This week, legislators and governors in Louisiana, South Carolina, and Alabama joined in bipartisan fashion to enact several new restrictions on abortion.
For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:
Abortions Outlawed at 20 Weeks in South Dakota
Abortionists Stymied by New Oklahoma & Kansas Laws
Late-term Abortion Ban Passes in West Virginia
Less Painful Baby Killing: New Utah Abortion Law
Also read Abortionists, Satanists Team Up vs. Missouri Law
And read Indiana Outlaws Killing Disabled, Abortionists Sue
-- From "Louisiana lawmakers vote to ban common abortion procedure" by Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press 5/17/16
Louisiana will become the sixth state to prohibit a commonly used second-trimester abortion procedure, when the governor signs a bill that received final legislative passage Tuesday.
The measure by Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Bossier City, will ban a procedure called dilation and evacuation, known as D&E.; The procedure will only be allowed if necessary to prevent “serious health risk” to the mother.
A 36-2 Senate vote with no debate sent the measure to [Democrat] Gov. John Bel Edwards’ desk. Edwards spokesman Richard Carbo said the governor intends to sign it.
Supporters have described the abortion method as “inhumane and barbaric.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "South Carolina passes bill banning abortion after 19 weeks" by Seanna Adcox, Associated Press 5/18/16
The legislation will now head to Gov. Nikki Haley's desk. The Republican said in March she will almost certainly sign it, but wants to look at the details once it reaches her.
Similar laws are in effect in 12 states. They've been blocked by court challenges in three others, and the U.S. Supreme Court has yet to rule on the ban's constitutionality. A South Dakota law signed in March takes effect this summer.
The South Carolina House approved the compromise 79-29. The Senate approved it 36-9 in March.
A doctor who performs an illegal abortion under the bill would face up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "South Carolina Legislature Approves Ban on Abortions at 20 Weeks" by Christine Hauser, New York Times 5/18/16
The South Carolina legislature has passed a bill making it illegal for a woman to get an abortion at 20 weeks or more, even if she has been raped or is a victim of incest . . . [and] would allow exceptions only if the mother’s life was in jeopardy or a doctor determined that the fetus could not survive outside the womb.
. . . Representative Wendy K. Nanney, a Republican sponsor of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, said: “I am so excited. This is something that we’ve been working on for four years. It is a nice ending to a lot of hard work.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Alabama Gov. Bentley signs 2 controversial abortion bills into law" by The Associated Press 5/13/16
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has signed legislation into law that could shutter two of the state's largest abortion providers.
Bentley's office on Thursday confirmed the governor signed a bill to deny licenses to clinics within 2,000 feet of public elementary and middle schools. He also approved a ban on a commonly used second trimester abortion procedure.
The law will shutter a Huntsville facility that was forced to move to its current location in 2013 to comply with new facility restrictions on abortion providers. A Tuscaloosa facility could also be affected.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Dismemberment abortion ban signed into law, earns applause for Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley" by Lorraine Caballero, Christian Daily 5/17/16
The Republican governor, who is also a medical doctor, pointed out that Alabama's state law recognizes that an unborn child can suffer from physical pain. The dismemberment abortion ban, which takes effect in August, prohibits the use of forceps, scissors, clamps, or other similar instruments to remove a living unborn child from the uterus in pieces.
Dismemberment abortion, or "dilation and evacuation" (D&E), is a procedure done to terminate pregnancy in the second trimester. It involves severing the limbs of a live unborn child and extracting the pieces from the uterus one piece at a time.
Alabama is the fifth U.S. state to ban dismemberment abortion, after Kansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Louisiana have either approved or is moving the law through the legislature.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Louisiana Is About To Ban ‘Dismemberment’ Abortions" by Rachel Stoltzfoos, Reporter, Daily Caller 5/18/16
. . . all 83 representatives in the State house, including 25 Democrats and two Independents, approved the bill in April.
Doctors commonly use the dilation and evacuation method in second trimester abortions. The abortionist artificially dilates the woman’s cervix, then simply reaches into the womb with metal forceps and pulls the fetus out piece by piece. Lastly, the abortionist vacuums or scrapes out any leftover flesh and blood to make sure no remains cause an infection in the woman.
“The fetus in many cases dies just as an adult would,” Republican Rep. Mike Johnson, who sponsored the bill and is running for Congress, recently told a USA Today affiliate. “It bleeds to death as it is torn limb from limb. There are many who say this is the preferred method not because it is better but because it is cheaper.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Abortions down in Alabama: Tough laws close clinics, cut numbers" by Amy Yurkanin, The Birmingham News 5/18/16
The number of abortion clinics in Alabama has dwindled from 12 in 2001 to five in 2016, and two of those clinics may have to close if the courts uphold laws recently passed by the state legislature.
The [2000-foot] distance requirement would shut down two of the busiest abortion clinics in Alabama. The West Alabama Women's Center in Tuscaloosa and All Women's Center for Reproductive Alternatives in Huntsville perform more than 70 percent of the abortions in the state, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health.
Pro-choice organizations say a slew of state laws have hurt clinics and made it difficult to access services in Alabama, which has some of the strictest abortion laws in the country.
The rate of abortion is lower in Alabama than the nation. In 2011, 12 percent of Alabama pregnancies ended in abortion, compared to 18 percent nationwide, according to the Guttmacher Institute.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read this Gallup poll: Americans Want Abortion Laws Changed
Showing posts with label Louisiana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Louisiana. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Friday, February 12, 2016
Go To Jail for Bible Speech: Univ. Texas Police
Several officers of the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD) at Austin issued a citation to Joshua Borchert, an intern with Campus Ministry USA, for using offensive words while preaching on a street across from University property. The police officers told Borchert that he could face jail for using the words “penis” and “anus” in the context of warning passersby of sexually immoral behavior.
Click headlines below to read previous articles:
Colorado College Bans Bible Talk, OKs Swear Words
Wisconsin Professor Threatens Student for her Christianity
Students Taught to Choose: Gay Agenda vs. Religion at Univ. of California
Christmas Parties Banned at University of Tennessee
However, Judge Rules Illinois College Must Accept 'Anti-Gay' Speech
No free speech in Canada: University of Regina Jails Christian American for 'Anti-Gay Hate Speech'
-- From "University Of Texas Police Give Preacher Citation For Offending Students" by Peter Hasson, Daily Caller 2/10/16
The university told TheDC that the officer was responding to students who claimed to be “verbally harassed” by the intern-preacher. The video shows the officer explaining that the intern’s use of “anal” and “penis” offended students, before issuing a citation for disorderly conduct. “After a lawyer representing Joshua called the chief of police, the chief called Joshua and apologized. The citation was withdrawn.” Brother Jed told TheDC.
Ari Cohn, a lawyer with the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) told TheDC that he found the video “deeply disturbing.” “Speech that simply offends others is protected by the First Amendment, and contrary to the officer’s statements, it is not the job of police to ‘do something’ about it. Issuing a disorderly conduct citation based on the content of speech violates decades of clear Supreme Court precedent,” Cohn said.
“Even worse is that while Brother Jed is not a campus community member, and was not even on campus property, the officer justified his decision with the fact that students on campus across the way were offended. The implications for campus expression are dire,” Cohn went on to say. “If offending someone on campus is now grounds for criminal citations, students wishing to express themselves will much more likely censor themselves, or simply refrain from speaking at all. Such a result is unacceptable, legally and morally, at a state university bound by the First Amendment.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "UTPD voids disorderly conduct citation after review" by Wynne Davis, The Daily Texan 2/12/16
After reviewing a citation written to an evangelical preacher for disorderly conduct, the University of Texas Police Department voided the citation because it did not meet the requirements of the law.
“Our review further showed that the officers in training responded to a call for service in good faith and with respect for all parties involved, including the person(s) wishing to file charges as well those being accused,” UTPD Chief David Carter said in a statement.
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution gives all people the right to freedom of speech. Even hurtful and hateful speech is covered under the amendment, and police officers must defend everyone’s constitutional rights, Carter said.
Carter said if an individual was threatening a student with their speech, the police could and would take action against that person.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
. . . previously, last year:
From "Presence of confrontational protesters sparks student response" by Madison Dudley, Nicole Decriscio, The Depauw 9/24/15
“I’m not protesting; I’m preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Kirsten Borchert, 20, from Lafayette, Indiana.
Borchert was at DePauw University “preaching” with The Campus Ministry USA, based out of Terre Haute. The confrontational evangelical Christian group travels from campus to campus “Preaching specifically about sin and hell, and how sin leads to hell,” she said.
“I don’t want you [students] to burn forever and ever and ever in the lake of fire,” said Joshua Borchert, 22, who was fully adorned in his Eagle Scout uniform.
[In response,] Students mobilized quickly.
“I saw that post on Facebook, and I saw that there were protesters here saying homophobic things,” said sophomore Marissa Higgs. “When I heard about it I was like, 'okay, I've got to go.' So I grabbed my five foot rainbow flag off my bed and ran here.”
President Brian Casey was on the scene almost immediately after the situation began to heat up. As the afternoon continued, many at the protest felt a sense of pride and community with their fellow classmates.
“I don’t know why the school can’t kick them out,” junior Hector Rivera said, “It’s a private institution, so at least I’m curious to know more like the policies and politics behind all this.”
“We’re presenting no danger,” said Brother Jed Smock, the man in charge of The Campus Ministry USA.
. . . after The Campus Ministry USA was escorted off of DePauw’s grounds, Casey sent an email to students, faculty and staff announcing an open forum to be held at 4 p.m. in Ubben Quadrangle to address the protests.
Casey, DePauw Student Body President Craig Carter, City of Greencastle Mayor Sue Murray and Vice President of Student Life Christopher Wells gave short speeches to the crowd.
“Today we got invaded by people who came here, by people who came here who tried to shake our cores, who tried to shake our values,” Carter said, “I’ve never been more proud to be a Tiger.”
Students called for justice, and proclaimed that they were unsafe on campus and that the university was not doing enough to protect them.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Ask them why you deserve Hell" by Olivia Barfield, The Hawkeye (University of Louisiana at Monroe) 2/1/16
Kirsten [Borchert] threw her hands in the air, carrying a Bible up with them, as she exclaimed her message to the crowd gathered outside of the Student Union Building.
The students, who stood at a distance not long ago no longer allowed Kirsten her personal space. They surrounded her with questions and comments, yelling back as she shouted to a crowd that no longer cared what she had to say. They were visibly aggravated.
“We’re using [Kirsten] because she’s usually the calmer one,” Joshua [Borchert] said, dressed in his Eagle Scout uniform. “I tend to rile them up more. They wouldn’t want me out there right now.”
Students screamed obscenities as Kirsten preached against getting drunk.
Joshua didn’t mind the crowd screaming at his sister. He said he is used to it.
“We go through different stages and cycles. She does that to get their attention, and once she gets their attention then she can continue to calm them,” Joshua said. He then explained the five-stage technique used by the group to humble the students into a calm crowd that can then receive their message.
Joshua and Kirsten have preached at around 30 universities in about 20 different states, Joshua said.
“Our message is repent, and be free from sin. Because if these people don’t repent, then they’re headed for hell,” Kirsten had explained.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Bibles Removed, Deviant Sex Housing Added at Illinois University
And read Most Terrorists are White Christians, Colleges Say
In addition, read Catholic School Must Hire Homosexuals, Court Rules
“The first amendment of the Constitution protects offensive speech ... if anyone says anything of substance, it’s bound to offend someone.”For background, read Must Censor Speech, Say Most College Students
-- Brother Jed Smock, Campus Ministry USA
Click headlines below to read previous articles:
Colorado College Bans Bible Talk, OKs Swear Words
Wisconsin Professor Threatens Student for her Christianity
Students Taught to Choose: Gay Agenda vs. Religion at Univ. of California
Christmas Parties Banned at University of Tennessee
However, Judge Rules Illinois College Must Accept 'Anti-Gay' Speech
No free speech in Canada: University of Regina Jails Christian American for 'Anti-Gay Hate Speech'
-- From "University Of Texas Police Give Preacher Citation For Offending Students" by Peter Hasson, Daily Caller 2/10/16
The university told TheDC that the officer was responding to students who claimed to be “verbally harassed” by the intern-preacher. The video shows the officer explaining that the intern’s use of “anal” and “penis” offended students, before issuing a citation for disorderly conduct. “After a lawyer representing Joshua called the chief of police, the chief called Joshua and apologized. The citation was withdrawn.” Brother Jed told TheDC.
Ari Cohn, a lawyer with the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) told TheDC that he found the video “deeply disturbing.” “Speech that simply offends others is protected by the First Amendment, and contrary to the officer’s statements, it is not the job of police to ‘do something’ about it. Issuing a disorderly conduct citation based on the content of speech violates decades of clear Supreme Court precedent,” Cohn said.
“Even worse is that while Brother Jed is not a campus community member, and was not even on campus property, the officer justified his decision with the fact that students on campus across the way were offended. The implications for campus expression are dire,” Cohn went on to say. “If offending someone on campus is now grounds for criminal citations, students wishing to express themselves will much more likely censor themselves, or simply refrain from speaking at all. Such a result is unacceptable, legally and morally, at a state university bound by the First Amendment.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "UTPD voids disorderly conduct citation after review" by Wynne Davis, The Daily Texan 2/12/16
After reviewing a citation written to an evangelical preacher for disorderly conduct, the University of Texas Police Department voided the citation because it did not meet the requirements of the law.
“Our review further showed that the officers in training responded to a call for service in good faith and with respect for all parties involved, including the person(s) wishing to file charges as well those being accused,” UTPD Chief David Carter said in a statement.
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution gives all people the right to freedom of speech. Even hurtful and hateful speech is covered under the amendment, and police officers must defend everyone’s constitutional rights, Carter said.
Carter said if an individual was threatening a student with their speech, the police could and would take action against that person.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
. . . previously, last year:
From "Presence of confrontational protesters sparks student response" by Madison Dudley, Nicole Decriscio, The Depauw 9/24/15
“I’m not protesting; I’m preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Kirsten Borchert, 20, from Lafayette, Indiana.
Borchert was at DePauw University “preaching” with The Campus Ministry USA, based out of Terre Haute. The confrontational evangelical Christian group travels from campus to campus “Preaching specifically about sin and hell, and how sin leads to hell,” she said.
“I don’t want you [students] to burn forever and ever and ever in the lake of fire,” said Joshua Borchert, 22, who was fully adorned in his Eagle Scout uniform.
[In response,] Students mobilized quickly.
“I saw that post on Facebook, and I saw that there were protesters here saying homophobic things,” said sophomore Marissa Higgs. “When I heard about it I was like, 'okay, I've got to go.' So I grabbed my five foot rainbow flag off my bed and ran here.”
President Brian Casey was on the scene almost immediately after the situation began to heat up. As the afternoon continued, many at the protest felt a sense of pride and community with their fellow classmates.
“I don’t know why the school can’t kick them out,” junior Hector Rivera said, “It’s a private institution, so at least I’m curious to know more like the policies and politics behind all this.”
“We’re presenting no danger,” said Brother Jed Smock, the man in charge of The Campus Ministry USA.
. . . after The Campus Ministry USA was escorted off of DePauw’s grounds, Casey sent an email to students, faculty and staff announcing an open forum to be held at 4 p.m. in Ubben Quadrangle to address the protests.
Casey, DePauw Student Body President Craig Carter, City of Greencastle Mayor Sue Murray and Vice President of Student Life Christopher Wells gave short speeches to the crowd.
“Today we got invaded by people who came here, by people who came here who tried to shake our cores, who tried to shake our values,” Carter said, “I’ve never been more proud to be a Tiger.”
Students called for justice, and proclaimed that they were unsafe on campus and that the university was not doing enough to protect them.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Ask them why you deserve Hell" by Olivia Barfield, The Hawkeye (University of Louisiana at Monroe) 2/1/16
Kirsten [Borchert] threw her hands in the air, carrying a Bible up with them, as she exclaimed her message to the crowd gathered outside of the Student Union Building.
The students, who stood at a distance not long ago no longer allowed Kirsten her personal space. They surrounded her with questions and comments, yelling back as she shouted to a crowd that no longer cared what she had to say. They were visibly aggravated.
“We’re using [Kirsten] because she’s usually the calmer one,” Joshua [Borchert] said, dressed in his Eagle Scout uniform. “I tend to rile them up more. They wouldn’t want me out there right now.”
Students screamed obscenities as Kirsten preached against getting drunk.
Joshua didn’t mind the crowd screaming at his sister. He said he is used to it.
“We go through different stages and cycles. She does that to get their attention, and once she gets their attention then she can continue to calm them,” Joshua said. He then explained the five-stage technique used by the group to humble the students into a calm crowd that can then receive their message.
Joshua and Kirsten have preached at around 30 universities in about 20 different states, Joshua said.
“Our message is repent, and be free from sin. Because if these people don’t repent, then they’re headed for hell,” Kirsten had explained.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Bibles Removed, Deviant Sex Housing Added at Illinois University
And read Most Terrorists are White Christians, Colleges Say
In addition, read Catholic School Must Hire Homosexuals, Court Rules
Monday, January 18, 2016
LA Lesbian Teacher Arrested: Sex with Minor Girl
Kimberly Naquin, a 26-year-old teacher at Destrehan (Louisiana) High School and a daughter of St. Charles Parish School Board President Dennis Naquin, has been charged with carnal knowledge of a juvenile (statutory rape) for a year-long lesbian sexual affair with a student. The school is notorious for three teacher-student sex arrests over the past two years, including one pair of female teachers engaging in a tryst with a student.
For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:
Homosexual, Lesbian Teachers Arrested for Sex with Students
Illinois Lesbian Coach Arrested for Sexually Abusing Girls
Court Orders Lesbian Teachers back in New York School
Lesbian Seminar Teaching Kids How to be Homosexual
1st-grade Lesbians Force Sex on Ohio 2nd Grade Girl
-- From "Destrehan teacher arrested, accused of having sex with female student" posted at St. Charles Herald Guide (Boutte, LA) 1/15/16
The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office investigation began after a family member of the student provided information about the alleged crime. Detectives interviewed the student, who said that she did have a sexual relationship with a DHS teacher named Kimberly Naquin, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
According to the student, the relationship began in September 2014 and lasted until August 2015.
The student advised most of the inappropriate contact occurred at the teacher’s prior residence, which was located in Kenner; however an undetermined amount of incidents occurred within St. Charles Parish at a Destrehan High School classroom and a Destrehan residence, according to investigators.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Teacher accused of student sex is School Board president's child" by Jonathan Bullington, The Times-Picayune (NOLA.com) 1/15/16
Naquin is being held without bond at the Nelson Coleman Corrections facility in Killona. Her Facebook page says her mother, Karen Naquin, is a teacher in the St. Charles Parish public school system.
Her arrest comes three months after Destrehan High teachers Shelly Dufresne and Rachel Respess were accused of having sex with a 16-year-old male student. Dufresne pleaded guilty to a felony obscenity charge in St. Charles for having sex with the student at a home in Montz, where she lives. She received a three-year deferred prison sentence, three years of probation and a $1,000 fine.
For allegedly having sex with the same student at Respess' apartment in Kenner, Dufresene has pleaded not guilty in Jefferson Parish to two counts of carnal knowledge. Respess, originally accused of engagaing in group sex there with Dufresene and the student, was charged by prosecutors with failing to report a felony. She, too,has pleaded not guilty.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "What's with Destrehan High? 3 teacher-student sex cases in 2 years" by Danielle Dreilinger, The Times-Picayune (NOLA.com) 1/15/16
Louisiana already had a bad reputation for inappropriate relationships between school staff and students: In 2014, it ranked third in the United States, counting both convictions and arrests. That included Shelley Dufresne and Rachel Respess, who taught English at Destrehan High until their arrests that fall on charges of having group sex with a 16-year-old boy.
Louisiana law generally forbids sex between an adult and a person younger than 17. It strictly prohibits sexual contact between a teacher and a student through the age of 20, and it's very clear how seriously school systems should treat abuse.
But the laws and policies do not necessarily include consequences for the higher-ups. Destrehan High Principal Stephen Weber, for example, kept his job after the 2014 abuse came to light. And the state Education Department did not contact, sanction, reprimand or intervene at the school, spokesman Barry Landry said. He would not release Weber's annual evaluation results, saying they were not public information; the 2014-15 results aren't complete yet anyway.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Gay Teacher Arrested for Watching Anal Sex in Classroom
For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:
Homosexual, Lesbian Teachers Arrested for Sex with Students
Illinois Lesbian Coach Arrested for Sexually Abusing Girls
Court Orders Lesbian Teachers back in New York School
Lesbian Seminar Teaching Kids How to be Homosexual
1st-grade Lesbians Force Sex on Ohio 2nd Grade Girl
-- From "Destrehan teacher arrested, accused of having sex with female student" posted at St. Charles Herald Guide (Boutte, LA) 1/15/16
The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office investigation began after a family member of the student provided information about the alleged crime. Detectives interviewed the student, who said that she did have a sexual relationship with a DHS teacher named Kimberly Naquin, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
According to the student, the relationship began in September 2014 and lasted until August 2015.
The student advised most of the inappropriate contact occurred at the teacher’s prior residence, which was located in Kenner; however an undetermined amount of incidents occurred within St. Charles Parish at a Destrehan High School classroom and a Destrehan residence, according to investigators.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Teacher accused of student sex is School Board president's child" by Jonathan Bullington, The Times-Picayune (NOLA.com) 1/15/16
Naquin is being held without bond at the Nelson Coleman Corrections facility in Killona. Her Facebook page says her mother, Karen Naquin, is a teacher in the St. Charles Parish public school system.
Her arrest comes three months after Destrehan High teachers Shelly Dufresne and Rachel Respess were accused of having sex with a 16-year-old male student. Dufresne pleaded guilty to a felony obscenity charge in St. Charles for having sex with the student at a home in Montz, where she lives. She received a three-year deferred prison sentence, three years of probation and a $1,000 fine.
For allegedly having sex with the same student at Respess' apartment in Kenner, Dufresene has pleaded not guilty in Jefferson Parish to two counts of carnal knowledge. Respess, originally accused of engagaing in group sex there with Dufresene and the student, was charged by prosecutors with failing to report a felony. She, too,has pleaded not guilty.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "What's with Destrehan High? 3 teacher-student sex cases in 2 years" by Danielle Dreilinger, The Times-Picayune (NOLA.com) 1/15/16
Louisiana already had a bad reputation for inappropriate relationships between school staff and students: In 2014, it ranked third in the United States, counting both convictions and arrests. That included Shelley Dufresne and Rachel Respess, who taught English at Destrehan High until their arrests that fall on charges of having group sex with a 16-year-old boy.
Louisiana law generally forbids sex between an adult and a person younger than 17. It strictly prohibits sexual contact between a teacher and a student through the age of 20, and it's very clear how seriously school systems should treat abuse.
But the laws and policies do not necessarily include consequences for the higher-ups. Destrehan High Principal Stephen Weber, for example, kept his job after the 2014 abuse came to light. And the state Education Department did not contact, sanction, reprimand or intervene at the school, spokesman Barry Landry said. He would not release Weber's annual evaluation results, saying they were not public information; the 2014-15 results aren't complete yet anyway.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Gay Teacher Arrested for Watching Anal Sex in Classroom
Sunday, September 27, 2015
ACLU Finds Christians in Louisiana School Admin.
The American Civil Liberties Union issued a threatening letter to the Bossier Parish School Board after uncovering prayer-request boxes at Airline High School in Bossier City, Louisiana and discovering the phrase "The Future Starts Today — May God Bless You All" attributable to the principal Jason Rowland on a website.
Louisiana Students, School Reject ACLU's Ungodly Demand
Sheriff Defies ACLU: July 4th Prayer in Louisiana
ACLU Sues Louisiana School for Overt Christianity
Mississippi Teacher Prayers for Students Illegal, Atheists Say
Arizona Schools Ban Christian Football Coaches
Atheists Call for Ban of Christians from Schools in Michigan, West Virginia, Oklahoma, California, Florida, Ohio, etc.
California School Bans Books by Christian Authors
Colorado School Bans Jesus Talk During Free Time
Atheists Say Too Many Christians at Ohio School
And read Texas School Supt. Tells Atheists to Go Fly a Kite
-- From "Complaint says school prayer boxes wrongly promote religion" by The Associated Press 9/26/15
Freedom Guard, a legal group led by state Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Bossier City, offered in a Friday letter to defend the school district free of charge.
"The ACLU's claims have no merit, and we will happily defend you and our Bossier Parish Schools free of charge if you simply ignore the ACLU and affirm the constitutional rights at issue," Johnson wrote. "As usual, the ACLU is wrong on both the facts and the law."
He wrote that students have the right to set up prayer request boxes based on their own free-speech rights. Johnson also wrote that Rowland's used of the phrase "God bless" is an "an innocuous reference to our religious heritage" comparable to the mention of God in the Pledge of Allegiance.
"Just because an activist organization in New Orleans trolls the internet in search of something to be offended by does not mean than any constitutional line has been crossed here or that any behavior should be modified," Johnson wrote.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "ACLU questions religious activity at Airline HS" posted at Bossier Press-Tribune 9/24/15
The ACLU of Louisiana has sent an open letter to Bossier Schools Superintendent D.C. Machen concerning “a pattern of religious proselytization” at Airline High School.
[The letter concluded:]
1. Immediately remove all references to prayer from the website of Airline and any other schools in the Bossier Parish school district;
2. Immediately remove the “prayer boxes” and any similar devices at Airline and any other schools in the Bossier Parish school district;
3. Educate all school staff regarding the Constitutional protections of students and staff from religious indoctrination; and
4. Instruct the principal of Airline that neither he nor his staff may include religious references of any kind in school communications.
These policies and procedures must be communicated to all students and their parents or guardians.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Bossier school gets caught up in First Amendment fight" by Troy Washington, KSLA-TV12 (Shreveport, LA) 9/25/15
Coming to the school's defense is Freedom Guard, a public interest law firm that argues that the ACLU's claims are radical and have zero merit. In a 5-page letter, Freedom Guard offers free legal defense to Airline High, saying it will fight this battle for the school.
The nonprofit also says it plans to prove that the allegations being brought against Airline High are false. And Freedom Guard advises the school to keep the prayer boxes and don't change a thing.
The prayer boxes were placed by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a student organization. The project was completely student-led, which the U.S. Constitution allows, said Mike Johnson, CEO of Freedom Guard.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Bossier Schools respond to ACLU" posted at Shreveport Times 9/26/15
. . . Bossier Parish Schools' spokeswoman Sonja Bailes released this statement around 4:30 p.m. Friday:
Superintendent Machen has received a demand from the ACLU, as well as the attached letter from Mike Johnson of Freedom Guard. Both letters have been referred to the Board's legal counsel for review. As a public body, the Bossier Parish School Board is limited to taking official action at duly-convened meetings of the Board. As the subject letter was just received, it has been placed on the agenda of the Board's October 1, 2015 School Board meeting. Further comment will result from any action at that meeting.
In the meantime, please understand that the Bossier Parish School System enjoys an established record of achievement. Such success is due in large part to the fact that, as in this case, the system respects both the law and the religious beliefs of all its students and employees.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Why is there NO outcry from atheists about overt indoctrination of Islam in public schools?
"Just because an activist organization in New Orleans trolls the internet in search of something to be offended by does not mean that any constitutional line has been crossed here or that any behavior should be modified."For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:
-- Rep. Mike Johnson
Louisiana Students, School Reject ACLU's Ungodly Demand
Sheriff Defies ACLU: July 4th Prayer in Louisiana
ACLU Sues Louisiana School for Overt Christianity
Mississippi Teacher Prayers for Students Illegal, Atheists Say
Arizona Schools Ban Christian Football Coaches
Atheists Call for Ban of Christians from Schools in Michigan, West Virginia, Oklahoma, California, Florida, Ohio, etc.
California School Bans Books by Christian Authors
Colorado School Bans Jesus Talk During Free Time
Atheists Say Too Many Christians at Ohio School
And read Texas School Supt. Tells Atheists to Go Fly a Kite
-- From "Complaint says school prayer boxes wrongly promote religion" by The Associated Press 9/26/15
Freedom Guard, a legal group led by state Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Bossier City, offered in a Friday letter to defend the school district free of charge.
"The ACLU's claims have no merit, and we will happily defend you and our Bossier Parish Schools free of charge if you simply ignore the ACLU and affirm the constitutional rights at issue," Johnson wrote. "As usual, the ACLU is wrong on both the facts and the law."
He wrote that students have the right to set up prayer request boxes based on their own free-speech rights. Johnson also wrote that Rowland's used of the phrase "God bless" is an "an innocuous reference to our religious heritage" comparable to the mention of God in the Pledge of Allegiance.
"Just because an activist organization in New Orleans trolls the internet in search of something to be offended by does not mean than any constitutional line has been crossed here or that any behavior should be modified," Johnson wrote.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "ACLU questions religious activity at Airline HS" posted at Bossier Press-Tribune 9/24/15
The ACLU of Louisiana has sent an open letter to Bossier Schools Superintendent D.C. Machen concerning “a pattern of religious proselytization” at Airline High School.
[The letter concluded:]
1. Immediately remove all references to prayer from the website of Airline and any other schools in the Bossier Parish school district;
2. Immediately remove the “prayer boxes” and any similar devices at Airline and any other schools in the Bossier Parish school district;
3. Educate all school staff regarding the Constitutional protections of students and staff from religious indoctrination; and
4. Instruct the principal of Airline that neither he nor his staff may include religious references of any kind in school communications.
These policies and procedures must be communicated to all students and their parents or guardians.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Bossier school gets caught up in First Amendment fight" by Troy Washington, KSLA-TV12 (Shreveport, LA) 9/25/15
Coming to the school's defense is Freedom Guard, a public interest law firm that argues that the ACLU's claims are radical and have zero merit. In a 5-page letter, Freedom Guard offers free legal defense to Airline High, saying it will fight this battle for the school.
The nonprofit also says it plans to prove that the allegations being brought against Airline High are false. And Freedom Guard advises the school to keep the prayer boxes and don't change a thing.
The prayer boxes were placed by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a student organization. The project was completely student-led, which the U.S. Constitution allows, said Mike Johnson, CEO of Freedom Guard.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Bossier Schools respond to ACLU" posted at Shreveport Times 9/26/15
. . . Bossier Parish Schools' spokeswoman Sonja Bailes released this statement around 4:30 p.m. Friday:
Superintendent Machen has received a demand from the ACLU, as well as the attached letter from Mike Johnson of Freedom Guard. Both letters have been referred to the Board's legal counsel for review. As a public body, the Bossier Parish School Board is limited to taking official action at duly-convened meetings of the Board. As the subject letter was just received, it has been placed on the agenda of the Board's October 1, 2015 School Board meeting. Further comment will result from any action at that meeting.
In the meantime, please understand that the Bossier Parish School System enjoys an established record of achievement. Such success is due in large part to the fact that, as in this case, the system respects both the law and the religious beliefs of all its students and employees.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Why is there NO outcry from atheists about overt indoctrination of Islam in public schools?
Thursday, July 09, 2015
Louisiana Supremes Slam US Supremes—'Gay Marriage'
In setting aside a state homosexual lawsuit now moot after the recent blessing of the Gay Agenda by the U.S. Supreme Court, the Louisiana Supreme Court took the occasion to blast the highest court of the land for its "complete and unnecessary insult to the people of Louisiana" and for making "a mockery" of the Bill of Rights.
UPDATE 7/23/15: County Clerk Sues for 'Christian Rights,' Refuses 'Gay Marriage'
For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:
Alabama Supreme Court Says Ignore Federal Court re: 'Gay Marriage'
The Gay 'Untied' States of America
Activist Judges Say Scalia Right on 'Gay Marriage'
Business, Pro Sports, GOP Urge Supreme Court to Go Gay
U.S. Catholic Bishops vs. Supreme Court Gay Agenda
UPDATE 7/28/15: Gay Agenda Destroys Everything it Contacts
-- From "Louisiana Justices Rebuke High Court on Gay Marriage" by Sabrina Canfield, Courthouse News Service, 7/8/15
Knoll went on to decry "the horrific impact" the U.S. Supreme Court justices "made on the democratic rights of the American people to define marriage and the rights stemming by operation of law therefrom."
"The five unelected judges' declaration that the right to marry whomever one chooses is a fundamental right is a mockery of those rights explicitly enumerated in those Bill of Rights," she continued. "Simply stated, it is a legal fiction imposed upon the entirety of this nation because these five people think it should be."
In their opinions, the Louisiana justices concurred that a same sex couple's union has to be recognized by the state and that one member of a female couple could potentially legally be recognized as a parent to her partner's biological son, but the justices were firm that they only concurred because they had to.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Louisiana Supreme Court justices denounce same-sex marriage ruling, calling it an 'insult,' 'utter travesty' with 'horrific impact'" by Lanie Lee Cook and Maya Lau, The New Orleans Advocate 7/9/15
Four justices weighed in on their own, issuing individual takes on Justice Anthony Kennedy’s landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which declared same-sex marriages legal across the U.S.
Justice John Weimer emphasized that Louisiana’s constitutional amendment [defining one-man-one-woman marriage] was approved with 77.78 percent of the vote in 2004.
“The apparent and rapid shift in public sentiment on the issue before us has been profound. However, the role of the judiciary is not to weigh shifting public sentiment at any given moment, but to be steadfast in following the law duly enacted by the people and/or their representatives,” he wrote.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Louisiana justice cites 'horrific impact' of Supreme Court's gay marriage ruling" by Jonah Hicap, Christian Today 7/9/15
In his dissenting opinion, Justice Jefferson Hughes III said "marriage is not only for the parties."
"Its purpose is to provide children with a safe and stable environment in which to grow. Its definition cannot be changed by legalisms," he wrote as he took aim at the US Supreme Court ruling.
Hughes expressed concerned about same-sex couples adopting children.
"The most troubling prospect of same sex marriage is the adoption by same sex partners of a young child of the same sex."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Louisiana Supremes: 'Marriage' ruling 'complete insult'" by Bob Unruh, World Net Daily 7/8/15
“Does the 5-4 decision by the United States Supreme Court automatically legalize this type of adoption? While the majority opinion of Justice Kennedy leaves it to the various courts and agencies to hash out these issues, I do not concede the reinterpretation of every statute premised upon traditional marriage,” [Hughes] warned.
“Our U.S. Constitution envisions change through democracy and reserves to the states and the people all powers not delegated to the federal government. … Unilaterally, these five lawyers took for themselves a question the Constitution expressly leaves to the people and about which the people have been in open debate – the true democratic process,” wrote Louisiana Justice Jeannette Knoll.
“This is not a constitutionally mandated decision, but a super-legislative imposition of the majority’s will over the solemn expression of the people evidenced in their state constitutional definitions of marriage.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Click headlines below to read previous articles:
Polygamy License Legitimacy Considered in Montana
Almost No Americans Want a 'Homosexual Marriage'
Religious Liberty in Homosexualists' Crosshairs
Homosexuals Force Closure of Iowa Christian Wedding Chapel
ACLU Sues Christians for Refusing 'Gay Marriage'
"It is a sad day in America when five lawyers beholden to none and appointed for life can rob the people of their democratic process, forcing so-called civil liberties regarding who can marry on all Americans when the issue was decided by the states as solemn expressions of the will of the people. I wholeheartedly disagree and find that, rather than a triumph of constitutionalism, the opinion of these five lawyers is an utter travesty as is my constrained adherence to the 'law of the land' enacted not by the will of American people but by five judicial activists."UPDATE 3/16/16: 'Gay Marriage' Battle NOT Over in Some States
-- Justice Jeannette Theriol Knoll, Louisiana Supreme Court
UPDATE 7/23/15: County Clerk Sues for 'Christian Rights,' Refuses 'Gay Marriage'
For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:
Alabama Supreme Court Says Ignore Federal Court re: 'Gay Marriage'
The Gay 'Untied' States of America
Activist Judges Say Scalia Right on 'Gay Marriage'
Business, Pro Sports, GOP Urge Supreme Court to Go Gay
U.S. Catholic Bishops vs. Supreme Court Gay Agenda
UPDATE 7/28/15: Gay Agenda Destroys Everything it Contacts
-- From "Louisiana Justices Rebuke High Court on Gay Marriage" by Sabrina Canfield, Courthouse News Service, 7/8/15
Knoll went on to decry "the horrific impact" the U.S. Supreme Court justices "made on the democratic rights of the American people to define marriage and the rights stemming by operation of law therefrom."
"The five unelected judges' declaration that the right to marry whomever one chooses is a fundamental right is a mockery of those rights explicitly enumerated in those Bill of Rights," she continued. "Simply stated, it is a legal fiction imposed upon the entirety of this nation because these five people think it should be."
In their opinions, the Louisiana justices concurred that a same sex couple's union has to be recognized by the state and that one member of a female couple could potentially legally be recognized as a parent to her partner's biological son, but the justices were firm that they only concurred because they had to.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Louisiana Supreme Court justices denounce same-sex marriage ruling, calling it an 'insult,' 'utter travesty' with 'horrific impact'" by Lanie Lee Cook and Maya Lau, The New Orleans Advocate 7/9/15
Four justices weighed in on their own, issuing individual takes on Justice Anthony Kennedy’s landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which declared same-sex marriages legal across the U.S.
Justice John Weimer emphasized that Louisiana’s constitutional amendment [defining one-man-one-woman marriage] was approved with 77.78 percent of the vote in 2004.
“The apparent and rapid shift in public sentiment on the issue before us has been profound. However, the role of the judiciary is not to weigh shifting public sentiment at any given moment, but to be steadfast in following the law duly enacted by the people and/or their representatives,” he wrote.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Louisiana justice cites 'horrific impact' of Supreme Court's gay marriage ruling" by Jonah Hicap, Christian Today 7/9/15
In his dissenting opinion, Justice Jefferson Hughes III said "marriage is not only for the parties."
"Its purpose is to provide children with a safe and stable environment in which to grow. Its definition cannot be changed by legalisms," he wrote as he took aim at the US Supreme Court ruling.
Hughes expressed concerned about same-sex couples adopting children.
"The most troubling prospect of same sex marriage is the adoption by same sex partners of a young child of the same sex."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Louisiana Supremes: 'Marriage' ruling 'complete insult'" by Bob Unruh, World Net Daily 7/8/15
“Does the 5-4 decision by the United States Supreme Court automatically legalize this type of adoption? While the majority opinion of Justice Kennedy leaves it to the various courts and agencies to hash out these issues, I do not concede the reinterpretation of every statute premised upon traditional marriage,” [Hughes] warned.
“Our U.S. Constitution envisions change through democracy and reserves to the states and the people all powers not delegated to the federal government. … Unilaterally, these five lawyers took for themselves a question the Constitution expressly leaves to the people and about which the people have been in open debate – the true democratic process,” wrote Louisiana Justice Jeannette Knoll.
“This is not a constitutionally mandated decision, but a super-legislative imposition of the majority’s will over the solemn expression of the people evidenced in their state constitutional definitions of marriage.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Click headlines below to read previous articles:
Polygamy License Legitimacy Considered in Montana
Almost No Americans Want a 'Homosexual Marriage'
Religious Liberty in Homosexualists' Crosshairs
Homosexuals Force Closure of Iowa Christian Wedding Chapel
ACLU Sues Christians for Refusing 'Gay Marriage'
Monday, June 29, 2015
Religious Liberty in Homosexualists' Crosshairs
Having destroyed marriage and family in America, the sexual revolutionaries and their cohorts are planning their next advance on their ultimate target: Christianity. In response, Christians are circling the wagons around the First Freedom of the Constitution, but recent cowering by so-called conservative government leaders does not bode well for freedom of religion in America.
For background, read The Gay 'Untied' States of America
UPDATE 9/29/15 - President Obama Speech: Gay Agenda Trumps Christianity
UPDATE 8/2/15: Christian Prayer Outrages California City Council
UPDATE 7/25/15: Kentucky Forbids Pastors Calling Homosexuality 'Sinful'
UPDATE 7/4/15: ACLU Sues Christians for Refusing 'Gay Marriage'
UPDATE 7/23/15: County Clerk Sues for 'Christian Rights,' Refuses 'Gay Marriage'
Click headlines below to read previous articles:
Homosexualists say the Gay Agenda will be Complete when Christians are Muzzled
Senator Ted Cruz Says the Gay Agenda Ends Christian Liberty
Indiana Religious Liberty Law Fights Gay Agenda, then GOP Leaders Surrender within Hours
Pastors Face Fines, Jail for Refusing 'Gay Wedding'
Homosexuals Force Closure of Iowa Christian Wedding Chapel
Pastor Arrested in California for Reading Bible in Public
Canadian Pastor Found Guilty of Hate Crime for Resisting Gay Agenda
Michigan Christian Business Trashed by Homosexualists
American Decline: Pres. Obama's Gay Agenda vs Christians
-- From "After gay marriage loss in high court, conservatives issue call to arms for religious freedom" by Rachel Zoll And Steve Peoples, Associated Press 6/29/15
The religious liberty fight isn't about what happens inside the sanctuary. First Amendment protections for worship and clergy are clear. Potential conflicts could arise, however, over religious organizations with some business in the public arena. That category ranges from small religious associations that rent reception halls to the public, to the nation's massive network of faith-based social service agencies that receive millions of dollars in government grants. Some groups, such as the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, also want protections for individual business owners who consider it immoral to provide benefits for the same-sex spouse of an employee or cater gay weddings.
Conservative religious groups have for years been on watch for potential clashes over religious liberty and gay rights, and have been lobbying for religious exemptions in statehouses and Congress. . . .
Earlier this month, more than 70 Catholic and evangelical educators sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell urging them to take action to protect conservative religious schools in case of government action to revoke the schools' nonprofit status.
And last week in Congress, Sen. Mike Lee of Utah and Rep. Raul Labrador of Idaho, both Republicans, introduced the First Amendment Defense Act, which would prohibit the federal government from taking action against an institution that opposes same-sex marriage by revoking a tax-exemption or barring them from receiving grants or contracts.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "ACLU disavows support for federal ‘religious liberty’ law" posted at Atlanta Journal Constitution 6/29/15
In all of the hoopla over Friday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision on gay marriage, you might have missed the Washington Post op-ed by an ACLU official, saying her legal defense organization could no longer support the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Louise Melling, the ACLU’s deputy legal director, cited last year’s Hobby Lobby decision by the Supremes, and the prospect that religious organizations will use RFRA to discriminate against gay married couples. . . .
In other words, the federal fight over the fallout from Friday’s high court ruling will exactly parallel the one that Georgia has experienced the last two years. Another round next year is inevitable. . . .
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "ACLU: Why we can no longer support the federal ‘religious freedom’ law" by Louise Melling, American Civil Liberties Union, Washington Post 6/25/15
The ACLU supported the RFRA’s passage at the time [1993] because it didn’t believe the Constitution, as newly interpreted by the Supreme Court, would protect people . . . whose religious expression does not harm anyone else. But we can no longer support the law in its current form. For more than 15 years, we have been concerned about how the RFRA could be used to discriminate against others. As the events of the past couple of years amply illustrate, our fears were well-founded. [The RFRA] is now often used as a sword to discriminate against women, gay and transgender people and others. Efforts of this nature will likely only increase should the Supreme Court rule — as is expected — that same-sex couples have the freedom to marry.
In the Hobby Lobby case last year, a Supreme Court majority blessed the use of the RFRA by businesses to deny employees insurance coverage for contraception, a benefit guaranteed by law, if those businesses object on religious grounds and there is some other means of furthering the government’s interests. . . .
In the states, legislators, governors and businesses are citing state religious freedom restoration acts to justify all manner of discrimination against gay men and lesbians, including at commercial establishments. At the federal level, the Justice Department — under both the Bush and Obama administrations — has said that the government would violate the RFRA if it were to require that organizations not discriminate in hiring on religious grounds in order to receive government funding.
Yes, religious freedom needs protection. But religious liberty doesn’t mean the right to discriminate or to impose one’s views on others. . . .
To read the entire opinion column above, CLICK HERE.
From "Marriage Won, Gay Rights Battle Moves to Religious Liberty Laws" by Andrew M Harris, Bloomberg Business 6/26/15
While such unions were already legal in most of the U.S. before Friday’s ruling, 28 states don’t have laws prohibiting discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Individuals in those states who lose their jobs or are refused an apartment because of sexual orientation don’t have the same rights as people elsewhere, a fact largely unchanged by the landmark decision.
While the ruling removes some obstacles to equal rights, including tax, health-benefit and even hospital visitation issues, other inequities may remain. . . .
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, a Democrat, said Friday that his state legislature “should stand-up and pass non-discrimination for LGBTQ Pennsylvanians, so that they can no longer fear being discriminated in employment or housing for being who they are.”
U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, an Oregon Democrat, has said he plans to introduce legislation next month to protect lesbians, gays, bisexuals and the transgender people nationwide.
Merkley said the law is needed to replace a patchwork of state laws and guarantee the rights of the LGBT community in the workplace, education, federal programs and housing.
Requiring businesses to serve everyone isn’t an infringement on religious freedom, gay rights advocates contend.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Gay marriage faces southern rebellion as couples hit state bureaucracy's wall" by Alan Yuhas in New York and Tom Dart in New Orleans for The UK Guardian 6/27/15
Almost immediately after the supreme court on Friday made same-sex marriage a right throughout the United States, conservative leaders around the south indicated they would resist the ruling with delay, bureaucratic niggling and circumvention of the verdict on religious grounds.
Texas governor Greg Abbott quickly gave state officials his tacit approval to deny same-sex couples marriage licenses should the officials object on religious grounds. On Friday, Abbott sent agencies a memo, railing against “religious coercion” and citing the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act, that directed them to take no action against any official “on account of the person’s act or refusal to act that is substantially motivated by sincere religious belief”.
Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal – a declared candidate for president in 2016 – made similar remarks, saying in a statement: “This decision will pave the way for an all out assault against the religious freedom rights of Christians who disagree.”
His state’s attorney general, James “Buddy” Caldwell, attempted to stall the ruling, saying his office “found nothing in today’s decision that makes the court’s order effective immediately”.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Republicans pivot from gay marriage to religious liberty fight" by Eric Bradner, CNN 6/28/15
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee channeled Martin Luther King, Jr. calling for non-violent resistance to the court's ruling.
"May I ask, are we going to now discriminate against people of conscience, people of faith, who disagree with this ruling?" he said on ABC's "This Week." "I'm not sure that every governor and every attorney general should just say, 'Well, it's the law of the land' because there's no enabling legislation."
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz went even further in the wake of the ruling, telling an Iowa crowd that "the last 24 hours at the United States Supreme Court were among the darkest hours of our nation."
And Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal predicted the fight over religious liberty would persist through the 2016 election.
"Here's where the next fight's going: I think the left is now going to go after our First Amendment rights," Jindal said on NBC's "Meet the Press."
"I think it is wrong for the federal government to force Christian individuals, businesses, pastors, churches to participate in wedding ceremonies that violate our sincerely held religious beliefs," he said. "We have to stand up and fight for religious liberty. That's where this fight is going. The left wants to silence us, Hillary Clinton wants to silence us, we're not going away."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Texas will give legal help to officials who refuse same-sex couples on religious beliefs" by Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Los Angeles Times 6/29/15
Republican Texas Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton issued a statement and a nonbinding legal opinion on Sunday saying religious freedoms guaranteed by the 1st Amendment “may allow accommodation of their religious objections to issuing same-sex marriage licenses.”
Clerks who refuse to license same-sex couples “may well face litigation and/or a fine,” Paxton wrote. “But numerous lawyers stand ready to assist clerks defending their religious beliefs, in many cases on a pro-bono basis, and I will do everything I can from this office to be a public voice for those standing in defense of their rights.”
“In recognizing a new constitutional right in 2015, the Supreme Court did not diminish, overrule, or call into question the rights of religious liberty that formed the first freedom in the Bill of Rights in 1791. This newly minted federal constitutional right to same-sex marriage can and should peaceably coexist with longstanding constitutional and statutory rights, including the rights to free exercise of religion and freedom of speech,” [Paxton] wrote.
Paxton's opinion was echoed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who issued a directive Friday to state agency heads to protect the religious liberties of all Texans.
"In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision, the law’s promise of religious liberty will be tested by some who seek to silence and marginalize those whose conscience will not allow them to participate in or endorse marriages that are incompatible with their religious beliefs," Abbott noted. "As government officials, we have a constitutional duty to preserve, protect and defend the religious liberty of every Texan."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Utah conservatives discuss religious liberty in wake of SCOTUS ruling on same-sex marriage" by FOX 13 News and Matt McDonald, KSTU-TV13 (Salt Lake City, UT) 6/28/15
While some celebrate the Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage, others are gearing up for a new legal battleground, saying they want to protect religious liberties in the wake of the ruling.
Utah Rep. LaVar Christensen, R-District 32, introduced a bill titled the Religious Liberty Act last legislative session, and it sought to put into writing specific protections for people claiming their actions that may be construed as anti-LGBT were taken in accordance with their faith.
Some argued the bill was flawed, doing more harm than good, and it failed to pass.
“Our friend LaVar Christensen possibly will have another [Religious Freedom Restoration Act] bill like he did last year, but a majority of the Republican controlled senate said, ‘No, we want to actually collaborate with the LGBT community.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
For background, read The Gay 'Untied' States of America
UPDATE 9/29/15 - President Obama Speech: Gay Agenda Trumps Christianity
UPDATE 8/2/15: Christian Prayer Outrages California City Council
UPDATE 7/25/15: Kentucky Forbids Pastors Calling Homosexuality 'Sinful'
UPDATE 7/4/15: ACLU Sues Christians for Refusing 'Gay Marriage'
UPDATE 7/23/15: County Clerk Sues for 'Christian Rights,' Refuses 'Gay Marriage'
Click headlines below to read previous articles:
Homosexualists say the Gay Agenda will be Complete when Christians are Muzzled
Senator Ted Cruz Says the Gay Agenda Ends Christian Liberty
Indiana Religious Liberty Law Fights Gay Agenda, then GOP Leaders Surrender within Hours
Pastors Face Fines, Jail for Refusing 'Gay Wedding'
Homosexuals Force Closure of Iowa Christian Wedding Chapel
Pastor Arrested in California for Reading Bible in Public
Canadian Pastor Found Guilty of Hate Crime for Resisting Gay Agenda
Michigan Christian Business Trashed by Homosexualists
American Decline: Pres. Obama's Gay Agenda vs Christians
-- From "After gay marriage loss in high court, conservatives issue call to arms for religious freedom" by Rachel Zoll And Steve Peoples, Associated Press 6/29/15
The religious liberty fight isn't about what happens inside the sanctuary. First Amendment protections for worship and clergy are clear. Potential conflicts could arise, however, over religious organizations with some business in the public arena. That category ranges from small religious associations that rent reception halls to the public, to the nation's massive network of faith-based social service agencies that receive millions of dollars in government grants. Some groups, such as the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, also want protections for individual business owners who consider it immoral to provide benefits for the same-sex spouse of an employee or cater gay weddings.
Conservative religious groups have for years been on watch for potential clashes over religious liberty and gay rights, and have been lobbying for religious exemptions in statehouses and Congress. . . .
Earlier this month, more than 70 Catholic and evangelical educators sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell urging them to take action to protect conservative religious schools in case of government action to revoke the schools' nonprofit status.
And last week in Congress, Sen. Mike Lee of Utah and Rep. Raul Labrador of Idaho, both Republicans, introduced the First Amendment Defense Act, which would prohibit the federal government from taking action against an institution that opposes same-sex marriage by revoking a tax-exemption or barring them from receiving grants or contracts.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "ACLU disavows support for federal ‘religious liberty’ law" posted at Atlanta Journal Constitution 6/29/15
In all of the hoopla over Friday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision on gay marriage, you might have missed the Washington Post op-ed by an ACLU official, saying her legal defense organization could no longer support the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Louise Melling, the ACLU’s deputy legal director, cited last year’s Hobby Lobby decision by the Supremes, and the prospect that religious organizations will use RFRA to discriminate against gay married couples. . . .
In other words, the federal fight over the fallout from Friday’s high court ruling will exactly parallel the one that Georgia has experienced the last two years. Another round next year is inevitable. . . .
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "ACLU: Why we can no longer support the federal ‘religious freedom’ law" by Louise Melling, American Civil Liberties Union, Washington Post 6/25/15
The ACLU supported the RFRA’s passage at the time [1993] because it didn’t believe the Constitution, as newly interpreted by the Supreme Court, would protect people . . . whose religious expression does not harm anyone else. But we can no longer support the law in its current form. For more than 15 years, we have been concerned about how the RFRA could be used to discriminate against others. As the events of the past couple of years amply illustrate, our fears were well-founded. [The RFRA] is now often used as a sword to discriminate against women, gay and transgender people and others. Efforts of this nature will likely only increase should the Supreme Court rule — as is expected — that same-sex couples have the freedom to marry.
In the Hobby Lobby case last year, a Supreme Court majority blessed the use of the RFRA by businesses to deny employees insurance coverage for contraception, a benefit guaranteed by law, if those businesses object on religious grounds and there is some other means of furthering the government’s interests. . . .
In the states, legislators, governors and businesses are citing state religious freedom restoration acts to justify all manner of discrimination against gay men and lesbians, including at commercial establishments. At the federal level, the Justice Department — under both the Bush and Obama administrations — has said that the government would violate the RFRA if it were to require that organizations not discriminate in hiring on religious grounds in order to receive government funding.
Yes, religious freedom needs protection. But religious liberty doesn’t mean the right to discriminate or to impose one’s views on others. . . .
To read the entire opinion column above, CLICK HERE.
From "Marriage Won, Gay Rights Battle Moves to Religious Liberty Laws" by Andrew M Harris, Bloomberg Business 6/26/15
While such unions were already legal in most of the U.S. before Friday’s ruling, 28 states don’t have laws prohibiting discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Individuals in those states who lose their jobs or are refused an apartment because of sexual orientation don’t have the same rights as people elsewhere, a fact largely unchanged by the landmark decision.
While the ruling removes some obstacles to equal rights, including tax, health-benefit and even hospital visitation issues, other inequities may remain. . . .
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, a Democrat, said Friday that his state legislature “should stand-up and pass non-discrimination for LGBTQ Pennsylvanians, so that they can no longer fear being discriminated in employment or housing for being who they are.”
U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, an Oregon Democrat, has said he plans to introduce legislation next month to protect lesbians, gays, bisexuals and the transgender people nationwide.
Merkley said the law is needed to replace a patchwork of state laws and guarantee the rights of the LGBT community in the workplace, education, federal programs and housing.
Requiring businesses to serve everyone isn’t an infringement on religious freedom, gay rights advocates contend.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Gay marriage faces southern rebellion as couples hit state bureaucracy's wall" by Alan Yuhas in New York and Tom Dart in New Orleans for The UK Guardian 6/27/15
Almost immediately after the supreme court on Friday made same-sex marriage a right throughout the United States, conservative leaders around the south indicated they would resist the ruling with delay, bureaucratic niggling and circumvention of the verdict on religious grounds.
Texas governor Greg Abbott quickly gave state officials his tacit approval to deny same-sex couples marriage licenses should the officials object on religious grounds. On Friday, Abbott sent agencies a memo, railing against “religious coercion” and citing the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act, that directed them to take no action against any official “on account of the person’s act or refusal to act that is substantially motivated by sincere religious belief”.
Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal – a declared candidate for president in 2016 – made similar remarks, saying in a statement: “This decision will pave the way for an all out assault against the religious freedom rights of Christians who disagree.”
His state’s attorney general, James “Buddy” Caldwell, attempted to stall the ruling, saying his office “found nothing in today’s decision that makes the court’s order effective immediately”.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Republicans pivot from gay marriage to religious liberty fight" by Eric Bradner, CNN 6/28/15
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee channeled Martin Luther King, Jr. calling for non-violent resistance to the court's ruling.
"May I ask, are we going to now discriminate against people of conscience, people of faith, who disagree with this ruling?" he said on ABC's "This Week." "I'm not sure that every governor and every attorney general should just say, 'Well, it's the law of the land' because there's no enabling legislation."
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz went even further in the wake of the ruling, telling an Iowa crowd that "the last 24 hours at the United States Supreme Court were among the darkest hours of our nation."
And Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal predicted the fight over religious liberty would persist through the 2016 election.
"Here's where the next fight's going: I think the left is now going to go after our First Amendment rights," Jindal said on NBC's "Meet the Press."
"I think it is wrong for the federal government to force Christian individuals, businesses, pastors, churches to participate in wedding ceremonies that violate our sincerely held religious beliefs," he said. "We have to stand up and fight for religious liberty. That's where this fight is going. The left wants to silence us, Hillary Clinton wants to silence us, we're not going away."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Texas will give legal help to officials who refuse same-sex couples on religious beliefs" by Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Los Angeles Times 6/29/15
Republican Texas Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton issued a statement and a nonbinding legal opinion on Sunday saying religious freedoms guaranteed by the 1st Amendment “may allow accommodation of their religious objections to issuing same-sex marriage licenses.”
Clerks who refuse to license same-sex couples “may well face litigation and/or a fine,” Paxton wrote. “But numerous lawyers stand ready to assist clerks defending their religious beliefs, in many cases on a pro-bono basis, and I will do everything I can from this office to be a public voice for those standing in defense of their rights.”
“In recognizing a new constitutional right in 2015, the Supreme Court did not diminish, overrule, or call into question the rights of religious liberty that formed the first freedom in the Bill of Rights in 1791. This newly minted federal constitutional right to same-sex marriage can and should peaceably coexist with longstanding constitutional and statutory rights, including the rights to free exercise of religion and freedom of speech,” [Paxton] wrote.
Paxton's opinion was echoed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who issued a directive Friday to state agency heads to protect the religious liberties of all Texans.
"In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision, the law’s promise of religious liberty will be tested by some who seek to silence and marginalize those whose conscience will not allow them to participate in or endorse marriages that are incompatible with their religious beliefs," Abbott noted. "As government officials, we have a constitutional duty to preserve, protect and defend the religious liberty of every Texan."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Utah conservatives discuss religious liberty in wake of SCOTUS ruling on same-sex marriage" by FOX 13 News and Matt McDonald, KSTU-TV13 (Salt Lake City, UT) 6/28/15
While some celebrate the Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage, others are gearing up for a new legal battleground, saying they want to protect religious liberties in the wake of the ruling.
Utah Rep. LaVar Christensen, R-District 32, introduced a bill titled the Religious Liberty Act last legislative session, and it sought to put into writing specific protections for people claiming their actions that may be construed as anti-LGBT were taken in accordance with their faith.
Some argued the bill was flawed, doing more harm than good, and it failed to pass.
“Our friend LaVar Christensen possibly will have another [Religious Freedom Restoration Act] bill like he did last year, but a majority of the Republican controlled senate said, ‘No, we want to actually collaborate with the LGBT community.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Gay Agenda: IBM Boycotts Christian LA Gov. Jindal
Wielding a paltry local employment force, IBM, the former giant of America's technology industry, warned Louisiana's outspoken governor Bobby Jindal that the state had better not challenge the corporation's backing of the Gay Agenda with any notion of government-sanctioned religious liberty. IBM vice president James Driesse threatened Jindal saying that any "bill that legally protects discrimination based on same-sex marriage status is antithetical to our company's values."
Also read LSU Homosexualists Protest Gov. Jindal & Prayer Rally
Click headlines below to read previous articles:
New Mississippi Religious Liberty Law Infuriates Liberals
Kansas GOP Governor Rescinds 'Gay Rights' of Democrat Governor
Indiana Religious Liberty Law Fights Gay Agenda, then GOP Leaders Surrender within Hours
Arkansas Religious Freedom Law NOT Gay Enough
Homosexualists & Liberal Media Defeat Religious Liberty in Arizona
And read how the Gay Agenda attacks Christians one town at a time across America.
-- From "IBM cancels ribbon-cutting because of Gov. Jindal's executive order" by Andre Moreau, WAFB-TV9 (Baton Rouge, LA) 6/19/15
IBM has cancelled Monday's ribbon-cutting for its new National Service Center in Baton Rouge because of Governor Bobby Jindal's executive order.
The event on June 22 had been reserved for months, according to several city leaders, including Davis Rhorer, executive director of the Downtown Development District.
Hours after lawmakers voted down [the HB 707] legislation on May 19, effectively killing it, Jindal issued an executive order with language that mirrored the "Marriage and Conscience Act" that was authored by Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Bossier City. The Jindal power play was met with an avalanche of negative statements against Louisiana [by homosexualists and their supporters].
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "IBM warns Louisiana over 'religious freedom' bill" by Charles Riley, CNN Money 4/16/15
IBM has sent a letter to the governor of Louisiana warning that a pending religious freedom bill would create a hostile environment for the tech company's employees.
The letter is the latest warning from corporate America to states that are considering controversial religious freedom laws. In Indiana and Arkansas, an intense backlash has already forced lawmakers to make revisions.
Jindal, a potential Republican presidential candidate, said it's a matter of liberty.
"I think we can have religious liberty without having discrimination," he said earlier this month on NBC's Meet the Press. "I think it's possible to have both."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "IBM has 'strong opposition' to Louisiana religious freedom bill" by Julia O'Donoghue, The Times-Picayune 4/17/15
The religious freedom bill is designed to block the government from pulling licenses, tax benefits and the like from a company because of the owner's held view of marriage. But LGBT advocates and a few legal experts have said it would also allow businesses of any size to refuse to recognize married same-sex couples, should same-sex marriage become legal in Louisiana.
IBM's prominent, 800-job facility in downtown Baton Rouge is being built only few blocks away from the Louisiana Capitol, where the legislation will be debated. The company is also expected to bring 400 jobs to Monroe in the northern part of the state.
Jindal has responded to IBM already with a letter of his own. The governor believes Driesse is confused about what the religious freedom bill does.
Jindal goes on to say Louisiana's religious freedom bill will not legalize discrimination against the LGBT community, but rather will protect religious people from being mistreated by the government.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Louisiana religious liberty bill goes down in defeat as Republicans side with LGBT activists" by Todd Starnes, FoxNews.com 5/19/15
Louisiana Republican lawmakers sided with Democrats, big business and LGBT activists to kill a bill that would have protected individuals and religious institutions opposed to same-sex marriage.
“As a nation we would not compel a priest, minister or rabbi to violate his conscience and perform a same-sex wedding ceremony,” Jindal wrote. “But a great many Americans who are not members of the clergy feel just as called to live their faith through their businesses. That’s why we should ensure that musicians, caterers, photographers and others should be immune from government coercion on deeply held religious convictions.”
[Gov. Jindal] said he would not be deterred by corporations that were pressured by radical liberals.
“I have a clear message for any corporation that contemplates bullying our state: save your breath,” he wrote.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
To summarize, here are just some of the ways homosexualists retaliate against those who resist the Gay Agenda: They threaten financial ruin of businesses, and they intimidate Christian lawmakers, and they sue Christians who won't celebrate "gay weddings," and they threaten to jail pastors who won't perform "gay weddings," and they torpedo fundraising aimed at helping the Christian victims, and they commit violence, even threatening death of Christians.
And consider the "big picture:" Homosexualists say the Gay Agenda will be Complete when Christians are Muzzled and therefore, Senator Ted Cruz Says the Gay Agenda Ends Christian Liberty
"The idea that the government should be prohibited from discriminating against people simply because of their faith has been a foundational principal of our republic since its founding. It is alarming that any corporate executive would want to oppose that principle today."For background, read Corporations Embrace Gay Agenda, With a Vengeance and also read Business, Pro Sports, GOP Urge Supreme Court to Go Gay
-- Rep. Mike Johnson of Bossier City (author of the "Marriage and Conscience Act")
Also read LSU Homosexualists Protest Gov. Jindal & Prayer Rally
Click headlines below to read previous articles:
New Mississippi Religious Liberty Law Infuriates Liberals
Kansas GOP Governor Rescinds 'Gay Rights' of Democrat Governor
Indiana Religious Liberty Law Fights Gay Agenda, then GOP Leaders Surrender within Hours
Arkansas Religious Freedom Law NOT Gay Enough
Homosexualists & Liberal Media Defeat Religious Liberty in Arizona
And read how the Gay Agenda attacks Christians one town at a time across America.
-- From "IBM cancels ribbon-cutting because of Gov. Jindal's executive order" by Andre Moreau, WAFB-TV9 (Baton Rouge, LA) 6/19/15
IBM has cancelled Monday's ribbon-cutting for its new National Service Center in Baton Rouge because of Governor Bobby Jindal's executive order.
The event on June 22 had been reserved for months, according to several city leaders, including Davis Rhorer, executive director of the Downtown Development District.
Hours after lawmakers voted down [the HB 707] legislation on May 19, effectively killing it, Jindal issued an executive order with language that mirrored the "Marriage and Conscience Act" that was authored by Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Bossier City. The Jindal power play was met with an avalanche of negative statements against Louisiana [by homosexualists and their supporters].
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "IBM warns Louisiana over 'religious freedom' bill" by Charles Riley, CNN Money 4/16/15
IBM has sent a letter to the governor of Louisiana warning that a pending religious freedom bill would create a hostile environment for the tech company's employees.
The letter is the latest warning from corporate America to states that are considering controversial religious freedom laws. In Indiana and Arkansas, an intense backlash has already forced lawmakers to make revisions.
Jindal, a potential Republican presidential candidate, said it's a matter of liberty.
"I think we can have religious liberty without having discrimination," he said earlier this month on NBC's Meet the Press. "I think it's possible to have both."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "IBM has 'strong opposition' to Louisiana religious freedom bill" by Julia O'Donoghue, The Times-Picayune 4/17/15
The religious freedom bill is designed to block the government from pulling licenses, tax benefits and the like from a company because of the owner's held view of marriage. But LGBT advocates and a few legal experts have said it would also allow businesses of any size to refuse to recognize married same-sex couples, should same-sex marriage become legal in Louisiana.
IBM's prominent, 800-job facility in downtown Baton Rouge is being built only few blocks away from the Louisiana Capitol, where the legislation will be debated. The company is also expected to bring 400 jobs to Monroe in the northern part of the state.
Jindal has responded to IBM already with a letter of his own. The governor believes Driesse is confused about what the religious freedom bill does.
Jindal goes on to say Louisiana's religious freedom bill will not legalize discrimination against the LGBT community, but rather will protect religious people from being mistreated by the government.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Louisiana religious liberty bill goes down in defeat as Republicans side with LGBT activists" by Todd Starnes, FoxNews.com 5/19/15
Louisiana Republican lawmakers sided with Democrats, big business and LGBT activists to kill a bill that would have protected individuals and religious institutions opposed to same-sex marriage.
“As a nation we would not compel a priest, minister or rabbi to violate his conscience and perform a same-sex wedding ceremony,” Jindal wrote. “But a great many Americans who are not members of the clergy feel just as called to live their faith through their businesses. That’s why we should ensure that musicians, caterers, photographers and others should be immune from government coercion on deeply held religious convictions.”
[Gov. Jindal] said he would not be deterred by corporations that were pressured by radical liberals.
“I have a clear message for any corporation that contemplates bullying our state: save your breath,” he wrote.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
To summarize, here are just some of the ways homosexualists retaliate against those who resist the Gay Agenda: They threaten financial ruin of businesses, and they intimidate Christian lawmakers, and they sue Christians who won't celebrate "gay weddings," and they threaten to jail pastors who won't perform "gay weddings," and they torpedo fundraising aimed at helping the Christian victims, and they commit violence, even threatening death of Christians.
And consider the "big picture:" Homosexualists say the Gay Agenda will be Complete when Christians are Muzzled and therefore, Senator Ted Cruz Says the Gay Agenda Ends Christian Liberty
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Students, School Reject ACLU's Ungodly Demand
Hundreds of students at Ridgewood Middle School in West Shreveport, Louisiana protested the removal of "In God We Trust" from the main sign at the school because of a complaint from the ACLU. Immediately, Caddo Parish School District Superintendent Dr. Theodis Lamar Goree sided with the students and so the principal had the national motto back in place within hours.
Also read of myriad other school districts in several states that stand up to the atheist threats.
From "'In God We Trust' put back on school marquee" by Jeff Ferrell, KSLA-TV12 (Shreveport, LA) 4/24/15
The controversy began last month, with a dispute at another Caddo Parish middle school. A citizen had filed a complaint with the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU, about principal Albert Hardison at Walnut Hill Middle School.
That complaint alleged the use of prayer in school communications by Mr. Hardison, prompting the removal of all references to God or religion of any kind from every school and web site related to the Caddo Parish School District.
And it was that action that led to the phrase, "In God We Trust," being taken down in March at Ridgewood's marquee out in front of the school.
Pastor and parent Joey Ketchum had been enlisted for help and support on the marquee issue by 40 or so members of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at Ridgewood. He helped out with organizing the [protest] T-shirt giveaway at the school.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Middle Schoolers Rally to Get Religious Message Back on School Sign" by Beth Greenfield, Senior Writer, Yahoo Parenting 4/27/15
. . . the [ACLU] letter, dated March 30, [said that Walnut Hill Elementary principal Albert Hardison] “has engaged in a pattern of religious proselytization by sending messages to parents invoking prayer, and through a lengthy ‘Principal’s Message’ on the school’s website,” which the ACLU noted is in violation of the First Amendment and U.S. Constitution. . . . The correspondence urged the principal to stop, for the district to look into the situation, and to “immediately remove all religious references from the website of Walnut Hills and any other schools in the Caddo Parish school district.”
That, apparently, is when Ridgewood removed “In God We Trust” from its marquee — even though the phrase has been ruled as constitutional in many court cases . . .
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Atheists: Ban Christians from Schools in Michigan, West Virginia, Oklahoma, California, Florida, Ohio, etc.
In addition, read Atheists Threaten to Sue Every School in Tennessee and in Mississippi but admit they're Short on Lawyers to Sue ALL Christians
“I’m so thrilled because that is such a victory for our students. They wanted to take a stand and they did and we’re so thrilled to death that their voice was heard loud and clear.“For background, read Texas School Supt. Tells Atheists to Go Fly a Kite
-- Joey Ketchum, parent and local Baptist pastor
Also read of myriad other school districts in several states that stand up to the atheist threats.
 |
| Click for FOX News report |
The controversy began last month, with a dispute at another Caddo Parish middle school. A citizen had filed a complaint with the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU, about principal Albert Hardison at Walnut Hill Middle School.
That complaint alleged the use of prayer in school communications by Mr. Hardison, prompting the removal of all references to God or religion of any kind from every school and web site related to the Caddo Parish School District.
And it was that action that led to the phrase, "In God We Trust," being taken down in March at Ridgewood's marquee out in front of the school.
Pastor and parent Joey Ketchum had been enlisted for help and support on the marquee issue by 40 or so members of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at Ridgewood. He helped out with organizing the [protest] T-shirt giveaway at the school.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Middle Schoolers Rally to Get Religious Message Back on School Sign" by Beth Greenfield, Senior Writer, Yahoo Parenting 4/27/15
. . . the [ACLU] letter, dated March 30, [said that Walnut Hill Elementary principal Albert Hardison] “has engaged in a pattern of religious proselytization by sending messages to parents invoking prayer, and through a lengthy ‘Principal’s Message’ on the school’s website,” which the ACLU noted is in violation of the First Amendment and U.S. Constitution. . . . The correspondence urged the principal to stop, for the district to look into the situation, and to “immediately remove all religious references from the website of Walnut Hills and any other schools in the Caddo Parish school district.”
That, apparently, is when Ridgewood removed “In God We Trust” from its marquee — even though the phrase has been ruled as constitutional in many court cases . . .
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Atheists: Ban Christians from Schools in Michigan, West Virginia, Oklahoma, California, Florida, Ohio, etc.
In addition, read Atheists Threaten to Sue Every School in Tennessee and in Mississippi but admit they're Short on Lawyers to Sue ALL Christians
Monday, April 06, 2015
School Forbids Cross Dressing at Prom, Media Fume
Principal Patrick Taylor at Carroll High School in Monroe, Louisiana told Claudetteia Love that she would not be permitted to wear a tuxedo to the prom because of the dress code. After Love announced a prom boycott to local media, the national homosexual media chimed in, and now the school board appears ready to appease critics and allow Love to celebrate her "sexual orientation" as a role model for younger soon-to-be-lesbian girls.
Lesbian Student Sues to Wear Tux to Prom; Indiana School Gives in to ACLU
Gay Guy as Prom Queen at Virginia School, School & Media Love It
Indiana School Prom Without Deviant Sex Criticized
Sexual Confusion Reigns at California High School Homecoming
Massachusetts Male 'Transgender' Student Voted Prom Queen
-- From "Gay Student to Miss Prom After Louisiana School Says No Tux" by Justin Worland, Time Magazine 4/5/15
“I told my mom, ‘They’re using me,'” [Claudetteia Love] said. “They put me in all these honors and advanced placement classes so I can take all of these tests and get good grades and better the school, but when it’s time for me to celebrate the fact that I’ve accomplished what I need to accomplish and I’m about to graduate, they don’t want to let me do it, the way I want to.”
The school’s principal, Patrick Taylor, insisted to the newspaper that the tuxedo rule isn’t about sexual orientation, rather just an issue of dress code. Geraldine Jackson, the girl’s mother, said the principal told her that teachers said they would refuse to chaperone the event if the dress code wasn’t enforced. Jackson said he told her that “girls wear dresses and boys wear tuxes, and that’s the way it is.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Gay student to miss prom over no-tux rule" by Barbara Leader, Monroe (Louisiana) News Star 4/3/15
Last year, Love was one of a group of students presented in a Monroe City School Board meeting as part of the school's high achieving medical magnet program. In a school that has a failing school performance score, Love is one of the academic superstars. She will represent the school at the annual Scholars' Banquet, an event for the top students in Ouachita Parish.
Love hadn't intended to take a date to the prom but wanted to attend with a group of friends who have also now chosen not to attend because of the no-tux rule. She says a petition by members of the senior class to change the rule wasn't acted on by faculty.
"There are other girls in lower grades than me, and I want for them when they come up to not to have to feel like they aren't accepted," Love said. "I don't want them to feel like they are less of a person because people don't accept them. There are people in the world that won't accept you but they don't have to be so judgmental and make you feel like you're less of a person and that you shouldn't express yourself."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read 1st-grade Lesbians Force Sex on Ohio 2nd Grader
And read Homosexual, Lesbian Teachers Arrested: Sex with Students
In addition, read Male Teacher Suddenly Female, Shocks California Parents
“As school board president, I don’t agree with Carroll banning her from her prom just because of what she wants to wear — that’s discrimination.”For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:
-- Rodney McFarland, Monroe City School Board
Lesbian Student Sues to Wear Tux to Prom; Indiana School Gives in to ACLU
Gay Guy as Prom Queen at Virginia School, School & Media Love It
Indiana School Prom Without Deviant Sex Criticized
Sexual Confusion Reigns at California High School Homecoming
Massachusetts Male 'Transgender' Student Voted Prom Queen
-- From "Gay Student to Miss Prom After Louisiana School Says No Tux" by Justin Worland, Time Magazine 4/5/15
“I told my mom, ‘They’re using me,'” [Claudetteia Love] said. “They put me in all these honors and advanced placement classes so I can take all of these tests and get good grades and better the school, but when it’s time for me to celebrate the fact that I’ve accomplished what I need to accomplish and I’m about to graduate, they don’t want to let me do it, the way I want to.”
The school’s principal, Patrick Taylor, insisted to the newspaper that the tuxedo rule isn’t about sexual orientation, rather just an issue of dress code. Geraldine Jackson, the girl’s mother, said the principal told her that teachers said they would refuse to chaperone the event if the dress code wasn’t enforced. Jackson said he told her that “girls wear dresses and boys wear tuxes, and that’s the way it is.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Gay student to miss prom over no-tux rule" by Barbara Leader, Monroe (Louisiana) News Star 4/3/15
Last year, Love was one of a group of students presented in a Monroe City School Board meeting as part of the school's high achieving medical magnet program. In a school that has a failing school performance score, Love is one of the academic superstars. She will represent the school at the annual Scholars' Banquet, an event for the top students in Ouachita Parish.
Love hadn't intended to take a date to the prom but wanted to attend with a group of friends who have also now chosen not to attend because of the no-tux rule. She says a petition by members of the senior class to change the rule wasn't acted on by faculty.
"There are other girls in lower grades than me, and I want for them when they come up to not to have to feel like they aren't accepted," Love said. "I don't want them to feel like they are less of a person because people don't accept them. There are people in the world that won't accept you but they don't have to be so judgmental and make you feel like you're less of a person and that you shouldn't express yourself."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read 1st-grade Lesbians Force Sex on Ohio 2nd Grader
And read Homosexual, Lesbian Teachers Arrested: Sex with Students
In addition, read Male Teacher Suddenly Female, Shocks California Parents
Monday, January 26, 2015
LSU Homosexualists Protest Louisiana Prayer Rally
As many as 7,000 Christians gathered Saturday on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge for "The Response: A Call to Prayer for a Nation in Crisis" with the Louisiana governor as headline speaker, but the LSU academia could only rouse a paltry few hundred of their faithful Gay Agenda advocates outside, while inside . . .
Also read Liberal Media Ignore 40,000 National Prayer Events even though there's a long list of states enacting laws to bring prayer back into public view.
In addition, read myriad examples of censorship of "politically incorrect" speech on college campuses across America.
-- From "Bobby Jindal Headlines All-Day Prayer Rally In Baton Rouge" by Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press 1/24/15
The rally attracted thousands to the basketball arena on LSU's campus but drew controversy both because of the group hosting it, the American Family Association [AFA], and Jindal's well-advertised headlining appearance [at this event, which was not publicly embraced by local Catholic leaders].
Holding his Bible, the two-term Republican governor opened the event by urging a revival to "begin right here, right here in our hearts." Later Saturday afternoon, he described his conversion to Christianity as a teenager.
"Today is about humbling ourselves before the Lord. Today we repent for our sins," he said. Later Jindal told attendees: "We can't just elect a candidate to fix our country ... We need a spiritual revival to fix our country."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "At controversial prayer rally, Jindal calls for spiritual revival" by Rosalind S. Helderman, Washington Post 1/24/15
The event drew protests outside the basketball arena where several hundred were gathered because of accusations that the American Family Association promotes discrimination against gays and is hostile to non-Christians. Jindal briefly referred to the protests in his appearance, asking the rally's attendees to pray for the demonstrators.
Otherwise, he stuck to his personal story, describing his seven-year path to Christianity as he paced the stage in jeans, a blazer, and a TED-speech style microphone headset. He spoke of a high school friend who had told him that he would be missed when the friend and his family went to heaven but Jindal did not. Jindal recalled a girl in high school who said she wanted to grow up to be a Supreme Court justice, so she could "save innocent human lives" from abortion. He spoke of a revelation as he watched a video about Jesus dying on the cross.
By hosting the event, Jindal was unable to attend a more prominent gathering of conservatives being held simultaneously in Iowa. The Iowa Freedom Summit drew a series of possible Republican presidential contenders, including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "AFA prayer rally at LSU featuring governor provokes protests" by Nancy Cook, KTAL-TV6 (Texarkana, TX / Shreveport, LA) 1/25/15
"Twenty-seven years ago, I came to Christ as a teenager right here at this campus at Chapel on the campus. It is amazing to me that 27 years later, I'd be able, as Governor, to invite people to come back and offer spiritual renewal and revival that we so desperately need in our state," Jindal said.
But members of LGBTQ communities from around the state, as well as LSU students and faculty, were not buying it, or anyway were not buying that the event should be held on the LSU campus.
The LSU Faculty Senate, in fact, passed a resolution opposing the prayer rally, in part because it was funded by the AFA, which it said was classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
The AFA, the resolution claimed, demonizes and makes false claims “about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people, Jews, Muslims, Hispanics, Native Americans and atheists.” The resolution said the event contridicted LSU’s mission “to use its extensive resources to solve economic, environmental and social challenges.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Thousands turn out for Bobby Jindal's prayer rally at LSU; students, activists protest too" by Elizabeth Crisp, The New Orleans Advocate 1/24/15
Outside LSU’s Pete Maravich Assembly Center, about 400 LSU students, faculty and others peacefully demonstrated, calling for equality for gay people and lesbians, an end to education funding cuts, and unity among the races and religions. Despite the controversy and concern it spawned in the weeks leading up to Jindal’s much-discussed prayer rally, those who attended said they left the event feeling uplifted.
Shamaka Schumake, of Baton Rouge, was among the protestors outside the PMAC. She said she wanted to get involved in the protest because of what she sees as anti-Muslim and anti-gay rhetoric from AFA and others involved.
Though [Jindal] and others have stressed repeatedly that the prayer rally wasn’t political, the event offered Jindal another chance to court evangelicals and the Christian right as he weighs a run for president. Critics had accused him of putting on a political show, just days after his supporters launched a political action committee that would set up a financial framework if he decides to seek the GOP nomination.
He also spoke briefly to an anti-abortion rally at the outdoors Greek Theater on campus while the prayer rally was in progress nearby.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Potential 2016 candidates road test messages on immigration, marriage" by Rebecca Kaplan, CBS News 1/25/15
"If I do decide to run [for president] I think this country, I think our nation, needs leaders who have the courage to speak the truth to us. And unfortunately we don't have that right now," Jindal said. "I'll give you an example: Earlier this week I gave a speech in London where I talked about the threats of radical Islamic terrorism. I know it made a lot of people upset, but we need leaders to tell us the truth. For example, people coming to our country need to integrate, need to assimilate."
Jindal . . . reiterated his believe that marriage is between a man and a woman, and took a shot at those politicians who have changed their stance on the issue.
"I know that many politicians are evolving, so-called evolving on this issue based on the polls. I don't change my views based on the polls," Jindal said.
He noted that Louisiana has a law defining marriage as being between a man and a woman, and said that if the court handed down a ruling that invalidated it, he would urge lawmakers in Washington, D.C. to pass a constitutional amendment that allowed states to continue defining marriage.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Atheists, Liberals Lament Recent Supreme Court Religious Liberty Rulings including the ruling that Christians Are Free to Pray in Jesus' Name at Government Meetings
And read Public Prayer: Poll Shows Vast Majority of Americans Want it
In addition, read President Obama Provokes Second 'In God We Trust' Movement
“It's about praying to God. It's about coming together. . . . today is all about a spiritual revival.”For background, read Liberals Launch Salvo at Gov. Jindal Prayer Rally
-- Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, self-described "evangelical Catholic" since high school (he was raised Hindu)
Also read Liberal Media Ignore 40,000 National Prayer Events even though there's a long list of states enacting laws to bring prayer back into public view.
In addition, read myriad examples of censorship of "politically incorrect" speech on college campuses across America.
-- From "Bobby Jindal Headlines All-Day Prayer Rally In Baton Rouge" by Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press 1/24/15
The rally attracted thousands to the basketball arena on LSU's campus but drew controversy both because of the group hosting it, the American Family Association [AFA], and Jindal's well-advertised headlining appearance [at this event, which was not publicly embraced by local Catholic leaders].
Holding his Bible, the two-term Republican governor opened the event by urging a revival to "begin right here, right here in our hearts." Later Saturday afternoon, he described his conversion to Christianity as a teenager.
"Today is about humbling ourselves before the Lord. Today we repent for our sins," he said. Later Jindal told attendees: "We can't just elect a candidate to fix our country ... We need a spiritual revival to fix our country."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "At controversial prayer rally, Jindal calls for spiritual revival" by Rosalind S. Helderman, Washington Post 1/24/15
The event drew protests outside the basketball arena where several hundred were gathered because of accusations that the American Family Association promotes discrimination against gays and is hostile to non-Christians. Jindal briefly referred to the protests in his appearance, asking the rally's attendees to pray for the demonstrators.
Otherwise, he stuck to his personal story, describing his seven-year path to Christianity as he paced the stage in jeans, a blazer, and a TED-speech style microphone headset. He spoke of a high school friend who had told him that he would be missed when the friend and his family went to heaven but Jindal did not. Jindal recalled a girl in high school who said she wanted to grow up to be a Supreme Court justice, so she could "save innocent human lives" from abortion. He spoke of a revelation as he watched a video about Jesus dying on the cross.
By hosting the event, Jindal was unable to attend a more prominent gathering of conservatives being held simultaneously in Iowa. The Iowa Freedom Summit drew a series of possible Republican presidential contenders, including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "AFA prayer rally at LSU featuring governor provokes protests" by Nancy Cook, KTAL-TV6 (Texarkana, TX / Shreveport, LA) 1/25/15
"Twenty-seven years ago, I came to Christ as a teenager right here at this campus at Chapel on the campus. It is amazing to me that 27 years later, I'd be able, as Governor, to invite people to come back and offer spiritual renewal and revival that we so desperately need in our state," Jindal said.
But members of LGBTQ communities from around the state, as well as LSU students and faculty, were not buying it, or anyway were not buying that the event should be held on the LSU campus.
The LSU Faculty Senate, in fact, passed a resolution opposing the prayer rally, in part because it was funded by the AFA, which it said was classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
The AFA, the resolution claimed, demonizes and makes false claims “about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people, Jews, Muslims, Hispanics, Native Americans and atheists.” The resolution said the event contridicted LSU’s mission “to use its extensive resources to solve economic, environmental and social challenges.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Thousands turn out for Bobby Jindal's prayer rally at LSU; students, activists protest too" by Elizabeth Crisp, The New Orleans Advocate 1/24/15
Outside LSU’s Pete Maravich Assembly Center, about 400 LSU students, faculty and others peacefully demonstrated, calling for equality for gay people and lesbians, an end to education funding cuts, and unity among the races and religions. Despite the controversy and concern it spawned in the weeks leading up to Jindal’s much-discussed prayer rally, those who attended said they left the event feeling uplifted.
Shamaka Schumake, of Baton Rouge, was among the protestors outside the PMAC. She said she wanted to get involved in the protest because of what she sees as anti-Muslim and anti-gay rhetoric from AFA and others involved.
Though [Jindal] and others have stressed repeatedly that the prayer rally wasn’t political, the event offered Jindal another chance to court evangelicals and the Christian right as he weighs a run for president. Critics had accused him of putting on a political show, just days after his supporters launched a political action committee that would set up a financial framework if he decides to seek the GOP nomination.
He also spoke briefly to an anti-abortion rally at the outdoors Greek Theater on campus while the prayer rally was in progress nearby.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Potential 2016 candidates road test messages on immigration, marriage" by Rebecca Kaplan, CBS News 1/25/15
"If I do decide to run [for president] I think this country, I think our nation, needs leaders who have the courage to speak the truth to us. And unfortunately we don't have that right now," Jindal said. "I'll give you an example: Earlier this week I gave a speech in London where I talked about the threats of radical Islamic terrorism. I know it made a lot of people upset, but we need leaders to tell us the truth. For example, people coming to our country need to integrate, need to assimilate."
Jindal . . . reiterated his believe that marriage is between a man and a woman, and took a shot at those politicians who have changed their stance on the issue.
"I know that many politicians are evolving, so-called evolving on this issue based on the polls. I don't change my views based on the polls," Jindal said.
He noted that Louisiana has a law defining marriage as being between a man and a woman, and said that if the court handed down a ruling that invalidated it, he would urge lawmakers in Washington, D.C. to pass a constitutional amendment that allowed states to continue defining marriage.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Atheists, Liberals Lament Recent Supreme Court Religious Liberty Rulings including the ruling that Christians Are Free to Pray in Jesus' Name at Government Meetings
And read Public Prayer: Poll Shows Vast Majority of Americans Want it
In addition, read President Obama Provokes Second 'In God We Trust' Movement
Monday, December 15, 2014
Liberals Launch Salvo at Gov. Jindal Prayer Rally
As Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal prepares his foray into the Republican presidential primary, liberals in the media can't decide whether to criticize him as a radical right-wing Christian fundamentalist who believes that God controls disease and natural disaster, or if he's just another political opportunist wooing the powerful Christian base of the party.
For background, read GOP Rising Star Jindal Pushes Liberalized Contraceptives as well as Texas Gov. Rick Perry's Prayer Rally Perturbs Media
Also read Media Prepare Anti-Christian Campaign for Republican Primary (2012)
-- From "Is Bobby Jindal's mass prayer rally at LSU a clue to his presidential plans?" by Julia O'Donoghue, The Times-Picayune 12/13/14
Gov. Bobby Jindal will host a mass prayer rally on the LSU campus in January called "The Response," sponsored by the American Family Association, a conservative Christian group based out of Mississippi.
American Family is covering the cost of the event, scheduled for 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on Jan. 24 at the Maravich Assembly Center. The mass meeting is billed as a group meditation -- a response, if you will -- to the multiple crises facing the country.
This same group funded a similar mass prayer rally for Texas Gov. Rick Perry in 2011, just days before Perry announced his 2012 presidential campaign.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Louisiana Gov. Jindal’s prayer rally handouts blame gays and abortion for Hurricane Katrina" by David Ferguson, Raw Story 12/12/14
Among the re-used documents [from Perry's rally] is a “prayer guide” for Christians who are attending the rally that tells them how to pray in the seven days leading up to the rally.
The Day Two tells believers to meditate on God’s vengeance, beginning with the plagues God sent to Egypt for enslaving the Jews.
For Christian evangelicals, blaming gays and women for catastrophes is nothing new. Even as the Twin Towers in New York City burned on Sep. 11, 2001, the late evangelist Jerry Falwell said the attacks were the result of the U.S. “throwing God out of the public square.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read GOP Strategy: Dump Old Uneducated Christian Voters
For background, read GOP Rising Star Jindal Pushes Liberalized Contraceptives as well as Texas Gov. Rick Perry's Prayer Rally Perturbs Media
Also read Media Prepare Anti-Christian Campaign for Republican Primary (2012)
-- From "Is Bobby Jindal's mass prayer rally at LSU a clue to his presidential plans?" by Julia O'Donoghue, The Times-Picayune 12/13/14
Gov. Bobby Jindal will host a mass prayer rally on the LSU campus in January called "The Response," sponsored by the American Family Association, a conservative Christian group based out of Mississippi.
American Family is covering the cost of the event, scheduled for 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on Jan. 24 at the Maravich Assembly Center. The mass meeting is billed as a group meditation -- a response, if you will -- to the multiple crises facing the country.
This same group funded a similar mass prayer rally for Texas Gov. Rick Perry in 2011, just days before Perry announced his 2012 presidential campaign.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Louisiana Gov. Jindal’s prayer rally handouts blame gays and abortion for Hurricane Katrina" by David Ferguson, Raw Story 12/12/14
Among the re-used documents [from Perry's rally] is a “prayer guide” for Christians who are attending the rally that tells them how to pray in the seven days leading up to the rally.
The Day Two tells believers to meditate on God’s vengeance, beginning with the plagues God sent to Egypt for enslaving the Jews.
For Christian evangelicals, blaming gays and women for catastrophes is nothing new. Even as the Twin Towers in New York City burned on Sep. 11, 2001, the late evangelist Jerry Falwell said the attacks were the result of the U.S. “throwing God out of the public square.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read GOP Strategy: Dump Old Uneducated Christian Voters
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)