruling -- asking Congress to enact a law to protect religious colleges and schools that want to keep their current policies on gay people. . . .

Michael A. Olivas, director of the Institute for Higher Education Law and Governance at the University of Houston and author of The Law and Higher Education, said that the Supreme Court ruling should prompt Christian colleges to rethink their policies. "In an area of social change that is as well defined as this issue is, why would any college want to violate the law by banning relationships that are not only legal, but if they led to marriage would be legal and recognizable in every jurisdiction in the country?" he asked

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Is tax status the next front in the same-sex marriage battle?" by Mariana Barillas, Michigan Campus Correspondent, Campus Reform 7/14/15

As reported by Catholic Education Daily, Cardinal Newman Society President Patrick Reilly told EWTN News Nightly he expected the religious freedom of educators will be attacked, but said no one can take the right of Catholics to teach their faith to the next generation.

“I think that we’re going to suffer a lot, and I don’t mean to suggest that we won’t,” Reilly said. “We may not have schools and colleges in the form that we have them now.”

Ave Maria Law Dean Emeritus Eugene Milhizer told Catholic Education Daily that “religious freedom is endangered,” arguing “the recasting of the right of ‘freedom of religion’ to a notion of ‘freedom of worship’” as “an effort to expel religious influence from the public square.”

Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah has introduced the First Amendment Defense Act, which he said in an NPR interview is designed to protect the freedom of religious colleges and universities that recognize marriage as "an institution between a man and a woman."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "What does the Supreme Court gay marriage ruling mean for Christian colleges?" by Mark Woods, Christian Today Contributing Editor 7/13/15

A campaign by the Americans United for Separation of Church and State launched after the Supreme Court decision seeks to thwart colleges and other religious institutions seeking exemption from the implications of the ruling. Its "Protect thy Neighbor" project is aimed among other things at preventing policies that would "allow government-funded grantees and contractors to use religion as a reason to hire, fire, and withhold services in taxpayer-funded programs".

According to the Christian Post, its executive director Rev Barry Lynn said: "We will work to put a stop to reckless definitions of 'religious freedom' that are really just excuses to infringe on the rights of others."

Lynn said: "Even now, I would not want to be a person at a fundamentalist academy who is trying to defend the practice, that is taking a reasonable amount of government funds and refusing to allow a same-sex married couple to live in the married student housing. I think even now, that would be on the edge of the indefensible."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Christian Colleges' Right to Deny Married Housing for Gay Couples Is 'on the Edge of the Indefensible,' Barry Lynn Asserts" by Samuel Smith, Christian Post Reporter 7/7/15

Prior to the Supreme Court's ruling, Americans United worked to stop Religious Freedom Restoration Acts in Indiana, Arkansas and other states that could, but not necessarily would, provide businesses and individuals with greater religious protections from being forced to serve and participate in same-sex weddings.

In response to a question from The Christian Post, Lynn, who is an ordained minister for the Church of Christ, contended that Christian colleges refusing to provide married housing to married same-sex couples is akin to schools not allowing interracial married couples to occupy married housing.

In 1983, the United States Supreme Court ruled that Bob Jones University could legally have its tax-exempt status revoked for engaging in the discriminatory practice of not allowing mixed-race dating.

. . . Maggie Garrett, legislative director for Americans United, said that the organization will work to oppose the First Amendment Defense Act [recently introduced in Congress by Senator Mike Lee of Utah].

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read The Gay 'Untied' States of America

And 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

Pope Refutes Homosexualists: Kids Need Mom & Dad

The liberal media has virtually blacked out Pope Francis at this week's “Complementarity of Man and Woman” conference because of his opening statement supporting natural marriage.

"The [natural] family is the foundation of co-existence and a remedy against social fragmentation. Children have a right to grow up in a family with a father and a mother capable of creating a suitable environment for the child’s development and emotional maturity. . . . [Therefore, we place] emphasis on the benefits that marriage can provide to children, the spouses themselves, and to society."
-- Pope Francis 11/17/14

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Pope Blasts Liberal 'christians' as Pagans

Pope Cracks Down on American Liberal Nuns, Priests

Pope Disappoints Liberals by Opposing 'Gay Adoption'

Pope Said the Gay Agenda is the Work of the Devil

-- From "Pope Reinforces Traditional Family Values" by Nicole Winfield, Associated Press 11/17/14

The three-day conference opened just weeks after Francis presided over a divisive meeting of the world's bishops who split on issues such as gay unions and divorced and remarried Catholics.

During the two-week meeting, progressive bishops sought a much broader, welcoming tone of acceptance and welcome to gays and remarried Catholics, whereas conservatives like [Cardinal Gerhard] Mueller sought to reinforce church teaching on the indissolubility of marriage between man and woman.

Conference organizers and Vatican officials have stressed that the three-day conference was in no way a response to the [above referenced two-week] synod. But the timing couldn't have been better to reinforce the conservative backlash against proposals for the Catholic Church to be more welcoming to gays.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Vatican opens conference on traditional marriage" by Michelle Boorstein, Washington Post 11/17/14

The three-day “Complementarity of Man and Woman” conference includes global faith leaders including prominent U.S. evangelical pastors Rick Warren and Russell Moore, former Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom Jonathan Sacks and Anglican, Muslim, Pentecostal and Hindu leaders. For the first time, a top Mormon leader – Henry Eyring – is in official attendance at a Vatican conference.

Also attending are Dr. Eugene Rivers, a prominent Pentecostal minister from Boston and his wife, Dr. Jacqueline C. Rivers, who leads a research center on the black church.

In the next few days participants will hear various concepts of male-female “complementarianism” from leaders coming from places including Scotland, Pakistan, Iran, Egypt, Nigeria, France and the United States. To some that term that translates into explicit roles for men and women—in society, in the family, in religious institutional life. Francis in his opening remarks used – as has become typical – less specific language.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Francis urges de-politicization of family, confirms US visit" by Joshua J. McElwee, National Catholic Reporter 11/17/14

While speakers at the event have shied away from directly addressing or criticizing same-sex unions, most left little doubt about their view of such relationships.

German Cardinal Gerhard Muller, prefect of the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, spoke after the pontiff and focused his remarks on the male and female imagery found in the creation stories of Genesis.

Tying the imagery of the Adam and Eve in the Genesis story to mankind's relationship with God, Muller stated: "When we forget sexual difference, then it becomes difficult to understand the marriage bond between God and his people."

". . . our compassion for those who choose to live differently should not prohibit us from being advocates," said [Rabbi Jonathan] Sacks, referring to traditional marriage as "the best means for which we have discovered for nurturing future generations."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Full text: Pope Francis’s opening address to Humanum conference" posted at Catholic Herald 11/17/14

Dear sisters and brothers,

I warmly greet you. I thank Cardinal Muller for his words with which he introduced our meeting. . . .

It is fitting that you have gathered here in this international colloquium to explore the complementarity of man and woman. This complementarity is a root of marriage and family. . . . Complementarity will take many forms as each man and woman brings his or her distinctive contributions to their marriage and to the formation of their children . . .

We know that today marriage and the family are in crisis. We now live in a culture of the temporary, in which more and more people are simply giving up on [natural] marriage as a public commitment. . . .

[I urge you,] Do not fall into the trap of being swayed by political notion. [Natural] Family is an anthropological fact – a socially and culturally related fact. We cannot qualify it based on ideological notions or concepts important only at one time in history. We can’t think of conservative or progressive notions. Family is a family. It can’t be qualified by ideological notions. Family is per se. It is a strength per se.

I pray that your colloquium will be an inspiration to all who seek to support and strengthen the union of man and woman in marriage as a unique, natural, fundamental and beautiful good for persons, communities, and whole societies.

To read the full statement above by Pope Francis, CLICK HERE.

Also read Pope Francis Decries Abortion; Vatican Says Media Distort Him

SBC Baptists Push Back on 'Gay Marriage' Trend

The mainstream media is apoplectic over this week's three-day conference in Nashville of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist Convention titled "The Gospel, Homosexuality and the Future of Marriage."  Over a thousand SBC pastors and leaders gathered there.

"We come from a Christian world view and a Christian world view is that God designed marriage as between a man and a woman and He gets to define it no matter what the Supreme Court thinks."
-- Dr. Richard Land, the president of the Southern Evangelical Seminary

For background, read Study: Pastors Hide Culture Truth to be Successful; but in contrast, Detroit Black Pastors Denounce 'Gay Rights'



-- From "Southern Baptists Strike a Different Tone than Catholics in Conference" by Elizabeth Dias, Time Magazine 10/28/14

Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, opened the gathering on Monday in a defensive posture, saying that Western society is experiencing “a moral revolution” happening “at warp speed,” one that now celebrates things that were previously condemned. “We are accustomed to speaking from a position of strength,” Mohler said, explaining how traditional evangelical opposition to homosexuality is no longer mainstream.

. . . Mohler suggested in his opening remarks that Christians should approach gays in ways “not about their sin (homosexuality) but about our sin (all shortcomings).” Glen Stanton, director for Family Formation Studies at Focus on the Family, continued the theme: “Every one of us is stricken with an eternal disorder called sin,” he said in his talk called, “Love my (LGBT) Neighbor.” “How do we love gay and lesbian people? … The great equalizer is our sin.”

On the whole, the conference makes clear its strong on moral opposition to homosexuality. Many of the prominent speakers champion a pointed opposition to mainstream culture, and nearly all use the phrase “someone who experiences same-sex attraction” or “a homosexual” instead of using preferred, self-identifying terms of LGBTQ persons. Erik Stanley, a lawyer with the Alliance Defending Freedom, compared the show Modern Family to a gateway drug for accepting gays and described Matthew Shepard’s murder as a gay hate crime hoax. Barronelle Stutzman, a Washington state florist who declined to make a wedding flower arrangement for a gay couple, said, “They can destroy me but they cannot destroy God and his word.” The crowd gave her a standing ovation.

What’s happening in Nashville gives the world a peek at the kind of culture different church leaders are cultivating in the midst of changing societal views on sexuality. For the evangelicals and Baptists in Nashville, it is time to double down. . . .

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Southern Baptists tell pastors: hold line on gays" by Rachel Zoll, Associated Press 10/28/14

Speakers at the event said they understood they were on the losing end of the culture war on marriage. But they were prepared to be the voice of a moral minority because gay marriage is a "rejection of God's law," according to Mohler. He said evangelicals needed to have "a lot of agonizing conversations" about how to move forward.

. . . Each [conference] participant was given a bagful of books and pamphlets, with titles such as, "Love Into Light: The Gospel, The Homosexual and The Church," and "Loving My (LGBT) Neighbor," meant to help pastors articulate their stand against same-sex relationships.

Most of the morning sessions Tuesday featured Christians such as Rosaria Butterfield who had been attracted to members of the same-sex but say they were now married to someone of the opposite sex or had overcome their attractions. . . .

In an interview, Mohler said he expected to see some evangelical churches splitting off to accept gay relationships in years ahead. Evangelicals in the millennial generation, ages 18-33, are twice as likely as their elders to support same-sex marriage, according to a survey released in February by the Public Religion Research Institute. Southern Baptists last month cut ties with a California congregation, New Heart Community Church, whose pastor accepted same-sex marriage after his son came out as gay. But Moore believes only a small minority of evangelicals will come to accept same-sex relationships as they struggle with expressing their opposition in the current climate.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Evangelical Church Grapples With Growth of Gay Rights" By Tamara Audi, Wall Street Journal 10/27/14

SBC leaders say the purpose of the conference is not to re-examine the church’s stance on same-sex marriage and homosexuality, but to help guide member churches through “new challenges” in the culture.

“We cannot revise the gospel we’ve received,” said Russell Moore, head of the convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. “The goal is to start a conversation to help equip churches to minister in the changing culture on these issues.”

Mr. Moore said much of the program resulted from conversations with pastors “grappling with the transgender issue as they’re seeking to evangelize to transgender persons. How do we address this biblically? How do we articulate a Christian understanding of marriage to those who disagree with us?”

While more-liberal Protestant denominations have begun to accept openly gay members and support same-sex marriage, Southern Baptists, with nearly 16 million members, are viewed as a bastion of conservative evangelical beliefs.

Andrew Walker, a 29-year-old Southern Baptist and the director of the SBC’s policy studies for the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, said young, active evangelicals aren’t changing their views on homosexuality, and are committed to “biblical authority.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Southern Baptists laud marriage, only not for gays" by Heidi Hall, The Tennessean 10/28/14

About 1,300 pastors, Christian educators and other interested Baptists are packing "The Gospel, Homosexuality, and the Future of Marriage," a conference presented by the denomination's policy arm, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. It continues through Wednesday at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville.

In a "Millennials and Marriage" panel led Monday by Andrew Walker, a denominational policy expert on marriage, panelists said there's a problem with young people seeing only the Hollywood version of wedlock. One, John Stonestreet, speaker and fellow of the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview, laid problems with marriage at the feet of Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner, contraceptive pill Plan B and the television show "Glee."

. . . Sherif Girgis, a student pursuing his Ph.D. in philosophy at Princeton and his law degree at Yale, said there are no valid legal arguments in support of same-sex marriage. He cited the slippery slope of polygamy and biological incompatibility as reasons against it and called marriage equality supporters "noble pagans."

Speakers also frequently dismissed the idea that they're on the wrong side of history. Better on the wrong side of history and the right side of God, they agreed.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Marriage, homosexuality focus of conf." by Tom Strode, Baptist Press 10/27/14

The ERLC's hope for the conference "is that attendees will be equipped to defend marriage in the culture and strengthen marriage in the church," said Phillip Bethancourt, the entity's executive vice president. "We want to motivate them to see marriage as a part of God's good design that is worth fighting for in a culture that is shifting all around us."

The speeches and panel discussions will address such topics as:

-- Building healthy marriages.

-- Evangelizing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

-- Helping Christians who struggle with same-sex attraction.

-- Resolving the clash between religious liberty and "sexual freedom."

-- Handling singleness.

Christians will not escape dealing with these issues, said ERLC President Russell D. Moore.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Southern Baptists Surprising Tones Toward Sexuality" by Chelsen Vicari, Special to Chrisian Post 10/28/14

Long before the start of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission's 2014 (ERLC 2014) conference on marriage, sexuality and homosexuality, the fiery darts were thrown. Cultural and religious analysts and Twitter pundits alike hurled their accusations of hatred and bigotry with the hopes Internet bullying would silence discussions of biblical sexuality. But had critics waited to watch the ERLC 2014 live stream, they might have been surprised by the Southern Baptists' compassionate, almost self-deprecating opening notes.

Though displaying a compassionate tone, opening notes were not deficient of moral, biblical truths.

"It is a slander against the gospel for us to redefine sin in any way," explained Dr. Mohler.

After hearing that faithful Christians cannot redefine sin and must engage the culture without becoming a part of it, what should be done? Mohler's answer: lots of prayer and lots of "agonizing conversations" with a sense of urgency because "we can't' take a hiatus from history. It's too late."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also 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

For example, Pastors Face Fines, Jail for Refusing 'Gay Wedding'

Fed. Judge Blocks ObamaCare Assault on Christians

Judge Timothy DeGiusti, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, issued an injunction against the Obama Administration by ruling protection for nearly 200 evangelical ministries from federal mandates requiring them to provide abortifacients and contraceptives, as well as sterilizations, to their workers.

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Catholics Defeat ObamaCare in Appeals Court Ruling

Christians Defeating ObamaCare, DOJ Surrenders

Christians Oppose ObamaCare, Support Hobby Lobby

Evangelical Wheaton College Sues ObamaCare

-- From "Court deals new blow to birth control mandate" by Ben Goad, The Hill 12/20/13

Under the ruling, 187 non-exempt religious groups that offer insurance through GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention are now exempt from the mandate while their [legal] case proceeds.

The mandate would have otherwise kicked in for the ministries on Jan. 1, forcing them to either to begin offering contraceptive coverage or face penalties.

To date, there are currently 89 lawsuits challenging the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department's mandate, according to plaintiffs in the case.

Ultimately, the matter is widely expected to be decided by the Supreme Court, which agreed last month to hear a challenge to the mandate.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Oklahoma Birth Control Lawsuit Injunction Granted By Federal Judge" by Tim Talley, Associated Press 12/20/13

In his 16-page decision, DeGiusti said the ministries have the right to challenge the health care law's contraceptive mandate and that an injunction is needed to prevent the federal government from enforcing it on them.

DeGiusti . . . said the ministries who refuse to provide the contraceptives also "face substantial financial penalties, and their refusal will cause a substantial financial loss to GuideStone if it excludes nonexempt, noncompliant organizations from the GuideStone plan."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Federal judge deals another blow to ObamaCare contraceptive mandate" posted at FoxNews.com 12/21/13

“This is an overwhelming victory for GuideStone and the nearly 200 plaintiffs in this class-action lawsuit,” said Adele Keim, a lawyer for GuideStone and the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty -- a non-profit, public-interest law firm that helped represent the ministries in the case.

“Today’s ruling will allow hundreds of Baptist ministries to continue preaching the Gospel and serving the poor … without laboring under the threat of massive fines,” she said.

The injunction will prevent the government from enforcing the mandate as the suit makes its way through the legal system. However, the groups still must comply with all of the other ObamaCare regulations.

In the lawsuit, the ministries object to providing four out of 20 Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptives, including the morning-after pill and the week-after pill, which they allege may cause early abortions.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

The battle:  Report Says Not Enough Abortions - ObamaCare the Answer and so ObamaCare Covers Abortion & Pays Abortionists

In addition, read Morning-After Abortifacient is Becoming the 'Contraceptive' Choice

City Denies Cross, Miss. Law Forbids Church's Plan

The First Baptist Church of Brandon, Mississippi wants to allow the non-profit Crosses Across America (CAA) to build a $100,000 cross 110 feet tall on its property so it can be seen from 92,000 cars per day on I-20, but the city has denied the permit by blaming state law -- a law the city proposes to violate.

“It wouldn’t be built on city property, wouldn’t cost the city or its citizens a cent; yet, it is denied.”
-- Doris Alexander, member of First Baptist Church

For background, read Neighbor Disturbed by Cross on the Hill, Complains to State and also read Town Allows 'Signs for Jesus' after Lawsuit as well as Supreme Court Says No Crosses - Does that mean Arlington Also?

-- From "Planning panel rejects 110-foot cross in Brandon" by The Associated Press 9/4/13

Mayor Butch Lee said he objects to the cross because it is considered an auxiliary structure, limited by state law to a height of 20 feet.

First Baptist Pastor Scott Thomas said the city has offered to allow a 50-foot cross.

The Board of Alderman will vote on the proposal on Sept. 16.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Brandon planning board rejects 110-foot cross" by Terricha Bradley-Phillips, The Clarion-Ledger (Jackson, MS) 9/4/13

The Rev. Scott Thomas, pastor of First Baptist, said the Federal Aviation Administration and the Mississippi Department of Transportation already had signed off on the plan. The church, he said, has been working almost two years with CAA, which has more than 2,000 clusters of crosses in 29 states and two foreign countries.

Thomas said some commissioners said they believe in the purpose of the cross but felt it should be smaller in height.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Mississippi Town Objects to Church’s Giant Cross" by Todd Starnes, FoxNews.com 9/4/13

[Rev. Thomas] said the “Cross at Brandon” would also be used for multi-denominational gatherings, choral performances and outdoor weddings.

He said he suspects there’s more to their objections than just the size of the cross.

“They asked other questions that indicate to me that there’s something else that concerns them,” he said. “They asked, ‘what if the Muslims, the Buddhists want to build a sign?’”

But Mayor Lee said the planning commission’s decision has nothing to do with Muslims or non-Christians.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Army Computers Label Baptist Website as 'Hostile'

After myriad recent instances of military hostility toward Catholics and Evangelical Christians, the Army was quick to blame the most recent debacle on the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). Hundreds of military personnel reported that their base computers responded with a warning of "hostile content" when they tried to access the SBC website, which Army officials say was caused by Army computers detecting malicious software on the SBC website.

For background, read Obama's Army Says Christians are Worst Terrorists and also read West Point Study Warns of Christian Terrorists

In addition, read Air Force Engages War on Christianity, Say Lawmakers as well as President Obama Denies Leading War Against Christianity

-- From "Defense Department blocks Baptist website, calls content ‘hostile’" by Cheryl K. Chumley, The Washington Times 4/25/13

Chaplains with the Southern Baptist Convention said the U.S. military has blocked access to its website on bases around the nation, calling the content “hostile” and inappropriate.

Chaplains told Fox News that SBC.net had been censored, and those trying to access the site at various military bases were greeted with a warning: “The site you have requested has been blocked by Team CONUS … due to hostile content,” Fox News reported. Team CONUS is in charge of the computer network for the Defense Department, Fox News said.

“The Department of Defense is not intentionally blocking access to this site,” Lt. Col. Damien Pickart said on Fox News. “We are working diligently to investigate what might be causing access issues for some of our service members and to correct the situation as quickly as possible.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Southern Baptist website blocked by malware, not Army" by Bob Smietana, The Tennessean 4/26/13

Lt. Col. Damien Pickart, a Defense Department spokesman, said the military has software filters to ban pornography and gambling sites and to detect malware, malicious software that can harm other computers. One of those filters caught the malware on the Baptist site.

That malware has since been removed, said Pickart, and the Baptist site was unblocked Thursday afternoon.

But the incident has revealed cracks in the traditionally close ties between the military and conservative Christians.

Southern Baptist spokesman Roger “Sing” Oldham called the situation “deeply disturbing” in a statement Wednesday.

Oldham said he was glad the military was able to find the problem. He said SBC employees were working on removing the malware and updating the system to better protect it from viruses.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Pentagon Blocks, Says it Will Free Access to Southern Baptist Website" by Todd Starnes, Foxnews.com 4/25/13

Hundreds of Southern Baptist military personnel and chaplains across the nation reported earlier this week they could no longer access the SBC.net website on base computers. Instead, they received a message saying the website had been blocked due to “hostile content.”

The block was first made public by an Army officer who contacted the American Family Association. They sent an action alert urging its members to contact the Pentagon and ask them to “stop the military’s alarming trend of hostility towards faith and religious freedom in our military.”

Ron Crews, executive director of the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty, told Fox News that Southern Baptist military chaplains were among those unable to access the website.

“It’s a concern for the Dept. of Defense to block the website of one of the major evangelical denominations in the country,” Crews told Fox News. “The Southern Baptist Convention has the largest number of chaplains in the military representing Southern Baptist soldiers and churches. Those chaplains need access to their denomination’s website.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Florida Police Muzzle Pastor, So He Sues City

Bill Adams, the leader of Smyrna Baptist Church, attended the annual Pensacola PRIDE Festival on June 16, 2012 at Seville Square Park where homosexuals celebrated mock weddings, and while standing on the public sidewalk, quietly handing out Christian calendars, the police told Adams to either stop or be arrested, so he quietly left.

For background, read Police Boot Christian from Festival in Buffalo NY and also read Jesus Talk Outlawed in New Orleans, Arrests Made as well as California Pastor Arrested for Reading Bible in Public

-- From "Pastor sues City of Pensacola for alleged free-speech violations" by Eric Heisig, Pensacola News Journal 12/12/12

Attorneys at the Memphis-based Center for Religious Expression filed the federal suit on behalf of Bill Adams, who presides over the church on Pensacola Boulevard between the Marcus Pointe and Ensley areas.

Pensacola Police Chief Chip Simmons and Lt. Rodney Eagerton are named as defendants.

Adams is asking a judge to rule the officer’s actions were unconstitutional, as they prevented him from exercising his First Amendment rights.

The suit also asks the judge to order the city not to use a “heckler’s veto,” defined as government agencies curtailing free speech in an attempt to prevent outbursts from those who may be offended.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Pastor Suing Pensacola for Denial of Free Speech" Posted at ABC WEAR-TV3 12/13/12

According to the legal action filed in the US district court, Adams and a group from Smyrna Baptist Church went to the Pensacola Pride Festival at Seville Square June 16th to hand out this two-sided calendar showing the church location and containing a religious message.

Adams says someone from the event approached him and told him he could not hand out literature on the sidewalk around the square.

The Pensacola Police were called in and Adams says officers told him that if he didn't move across the street [to where there were no people] he would be arrested.

To read the entire article above and view the TV news video, CLICK HERE.

From "Seville Square Censorship" posted at Center for Religious Expression 12/11/12

[The lawsuit is] seeking relief from a policy that allows groups who obtain Special Event permits for Seville Square Park to squelch disfavored speech in the park and on bordering sidewalks. . . .

Though the Festival in the Park event was free and open to the public, and the bordering sidewalks remained public thoroughfares throughout the event, Pastor Adams was not allowed to hand out calendars with an evangelistic message on the back. CRE wrote a letter to various city officials on June 22, 2012, requesting relief from the ban, so Pastor Adams could return to the sidewalk and share his views during the 2013 Festival in the Park, but no official responded to his plea.

[CRE Chief Counsel Nate] Kellum emphasized the benign nature of Pastor Adam’s speech. “Pastor Adams was not there to protest or denigrate anyone. He only sought to engage in friendly discussion, while handing out free calendars and sharing his faith. His opinion cannot be banished from a public domain just because someone happens to disagree with it.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Supreme Court Rules for Pro-lifer with Fetus Photos as well as Pastor Wins Free Speech Lawsuit Over Mall

Obama NOT Antichrist, Poll Numbers too Low: Pastor

Robert Jeffress, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, encouraged Christians to vote for Mitt Romney for president, a man whom he said is a leader of the religious cult of Mormonism, because Jeffress believes that President Obama "is paving the way for the future reign of the Antichrist."

UPDATE 2/8/13 - Catholic Bishops Slam Obama: Criminal in Eyes of God

For background, click headlines below:

Catholic Bishops Warn Voting for Democrats is 'Grave Sin'

Obama Makes New Promise to Fund Killing Babies

Lead Abortionist Joins Obama Full-time

Obamanation: Gay Agenda Carries in 4 More States

Obama a Christian? No, Say Two-Thirds of Americans

President Obama Denies Leading War Against Christianity

Religious Liberty & Anti-Christian Totalitarianism in America

-- From "Texas Mega-Church Pastor: Obama 'Paving the Way for the Future Reign of the Antichrist'" by Jackson Williams, Huffington Post 11/06/12

. . . just before President Obama's reelection day, Jeffress [said]:

"I want you to hear me tonight, I am not saying that President Obama is the Antichrist, I am not saying that at all. One reason I know he's not the Antichrist is the Antichrist is going to have much higher poll numbers when he comes. President Obama is not the Antichrist. But what I am saying is this: the course he is choosing to lead our nation is paving the way for the future reign of the Antichrist."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Texas Megachurch Pastor Says Obama Will 'Pave Way' for Antichrist" by Michael Gryboski, Christian Post Reporter 11/8/12

Jeffress would go on to say that "it is time for Christians to stand up and to push back against this evil that is overtaking our nation" and to do so via "the ballot box."

This is not the first time that Jeffress has garnered controversy for his remarks regarding major political figures. During the Family Research Council's "Values Voters Summit" in October of last year, Jeffress called Mormonism a cult.

"Mitt Romney is a Mormon, and don't let anybody tell you otherwise. Even though he talks about Jesus as his Lord and savior, he is not a Christian. Mormonism is not Christianity. Mormonism is a cult," said Jeffress, who was supporting Texas Gov. Rick Perry's bid to become the GOP presidential nominee.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read God's Conspiracy Theory per NBC's Rachel Maddow

Obama D.C. 9/11 'Prayer:' Exclude Evangelicals

While prayer has been banned at the Ground Zero event in New York on September 11th, “A Call to Compassion” will take place at the National Cathedral in the nation's capital. Billed as a diversity prayer event, it will feature leaders of a variety of world religions, and conclude with the “Concert of Hope” speech by President Obama, but all evangelicals have been excluded from the event.

For background, read Clergy & Prayer Banned From 9/11 Memorial Ceremony and also read 9/11 Cross Proposed as National Monument

UPDATE 9/11/11: Media Missed Largest Memorial in L.A. (it included Christian prayer)

-- From "Evangelicals Left Off National Cathedral 9/11 Program" by Todd Starnes, FoxNews.com 9/6/11

It will feature the dean of the Cathedral, the Bishop of Washington, a rabbi, Buddhist nun and incarnate lama, a Hindu priest, the president of the Islamic Society of North America and a Muslim musician.

However, Southern Baptists, representing the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, were not invited to participate – and neither were leaders from any evangelical Christian organization.

Richard Weinberg, the Cathedral’s director of communications, confirmed that Southern Baptists were not extended an invitation to participate.

Weinberg said the president’s event will be a “secular service,” but said given the setting it will include an interfaith benediction.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Evangelicals excluded from Washington National Cathedral’s 9/11 commemoration" by Caroline May, The Daily Caller 9/7/11

“The idea that you would exclude a representative of at least 35 percent of the population that identifies with Evangelical Christianity is difficult to comprehend, much less to defend,” Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention told TheDC. “Perhaps what is even more difficult to comprehend is the Cathedral describing President Obama’s event as a ‘secular service.’ If it’s a secular service, why is it being held in a cathedral?”

“Many Evangelicals and other people of faith are rightly offended at this attempt to marginalize religious faith in this way as we commemorate the memory of this very painful event in American history,” Land added.

Concerned Women for America president and CEO Penny Nance voiced her outrage as well.

“There are an estimated 70 to 80 million Evangelical Christians in this nation,” Nance told TheDC. “We are important members of almost all communities. Some of us died on 9/11. It is outrageous that we were excluded.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "White House announces Obama to speak at interfaith prayer service on 9/11 anniversary" by The Associated Press 8/30/11

The White House had previously announced Obama would also visit all three sites where planes struck that day — New York City, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pa.

Press Secretary Jay Carney announced plans for the prayer service speech . . .

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Obama to speak at National Cathedral on September 11" by Peter Maer, CBS News 8/30/11

Speaking to reporters as the president traveled to Minneapolis, Press Secretary Jay Carney said, "the approach we're taking to commemorating that tragedy and the remarkable resilience of the American people is one we think is appropriate."

Mr. Obama used his most recent weekly address to set the tone for the upcoming observance. He noted 9/11 "will be a National Day of Service and Remembrance."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Obama Honors 9/11 Muslim Heroes at White House