Tenn. Defunds Univ. Anti-Christian, Gay Agendas

With overwhelming majorities, legislators in Tennessee eliminated $436,000 of state funding from the Office for Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Tennessee because of its Culture War battles including the promotion of the Gay/transgender Agenda, hedonistic advocacy of "Sex Week," bans on Christmas parties, and the like.  The House version of the bill diverted tax dollars to more worthy uses such as funding “In God We Trust” emblems on police cars.

"The question is how does this look not only to the rest of Tennessee, but the rest of the country?"
-- Rep. Joe Armstrong, D-Knoxville

"This is a slap on the wrist compared to the foolishness that has come out of that office in the last few years.  They're lucky we don't shut that office down."
-- Sen. Mike Bell, R-Riceville

University Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek vowed to continue the battles in spite of the "slap."

For background, read Christmas Parties Banned at Univ. of Tennessee but Lesbian Bondage Expert OKd for "Sex Week"

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Toilet Privacy Banned in ALL Restrooms at New York College

Colleges Say Most Terrorists are White Christians

Christian-owned Restaurant Rejected at Univ. of Nebraska

Bibles Removed, Deviant Sex Housing Added at Illinois University

Atheists at Ball State Univ. Forbid Christian to Teach Science



-- From "TN Legislature votes to strip funding from UT diversity office" by Sheila Burke, Associated Press 4/22/16

Lawmakers almost sunk their own efforts to defund the office, because the House and Senate couldn't agree where to put the [funds] stripped from the office. With the Legislature scheduled to adjourn this week, both chambers had to come to a consensus or their proposal would have failed.

James (Micah) Van Huss, R-Jonesborough, was the House Sponsor of the bill who wanted to use some of the funds to pay for the "In God We Trust" decals. Sen. Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga, wanted all the money to be used for minority scholarships and he wasn't going to budge.

Van Huss wanted to know why Gardenhire's bill only defunded the office for one year. But Gardenhire and others pointed out that his bill prevented UT from ever using state funds for Sex Week or to promote gender-neutral pronouns, or for promoting or inhibiting religious holidays.

"But after one year," Gardenhire said, "if UT doesn't straighten up its act, then we come down on them harder."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Sen. Gardenhire key in lawmakers' decision to suspend UT diversity funding for one year" by Andy Sher, Chattanooga Times Free Press 4/22/16

Lawmakers fumed over Gardenhire's compromise, saying it didn't go as far as they wanted while Democrats questioned the need to do anything.

. . . Other than Rep. John DeBerry, D-Memphis, a minister who often sides with the GOP on socially conservative matters, most Democrats voted no.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Defunding Diversity" by Scott Jaschik, Inside Higher Ed 4/22/16

Even if the bill was less restrictive than it might have been, pro-diversity advocates at the university were quick to denounce the legislation.

Micah Van Huss, a state representative who pushed for the funds to be cut off, said the bill would send a message to campus leaders. In a Facebook post, he wrote, "Nothing opens the closed minds of administrators like the sound of pocketbooks snapping shut."

. . . On Tuesday, hundreds of students walked out of class to protest the bill, and many of the students sat on university walkways to block movement. Many students who marched in the protest said that a Confederate flag hanging outside a dormitory window they passed (above) offered a perfect illustration of why the university needs the diversity office.

More protests are being planned for this weekend.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Senate, House at odds on University of Tennessee diversity bill" by Adam Tamburin, The Tennessean 4/20/16

Sen. Joey Hensley, a longtime critic of the university's diversity efforts, played down the impact of the bill for minority students on campus during remarks Wednesday.

"This isn't about race — it's not about black or white," said Hensley, R-Hohenwald. "Our constituents didn't want us spending state dollars to talk about gender-neutral pronouns at UT and about not celebrating Christmas."

UT has not commented on how the diversity office would operate if the bill became law, or if the four people working in that office would lose their jobs without the state funding the office depends on. In a statement Tuesday, university spokeswoman Karen Simsen said, “It is speculative for the university to comment about pending legislation.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Tenn. legislators divert university diversity funds for year" posted at KSDK-TV5 (St. Louis, MO) 4/22/16

Short of the diversity bill failing, the outcome was the second-best that University of Tennessee and diversity advocates could have expected. When demands to "defund" diversity programs surfaced last year, the discussion revolved around $19 million spent throughout public higher education on such diversity efforts as scholarships and faculty recruitment. Later, the Senate Education Committee recommended taking $8 million from the university's diversity programs.

The compromise adopted by a House-Senate conference committee and approved by both chambers essentially is the version approved earlier by the full Senate — taking money designated for salaries in the small office of diversity and inclusion, for school year 2016-17 only and using it to fund minority engineering scholarships.

The House approved the compromise 63-21, the Senate 27-3.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Tennessee School Defies Gay Agenda Intimidation Tactic

And read Judge Rules Illinois College Must Accept 'Anti-Gay' Speech

Christmas, Easter Jettisoned from Omaha Schools

School board member Paul Meyer received zero support from fellow board members in his effort to restore Christian holidays scratched from the calendar by administrators of the Millard School District of Omaha, Nebraska.  In fact, Meyer was forced to apologize after being lambasted in the local media for suggesting that Christmas-hating atheists can "crawl back into their hellhole."

“[I'm] a little bit tired of a minute minority in this country that keeps pushing Christmas out, keep pushing God out, keep pushing Christ out, when the majority is still a Judeo-Christian country. . . . I’m getting sick of these atheists trying to take over this country.”
-- Paul Meyer, Millard School District Board of Education

For background, read Texas School Supt. Tells Atheists to Go Fly a Kite

Also read Majority in U.S. Want Christmas Celebrated WITHIN Schools: Poll

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Christmas Holiday OUT, Lunar New Year IN School Calendars

Atheists Help Liberal Schools in Oregon Ban Christmas Choirs

Kentucky School Censors 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' Play

Christmas Tree Flyer Censored by New Hampshire School Supt.

-- From "Effort to rename Millard Public Schools' winter break fails" by The Associated Press 3/22/16

Meyer was concerned that the calendar didn't place enough significance on the religious holiday.

Board President Mike Kennedy said he appreciated Meyer's position, but said he didn't believe the administration made an intentional effort to remove Christmas from the calendar.

None of the board members present - Kennedy, Mike Pate and Pat Ricketts - seconded Meyer's motion. The board then adopted the calendar on a 3-1 vote without specifying a name for the break. Meyer was the dissenting vote.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Millard school board member wants winter break called Christmas break, says atheists who disagree can 'crawl back into their hellhole'" by Joe Dejka, Omaha World-Herald staff writer 3/23/16

[Paul Meyer] expressed disappointment that the administration had not labeled the break on the calendar — Dec. 25, 2017, through Jan. 5, 2018 — as Christmas break.

“I would like to make a motion that we rename this period Christmas break, and those atheists who don’t like it can crawl back into their hellhole, because I, for one, will not put my Lord, my God, aside for a few atheists,” Meyer said. “And if they don’t like it, the ACLU doesn’t like it, the heck with them.”

“I do know, as a Catholic, I have no problem the way the calendar is,” [Board President Mike] Kennedy said. “I celebrate Christmas. I know other people on this board do too. People are free to celebrate what they want to believe.”

“I don’t think anyone’s trying to take away Christmas from any child,” he said.

[Board member Mike] Pate said he and fellow board member Ricketts recently raised the issue about why spring break is not aligned with the Easter holiday.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Schools often try to align spring break with Easter, but holiday's hopping around makes it a tricky feat" by Joe Dejka, Omaha World-Herald staff writer 3/22/16

Although they no longer call it Easter break, some Omaha area public school officials still schedule spring break to coincide with the Christian holy day.

Next year, with Easter occurring late in the school year, eight of the 12 districts will do so.

District administrators told the Millard board that in recent years they have scheduled spring break earlier to avoid the period of time when students take statewide math, reading and science tests. This year, the Nebraska State Accountability testing window runs from Monday through May 6.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Atheist groups decry 'hate speech' from Millard school board member who wants winter break called Christmas break" by Joe Dejka, Omaha World-Herald staff writer 3/23/16

[Paul] Meyer used “unprofessional and derogatory language” during the discussion, which amounted to “hate speech against a minority group,” according to a letter Amanda Novotny wrote Tuesday to the school board and the superintendent. She identified herself as the Nebraska director for American Atheists and the marketing director for Omaha Atheists.

[Paul Meyer] doesn’t hate them, he said. “What I hate is their sin.”

Meyer said he is Lutheran and said his father was a Lutheran minister. He said the country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles and said he thinks it’s OK for public officials to express their religious beliefs.

“Definitely, I wish more did,” he said.

“This is just what it’s been throughout the ages,” he said. “It’s been considered Christmas break. Why do we even break at this time of the year? What is the purpose? This is why the break was even established, because of the Christmas holiday.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Millard school board member apologizes for controversial remarks about atheists" by Joe Dejka, Omaha World-Herald staff writer 3/24/16

In a letter to district staff, [Paul Meyer] wrote that after reflection he realized his comments “have been hurtful to many people.”

“This is not what I intended, and I am sorry,” he wrote.

Then Wednesday, Meyer said in a phone interview that he decided to apologize after reflecting on the situation.

“I don’t want to bring a bad light on the district,” he said.

Meyer was elected in 2012 to a four-year term. He is not running for re-election.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Angry Muslims Storm New Jersey School Board Demanding Holidays

And read Loud Muslim Prayer: Takeover of Michigan Town

Christmas Holiday OUT, Lunar New Year IN: Schools

Political correctness is the objective as public schools debate calendars, but from one district to the next, their PC goal seems elusive.

"I have come to the difficult decision to discontinue the celebration of the dominant holidays until we can come to a better understanding of how the dominant view will suppress someone else's view."
-- Principal Scott Masini, Bruce Vento Elementary School in St. Paul, Minnesota

For background, read 'Allahu Akbar' Taught in Minnesota School for Christmas

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Jewish Mom Opposes School's Santa Claus Christmas

Angry Muslims Demand School Holiday for Ramadan in New Jersey

D.C. Muslims Force Christmas Off Maryland School Calendar

Muslims Force Maryland Schools Closed Routinely

New Jersey Atheist Official Has Hissy Fit over Christmas Tree

Atheists Help Liberal Schools in Oregon Ban Christmas Choirs

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

-- From "Minnesota school bans holiday celebrations for Valentine's Day, Christmas, more" by The Associated Press 2/3/16

Bruce Vento Elementary in St. Paul is joining other public schools in opting out of holiday celebrations as school officials strive to be more culturally sensitive and inclusive. The school has a predominantly Asian and black student body, and English is a second language for more than half of its pupils, who come from a range of faith backgrounds.

In a letter to parents last week, Principal Scott Masini said his rationale was to avoid "encroaching on the educational opportunities of others and threatening a culture of tolerance and respect for all." He acknowledged it would be an unpopular decision for some.

The letter drew both criticism and support as it started circulating on social media, with some people praising the policy for its sensitivity to diverse cultures and others decrying it as political correctness. The Star Tribune newspaper in Minneapolis ran an editorial calling the decision misguided and urged Masini to reconsider.

As word spread, the school district issued a statement saying its longstanding policy "discourages programs and festivities that celebrate observances unless they are required by law." That means government holidays celebrating the birthdays of President George Washington, President Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr., along with Veterans Day, are still OK.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "[New York] City schools to close Monday for Lunar New Year" by Diane C. Lore, Staten Island Advance 2/5/16

Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña announced the addition of the new holiday to the school calendar in June.

The city school system will become only the second major urban school district in the nation, after San Francisco, to close on [the Asian] Lunar New Year.

When de Blasio announced in early March last year that the Mulsim holy days Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr would appear on this year's school calendar, Lunar New Year advocates began to push to have their holiday added.

The Department of Education was able to add the Lunar New Year holiday to the school calendar by consolidating two half-days previously designated for staff administrative work, of which neither could count toward the 180-day minimum, into one full day. This allowed room for the addition of the Lunar New Year without any loss in state aid-able days.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "New York City Schools to Celebrate Lunar New Year with Day Off for First Time" by Chris Fuchs, NBC News 2/1/16

. . . the city's 12 congressional members sent a letter to de Blasio dated March 9, saying they were happy Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr would become public school holidays, but were "puzzled and concerned" about why Lunar New Year was left out. Four days later, city and state elected officials held a rally outside City Hall. On April 1, legislation was introduced in Albany to amend New York's education law to recognize Lunar New Year as a public school holiday for any city with one-million people — namely New York City.

Former Queens state Assemblyman Jimmy Meng, a Democrat, was the first to propose such a bill in 2005, but it failed to gain a sponsor in the state Senate. Meng's daughter Grace, a former state assemblywoman who is now a Democrat congresswoman from Queens, also introduced legislation in early 2009 with support from state Sen. Daniel Squadron, a Democrat whose district includes Chinatown.

After several months went by without any news, more than 40 elected officials, advocacy groups, and community leaders sent an open letter to de Blasio in June, saying his administration did not keep a promise to meet before the end of May for discussions. Around the same time, the state Senate unanimously approved a bill making Lunar New Year a public school holiday.

Following mounting pressure, the mayor, who controls the city's school system with state approval, announced on June 22 through Twitter that Lunar New Year would be added to the 2015-2016 calendar. The message was published in English, Chinese, and Korean.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Valentine's Day ban touches off wider debate on school celebrations" by Beena Raghavendran and Zoe Peterson, Minneapolis Star Tribune 2/2/16

Across the metro area and the country, schools are juggling sensitivity with holiday fun as student bodies become increasingly diverse. Several schools have turned to seasonal celebrations to include all students, and some have scaled back in-class celebrations to save teaching time.

[St. Paul's] Vento school is echoing that rationale in its decision to stop celebrating major holidays, to avoid “encroaching on the educational opportunities of others and threatening a culture of tolerance and respect for all,” Masini said in the letter addressed to families. “My personal feeling is we need to find a way to honor and engage in holidays that are inclusive of our student population.”

Masini was cheered and jeered by people online. Some said fun was being sucked out of schools. He responded in a comment released by the school district Thursday. “I’m struggling with this and I don’t know what the right answer is,” he said. “But, what I do know is celebrating some holidays and not others is not inclusive of all of the students we serve.

Wayzata Public Schools no longer observes specific holidays, opting instead for seasonal celebrations, said spokeswoman Amy Parnell. Valentine’s Day is the only exception — certain schools still decide to recognize the holiday.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "St. Paul school might abandon celebration of 4 holidays" by Josh Verges, St. Paul Pioneer Press 2/1/16

The policy reads, in part:  “Schools shall discourage programs and festivities arranged to celebrate holidays and other special days, and shall strive to eliminate them, except where such observances are required by law.”

Exceptions to the policy are Veterans Day and the birthdays of Martin Luther King, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. When school is held on those days, state law says “at least one hour of the school program must be devoted to a patriotic observance of the day.”

[St. Paul Public Schools spokeswoman Toya] Stewart Downey said Superintendent Valeria Silva supports the district’s policy on holiday observances. But the district will gather input from schools in case the school board wants to change the policy.

[Principal] Masini said the school no longer would celebrate Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas . . .

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Majority in U.S. Want Christmas Celebrated WITHIN Schools: Poll

Muslims Force Maryland Schools Closed Routinely

In order to accommodate demands for observance of numerous Muslim holidays, the politically correct Howard County School Board voted to close schools for virtually every religious event under the sun regardless of the prevalence or absence of such adherents in the supposed multicultural school system of suburban Maryland.

"I strongly believe that our school calendar should be inclusive of the cultures and religions of all Howard County residents.  In a county where we pride ourselves on our diversity, we have to demonstrate that in terms of our actions."
-- Janet Siddiqui, Board Member

“Howard County is no longer majority Judeo-Christian.  We are made up of all kinds of people.  There is nothing to study in my opinion.  It's either all or none. I cannot vote for anything that is not inclusive."
-- Ann De Lacy, Board Member

“Once you open to that [long list of holidays], you have to honor every single one, and that becomes impractical in finding a way to serve school for 180 days.”
-- Ellen Flynn Giles, Board Vice Chairman

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Angry Muslims Demand School Holiday for Ramadan in New Jersey

D.C. Muslims Force Christmas Off Maryland School Calendar

'Allahu Akbar' Taught in Minnesota School for Christmas

Also read Majority in U.S. Want Christmas Celebrated WITHIN Schools: Poll





-- From "Howard Co. school board expands religious holiday status quo" by Kristi King, WTOP-FM103.5 (Washington, D.C.) 1/14/16

Rejecting an option that would have kept schools open on the Jewish High Holidays, the school board voted Thursday night to also give students off days to observe [the Hindu holiday] Diwali, [the Muslim holiday] Eid and the Lunar New Year.

The move to accommodate observances of additional religious holidays only applies to the 2016-17 school year while studies are conducted.

Numbers of area school systems have been making adjustments related to observing religious holidays.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools recently decided to open schools on Rosh Hashanah in 2016 for the first time in more than a decade. Teachers aren’t allowed to give tests and exams on that day or any other day of “major religious observances” such as Eid al-Adha and Yom Kippur.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Md. school system keeps Jewish holidays, adds days off for Diwali, Lunar New Year and Eid al-Adha" by Donna St. George, Washington Post 1/15/16

The board said its action — in a unanimous 8-0 vote — was a one-year decision, for the 2016-2017 school year, that would come as the system of 55,000 students studies the issue and plans a voluntary survey of religious preferences. It asked district staff to report back with a range of options for how to implement the change.

More broadly, Howard’s action is likely to draw attention as school systems nationally struggle with how to create an inclusive school calendar — balancing fairness, logistics and legal constraints — as their communities are increasingly diverse and vocal.

Maryland state law requires schools to be closed on Christmas and Good Friday, as well as Easter Monday. Howard schools have chosen to close for the Jewish holidays since 1979, when officials said staff absentee rates of 12 percent were interfering with instruction.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Howard County adds Muslim, Hindu holidays to school calendar" by Lisa Philip, Howard County Times - The Baltimore Sun 1/15/16

. . . during a discussion at the board's meeting on Thursday night, several members expressed the need for next year's academic calendar go beyond closing schools on the two Jewish holidays, to be more inclusive of the county's increasingly diverse population and to allow non-Judeo-Christian students to celebrate their religious and cultural traditions. . . . [even though] The school system does not record the religious backgrounds of its students.

[Superintendent Renee] Foose also recommended that the board hire an independent firm to survey and collect data about students' and families' religious and cultural observances, to inform the work of the 2017 to 2018 calendar committee.

[Board member Bess] Altwerger said that she agreed with the suggestion, but that the school system should recognize Lunar New Year Eve, Diwali and Eid al-Adha in the meantime. She found sympathetic views among most of her fellow board members.

Members of the East Asian, Muslim and Hindu communities have advocated for the inclusion of their religious holidays for at least the past two school years. Eid al-Adha, an important holiday on the Muslim calendar, and Diwali, equally as important for the Hindu community, have never been recognized on the county's school calendar before.

Last year after hearing requests from the Chinese and Korean communities, the board voted to place a professional development day on the Lunar New Year in the 2015-2016 school year. . . .

Because of the need for separation between church and state, [board member Sandie] French said, holidays cannot be given to students for religious reasons, but rather must be given for logistical reasons.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Islam Lesson Closes School: Virginia Parents Fume

And read Tennessee Students Taught Muslim Prayer of Conversion

Majority in U.S. Want Christmas in Schools: Poll

The latest Rasmussen survey shows that 82% of parents want Christmas to be celebrated in American public schools; only 15% of Americans object.  In fact, only 12% of Americans say that there's too much religion in public schools.

“Regrettably, there has been a troubling effort by some in America to ban any and all Christmas celebrations and traditions from the public arena. These attacks on Christmas clearly violate the rights of religious expression our Founding Fathers deliberately provided for us in the Constitution.”
-- Congressman Doug Lamborn (R-Colorado)

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Kentucky School Censors 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' Play

Christmas Tree Flyer Censored by New Hampshire School Supt.

Atheists Help Liberal Schools in Oregon Ban Christmas Choirs

Christmas Parties Banned at Univ. of Tennessee

Mississippi Town Defies Atheists' Anti-Christmas Demands

Texas School Supt. Tells Atheists to Go Fly a Kite

Also read Let us Pray in School: It's the Law in Missouri

-- From "76 percent of Americans approve of Christmas in public schools, as do 82 percent of parents" by Jennifer Harper, The Washington Times 12/19/15

Another 61 percent overall believe there should be more religion in those schools. Another 54 percent say there’s not enough religion in the public schools; 70 percent of Republicans, 61 percent of the parents and 44 percent of Democrats agree. . . .

Rasmussen Reports notes that the findings are virtually unchanged from similar surveys in recent years.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Americans Want Christmas, More Religion in Schools" posted at Rasmussen Reports 12/15/15

Support for more religion in school appears to mostly concern Christianity. In March, 96% of Americans felt Christmas should be observed in schools, while 75% said the same of Easter. There was significantly less support for observing the major Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist holidays in schools.

Seventy-one percent (71%) think Christmas should be more about Jesus Christ than about Santa Claus.

Fifty-seven percent (57%) of Americans favor prayer in public school. Seventy-three percent (73%) support giving parents a choice between a school that allows prayer and one that does not.

The survey of Adults was conducted on December 10 and 13, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Click headlines below for typical public school reactions to public opinion:

School Cancels Santa Claus Christmas after Jewish Mom Complains

Angry Muslims Storm New Jersey School Board Demanding Holidays

'Allahu Akbar' Taught in Minnesota School for Christmas

Pres. Obama's Homosexual Christmas Proclamation

This year, President Obama issued statements during Christmas week to celebrate the "Christmas miracles" of same-sex "marriage" and a transformed U.S. military that proudly includes homosexuals and other people suffering sexual confusion, while he asks for God's blessing in his war against Biblical values that he wages along with his fellow sexual revolutionaries.

"I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve accomplished together. But our work is not finished."
-- President Barack Hussein Obama

So, when will their work be finished?  Once Christians are Muzzled, According to Homosexualists

For background, read President Obama's Christmas: Behold, a Message is Born as well as President Obama's Homosexual Easter at the White House

Also read President Obama Invokes God: Gay Agenda Trumps Constitution



-- From "Resolute Obama Marks 5 Years After ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’" by Julie Hirschfeld Davis, New York Times 12/22/15

. . . Mr. Obama promised in a corresponding Facebook post that he would spend the remainder of his presidency looking for ways to combat discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans.

He said he would “spend every minute I have left as president working with you to move our country even closer to our founding ideals.”

Mr. Obama’s victory lap on the “don’t ask, don’t tell” anniversary came amid criticism from some Republicans and conservatives that he has not done enough to support the military. . . . “Obama Goes Golfing After Terrorism Attack in Afghanistan Kills Six American Solders,” the conservative website Breitbart declared in a headline.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Obama celebrates five-year anniversary of ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ repeal" by Elliot Smilowitz, The Hill 12/22/15

“As Commander in Chief, I have no greater responsibility than keeping Americans safe,” he said. “And when it comes to defending our country, we need to draw on the talents of every American — regardless of sexual orientation.”

Obama noted other expansions of gay rights under his administration, including barring federal contractors from firing gay employees, pushing to end so-called “conversion therapy” for minors and legalized same-sex marriage.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Obama's top 10 accomplishments -- according to Obama" by Reena Flores, CBS News 12/19/15

Take a look at what the president believes "should make every American optimistic about 2016" [excerpts]:

10. The economy
9. "More Americans getting health insurance coverage"
8. "America's global leadership on climate change"
7. U.S.-Cuba relations
6. Iran nuclear deal
5. "Standing strong against terrorism"
4. The Trans-Pacific Partnership
3. Bipartisan budget and education deals
2. The legalization of same-sex marriage
1. "The American people"

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Hillary Clinton Promises to Codify Even MORE 'Gay/Transgender Rights'

And read 2016 Election: Religious Liberty vs. Gay Agenda

From "For Christmas, Obama cranks up ‘Charlie Brown’" by Darlene Superville, Associated Press 12/23/15

Ever wonder what music gets President Barack Obama in the Christmas mood?

Topping the list for Obama and his wife, Michelle, is “O Tannenbaum,” the instrumental version by the Vince Guaraldi Trio featured in “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Obama Forgets Jesus Is True Meaning of Christmas in Charlie Brown Christmas Linus Speech" by Napp Nazworth, Christian Post Political Analyst 12/1/15

Barack Obama failed to mention Jesus in his description of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and its message about the true meaning of Christmas during ABC's "It's Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown."

The president and first lady spoke briefly during the Monday night Christmas special in remembrance of the 50th anniversary of 1965's "A Charlie Brown Christmas."

In describing the show and that famous scene, in which Linus Van Pelt explains the true meaning of Christmas by reciting Luke 2:8-14, Barack Obama said it teaches "us that tiny trees just need a little love and that on this holiday we celebrate peace on Earth and good will toward all."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Kentucky School Censors Christmas from Charlie Brown

For comparison, watch President Reagan's 1983 Christmas message:


and President Reagan in 1982:

Jewish Mom Opposes School's Santa Claus Christmas

Parents in San Jose, California are fuming because a "Christmas" event was canceled after Talia, a Jewish mother whose child attends a local elementary school, objected to the school field trip to see Santa Claus because she mistakenly believes that such an event would have anything at all to do with the birth of Jesus Christ, and thus would be a snub on her own family's religious faith.

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Christmas Tree Flyer Censored by New Hampshire School Supt.

Atheists Help Liberal Schools in Oregon Ban Christmas Choirs

Christmas Parties Banned at Univ. of Tennessee





-- From "School cancels Santa field trip after mom objects" posted at CBS News 12/18/15

The visit to Santa, along with a "Dear Santa" assignment, was a decade-long tradition at Sartorette Elementary School, part of San Jose's Cambrian School District.

Last week, the Sartorette staff informed parents the school would suspend the outing to see Santa at a local coffee shop after a Jewish mother, who identified herself only as Talia, complained to the school board that the district was celebrating one religion over others.

"It's really scary how one parent can go and voice her opinion and then everything gets shut down," said parent Vanessa Howes.

Cambrian School District Superintendent Carrie Andrews told reporters outside Thursday night's school board meeting that what began as a tradition 10 years ago is not necessarily the right thing to do today.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "San Jose parents at odds: Santa field trip canceled after mother complains" by Patrick May, San Jose Mercury News 12/17/15

[Talia] fired off an angry letter Dec. 7 to fellow parents at the charter school, alleging she was "ambushed by a group of moms from Ms. Kay's class" who she said yelled at her for "ruining Santa for the kids."

Talia has released emails of support from a few fellow parents, including one named Katie who wrote: "You didn't ruin Santa for anybody. If parents want their kids to see Santa, they should be doing it on their own time, not on a school field trip."

Talia's emails suggest that she believes having the entire class meet with or write to Santa would be unfair to those children who may see him as a symbol of a Christian holiday they don't believe in. . . .

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Lone Jew, ACLU Stop Prayer in Pennsylvania Town

'Allahu Akbar' Taught in Minn. School for Christmas

In the face of angry parents, officials of the Anoka-Hennepin County School District 11 are defending the choice of a multicultural "holiday" concert at Blaine (Minnesota) High School that included an out-of-season Islamic song of Ramadan with the all-to-familiar mandatory Muslim terrorist battle cry chant, which is translated "Allah is the greatest."

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

U.S. Schools Force Islamic Terror Singing, Posters

Islam Lesson Closes School: Virginia Parents Fume

Tennessee Students Taught Muslim Prayer of Conversion

Massachusetts Students Forced To Learn Muslim Conversion

Students Required to Pretend Being Muslim in Wisconsin

Teaching Christians Muslim Dress in Illinois School

Teaching Girls to Wear Muslim Hijab in California School

Georgia School: Learn Islam or Take Lower Grade

Pennsylvania School Staff to Mosque for Islamic Training

Florida School Teaches Islam Including Prayer Rugs

-- From "Anoka-Hennepin school holiday concert goes 'wonderfully' after stir over Islamic song" by Will Ashenmacher, TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press 12/19/15

Leading up to the Blaine High School holiday choir concert Thursday, criticism emerged on social media over the inclusion of the song "Eid Un Sa'Eid." . . . The nine-song concert also featured traditional Christian Christmas carols, like "Angels We Have Heard On High" and "Silent Night," as well as "Hanukkah Song," a traditional Jewish carol.

Students pick the songs for the concert, according to district spokeswoman Kay Villella.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is considered by believers to be the month in which the Quran was first revealed to the prophet Mohammed. In 2015, Ramadan fell between June 17 and July 17.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Parents Question Choice To Sing ‘Allahu Akbar’ At Holiday Concert" by John Lauritsen, WCCO-TV4 CBS (Minneapolis, MN) 12/17/15

“Songs are not performed in a worship setting or to promote religion,” the district’s statement said. “but rather in [an] educational setting where students are learning and performing music.”

While the Ramadan song mentions brotherhood and peace, the district says that any student who doesn’t feel comfortable singing it doesn’t have to. Their grade will not be affected.

[A] parent, who didn’t want to be identified, told WCCO phone that considering the recent events in Paris and San Bernardino, singing a song about Allah would be “insensitive.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Dist. 11 fields complaints about inclusion of Ramadan song in BHS concert" by Olivia Alveshere, Staff Writer, ABC Newspapers 12/18/15

“Students are involved in selecting these songs,” according to the statement. “Students of many faiths contribute songs representing their culture to include in this portion of the program.”

“Eid un Sa’Eid” was included in the holiday program last year as well, according to Kay Villella, assistant director of communication and public relations. To her knowledge, the district did not receive complaints about the song last year.

“Everything went well last night,” Villella said.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Minnesota School Holiday Concert Includes Chants Of ‘Allahu Akbar’" by Blake Neff, Reporter, Daily Caller 12/17/15

The lyrics, in part, go as follows:

    All over the world
    Under the big-blue sky
    Muslims unite to worship Allah
    It’s a time of brotherhood, a time of peace
    Muslims are singing praises to Allah
    Allahu Akbar
    Allahu Akbar
    La Ilaaha Illa-Allahu
    Allahu Akbar
    Allahu Akbar
    Allahu Akbar wa Lillahil Hamd
    Families are gathering
    Remembering Allah
    And that His Love is the Greatest by far
    All Praise for You Allah

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Angry Muslims Demand School Holiday for Ramadan in New Jersey

And read President Obama Gives Ramadan Proclamation (but missed Easter)

Kentucky School Censors Christmas from Charlie Brown

A religious liberty attorney representing a Kentucky Christian family has complained to the Johnson County School District about its decision to delete all Biblical references from the play "A Charlie Brown Christmas" at W.R. Castle Elementary School in Wittensville.  The district's attorney and state officials recommended the censorship after a lone complaint.

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night, and lo the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid, and the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a savior, tis Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.’ And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men.’ . . . That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”.
-- Character Linus Van Pelt, from the play

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Christmas Tree Flyer Censored by New Hampshire School Supt.

Atheists Help Liberal Schools in Oregon Ban Christmas Choirs

Christmas Parties Banned at Univ. of Tennessee





-- From "School cuts Bible references from Christmas play" By The Associated Press 12/16/15

Principal Jeff Cochran said all Biblical references were removed from the play after receiving a message Friday from Superintendent Thomas Salyer.

Salyer told the newspaper Tuesday that Christmas programs across the district were being reviewed for possible modifications of religious references after receiving a complaint.

Salyer says he made his decision based upon the advice of his attorney and state officials.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Bible passages cut from ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ at Eastern Kentucky school" by Valarie Honeycutt Spears, Lexington Herald-Leader 12/15/15

Salyer said that district officials had received a complaint about religious references in Christmas programs at schools. But he said for “confidentiality reasons” he would not confirm media reports that the complaint originated at Castle Elementary.

CNN reported last month that Linus’ recitation of the Bible passages was also at issue in the development of the 1965 animated television special “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

Peanuts creator Charles Schulz wanted to include the speech, CNN reported, but the producers were hesitant. After much back and forth, the passage was left in, the network said.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Schools asked to reinstate Bible references in ‘Charlie Brown Christmas’" by Valarie Honeycutt Spears, Lexington Herald-Leader 12/17/15

Matt Sharp, an attorney with the Arizona-based Alliance Defending Freedom, said it was contacted by and is now representing Joey Collins, whose daughter is a cast member in the play that is scheduled for Thursday at W.R. Castle Elementary School.

“There is no violation of the so-called ‘separation of church and state’ by allowing children to learn about theater and the origins of Christmas through participating in a stage version of this beloved program that contains the same religious elements as the television version,” the letter Sharp sent to the district on Tuesday said. “. . . Given that courts have consistently held that schools may organize and sponsor Christmas programs and performances that include religious songs and study the historical origins of Christmas, there is no basis for the district’s decision to censor the religious aspects of ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas.’”

Meanwhile, Sharp said that his recommendations to school district officials are “constitutional.”

“We would even be willing to help the school district if the school district was sued” for putting the religious content back in the play, he said.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Legal group asks Johnson Co. Schools to allow religious references in Christmas plays" by Kaitlynn LeBeau and Brad Myers, WSAZ-TV3 (Huntington, WV) 12/16/15

"The Supreme Court has consistently held that schools can teach about religion, and can use the Bible as a resource in curricular programs," ADF Legal Counsel Matt Sharp said. "So, when the issue has come up with Christmas programs, {The U.S. Supreme Court has} held that you can sing 'Silent Night' as part of a Christmas program, or include biblical references."

"They're losing all of these great works of classic western culture, of the musical impact and of being able to understand how the bible has influenced Shakespeare and 'Moby Dick' and all of these other things," Sharp said.

“Schools should not have to think twice about whether they can allow students to perform a classic Christmas production simply because it contains biblical references,” said Sharp in a press release. “‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ has become an iconic Christmas story and tradition. Are school officials going to start demanding that other classic productions, such as Shakespearean plays, be censored just because they contain religious references?”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Christians across America are standing up!  Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Mississippi Town Defies Atheists' Anti-Christmas Demands

Georgia Sheriff's Christmas Sign Peeves Atheists

New Mexico Mayor Tells Atheists Nativity Scene Stays in Place

Texas School Supt. Tells Atheists to Go Fly a Kite

NJ Atheist Official's Hissy Fit re: Christmas Tree

Charlene Storey, a Democrat councilwoman in Roselle Park, New Jersey, threw a temper tantrum and spontaneously resigned her post because the majority borough council voted to rename the "Holiday Tree Lighting" ceremony to the "Christmas Tree Lighting."  However, after a brief cooling off period, she rescinded her resignation in trade for the creation of a council diversity committee, which she will lead.

“People are offended because we use the word ‘Christmas.'  Well I feel offended when you tell me ‘holiday.' . . . it’s a Christmas tree.”
-- Mayor Carl Hokanson, Roselle Park, NJ

For background, read Angry Muslims Storm New Jersey School Board Demanding Holidays

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Mississippi Town Defies Atheists' Anti-Christmas Demands

Georgia Sheriff's Christmas Sign Peeves Atheists

New Mexico Mayor Tells Atheists Nativity Scene Stays in Place

Texas Mayor Declares 'Year of the Bible'

Texas School Supt. Tells Atheists to Go Fly a Kite





-- From "Councilwoman rescinds resignation over ‘Christmas’ tree" by The Associated Press 12/6/15

Minutes after the Roselle Park council approved the [ceremony name] change Thursday night, Charlene Storey walked out of the meeting. She submitted a resignation letter, saying the borough’s decision to change the ceremony’s name from a “tree lighting” to a “Christmas tree lighting” favors one religion and “cuts non-Christians out of the loop.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "NJ Councilwoman Rescinds Resignation Over ‘Christmas’ Tree Lighting Ceremony" posted at WCBS-TV2 (New York, NY) 12/5/15

Earlier this week, the Roselle Park City Council voted 4 to 2 to change the name . . .

Storey, who was raised Catholic but describes herself as a non-believer, said she made the decision because she did not want to be a part of a city council that excluded other religions.

“I cannot in good conscience continue to be part of a council that is exclusionary or to work with a mayor who is such,” Storey said in her resignation letter.

She also sited the separation of church and state plus an increasingly diverse community.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Councilwoman & Mayor Release Joint Statement On The Rescinding Of Her Resignation" by Saul Qersdyn, Roselle Park News 12/5/15

The following statement was released by both Mayor Carl Hokanson and Councilwoman-At-Large Charlene Storey [excerpts]:

The new name of the event will remain in place, as approved by the council, the mayor and the councilwoman said. Storey still opposes the change.

Storey and Hokanson said a misunderstanding between them before this week’s council meeting led to each feeling blindsided at the session.

Hokanson said: “It was never my intent to insult anyone’s beliefs or religion. We live in an increasingly diverse community, and we have to come to grips with that fact.”

To read the entire statement above, CLICK HERE.

From "Councilwoman who quit over 'Christmas' tree rescinds resignation" by Tom Haydon and Jessica Remo, The Star-Ledger 12/5/15

[Mayor Carl Hokanson] said he's received dozens of calls and emails, most of them in support of the renaming of the Dec. 11 event.

"Just like the Easter Bunny is the Easter Bunny and not the Holiday Bunny," he said. "It was never my intent to insult anyone's beliefs or religion."

Hokanson said growing up in Roselle Park the event was always called a "Christmas Tree Lighting." Now, in his first year as mayor and master of ceremonies of the event, he wanted to change it back.

He said "Christmas" was removed from the name years ago after a lawsuit over Jersey City's holiday display.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Roselle Park councilwoman quits over 'Christmas' tree lighting" by Tom Haydon, The Star-Ledger 12/5/15

Storey said Mayor Carl Hokanson had briefly mentioned the idea of making the change several days ago. However, Storey said the resolution for the change was not listed on the agenda and she was surprised when it was brought up at the meeting.

She said she had checked other municipalities and only found events, tree lightings or holiday tree lightings, and none that included the word Christmas.

Hokanson said each municipality can use what title it wants to use. New York, he said, calls it a Christmas Tree lighting and another city may not.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Council Approves Mayor’s Request To Have A ‘Christmas Tree Lighting’" by Saul Qersdyn, Roselle Park News 12/4/15

“I’d like to have council’s permission to change it from the Annual Holiday [Tree] Lighting back to the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting if that’s all right with everybody,” stated Mayor Carl Hokanson at last night’s Mayor & Council meeting. He was referring to the popular winter annual event currently known as the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting And Gala which will be held next Friday. He announced his proposal by producing a flier he had included in every council member’s meeting packet which is usually distributed days before a meeting.

Councilwoman-At-Large Charlene Storey immediately commented, “Well, I’ve got to say Mr. Mayor, I have checked that out and every other town in the area calls it a holiday lighting or a tree lighting. I think that this is moving away from inclusiveness to exclusiveness so I cannot support that.”

Mayor Hokanson responded, “Well, again, that’s everybody else. That doesn’t have to be here. I’m just asking if that’s what everybody wants.”

As the meeting progressed, during the Borough Engineer’s report, Councilwoman Storey left the dais. Almost five minutes later, the Council President returned momentarily to pick up her coat and belongings then left the meeting for good without saying a word to anyone. Later on, Mayor Hokanson appointed Councilman Kelly – the longest sitting member of council – as the acting Council President.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Councilwoman Storey Provides Insight Into Decision To Resign" by Saul Qersdyn, Roselle Park News 12/5/15

Councilwoman-At-Large Charlene Storey issued a statement providing further details on her decision to resign her seat. [An excerpt from that] statement is included below. The councilwoman also addressed some additional questions in order to provide insight into a series of events and decisions that, in less than 24 hours, would have the second highest-ranking member of council and the only woman serving as an elected official call it a day over a single word.

. . . Had the name of this event never been changed to use a non-religious term, had it stayed with “Christmas” instead of being changed to “Holiday,” I could have accepted it as a cultural term. But to change it from a neutral term back to a religious one was clearly meant to put religion back into the public event. And to underscore religious division at this time in the nation and world is, to me, as wrong as wrong can be.

. . . All four members of the Council who voted for this are male, white, Catholic and members of the Knights of Columbus, a religious organization that every year posts a large sign urging, “Keep Christ in Christmas.” So I find it hard to accept that to them, a “Christmas” tree is a secular tree.

. . . I am a non-Christian and a non-believer. My husband and I are Humanists, as I’ve pointed out in campaign literature and in my bio on the Borough’s website. We believe it’s our duty to do good in this life as a matter of principle, not as a religious obligation.

To read the entire statement above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Christmas Tree Flyer Censored by New Hampshire School Supt.

And read Christmas Parties Banned at Univ. of Tennessee

Christmas Parties Banned at Univ. of Tennessee

In an effort to increase "diversity and inclusion," UT Knoxville Chancellor Jimmy Cheek's Office of Diversity issued a directive that Christmas must be EXcluded from any "holiday parties" on campus.

"I could not believe that, especially in light of what's gone on the last couple of years with the debacle over sex week, then foolishness over the gender neutral pronouns that they put out a few months ago, and now we have the same group telling us that. Managers and supervisors shouldn't display any endorsement of religion."
-- Tenn. State Senator Mike Bell (R-Riceville)

UPDATE 4/23/16: Tennessee Legislature Defunds UT Office for Diversity and Inclusion

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Christmas Tree Flyer Censored by New Hampshire School Supt.

Atheists Help Liberal Schools in Oregon Ban Christmas Choirs

Must Censor Speech, Say Most College Students

Wisconsin Professor Threatens Student for her Christianity

Bibles Removed, Deviant Sex Housing Added at Illinois Univ.

Students Taught to Choose:  Gay Agenda vs. Religion at Univ. of California

Also read Tennessee College OKs Homosexual Indoctrination

And read Tennessee GOP & Dems Pass Religious Liberty for Schools





-- From "Disguised Christmas Parties - UT Under Fire Again Over Politically Correct Holiday Parties" by Bill Mitchell, WDEF-TV12 (Chattanooga, TN) 12/4/15

An online memo this week from the University's Office of Diversity advised employees to make sure their holiday celebrations aren't Christmas parties "in disguise".

Senator Bo Watson said, "I don't think it's the job of the legislature to micro-manage the university, but this the second incident for this particular department within in the past year of what many of us will perceive to be poor judgment. . . . I think it's another example of the University trying to look so brilliant, that to the everyday citizen, they look stupid."

Chancellor Cheek has issued a statement defending the memo.

It said, "As a diverse campus, we do promote ways to be inclusive of all cultures and religions. I am disappointed that our efforts to be inclusive have been totally misconstrued."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "UT backlash over holiday party recommendations grows" by Michael Collins, Knoxville News Sentinel 12/4/15

All nine of the state's Republicans in Congress spoke out forcefully against the guidelines . . .

Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey said UT Chancellor Jimmy Cheek should resign if he had anything to do with the guidelines, which are posted on the website of UT's Office for Diversity and Inclusion. Ramsey also hinted that the university could be stripped of its state funding.

U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, a South Pittsburg, Tenn., Republican, slammed the holiday party suggestions as "nonsense" and said he would encourage the Tennessee General Assembly to investigate and, where necessary, "ensure that tax dollars are not being expended on this kind of frivolity."

On campus, students and faculty started online petitions in support of Cheek amid growing calls for his resignation.

"Students come to college to have an educational experience and engage in learning other peoples (sic) points of view both conservative and liberal," reads the petition, which is on the website change.org. "Although some in the Legislature may not realize that UT is a place for all students, Chancellor Cheek and Vice chancellor Hall have made this a priority. Over his time here he has worked to make this campus a place where students who are the majority and the minority can call home."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Senators Gresham And Bell Call For Resignation Of UTK Chancellor Jimmy Cheek" posted at The Chattanoogan 12/3/15

The university’s guidance warns students and faculty to “ensure your holiday party is not a Christmas party in disguise,” and to “not play games with religious and cultural themes” such as “Secret Santa.”  It warned that parties should have “no emphasis on religion or culture.”

“The Office of Diversity is not welcoming to all and hostile to none as they claim,” said [State] Senator Gresham.  “They are very hostile to students and other Tennesseans with Christian and conservative values.   By placing a virtual religious test regarding holiday events at this campus, every student who is a Christian is penalized.”

Senators Gresham and Bell criticized the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in August for a post on the university’s website asking students and faculty to toss out “he” and “she” when addressing students for gender-neutral pronouns like ”ze” and “zir”.  They also expressed disapproval over the university’s “Sex Week” which includes such events as drag shows, lectures given by a porn actress, an aphrodisiac cooking class and condom scavenger hunts.  Senators Gresham and Bell objected to student activity fees being used to help fund such events.

In a meeting this fall, the Senate Higher Education Committee found that UTK "far outspends" other universities in the state on their diversity programs, which goes far beyond the regulations required by state and federal law.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey wants action after UT holiday post" by Adam Tamburin, The Tennessean 12/4/15

"Political correctness has been a scourge on American academia for too long," wrote [Lt. Gov.] Ramsey, R-Blountville. "If liberal arts universities in New York and Massachusetts wish to continue the practice that is up to them, but it has no place at institutions of higher learning in Tennessee."

"If the University of Tennessee cannot keep its house in order the General Assembly must shift funding to the University of Memphis, ETSU or other institutions of higher learning that don't embarrass us nationally on a regular basis," Ramsey said.

In a statement released Friday afternoon, Joe DiPietro — the UT system president who oversees campuses in Knoxville, Memphis, Martin and Chattanooga — said he respected the concerns of Ramsey and other Tennessee and federal lawmakers. He also praised [UT Knoxville Chancellor] Cheek, whom he credited with a series of “remarkable, transformative successes" at the Knoxville campus.

"We are in no way trying to dismiss this very important Christian holiday," Cheek said. "As a diverse campus, we do promote ways to be inclusive of all cultures and religions. I am disappointed that our efforts to be inclusive have been totally misconstrued."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "The University Of Tennessee Is Waging A Literal War On Christmas" by Scott Greer, Associate Editor, Daily Caller 12/5/15

The directive — entitled “Best Practices for Inclusive Holiday Celebrations in the Workplace” — instructed students and staff on how to effectively avoid the travesty of hosting a not very inclusive “holiday” party.

The reason for these intrusive measures is to make sure everyone “celebrate[s] your religious and cultural holidays in ways that are respectful and inclusive of our students.”

Christmas — the holiday the vast majority of Americans celebrate in December — is curiously treated by the memo as a minor festivity that’s only observed by a minority of students.

The desperate attempt to achieve “inclusion” at any and all level came at the expense of the vast majority’s wishes, which is typical for the aims of political correctness. The possibility that even one person of a designated protected class would be offended by a Christmas display is enough of a reason to purge all events of associations to the December holiday.

To read the entire opinion column above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Lawmakers Counter Islamic Teaching in Tennessee

And read Wichita State Univ. Chapel Muslim Conversion Leads to Uprising