At the annual meeting of the Exxon Mobil corporation this week, a proposal by homosexualists to add "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to the company's anti-discrimination policy was defeated by a vote of 81-19. Exxon Mobil remains one of the few large corporations bucking the politically correct trend embracing the Gay Agenda.
For background, read Largest Corporations Stampede to Support 'Gay Agenda' and also read Defeat Marriage, Says Starbucks, Other Corporations as well as Professional Sports Embrace Gay Agenda
In addition, read Corporation Opposes Gay Agenda = Media Storm
-- From "Exxon Mobil shareholders reject gay-rights proposal" by Jim Fuquay, Fort Worth Star Telegram 5/29/13
That proposal, which had drawn increased scrutiny from activists in recent weeks, had support from just 20 percent of shares voted. The company, in advising shareholders to vote against the measure, said its policies already prohibit “all forms of discrimination” in all its workplaces worldwide.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Exxon Mobil rejects gay-discrimination ban during Dallas shareholders meeting" by David Koenig, Associated Press Business Writer 5/29/13
It was the 16th defeat for Exxon resolutions on discrimination against gays and the seventh on greenhouse emissions.
The ban on bias based on sexual orientation was proposed by a retirement fund for New York state employees. George Wong, an official for the New York comptroller's office, said the lack of specific protection for gays hurt the company's ability to recruit employees from the widest pool of talent.
Wong said Exxon discriminates by refusing to extend spousal benefits to employees who marry a gay partner in New York, where same-sex marriage is legal.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Exxon Mobil's Anti-Gay Discrimination Policy Rejection Slammed By GetEQUAL Advocacy Group" reported by Huffington Post 5/29/13
Recently, Exxon -- the nation's largest oil and gas company -- received a score below zero on the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) ranking of corporate policies towards LGBT employees.
Exxon officials had reportedly been sent two nearly identical resumes for a job opening at its office in Patoka, Ill. by LGBT advocacy group Freedom to Work in conjunction with a high-powered Washington law firm. One of the fictional applicants had been depicted as a gay rights activist and did not receive a callback despite having significantly higher high school and college grades than the other, who was contacted, according to the AP.
Interestingly, Mobil had policies protecting gay and lesbian employees, and it offered domestic partner benefits prior to its 1999 merger with Exxon after the merger, according to the Dallas News. Those policies were rescinded immediately after the merger
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "ExxonMobil Shareholders Again Refuse Special Protection for Homosexual Employees" by Ryan Kierman, CNSNews.com 5/31/13
Conservative groups, including the Family Research Council, applauded shareholders for rejecting the proposal.
“While other businesses drift away from their principles or capitulate under pressure, Exxon is putting its stock in something other than political correctness,” said FRC President Tony Perkins. “Exxon is setting a good example for other businesses who think promoting extreme political views is the only away to avoid the strong arm tactics of far left special interests.”
In their submission to shareholders, homosexual advocates noted that more than 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies have adopted written nondiscrimination policies prohibiting harassment and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
A week before Wednesday’s shareholder meeting, the oil giant was sued by the LGBT advocacy group Freedom to Work, which alleges that ExxonMobil discriminated on the basis of sexual orientation by hiring a less-qualified administrative assistant rather than one who served as treasurer of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund.
The Los Angeles Times noted that a lawyer for the plaintiffs called ExxonMobil “an outlier that refuses to follow industry standards.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Businesses Sued for Giving Discounts to Christians
Friday, May 31, 2013
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Boy Scouts Go Gay, Church Sponsors Say 'Goodbye'
Now that the Boy Scouts of America will be embracing so-called "gay boys" as members, Christian churches across America will be dropping their sponsorship of local troops. The downsized BSA will only be sponsored by secular civic organizations and liberal so-called "churches" who celebrate homosexual behavior between men and boys.
Although the new BSA policy only allows "gay boys," after the first lawsuit by a homosexual Eagle Scout turning age 18 who wants to be a troop leader, the BSA will be forced to go "fully gay."
UPDATE 7/28/15 — Demise of Boy Scouts: Male Homosexual Leaders OKd
For background, read Boy Scouts Reinforce Rules Denying Homosexual Leaders (just one year ago)
In addition, read Most Americans Say Gay Men Untrustworthy with Boys
-- From "Some Churches Say They'll Cut Ties to Boy Scouts Following Its Lifting Ban on Gay Scouts" by Christina Ng, ABC News 5/29/13
[President of the SBC executive committee, Frank] Page said that the Southern Baptist Convention [SBC] -- the largest Protestant denomination in the United States -- would be holding its national meeting in two weeks, after which it would likely recommend that its 47,000 U.S. churches pull away from the Boy Scouts of America. From there, it is up to each individual church to decide what to do, said Page.
About 70 percent of all local Boy Scout troops are supported by religious groups, according to the Boy Scouts of America, and the Southern Baptist Convention currently sponsors "hundreds of troops, probably thousands," Page said.
The National Jewish Committee on Scouting, the Episcopal Church, the United Church of Christ, the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Metropolitan Community Church all urged full repeal of the longtime ban [on deviant sexual behavior in scouting].
One of the first religious organizations to denounce the Boy Scout's new policy on allowing gay members was the Assemblies of God, the world's largest Pentecostal group, saying in a statement, "We believe that the BSA policy change will lead to a mass exodus from the Boy Scout program, as Assemblies of God and many other churches can no longer support groups that are part of an organization allowing members who are openly homosexual."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Priest cuts ties to Boy Scouts over gay scout decision" by Heather Graf, KING-TV5 (Seattle, WA) 5/28/13
Father Derek Lappe is the priest at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Bremerton [Washington].
"It was a very difficult decision, it's a very sad thing, with the long legacy we have of scouting in this parish," he said.
Ultimately, Lappe says the new scouting policy just doesn't align with the values and teachings of the Catholic Church.
"My concern is this definition of a young man, a 10 to 18 year old boy as "openly gay" or "openly homosexual"," he said. "How is that supposed to be lived out within what we believe as Catholics and what we teach about Catholics."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Southeast Christian to break with Boy Scout troop" by Mark Boxley, The Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY) 5/26/13
Tim Hester, executive pastor of Southeast Christian, said the youth organization’s consideration of that issue started the discussion that eventually led to the church’s board of elders deciding against renewing the church’s charter with Troop 212, but it wasn’t the deciding issue.
Hester said Troop 212 leaders approached Southeast Christian — which in 2011 was listed as the fourth-largest congregation in the nation in a survey by Outreach magazine — when the gay vote issue first came up.
“Truly for us it’s a logical decision,” he said. “We cannot be distracted from the mission God has called us to.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Alabama pastors ban Boy Scouts from meeting at church" by The Associated Press 5/29/13
First Baptist Church of Helena Pastor Greg Walker told WBRC-TV that as a pastor and a Christian, he can’t allow a group “to openly support a sinful lifestyle under the umbrella of First Baptist Helena.”
The Rev. Mike Shaw, of the First Baptist Church of Pelham and former president of the Alabama Baptist Convention, says his church will no longer sponsor Troop 404 after the policy takes place next year.
“We’re not doing it out of hatred. The teachings of the scripture are very clear on this. We’re doing it because it violates the clear teaching of scripture,” Shaw told the Birmingham News.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Boy Scouts Would Abandon Own Supreme Court Victory" by Ed Whelan, National Review Online 5/13/13
. . . while the BSA’s proposed new policy would purport to leave in place its policy denying membership to adult leaders who are “open or avowed homosexuals,” it would in fact undermine the legal basis for maintaining that policy in states that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. In Boy Scouts of America v. Dale (2000), the Supreme Court ruled that the BSA has a constitutionally protected right under the First Amendment to its existing membership policy. That victory rested heavily on the BSA’s position that (as the Court summarized it) “homosexual conduct is inconsistent with the values it seeks to instill.” The resolution, however, is conspicuously silent on whether this remains the BSA’s position.
Further, because the proposed new policy would apparently allow youth members who are “open or avowed homosexuals” to occupy leadership roles in the troop, it is difficult to see on what basis the BSA could expect to justify barring adults who are “open or avowed homosexuals” from leadership roles. . . .
But is there a significant difference between a 17-year-and-11-month old youth leader and an 18-year-old (or older) adult leader—a difference so significant that the BSA could plausibly be thought to hold, and to be advancing, a position that “homosexual conduct is inconsistent with the values it seeks to instill” when it allows “open or avowed homosexuals” to be youth leaders but not adult leaders? The BSA’s failure to address this fundamental question is telling.
To read the entire opinion column above, CLICK HERE.
Also read 'Gay Gene' Advocates Say Pedophilia is Inborn
Although the new BSA policy only allows "gay boys," after the first lawsuit by a homosexual Eagle Scout turning age 18 who wants to be a troop leader, the BSA will be forced to go "fully gay."
UPDATE 7/28/15 — Demise of Boy Scouts: Male Homosexual Leaders OKd
For background, read Boy Scouts Reinforce Rules Denying Homosexual Leaders (just one year ago)
In addition, read Most Americans Say Gay Men Untrustworthy with Boys
-- From "Some Churches Say They'll Cut Ties to Boy Scouts Following Its Lifting Ban on Gay Scouts" by Christina Ng, ABC News 5/29/13
[President of the SBC executive committee, Frank] Page said that the Southern Baptist Convention [SBC] -- the largest Protestant denomination in the United States -- would be holding its national meeting in two weeks, after which it would likely recommend that its 47,000 U.S. churches pull away from the Boy Scouts of America. From there, it is up to each individual church to decide what to do, said Page.
About 70 percent of all local Boy Scout troops are supported by religious groups, according to the Boy Scouts of America, and the Southern Baptist Convention currently sponsors "hundreds of troops, probably thousands," Page said.
The National Jewish Committee on Scouting, the Episcopal Church, the United Church of Christ, the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Metropolitan Community Church all urged full repeal of the longtime ban [on deviant sexual behavior in scouting].
One of the first religious organizations to denounce the Boy Scout's new policy on allowing gay members was the Assemblies of God, the world's largest Pentecostal group, saying in a statement, "We believe that the BSA policy change will lead to a mass exodus from the Boy Scout program, as Assemblies of God and many other churches can no longer support groups that are part of an organization allowing members who are openly homosexual."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Priest cuts ties to Boy Scouts over gay scout decision" by Heather Graf, KING-TV5 (Seattle, WA) 5/28/13
Father Derek Lappe is the priest at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Bremerton [Washington].
"It was a very difficult decision, it's a very sad thing, with the long legacy we have of scouting in this parish," he said.
Ultimately, Lappe says the new scouting policy just doesn't align with the values and teachings of the Catholic Church.
"My concern is this definition of a young man, a 10 to 18 year old boy as "openly gay" or "openly homosexual"," he said. "How is that supposed to be lived out within what we believe as Catholics and what we teach about Catholics."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Southeast Christian to break with Boy Scout troop" by Mark Boxley, The Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY) 5/26/13
Tim Hester, executive pastor of Southeast Christian, said the youth organization’s consideration of that issue started the discussion that eventually led to the church’s board of elders deciding against renewing the church’s charter with Troop 212, but it wasn’t the deciding issue.
Hester said Troop 212 leaders approached Southeast Christian — which in 2011 was listed as the fourth-largest congregation in the nation in a survey by Outreach magazine — when the gay vote issue first came up.
“Truly for us it’s a logical decision,” he said. “We cannot be distracted from the mission God has called us to.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Alabama pastors ban Boy Scouts from meeting at church" by The Associated Press 5/29/13
First Baptist Church of Helena Pastor Greg Walker told WBRC-TV that as a pastor and a Christian, he can’t allow a group “to openly support a sinful lifestyle under the umbrella of First Baptist Helena.”
The Rev. Mike Shaw, of the First Baptist Church of Pelham and former president of the Alabama Baptist Convention, says his church will no longer sponsor Troop 404 after the policy takes place next year.
“We’re not doing it out of hatred. The teachings of the scripture are very clear on this. We’re doing it because it violates the clear teaching of scripture,” Shaw told the Birmingham News.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Boy Scouts Would Abandon Own Supreme Court Victory" by Ed Whelan, National Review Online 5/13/13
. . . while the BSA’s proposed new policy would purport to leave in place its policy denying membership to adult leaders who are “open or avowed homosexuals,” it would in fact undermine the legal basis for maintaining that policy in states that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. In Boy Scouts of America v. Dale (2000), the Supreme Court ruled that the BSA has a constitutionally protected right under the First Amendment to its existing membership policy. That victory rested heavily on the BSA’s position that (as the Court summarized it) “homosexual conduct is inconsistent with the values it seeks to instill.” The resolution, however, is conspicuously silent on whether this remains the BSA’s position.
Further, because the proposed new policy would apparently allow youth members who are “open or avowed homosexuals” to occupy leadership roles in the troop, it is difficult to see on what basis the BSA could expect to justify barring adults who are “open or avowed homosexuals” from leadership roles. . . .
But is there a significant difference between a 17-year-and-11-month old youth leader and an 18-year-old (or older) adult leader—a difference so significant that the BSA could plausibly be thought to hold, and to be advancing, a position that “homosexual conduct is inconsistent with the values it seeks to instill” when it allows “open or avowed homosexuals” to be youth leaders but not adult leaders? The BSA’s failure to address this fundamental question is telling.
To read the entire opinion column above, CLICK HERE.
Also read 'Gay Gene' Advocates Say Pedophilia is Inborn
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
75% of Maryland Abortion Clinics Fail Inspections
Twelve of the 16 abortion clinics were found to be in violation of the 2012 updated state regulations by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOH), and four of the 16 received emergency suspension of their licenses to protect “public health, safety or welfare.”
Meanwhile, former Planned Parenthood nurses Joyce Vasikonis and Jayne Mitchell-Werbrich are testifying before the Delaware state legislature about the “ridiculously” unsafe and filthy conditions while they worked at the abortion clinic -- video:
For background, click headlines below of related articles:
Most Abortion Clinics to Close in Virginia
Fetuses in Dumpsters Closes Michigan Abortion Clinics
New Michigan Law Requires 'Safe' Abortion Clinics
Unsafe Illinois Abortion Clinic Closes Permanently
Illinois Abortion Clinics Passed without Inspections
Abortionist Kills Chicago Mother in Second Trimester
Woman Dies from Abortion in Maryland, Media Silent
More Abortionists Linked to Murder Cases
-- From "Md. Health Department Investigation Finds Deficiencies at 12 Abortion Clinics" posted at WRC-TV4 (Washington, DC) 5/25/13
An investigation by Maryland health officials into the state's 16 surgical abortion facilities found that 12 were deficient in some respect . . .
Among the issues found at the 12 clinics were lapses in providing information about the professional credentials of physicians, maintaining a sanitary environment, and providing a discharge diagnosis into the medical record.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Abortion clinics lose licenses again" by Andrea K. Walker, The Baltimore Sun 5/24/13
State health regulators suspended the licenses of several abortion clinics owned by Associates in OB/GYN Care for the second time after an employee with no health care license or certification gave a patient a drug to induce an abortion at the Baltimore facility.
The same employee also performed an ultrasound on the woman, although the employee wasn't trained in the procedure, according to records released Friday by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. There also was no physician at the clinic, even though the woman had scheduled an appointment for a May 4 procedure.
The state's Office of Health Care Quality investigated the clinic and suspended its license after receiving an anonymous complaint about the patient's treatment on May 7. The agency also examined operations at clinics owned by OB/GYN Care in Cheverly, Frederick and Silver Spring and suspended the licenses of those clinics as well.
The investigation found that it was standard protocol at the clinics to administer the drug Misoprostol to induce an abortion in patients in the 11th week of pregnancy or later, even if the patient had not been seen by a doctor and there was no physician at the clinic.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Four Maryland abortion clinic licenses suspended: woman died at one clinic" by John Jalsevac, LifeSiteNews.com 5/24/13
The previous closure of three of the clinics in early March followed the discovery by state inspectors that a woman had died at Associates in OB/GYN Care’s Baltimore facility. While the woman was said to have died from an underlying condition, inspectors had learned that the abortionist and staff at the facility weren't certified in CPR, and a defibrillator at the clinic didn’t work.
The state decided to inspect the clinics following an anonymous complaint regarding the treatment of this client.
The Department of Health's letter announcing the license suspensions also revealed that the abortion clinics have not "provided acceptable plans of correction for all of the deficiencies" discovered during inspection.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Md: ‘No deficiencies’ found in care of woman who died after abortion" by Lena H. Sun, Washington Post 5/24/13
In the case of the Germantown clinic, the health department began an investigation shortly after the woman’s death Feb. 7 [of 29-year-old Jennifer McKenna Morbelli]. Officials interviewed clinic staff, reviewed medical records and the clinic’s policies and procedures, and consulted with the state medical examiner’s office.
In a letter Friday to state legislative leaders, health department officials said they “identified no deficiencies with respect to this complaint.”
But the department did find numerous deficiencies at Germantown Reproductive Health Services during its broader inspection of all surgical abortion clinics.
At the Germantown clinic, nurses were not properly trained to give sedation medication. The clinic’s medical director was not properly credentialed. One nurse’s license had expired the year before.
Inspectors also found that the clinic failed to develop and put in place policies and procedures for emergencies if patients had to be transferred to a hospital. . . .
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
In addition, read Pro-lifers Prevail: More Abortion Restriction Laws and also read Pro-life Legislation Floods America as well as Eroding Roe v. Wade State-by-state
Meanwhile, former Planned Parenthood nurses Joyce Vasikonis and Jayne Mitchell-Werbrich are testifying before the Delaware state legislature about the “ridiculously” unsafe and filthy conditions while they worked at the abortion clinic -- video:
For background, click headlines below of related articles:
Most Abortion Clinics to Close in Virginia
Fetuses in Dumpsters Closes Michigan Abortion Clinics
New Michigan Law Requires 'Safe' Abortion Clinics
Unsafe Illinois Abortion Clinic Closes Permanently
Illinois Abortion Clinics Passed without Inspections
Abortionist Kills Chicago Mother in Second Trimester
Woman Dies from Abortion in Maryland, Media Silent
More Abortionists Linked to Murder Cases
-- From "Md. Health Department Investigation Finds Deficiencies at 12 Abortion Clinics" posted at WRC-TV4 (Washington, DC) 5/25/13
An investigation by Maryland health officials into the state's 16 surgical abortion facilities found that 12 were deficient in some respect . . .
Among the issues found at the 12 clinics were lapses in providing information about the professional credentials of physicians, maintaining a sanitary environment, and providing a discharge diagnosis into the medical record.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Abortion clinics lose licenses again" by Andrea K. Walker, The Baltimore Sun 5/24/13
State health regulators suspended the licenses of several abortion clinics owned by Associates in OB/GYN Care for the second time after an employee with no health care license or certification gave a patient a drug to induce an abortion at the Baltimore facility.
The same employee also performed an ultrasound on the woman, although the employee wasn't trained in the procedure, according to records released Friday by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. There also was no physician at the clinic, even though the woman had scheduled an appointment for a May 4 procedure.
The state's Office of Health Care Quality investigated the clinic and suspended its license after receiving an anonymous complaint about the patient's treatment on May 7. The agency also examined operations at clinics owned by OB/GYN Care in Cheverly, Frederick and Silver Spring and suspended the licenses of those clinics as well.
The investigation found that it was standard protocol at the clinics to administer the drug Misoprostol to induce an abortion in patients in the 11th week of pregnancy or later, even if the patient had not been seen by a doctor and there was no physician at the clinic.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Four Maryland abortion clinic licenses suspended: woman died at one clinic" by John Jalsevac, LifeSiteNews.com 5/24/13
The previous closure of three of the clinics in early March followed the discovery by state inspectors that a woman had died at Associates in OB/GYN Care’s Baltimore facility. While the woman was said to have died from an underlying condition, inspectors had learned that the abortionist and staff at the facility weren't certified in CPR, and a defibrillator at the clinic didn’t work.
The state decided to inspect the clinics following an anonymous complaint regarding the treatment of this client.
The Department of Health's letter announcing the license suspensions also revealed that the abortion clinics have not "provided acceptable plans of correction for all of the deficiencies" discovered during inspection.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Md: ‘No deficiencies’ found in care of woman who died after abortion" by Lena H. Sun, Washington Post 5/24/13
In the case of the Germantown clinic, the health department began an investigation shortly after the woman’s death Feb. 7 [of 29-year-old Jennifer McKenna Morbelli]. Officials interviewed clinic staff, reviewed medical records and the clinic’s policies and procedures, and consulted with the state medical examiner’s office.
In a letter Friday to state legislative leaders, health department officials said they “identified no deficiencies with respect to this complaint.”
But the department did find numerous deficiencies at Germantown Reproductive Health Services during its broader inspection of all surgical abortion clinics.
At the Germantown clinic, nurses were not properly trained to give sedation medication. The clinic’s medical director was not properly credentialed. One nurse’s license had expired the year before.
Inspectors also found that the clinic failed to develop and put in place policies and procedures for emergencies if patients had to be transferred to a hospital. . . .
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
In addition, read Pro-lifers Prevail: More Abortion Restriction Laws and also read Pro-life Legislation Floods America as well as Eroding Roe v. Wade State-by-state
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Prayer at KY Graduation Despite Atheists' Demands
There has always been student-led prayer during the graduation ceremony at Lincoln County High School in Stanford, KY, but this year Principal Tim Godbey said prayer time must be eliminated from the agenda because a few students complained. However, Jonathan Hardwick, the Class of 2013 president, vowed to include a prayer in his speech, and when he did, it was met with applause and a standing ovation from virtually everyone in attendance.
Also read about laws to bring prayer to schools in Texas, and Louisiana, and North Carolina, and Missouri, and Mississippi, and Florida, and Tennessee.
-- From "Despite objections, prayer goes on at Lincoln graduation" by Stephanie Mojica, The Advocate-Messenger (Danville, KY) 5/25/13
In an interview with The Advocate-Messenger earlier this month, Principal Tim Godbey acknowledged that six students — including at least one atheist — had pleaded with him not to allow student-led prayer to be a part of the school’s graduation ceremony. Godbey, a self-professed Christian who says he prays for each of his students daily, said under separation of church and state laws, faculty members have never been able to pray publicly on school grounds or during school-sponsored functions. However, he noted that the U.S. Constitution does not prohibit students from doing so as long as they are not otherwise disruptive.
Some local residents with signs demonstrated outside the school in favor of prayer and Kentucky State Police troopers were patrolling in several areas of the school grounds, according to Danville resident and activist Ricky Smith, an atheist, who attended the ceremony Friday at the request of several concerned parents and students.
Smith intends to notify the American Civil Liberties Union and the Freedom From Religion Foundation about Lincoln’s public prayer, which he feels violated the civil rights of students who are not Christians. Smith - a former Christian - pointed out that some students represent a variety of faiths or lack thereof, including Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, paganism, atheism and agnosticism.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Lincoln County High School grapples with prayer at graduation" by Ben Kleppinger, The Interior Journal (Lincoln County, KY) 5/9/13
. . . the high school's senior class president is worried the meaningfulness of the day could be lost in the fray, and the principal is combatting what he calls "incorrect, and frankly, inappropriate information" regarding whether prayer is allowed in school.
In years past, the graduating class has been allowed to plan for a student-led prayer during the ceremony, as long as there was a unanimous vote by graduating students that they wanted the prayer, Godbey explained Friday.
“It’s just something the students did in the midst of graduation and we allowed it,” he said. “Now that we kind of have this opposition, we don’t feel like we can do that.”
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1992 that public schools cannot sponsor prayer at graduation ceremonies because it is a violation of the establishment clause of the First Amendment, which reads "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…"
However, while schools cannot sponsor prayer, students still have constitutionally-protected rights to express themselves.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
The root issue is American Religious Liberty vs. Anti-Christian Totalitarianism
“Thank you for helping us get here safely today, Lord, and thank you for the many blessings you have given us.”For background, read Atheists Threaten to Sue Every School in Mississippi
-- Jonathan Hardwick, graduate
Also read about laws to bring prayer to schools in Texas, and Louisiana, and North Carolina, and Missouri, and Mississippi, and Florida, and Tennessee.
-- From "Despite objections, prayer goes on at Lincoln graduation" by Stephanie Mojica, The Advocate-Messenger (Danville, KY) 5/25/13
In an interview with The Advocate-Messenger earlier this month, Principal Tim Godbey acknowledged that six students — including at least one atheist — had pleaded with him not to allow student-led prayer to be a part of the school’s graduation ceremony. Godbey, a self-professed Christian who says he prays for each of his students daily, said under separation of church and state laws, faculty members have never been able to pray publicly on school grounds or during school-sponsored functions. However, he noted that the U.S. Constitution does not prohibit students from doing so as long as they are not otherwise disruptive.
Some local residents with signs demonstrated outside the school in favor of prayer and Kentucky State Police troopers were patrolling in several areas of the school grounds, according to Danville resident and activist Ricky Smith, an atheist, who attended the ceremony Friday at the request of several concerned parents and students.
Smith intends to notify the American Civil Liberties Union and the Freedom From Religion Foundation about Lincoln’s public prayer, which he feels violated the civil rights of students who are not Christians. Smith - a former Christian - pointed out that some students represent a variety of faiths or lack thereof, including Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, paganism, atheism and agnosticism.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Lincoln County High School grapples with prayer at graduation" by Ben Kleppinger, The Interior Journal (Lincoln County, KY) 5/9/13
. . . the high school's senior class president is worried the meaningfulness of the day could be lost in the fray, and the principal is combatting what he calls "incorrect, and frankly, inappropriate information" regarding whether prayer is allowed in school.
In years past, the graduating class has been allowed to plan for a student-led prayer during the ceremony, as long as there was a unanimous vote by graduating students that they wanted the prayer, Godbey explained Friday.
“It’s just something the students did in the midst of graduation and we allowed it,” he said. “Now that we kind of have this opposition, we don’t feel like we can do that.”
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1992 that public schools cannot sponsor prayer at graduation ceremonies because it is a violation of the establishment clause of the First Amendment, which reads "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…"
However, while schools cannot sponsor prayer, students still have constitutionally-protected rights to express themselves.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
The root issue is American Religious Liberty vs. Anti-Christian Totalitarianism
Monday, May 27, 2013
Atheists Want Christian to Stop Teaching Science
Professor Eric Hedin of Indiana's Ball State University teaches an elective class exploring the boundlessness of scientific inquiry. However, when the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) learned that Hedin encourages students to delve beyond the limits of atheist-bound scientific theories, they threatened the university -- demanding such free thinking be terminated.
For background, read University Won't Hire Christians as Scientists and also read University Suspends Christian for Defending Marriage as well as University Student Suspended for NOT Desecrating Jesus' Name
In addition, read Obama Administration Muzzles College Students' Moral Speech
UPDATE 8/1/13: Ball State University agrees with atheists, limits scientific inquiry - See latest articles below . . .
-- From "Atheist group says course teaching religion" by The Associated Press 5/23/13
. . . Hedin teaches an honors class called "Boundaries of Science," which the [FFRF] foundation maintains teaches creationism rather than science. The foundation is dedicated to "nontheism" and separation of church and state.
Hedin is listed as a member on the Ball State website as a member of the department of physics and astronomy, not biology. The faculty directory says he teaches classes in nanoscience and cosmology.
"Faculty own the curriculum. In large part, it's a faculty matter," Provost Terry King said. "But we have to ensure that our teaching is appropriate. All I have so far is a complaint from an outside person. We have not had any internal complaints. But we do take this very seriously and will look into it."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Ball State professor accused of preaching Christianity in class" by Seth Slabaugh, The Star Press (Muncie, IN) 5/21/13
Hedin and department chairman Tom Robertson declined to comment to The Star Press.
Ronald Kaitchuck, a professor in BSU’s department of physics and astronomy, finds it hard to believe that Hedin teaches strict creationism.
He suspects Hedin is “asking people to think a little broader, outside the box, which causes controversy. It’s funny.”
Ruth Howes, a retired professor from the department, said . . . “Students are not expected to totally agree with these viewpoints, but they are expected to understand them. I think that is probably what Professor Hedin is trying to do, and I would expect the university to back this effort thoroughly. For example, if I were teaching a class on Islam, I would not expect students to convert to Islam, but I would expect them to understand the basic tenets that Muslims believe.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Science or Religion?" by Scott Jaschik, Inside Higher Ed 5/17/13
[Thomas Robertson, chair of the physics and astronomy department at Ball State, said] "The information provided to me by Jerry Coyne [of FFRF] contains nothing in addition to information that has been in my possession for some time. The syllabus published was approved by our department Curriculum and Assessment Committee. We review faculty performance regularly through student and peer/chair evaluations. I receive complaints and concerns from students familiar with faculty performance in their classes and investigate when appropriate. Given the totality of information available to me at this time, I do not share the opinions expressed on the [atheist] web sites cited below. We will continue to monitor our faculty and their course materials and practices and take appropriate action when deemed necessary."
. . . PZ Myers, a biologist at the University of Minnesota at Morris and a prominent critic of those who try to promote doubt about evolution, examined the issue on his blog Pharyngula. Myers called the Ball State course "crap" and "bad science," and endorsed Coyne's analysis of the reasons the course is flawed.
But Myers disagreed that the course should be blocked on legal grounds. "[A]cademic freedom is the issue here, and professors have to have the right to teach unpopular, controversial issues, even from an ignorant perspective," Myers wrote. "The First Amendment does not apply; this is not a course students are required to take, and it’s at a university, which students are not required to attend. It’s completely different from a public primary or secondary school. A bad course is an ethical problem, not a legal one. It’s also an issue that the university has to handle internally."
Similarly, Laurence A. Moran, a professor of biochemistry at the University of Toronto, wrote on his blog that he also agrees with the critique of the course, but not the idea that the professor should lose his right to teach it. "I defend the right of a tenured professor to teach whatever he/she believes to be true no matter how stupid it seems to the rest of us," he wrote. "I'm troubled by the fact that some people are calling for the instructor's dismissal and writing letters to the chair of his department. We really don't want to go down that path, do we? Academic freedom is important and it's especially important to defend it when a professor is pushing a view that we disagree with."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Lee Strobel on Atheists vs Ball State U Professor Teaching Creationism" by Alex Murashko, Christian Post Reporter 5/22/13
The reading list for the "Boundaries of Science" Honors College class (an elective) taught by Hedin, who teaches in the department of physics and astronomy, includes books by intelligent design proponents like Stephen Meyer, Michael Behe, and Strobel. World Magazine's Campus edition reports that in Hedin's course description, he says, "We will also investigate physical reality and the boundaries of science for any hidden wisdom within this reality which may illuminate the central questions of the purpose of our existence and the meaning of life."
[Lee] Strobel, whose book, The Case for a Creator, is on the course reading list, says that he doesn't have any specific knowledge about Hedin's class, but said, "In my view, a fair teaching of cosmology, physics, biochemistry, biological information and human consciousness tends to point quite naturally toward an Intelligent Designer. Students should be allowed to draw their own conclusions based on the evidence. I certainly don't see any First Amendment prohibition against free academic inquiry, especially in an elective course like this. I hope students will be able to consider all aspects of scientific evidence and not be unfairly prohibited from considering certain evidence just because some critics don't like its implications."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
UPDATE 7/31/13: "Intelligent design removed from BSU class" by Seth Slabaugh, Muncie Star Press
“Intelligent design is overwhelmingly deemed by the scientific community as a religious belief and not a scientific theory,” [Ball State President Jo Ann Gora] wrote in a statement issued Wednesday. “Therefore, intelligent design is not appropriate content for science courses.”
Teaching intelligent design as a scientific theory “is not a matter of academic freedom — it is an issue of academic integrity,” Gora said. “... to allow intelligent design to be presented to science students as a valid scientific theory would violate the academic integrity of the course as it would fail to accurately represent the consensus of science scholars.”
“As a public university, we have a constitutional obligation to maintain a clear separation between church and state,” Gora said.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
UPDATE 8/1/13: "Ball State University President Imposes Gag Order on Scientists Supportive of Intelligent Design" posted at Discovery Institute
In a blatant attack on academic freedom and the unfettered consideration of scientific viewpoints, the president of Ball State University (BSU) in Muncie, IN, has imposed a gag order on science faculty forbidding their discussion of the theory of intelligent design (ID) in science classrooms.
"Students and the public are owed a genuine evaluation of the merits of ID, touching as the theory does on ultimate questions of life's origins," responded Dr. Stephen Meyer, director of Discovery Institute's Center for Science & Culture. "However, when scientific discussion is censored by a university, fair-minded evaluation becomes impossible."
"In the Orwellian world of Ball State's president, academic freedom apparently means only the 'freedom' to support the majority's view," said Dr. John West, associate director of the Center for Science & Culture. "This is exactly how the academic 'consensus' against the theory of intelligent design is maintained -- by intimidation, fiat, and legal threats."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Media Scoff at Christians Advancing Science in Tennessee
The root issue is American Religious Liberty vs. Anti-Christian Totalitarianism
For background, read University Won't Hire Christians as Scientists and also read University Suspends Christian for Defending Marriage as well as University Student Suspended for NOT Desecrating Jesus' Name
In addition, read Obama Administration Muzzles College Students' Moral Speech
UPDATE 8/1/13: Ball State University agrees with atheists, limits scientific inquiry - See latest articles below . . .
-- From "Atheist group says course teaching religion" by The Associated Press 5/23/13
. . . Hedin teaches an honors class called "Boundaries of Science," which the [FFRF] foundation maintains teaches creationism rather than science. The foundation is dedicated to "nontheism" and separation of church and state.
Hedin is listed as a member on the Ball State website as a member of the department of physics and astronomy, not biology. The faculty directory says he teaches classes in nanoscience and cosmology.
"Faculty own the curriculum. In large part, it's a faculty matter," Provost Terry King said. "But we have to ensure that our teaching is appropriate. All I have so far is a complaint from an outside person. We have not had any internal complaints. But we do take this very seriously and will look into it."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Ball State professor accused of preaching Christianity in class" by Seth Slabaugh, The Star Press (Muncie, IN) 5/21/13
Hedin and department chairman Tom Robertson declined to comment to The Star Press.
Ronald Kaitchuck, a professor in BSU’s department of physics and astronomy, finds it hard to believe that Hedin teaches strict creationism.
He suspects Hedin is “asking people to think a little broader, outside the box, which causes controversy. It’s funny.”
Ruth Howes, a retired professor from the department, said . . . “Students are not expected to totally agree with these viewpoints, but they are expected to understand them. I think that is probably what Professor Hedin is trying to do, and I would expect the university to back this effort thoroughly. For example, if I were teaching a class on Islam, I would not expect students to convert to Islam, but I would expect them to understand the basic tenets that Muslims believe.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Science or Religion?" by Scott Jaschik, Inside Higher Ed 5/17/13
[Thomas Robertson, chair of the physics and astronomy department at Ball State, said] "The information provided to me by Jerry Coyne [of FFRF] contains nothing in addition to information that has been in my possession for some time. The syllabus published was approved by our department Curriculum and Assessment Committee. We review faculty performance regularly through student and peer/chair evaluations. I receive complaints and concerns from students familiar with faculty performance in their classes and investigate when appropriate. Given the totality of information available to me at this time, I do not share the opinions expressed on the [atheist] web sites cited below. We will continue to monitor our faculty and their course materials and practices and take appropriate action when deemed necessary."
. . . PZ Myers, a biologist at the University of Minnesota at Morris and a prominent critic of those who try to promote doubt about evolution, examined the issue on his blog Pharyngula. Myers called the Ball State course "crap" and "bad science," and endorsed Coyne's analysis of the reasons the course is flawed.
But Myers disagreed that the course should be blocked on legal grounds. "[A]cademic freedom is the issue here, and professors have to have the right to teach unpopular, controversial issues, even from an ignorant perspective," Myers wrote. "The First Amendment does not apply; this is not a course students are required to take, and it’s at a university, which students are not required to attend. It’s completely different from a public primary or secondary school. A bad course is an ethical problem, not a legal one. It’s also an issue that the university has to handle internally."
Similarly, Laurence A. Moran, a professor of biochemistry at the University of Toronto, wrote on his blog that he also agrees with the critique of the course, but not the idea that the professor should lose his right to teach it. "I defend the right of a tenured professor to teach whatever he/she believes to be true no matter how stupid it seems to the rest of us," he wrote. "I'm troubled by the fact that some people are calling for the instructor's dismissal and writing letters to the chair of his department. We really don't want to go down that path, do we? Academic freedom is important and it's especially important to defend it when a professor is pushing a view that we disagree with."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Lee Strobel on Atheists vs Ball State U Professor Teaching Creationism" by Alex Murashko, Christian Post Reporter 5/22/13
The reading list for the "Boundaries of Science" Honors College class (an elective) taught by Hedin, who teaches in the department of physics and astronomy, includes books by intelligent design proponents like Stephen Meyer, Michael Behe, and Strobel. World Magazine's Campus edition reports that in Hedin's course description, he says, "We will also investigate physical reality and the boundaries of science for any hidden wisdom within this reality which may illuminate the central questions of the purpose of our existence and the meaning of life."
[Lee] Strobel, whose book, The Case for a Creator, is on the course reading list, says that he doesn't have any specific knowledge about Hedin's class, but said, "In my view, a fair teaching of cosmology, physics, biochemistry, biological information and human consciousness tends to point quite naturally toward an Intelligent Designer. Students should be allowed to draw their own conclusions based on the evidence. I certainly don't see any First Amendment prohibition against free academic inquiry, especially in an elective course like this. I hope students will be able to consider all aspects of scientific evidence and not be unfairly prohibited from considering certain evidence just because some critics don't like its implications."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
UPDATE 7/31/13: "Intelligent design removed from BSU class" by Seth Slabaugh, Muncie Star Press
“Intelligent design is overwhelmingly deemed by the scientific community as a religious belief and not a scientific theory,” [Ball State President Jo Ann Gora] wrote in a statement issued Wednesday. “Therefore, intelligent design is not appropriate content for science courses.”
Teaching intelligent design as a scientific theory “is not a matter of academic freedom — it is an issue of academic integrity,” Gora said. “... to allow intelligent design to be presented to science students as a valid scientific theory would violate the academic integrity of the course as it would fail to accurately represent the consensus of science scholars.”
“As a public university, we have a constitutional obligation to maintain a clear separation between church and state,” Gora said.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
UPDATE 8/1/13: "Ball State University President Imposes Gag Order on Scientists Supportive of Intelligent Design" posted at Discovery Institute
In a blatant attack on academic freedom and the unfettered consideration of scientific viewpoints, the president of Ball State University (BSU) in Muncie, IN, has imposed a gag order on science faculty forbidding their discussion of the theory of intelligent design (ID) in science classrooms.
"Students and the public are owed a genuine evaluation of the merits of ID, touching as the theory does on ultimate questions of life's origins," responded Dr. Stephen Meyer, director of Discovery Institute's Center for Science & Culture. "However, when scientific discussion is censored by a university, fair-minded evaluation becomes impossible."
"In the Orwellian world of Ball State's president, academic freedom apparently means only the 'freedom' to support the majority's view," said Dr. John West, associate director of the Center for Science & Culture. "This is exactly how the academic 'consensus' against the theory of intelligent design is maintained -- by intimidation, fiat, and legal threats."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Media Scoff at Christians Advancing Science in Tennessee
The root issue is American Religious Liberty vs. Anti-Christian Totalitarianism
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Obama DOJ Forces Employees to Celebrate Deviancy
An internal Department of Justice memo E-mailed to all employees, which has been leaked publicly, provides guidelines for implementing the Gay Agenda in the workplace with no respect for Christians' right of conscience. Although the document isn't explicitly mandatory, it warns employees that Big Brother will be monitoring their every action, thus forcing compliance through intimidation.
For background, read Obama Raises Gay Agenda above Religious Liberty and also read School Doesn't Back Gay Agenda, Obama Investigates as well as Media Say Law Forces Christians into Gay Agenda
-- From "Department of Justice Pressuring Staff to Affirm Homosexuality" by Dave Bohon, The New American 5/24/13
A whistleblower from the Department of Justice has come forward to expose a campaign by the Obama Administration's Justice Department (DOJ) to pressure its employees to affirm homosexuality. Matt Staver of the Liberty Council, a Virginia-based conservative legal advocacy group, reported that the DOJ employee provided his group with a brochure, entitled LGBT Inclusion at Work: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Managers, that was e-mailed to all DOJ employees. . . . [Click here for a .PDF of the brochure.]
The memorandum warns DOJ staff to “assume that LGBT employees and their allies are listening to what you're saying (whether in a meeting or around the proverbial water cooler) and will read what you're writing (whether in a casual email or in a formal document.” The implication is unmistakeable: DOJ employees are to be forewarned that their language must be “inclusive and respectful” of LGBT persons and might even be used against them if it is not.
. . . Subtle pressure by supervisors on employees who may be inclined to consider homosexuality as unhealthy and detrimental — Christians, for example — is to be preferred over filing grievances or turning to federal rules implemented for “protected” classes of employees like homosexuals. . . .
Managers are also strongly encouraged to make sure homosexual employees get a foot up on advancing through the ranks of DOJ employees. . . .
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "DOJ forces employees to affirm 'gay' agenda" by Jerome R. Corsi, World Net Daily 5/24/13
WND can find no similar “sensitivity brochure” distributed by DOJ that emphasizes the First Amendment religious freedom rights of Christians employed by who object to LGBT lifestyles on the grounds of their religious beliefs.
The document poses a possible conflict of interest. The current president of DOJ Pride [the homosexual advocacy group that authored the memo] is an attorney employed in the DOJ office responsible for hiring and firing attorneys and adjudicating cases involving DOJ whistleblowers.
The DOJ’s distribution to managers of the DOJ Pride document implies that those who fail to actively support LGBT lifestyles are in violation of DOJ employment policy, perhaps to the point of losing their jobs or promotion opportunities.
The DOJ Pride document makes no mention of God or of the possibility that DOJ managers or employees might have a personal objection to LGBT lifestyles that that is protected by the First Amendment rights to freedom of religion and expression.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Justice Department: Employees must affirm homosexuality" by J. Matt Barber, vice president of Liberty Counsel Action 5/20/13
. . . For Christians and other morals-minded federal employees, it’s no longer enough to just shut up and “stay in the closet” – to live your life in silent recognition of biblical principles (which, by itself, is unlawful constraint). When it comes to mandatory celebration of homosexual and cross-dressing behaviors, “silence will be interpreted as disapproval,” [the DOJ memo states].
This lawless administration is now ordering federal employees – against their will – to affirm sexual behaviors that every major world religion, thousands of years of history and uncompromising human biology reject.
This “DOJ Pride” directive is but the latest example of the “progressive” climate of fear and intimidation this radical Obama regime has created for Christians, conservatives and other values-oriented folks, both within and without the workplace.
Somewhere, right now, George Orwell is smiling.
To read the entire opinion column above, CLICK HERE.
For further background, read President Obama Redefines 1st Amendment Freedom of Religion and yet President Obama Denies Leading War Against Christianity, and also read Religious Liberty & Anti-Christian Totalitarianism
In addition, read 'Gay Rights' Winning, Loss of Religious Liberty Documented - Washington Post writer demonstrates it's a "zero sum" game: Winning homosexual 'rights' means Christians must lose freedom of religion.
For background, read Obama Raises Gay Agenda above Religious Liberty and also read School Doesn't Back Gay Agenda, Obama Investigates as well as Media Say Law Forces Christians into Gay Agenda
-- From "Department of Justice Pressuring Staff to Affirm Homosexuality" by Dave Bohon, The New American 5/24/13
A whistleblower from the Department of Justice has come forward to expose a campaign by the Obama Administration's Justice Department (DOJ) to pressure its employees to affirm homosexuality. Matt Staver of the Liberty Council, a Virginia-based conservative legal advocacy group, reported that the DOJ employee provided his group with a brochure, entitled LGBT Inclusion at Work: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Managers, that was e-mailed to all DOJ employees. . . . [Click here for a .PDF of the brochure.]
The memorandum warns DOJ staff to “assume that LGBT employees and their allies are listening to what you're saying (whether in a meeting or around the proverbial water cooler) and will read what you're writing (whether in a casual email or in a formal document.” The implication is unmistakeable: DOJ employees are to be forewarned that their language must be “inclusive and respectful” of LGBT persons and might even be used against them if it is not.
. . . Subtle pressure by supervisors on employees who may be inclined to consider homosexuality as unhealthy and detrimental — Christians, for example — is to be preferred over filing grievances or turning to federal rules implemented for “protected” classes of employees like homosexuals. . . .
Managers are also strongly encouraged to make sure homosexual employees get a foot up on advancing through the ranks of DOJ employees. . . .
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "DOJ forces employees to affirm 'gay' agenda" by Jerome R. Corsi, World Net Daily 5/24/13
WND can find no similar “sensitivity brochure” distributed by DOJ that emphasizes the First Amendment religious freedom rights of Christians employed by who object to LGBT lifestyles on the grounds of their religious beliefs.
The document poses a possible conflict of interest. The current president of DOJ Pride [the homosexual advocacy group that authored the memo] is an attorney employed in the DOJ office responsible for hiring and firing attorneys and adjudicating cases involving DOJ whistleblowers.
The DOJ’s distribution to managers of the DOJ Pride document implies that those who fail to actively support LGBT lifestyles are in violation of DOJ employment policy, perhaps to the point of losing their jobs or promotion opportunities.
The DOJ Pride document makes no mention of God or of the possibility that DOJ managers or employees might have a personal objection to LGBT lifestyles that that is protected by the First Amendment rights to freedom of religion and expression.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Justice Department: Employees must affirm homosexuality" by J. Matt Barber, vice president of Liberty Counsel Action 5/20/13
. . . For Christians and other morals-minded federal employees, it’s no longer enough to just shut up and “stay in the closet” – to live your life in silent recognition of biblical principles (which, by itself, is unlawful constraint). When it comes to mandatory celebration of homosexual and cross-dressing behaviors, “silence will be interpreted as disapproval,” [the DOJ memo states].
This lawless administration is now ordering federal employees – against their will – to affirm sexual behaviors that every major world religion, thousands of years of history and uncompromising human biology reject.
This “DOJ Pride” directive is but the latest example of the “progressive” climate of fear and intimidation this radical Obama regime has created for Christians, conservatives and other values-oriented folks, both within and without the workplace.
Somewhere, right now, George Orwell is smiling.
To read the entire opinion column above, CLICK HERE.
For further background, read President Obama Redefines 1st Amendment Freedom of Religion and yet President Obama Denies Leading War Against Christianity, and also read Religious Liberty & Anti-Christian Totalitarianism
In addition, read 'Gay Rights' Winning, Loss of Religious Liberty Documented - Washington Post writer demonstrates it's a "zero sum" game: Winning homosexual 'rights' means Christians must lose freedom of religion.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Atheists Threaten AR School, Graduation Cancelled
After the Riverside School District in Lake City, Arkansas received a letter from the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (responding to a complaint from a single parent over prayers at previous graduation ceremonies), the school board decided to cancel this year's ceremony. Instead, parents organized a graduation ceremony independent of the school at a local church, where everyone was invited.
For background, read Atheists Threaten to Sue Every School in Mississippi
Also read about laws to bring prayer to schools in Texas, and Louisiana, and North Carolina, and Missouri, and Mississippi, and Florida, and Tennessee.
-- From "Arkansas School District Cancels Graduation After Complaint Over Prayer Planned For Ceremony" by Meredith Bennett-Smith, The Huffington Post 5/9/13
Controversy over whether or not prayer would be a part of an Arkansas elementary school's graduation may have led school officials to simply cancel the district's sixth-grade ceremonies altogether.
The controversy began on April 15, when the district received a letter from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), notifying officials that a parent had complained about prayer at the graduation.
Tommy Knight, the superintendent of the Riverside School District . . . emailed [this] statement to HuffPost . . .
From "School Cancels Graduation Over Prayer Controversy" by Todd Starnes, Foxnews.com 5/8/13
The Freedom From Religion Foundation said they were acting on behalf of an unidentified, “concerned parent.”
Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United [for Separation of Church and State], told Fox News the school district’s response was foolish.
“When a school system is told not to include one item and then they get angry and frustrated and stop the entire rest of the ceremony – that is a foolish, ridiculous response,” Lynn said.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Grade school graduation canceled following prayer controversy" by Veronica Smith, Video Journalist, KAIT-TV8 (Jonesboro, AR) 5/7/13
Sixth grade parent Kelly Adams said saying a prayer at graduation has never been an issue before which is why a lot of parents are very upset.
"As Christians and a mainly Christian town I think, there were a lot of people hurt that our rights were taken away," Adams said.
"A lot of the parents, the Christian parents decided to get together and do it at the church," she said.
"We are including everyone, everyone is invited, we want everyone to come and be a part of it," she said.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Arkansas School District Cancels Graduation Rather Than Allow Prayer" by Bethany Blankley, Christian Post Contributor 5/11/13
On the Alice Stewart Show, 96.5 FM, the local Fox News Radio station, the Rev. Arthur Hunt Jr. of Hunt Memorial Cathedral of Faith argued that, "God is in school forever. Our Constitution allows us to see our purpose in this nation of being under God," referring to the Pledge of Allegiance, in which students state, "one nation under God."
"God is everywhere, from home, to school, to community," Hunt said. "God is in too many bus drivers, He's in too many teachers, too many janitors, principles, athletes, songs, plays, He's in too many civic and history books, where the president and governor refer to God.
"Do we want to wait for another bomb or a mass shooting before the assembly and prays again?"
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
The root issue is American Religious Liberty vs. Anti-Christian Totalitarianism
For background, read Atheists Threaten to Sue Every School in Mississippi
Also read about laws to bring prayer to schools in Texas, and Louisiana, and North Carolina, and Missouri, and Mississippi, and Florida, and Tennessee.
-- From "Arkansas School District Cancels Graduation After Complaint Over Prayer Planned For Ceremony" by Meredith Bennett-Smith, The Huffington Post 5/9/13
Controversy over whether or not prayer would be a part of an Arkansas elementary school's graduation may have led school officials to simply cancel the district's sixth-grade ceremonies altogether.
The controversy began on April 15, when the district received a letter from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), notifying officials that a parent had complained about prayer at the graduation.
Tommy Knight, the superintendent of the Riverside School District . . . emailed [this] statement to HuffPost . . .
For several years district personnel had been discussing whether to continue sponsoring 6th grade graduation. At the May 6, 2013 meeting, the Riverside School Board approved the motion for the District to no longer sponsor 6th grade graduation.To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "School Cancels Graduation Over Prayer Controversy" by Todd Starnes, Foxnews.com 5/8/13
The Freedom From Religion Foundation said they were acting on behalf of an unidentified, “concerned parent.”
Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United [for Separation of Church and State], told Fox News the school district’s response was foolish.
“When a school system is told not to include one item and then they get angry and frustrated and stop the entire rest of the ceremony – that is a foolish, ridiculous response,” Lynn said.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Grade school graduation canceled following prayer controversy" by Veronica Smith, Video Journalist, KAIT-TV8 (Jonesboro, AR) 5/7/13
Sixth grade parent Kelly Adams said saying a prayer at graduation has never been an issue before which is why a lot of parents are very upset.
"As Christians and a mainly Christian town I think, there were a lot of people hurt that our rights were taken away," Adams said.
"A lot of the parents, the Christian parents decided to get together and do it at the church," she said.
"We are including everyone, everyone is invited, we want everyone to come and be a part of it," she said.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Arkansas School District Cancels Graduation Rather Than Allow Prayer" by Bethany Blankley, Christian Post Contributor 5/11/13
On the Alice Stewart Show, 96.5 FM, the local Fox News Radio station, the Rev. Arthur Hunt Jr. of Hunt Memorial Cathedral of Faith argued that, "God is in school forever. Our Constitution allows us to see our purpose in this nation of being under God," referring to the Pledge of Allegiance, in which students state, "one nation under God."
"God is everywhere, from home, to school, to community," Hunt said. "God is in too many bus drivers, He's in too many teachers, too many janitors, principles, athletes, songs, plays, He's in too many civic and history books, where the president and governor refer to God.
"Do we want to wait for another bomb or a mass shooting before the assembly and prays again?"
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
The root issue is American Religious Liberty vs. Anti-Christian Totalitarianism
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Most Disgusted with American Morals, Yet Favor Sin
According to this month's polls from Gallup, the vast majority of Americans do NOT view the state of moral values in the nation as good, and expect it to get worse. Yet, at the same time, the vast majority say the following are acceptable: homosexual behavior, childbirth outside of marriage, fornication, divorce, and killing unborn children for medical research.
For background on moral decay in America, read any post from the thousands-long archive list at the side of this webpage.
UPDATE 6/9/15: Most Liberals Say American Morals Getting Worse
-- From "Poll: Outlook on U.S. moral values pessimistic" by UPI 5/22/13
Seventy-two percent of respondents said they think moral values in the country generally are worsening, essentially unchanged from 73 percent last year, results of Gallup's annual Values and Beliefs survey released Wednesday indicated.
Forty-four percent of respondents rated the state of moral values in the United States as "poor," the Princeton, N.J., polling agency said. Forty-three percent expressed the same view last year.
Nineteen percent said the state of moral values in the United States was "excellent" or "good," while 36 percent say they are "only fair," Gallup said.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Gallup poll: Most Americans think the country’s lost its moral compass" by Cheryl Wetzstein, The Washington Times 5/22/13
The random poll, conducted by telephone of 1,535 adults, also found pessimism to be strongest among Republicans (87 percent) and political independents (68 percent), compared with Democrats (56 percent).
Pessimism was more than 60 percent in all groups of Americans, regardless of breakdowns by annual household income, marital status or religious attendance.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Gallup Poll: Majority Now Say Gay Sex, Unwed Births, Are Morally OK" by Napp Nazworth, Christian Post Reporter 5/21/13
In the new survey, 59 percent of American adults answered that gay or lesbian relations are morally acceptable, a 19 percentage point increase since 2001 when only 40 percent said it was morally acceptable.
Sixty percent of respondents said that having a baby outside of marriage was morally acceptable, a 15 percentage point increase since 2002 when only 45 percent said it was morally acceptable.
The other large increases in moral acceptability were: sex between an unmarried man and woman went from 53 to 63 percent, divorce went from 59 to 63 percent, and medical research using stem cells from human embryos went from 52 to 60 percent.
The moral acceptability of abortion remained the same as it was in 2001, at 42 percent. There was little change in the moral acceptability of pornography (31 percent), gambling (64 percent), buying and wearing clothing made of animal fur (59 percent), and the death penalty (62 percent).
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
AGENDA: Grinding America Down (full movie on YouTube):
AGENDA: Grinding America Down (Full Movie) FREE to watch for a limited time (click here)! from Copybook Heading Productions LLC on Vimeo.
For background on moral decay in America, read any post from the thousands-long archive list at the side of this webpage.
UPDATE 6/9/15: Most Liberals Say American Morals Getting Worse
-- From "Poll: Outlook on U.S. moral values pessimistic" by UPI 5/22/13
Seventy-two percent of respondents said they think moral values in the country generally are worsening, essentially unchanged from 73 percent last year, results of Gallup's annual Values and Beliefs survey released Wednesday indicated.
Forty-four percent of respondents rated the state of moral values in the United States as "poor," the Princeton, N.J., polling agency said. Forty-three percent expressed the same view last year.
Nineteen percent said the state of moral values in the United States was "excellent" or "good," while 36 percent say they are "only fair," Gallup said.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Gallup poll: Most Americans think the country’s lost its moral compass" by Cheryl Wetzstein, The Washington Times 5/22/13
The random poll, conducted by telephone of 1,535 adults, also found pessimism to be strongest among Republicans (87 percent) and political independents (68 percent), compared with Democrats (56 percent).
Pessimism was more than 60 percent in all groups of Americans, regardless of breakdowns by annual household income, marital status or religious attendance.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Gallup Poll: Majority Now Say Gay Sex, Unwed Births, Are Morally OK" by Napp Nazworth, Christian Post Reporter 5/21/13
In the new survey, 59 percent of American adults answered that gay or lesbian relations are morally acceptable, a 19 percentage point increase since 2001 when only 40 percent said it was morally acceptable.
Sixty percent of respondents said that having a baby outside of marriage was morally acceptable, a 15 percentage point increase since 2002 when only 45 percent said it was morally acceptable.
The other large increases in moral acceptability were: sex between an unmarried man and woman went from 53 to 63 percent, divorce went from 59 to 63 percent, and medical research using stem cells from human embryos went from 52 to 60 percent.
The moral acceptability of abortion remained the same as it was in 2001, at 42 percent. There was little change in the moral acceptability of pornography (31 percent), gambling (64 percent), buying and wearing clothing made of animal fur (59 percent), and the death penalty (62 percent).
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
AGENDA: Grinding America Down (full movie on YouTube):
AGENDA: Grinding America Down (Full Movie) FREE to watch for a limited time (click here)! from Copybook Heading Productions LLC on Vimeo.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Liberal Court Forces Roe v. Wade back to Supremes
With myriad new state laws restricting abortion in the earliest weeks of gestation, Tuesday's ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals striking down Arizona's 2012 20-week abortion law will most certainly force the Supreme Court to hear the case and thus "open Pandora's box."
For background, read details of the Arizona law and the previous lower court ruling.
In addition, read Pro-lifers Prevail: More Abortion Restriction Laws and also read Pro-life Legislation Floods America as well as Eroding Roe v. Wade State-by-state
-- From "Arizona abortion ban struck down" by The Associated Press 5/21/13
A three-judge panel of the court said the law violated a woman's constitutionally protected right to terminate a pregnancy before a fetus can survive outside the womb. "Viability" is generally considered to begin at 24 weeks. Normal pregnancies run about 40 weeks.
Nine other states have enacted similar bans at 20 weeks or even earlier. Several bans have been placed on hold or struck down by other courts.
Judge Marsha S. Berzon, writing for the unanimous three-judge panel of the San Francisco-based court, said such bans before viability violated a long string of U.S. Supreme Court rulings starting with the seminal Roe vs. Wade decision in 1973.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Appeals court: Arizona abortion restriction unconstitutional" by Howard Fischer Capitol Media Services 5/21/13
In a unanimous decision, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals acknowledged that the law on what states can and cannot restrict have varied since the landmark 1973 case of Roe v. Wade. That ruling barred states from banning a woman's right to terminate her pregnancy, at least during the first trimester.
Berzon said states can regulate the mode and manner of terminating a pregnancy prior to viability — but not more.
"It may not proscribe a woman from electing abortion, nor may it impose an undue burden on her choice through regulation,” she wrote.
But it is not likely the last word. Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery, who personally argued the case to the appellate court, has said he sees the law as a chance to have the whole issue revisited by the U.S. Supreme Court.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Arizona Law Limiting Abortions Tossed Out" by Tim Hull, Courthouse News Service 5/21/13
After Arizona House Bill 2036 became law in April 2012, three doctors sued to stop it from going into effect. Paul Isaacson, William Clewell and Hugh Miller, with help from the ACLU of Arizona, won an emergency injunction . . .
In a concurrence in which [9th Circuit] Judge Andrew Kleinfeld appeared to be apologizing for following Supreme Court precedent, he pointed out . . . "Were the statute limited to protecting fetuses from unnecessary infliction of excruciating pain before their death, Arizona might regulate abortions at or after 20 weeks by requiring anesthetization of the fetuses about to be killed, much as it requires anesthetization of prisoners prior to killing them when the death penalty is carried out."
Kleinfeld lamented that viability remains the "'critical fact' that controls constitutionality," because its definition "changes as medicine changes."
"The briefs make good arguments for why viability should not have the constitutional significance it does, but under controlling Supreme Court decisions, it does indeed have that significance," he wrote.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Abortion ban after 20 weeks rejected" by Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services 5/22/13
Montgomery said he believes the [Supreme Court] justices will conclude the state has a right to impose restrictions -- even strict ones -- on abortions for legitimate reasons.
But Montgomery may have an uphill fight, especially if the justices see Montgomery's defense of the Arizona law as a bid to overturn Roe v. Wade and its 40 years of precedent. So Montgomery said he'll try instead to ask the high court to find the Arizona law is a legitimate exception.
But he's prepared for a direct challenge.
"I would certainly prefer, not as an advocate in the right-to-life issue but as an attorney, for the court to address head-on whether or not the presumptions that Roe was premised on truly exist to this day and can fairly be said to demand ongoing deference as a matter of precedent," Montgomery said. "I don't think it can."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Appeals Court Strikes Down Arizona Law Banning Abortions at 20 Weeks" by Steven Ertelt, LifeNews.com 5/21/13
The ruling does not affect similar laws passed in other states except the law in Idaho, which is also covered under the jurisdiction of the [9th Circuit] appeals court.
The Center for Arizona Policy helped draft HB 2036, known as the Mother’s Health and Safety Act, and testified in support of the bill and complained when the ACLU sued.
“Once again, we see supposed ‘pro-woman’ organizations fight to protect abortion-on-demand despite the serious risks abortion presents to new moms,” said Cathi Herrod, President of Center for Arizona Policy. “The medical evidence presented during committee hearings make it clear that abortions after 20 weeks present a much greater risk to the life of the women. There is also substantial medical evidence that preborn children can feel pain at this age.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
For background, read details of the Arizona law and the previous lower court ruling.
In addition, read Pro-lifers Prevail: More Abortion Restriction Laws and also read Pro-life Legislation Floods America as well as Eroding Roe v. Wade State-by-state
-- From "Arizona abortion ban struck down" by The Associated Press 5/21/13
A three-judge panel of the court said the law violated a woman's constitutionally protected right to terminate a pregnancy before a fetus can survive outside the womb. "Viability" is generally considered to begin at 24 weeks. Normal pregnancies run about 40 weeks.
Nine other states have enacted similar bans at 20 weeks or even earlier. Several bans have been placed on hold or struck down by other courts.
Judge Marsha S. Berzon, writing for the unanimous three-judge panel of the San Francisco-based court, said such bans before viability violated a long string of U.S. Supreme Court rulings starting with the seminal Roe vs. Wade decision in 1973.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Appeals court: Arizona abortion restriction unconstitutional" by Howard Fischer Capitol Media Services 5/21/13
In a unanimous decision, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals acknowledged that the law on what states can and cannot restrict have varied since the landmark 1973 case of Roe v. Wade. That ruling barred states from banning a woman's right to terminate her pregnancy, at least during the first trimester.
Berzon said states can regulate the mode and manner of terminating a pregnancy prior to viability — but not more.
"It may not proscribe a woman from electing abortion, nor may it impose an undue burden on her choice through regulation,” she wrote.
But it is not likely the last word. Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery, who personally argued the case to the appellate court, has said he sees the law as a chance to have the whole issue revisited by the U.S. Supreme Court.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Arizona Law Limiting Abortions Tossed Out" by Tim Hull, Courthouse News Service 5/21/13
After Arizona House Bill 2036 became law in April 2012, three doctors sued to stop it from going into effect. Paul Isaacson, William Clewell and Hugh Miller, with help from the ACLU of Arizona, won an emergency injunction . . .
In a concurrence in which [9th Circuit] Judge Andrew Kleinfeld appeared to be apologizing for following Supreme Court precedent, he pointed out . . . "Were the statute limited to protecting fetuses from unnecessary infliction of excruciating pain before their death, Arizona might regulate abortions at or after 20 weeks by requiring anesthetization of the fetuses about to be killed, much as it requires anesthetization of prisoners prior to killing them when the death penalty is carried out."
Kleinfeld lamented that viability remains the "'critical fact' that controls constitutionality," because its definition "changes as medicine changes."
"The briefs make good arguments for why viability should not have the constitutional significance it does, but under controlling Supreme Court decisions, it does indeed have that significance," he wrote.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Abortion ban after 20 weeks rejected" by Howard Fischer, Capitol Media Services 5/22/13
Montgomery said he believes the [Supreme Court] justices will conclude the state has a right to impose restrictions -- even strict ones -- on abortions for legitimate reasons.
But Montgomery may have an uphill fight, especially if the justices see Montgomery's defense of the Arizona law as a bid to overturn Roe v. Wade and its 40 years of precedent. So Montgomery said he'll try instead to ask the high court to find the Arizona law is a legitimate exception.
But he's prepared for a direct challenge.
"I would certainly prefer, not as an advocate in the right-to-life issue but as an attorney, for the court to address head-on whether or not the presumptions that Roe was premised on truly exist to this day and can fairly be said to demand ongoing deference as a matter of precedent," Montgomery said. "I don't think it can."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Appeals Court Strikes Down Arizona Law Banning Abortions at 20 Weeks" by Steven Ertelt, LifeNews.com 5/21/13
The ruling does not affect similar laws passed in other states except the law in Idaho, which is also covered under the jurisdiction of the [9th Circuit] appeals court.
The Center for Arizona Policy helped draft HB 2036, known as the Mother’s Health and Safety Act, and testified in support of the bill and complained when the ACLU sued.
“Once again, we see supposed ‘pro-woman’ organizations fight to protect abortion-on-demand despite the serious risks abortion presents to new moms,” said Cathi Herrod, President of Center for Arizona Policy. “The medical evidence presented during committee hearings make it clear that abortions after 20 weeks present a much greater risk to the life of the women. There is also substantial medical evidence that preborn children can feel pain at this age.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Atheists Intensify Bible Battle in Georgia Parks
When atheist Ed Buckner lodged in a Georgia state-owned park cabin and saw a Gideon Bible, he complained, so the park commissioner immediately acquiesced and removed all Bibles throughout Georgia. However, Gov. Nathan Deal ordered all Bibles back, saying that private entities are free to donate religious materials to be displayed in the parks. Now, the atheists are donating their own "religious materials" to be placed in park facilities.
For background, read Atheists Attack S. Carolina Christian School for Teaching Creation and also read Atheists Threaten to Sue Every School in Mississippi as well as Atheists Crave Church Fellowship, but Absent God
In addition, read CBS Gives Voice to Atheists, Heretics, & Apostates
-- From "Deal orders Bibles returned to state parks" by Alexis Stevens, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 5/15/13
The announcement from [Gov.] Deal came just days after the commissioner for the state Department of Natural Resources ordered the Bibles removed. The books were removed from cabins and lodges following a complaint from a park visitor, Deal said.
“Out of an abundance of caution to avoid potential litigation, the commissioner removed the Bibles from rooms – though they were still available on site – after a complaint from a visitor,” Deal stated in a press release. “The attorney general and I agree that the state is on firm legal footing as we move to return the Bibles to the rooms.”
“These Bibles are donated by outside groups, not paid for by the state, and I do not believe that a Bible in a bedside table drawer constitutes a state establishment of religion,” Deal said. “In fact, any group is free to donate literature.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Atheist Group Sends Books to Georgia State Parks to Place Next to Gideon Bibles Inside Cabins" by Melissa Barnhart, Christian Post Contributor 5/18/13
The American Atheists of Cranford, N.J., announced Friday they will be sending books on atheism to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to be placed next to Gideon Bibles inside every cabin and lodge at the state's parks.
On April 28, Ed Buchner, the former president of American Atheists, a nonprofit organization that was founded by Madalyn Murray O'Hair in 1963, complained to the Department after he found "nine Bibles" inside his cabin, according to American Atheists.
David Silverman, president of American Atheists, announced in a statement, "American Atheists does not believe the state of Georgia should be placing Bibles or atheist books in state park cabins; however, if the state is going to allow such distribution, we will happily provide our materials."
The list of books American Atheists is going to send to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources include: Why I Am Not A Muslim, Why I Am An Atheist, god is not Great, and The God Delusion.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "The man behind Georgia's latest Bible controversy" by Paul Crawley, WXIA-TV11 (Atlanta) 5/21/13
The man behind the controversy over Bibles in Georgia state park cabins isn't sure he will accept a compromise being developed by state officials, including Gov. Nathan Deal.
"I didn't go looking for trouble; I didn't go looking for media attention; I did not go looking for a lawsuit," Ed Buckner told 11Alive on Monday.
"If it was an atheist book in every cabin in the State of Georgia, I would object to that, too," Buckner told 11Alive.
"How do you decide; are Wiccans allowed to put their materials in, are the Muslims allowed to put in Korans, are the Scientologists allowed to put in their materials?" Buckner asked.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read President Obama Prays to an Unknown God
The root issue is American Religious Liberty vs. Anti-Christian Totalitarianism
For background, read Atheists Attack S. Carolina Christian School for Teaching Creation and also read Atheists Threaten to Sue Every School in Mississippi as well as Atheists Crave Church Fellowship, but Absent God
In addition, read CBS Gives Voice to Atheists, Heretics, & Apostates
-- From "Deal orders Bibles returned to state parks" by Alexis Stevens, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 5/15/13
The announcement from [Gov.] Deal came just days after the commissioner for the state Department of Natural Resources ordered the Bibles removed. The books were removed from cabins and lodges following a complaint from a park visitor, Deal said.
“Out of an abundance of caution to avoid potential litigation, the commissioner removed the Bibles from rooms – though they were still available on site – after a complaint from a visitor,” Deal stated in a press release. “The attorney general and I agree that the state is on firm legal footing as we move to return the Bibles to the rooms.”
“These Bibles are donated by outside groups, not paid for by the state, and I do not believe that a Bible in a bedside table drawer constitutes a state establishment of religion,” Deal said. “In fact, any group is free to donate literature.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Atheist Group Sends Books to Georgia State Parks to Place Next to Gideon Bibles Inside Cabins" by Melissa Barnhart, Christian Post Contributor 5/18/13
The American Atheists of Cranford, N.J., announced Friday they will be sending books on atheism to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to be placed next to Gideon Bibles inside every cabin and lodge at the state's parks.
On April 28, Ed Buchner, the former president of American Atheists, a nonprofit organization that was founded by Madalyn Murray O'Hair in 1963, complained to the Department after he found "nine Bibles" inside his cabin, according to American Atheists.
David Silverman, president of American Atheists, announced in a statement, "American Atheists does not believe the state of Georgia should be placing Bibles or atheist books in state park cabins; however, if the state is going to allow such distribution, we will happily provide our materials."
The list of books American Atheists is going to send to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources include: Why I Am Not A Muslim, Why I Am An Atheist, god is not Great, and The God Delusion.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "The man behind Georgia's latest Bible controversy" by Paul Crawley, WXIA-TV11 (Atlanta) 5/21/13
The man behind the controversy over Bibles in Georgia state park cabins isn't sure he will accept a compromise being developed by state officials, including Gov. Nathan Deal.
"I didn't go looking for trouble; I didn't go looking for media attention; I did not go looking for a lawsuit," Ed Buckner told 11Alive on Monday.
"If it was an atheist book in every cabin in the State of Georgia, I would object to that, too," Buckner told 11Alive.
"How do you decide; are Wiccans allowed to put their materials in, are the Muslims allowed to put in Korans, are the Scientologists allowed to put in their materials?" Buckner asked.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read President Obama Prays to an Unknown God
The root issue is American Religious Liberty vs. Anti-Christian Totalitarianism
Monday, May 20, 2013
Obama Admin Muzzles College Students' Moral Speech
Under the guise of Title IX and protecting female students from harassment, President Obama's education (DOE) and justice (DOJ) departments have teamed up to force a sweeping new mandate onto all public and private colleges and universities nationwide. Students will be forbidden from saying anything remotely or vaguely related to sex, such as asking for a date, telling common jokes, quoting from the Bible on morality (including homosexual behavior), etc.
UPDATE 8/30/14: To Avoid Rape, Must Videotape — New California Law
UPDATE 8/24/13 - ObamaNation: Rating Colleges Based on Immorality
-- From "UM, city hire expert to evaluate changes to sexual assault response" by Martin Kidston, Missoulian 5/17/13
. . . the DOJ also released the findings of its investigation into how UM [University of Montana] handles cases of sexual assault. The agency said its agreement with UM will make the school a national model for Title IX rights while protecting women as they pursue their college education.
On Thursday, the News and Observer in Chapel Hill, N.C., reported that a task force working on the University of North Carolina’s own sexual assault and harassment policies will “look to a recent agreement between the U.S. government and the University of Montana over that campus’ response to sexual assaults.”
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, based in Philadelphia, called the agreement “a shocking affront” to free speech, and one that sets a “breathtakingly broad” definition of sexual harassment.
“The Department of Education has enlisted the help of the DOJ to mandate campus speech codes so broad that virtually every student will regularly violate them,” Greg Lukianoff, the group’s president, said after the DOJ concluded its investigation of UM.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Feds rooting out 'unwelcome speech' on campus: But what is that?" by Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor 5/18/13
The failure of the University of Montana to respond adequately to rape and sexual assault allegations against popular football players has led to a broadening of how the federal government defines sexual harassment, causing free speech advocates to worry that the new policy will be used to punish “unwelcome” flirting and chill the right to speak freely on campus.
The new policy also suggests that harassment does not have to be “objectively offensive” to warrant complaints, and demands colleges take action against alleged aggressors even before judicial hearings are held.
The new federal rule “is part of a decades-long effort by anti-‘hate speech’ professors, students, activists and administrators to classify any offensive speech as harassment unprotected by the First Amendment,” writes Greg Lukianoff, author of “Unlearning Liberty: Campus Censorship and the End of American Debate,” in the Wall Street Journal. “Such speech codes reached their height in the 1980s and 1990s, but they were defeated in federal and state court and came in for public ridicule. Despite these setbacks, harassment-based speech codes have become the de facto rule.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Washington bureaucrats use force to suffocate liberty" posted at The Washington Examiner 5/19/13
. . . The Department of Education and the Department of Justice combined last week on instructions to the University of Montana to implement a breathtakingly broad speech code that is certain to violate thousands of students' First Amendment rights. Preventing sexual harassment on campus is the pretext for the policy, which the government says is its blueprint for codes to be adopted by all colleges and universities. Harassment is explicitly defined as including speech that isn't necessarily offensive to an "objectively reasonable person of the same gender in the same situation." In other words, it's sufficient that the listener is offended, regardless of intent or the particular facts of a given situation.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Watchdog group: Feds to force all U.S. universities to adopt unconstitutional speech codes" by Oliver Darcy, Campus Reform 5/13/13
Federal officials describe the new policy in the letter as a “blueprint for colleges and universities across the country."
According to FIRE, this new mandate even contradicts previous guidance provided to colleges and universities by the DOE. The organization says in 2003 the DOE defined harassment as contact that “must include something beyond the mere expression of views, words, symbols or thoughts that some person finds offensive.”
Neither the Department of Justice (DOJ), nor the Department of Education (DOE), responded to a request for comment from Campus Reform.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Free Speech Under Fire" by Mary Lou Byrd, The Washington Free Beacon 5/15/13
The Washington Free Beacon asked the DOE for comment. They responded, asking for guidance as to where the word “speech” appeared in their letter to the university. The Free Beacon referred them to the page of their letter that now defined sexual harassment to include “verbal conduct.”
After that email exchange, they did not respond to further requests for comment.
The DOE did not indicate in its press release on the matter the new broadened definition of sexual harassment. Rather, it touted the agreement as a positive step toward achieving student safety on campuses.
The new mandate now applies to every college that receives federal funding, which, according to the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), is virtually every American institution of higher education nationwide, public or private.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read President Obama Redefines 1st Amendment Freedom of Religion and yet President Obama Denies Leading War Against Christianity, and also read Religious Liberty & Anti-Christian Totalitarianism
In addition, read 'Gay Rights' Winning, Loss of Religious Liberty Documented - Washington Post writer demonstrates it's a "zero sum" game: Winning homosexual 'rights' means Christians must lose freedom of religion.
“There’s likely no student on campus anywhere who isn’t guilty of at least one of these offenses.”For background, read Ohio College Nixed Christian Speech, Now Admits Wrong and also read Univ. of North Carolina On Trial for Anti-Christian Bias as well as Florida College Drops Exclusively Christian Club
-- Greg Lukianoff, president of The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE)
UPDATE 8/30/14: To Avoid Rape, Must Videotape — New California Law
UPDATE 8/24/13 - ObamaNation: Rating Colleges Based on Immorality
-- From "UM, city hire expert to evaluate changes to sexual assault response" by Martin Kidston, Missoulian 5/17/13
. . . the DOJ also released the findings of its investigation into how UM [University of Montana] handles cases of sexual assault. The agency said its agreement with UM will make the school a national model for Title IX rights while protecting women as they pursue their college education.
On Thursday, the News and Observer in Chapel Hill, N.C., reported that a task force working on the University of North Carolina’s own sexual assault and harassment policies will “look to a recent agreement between the U.S. government and the University of Montana over that campus’ response to sexual assaults.”
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, based in Philadelphia, called the agreement “a shocking affront” to free speech, and one that sets a “breathtakingly broad” definition of sexual harassment.
“The Department of Education has enlisted the help of the DOJ to mandate campus speech codes so broad that virtually every student will regularly violate them,” Greg Lukianoff, the group’s president, said after the DOJ concluded its investigation of UM.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Feds rooting out 'unwelcome speech' on campus: But what is that?" by Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor 5/18/13
The failure of the University of Montana to respond adequately to rape and sexual assault allegations against popular football players has led to a broadening of how the federal government defines sexual harassment, causing free speech advocates to worry that the new policy will be used to punish “unwelcome” flirting and chill the right to speak freely on campus.
The new policy also suggests that harassment does not have to be “objectively offensive” to warrant complaints, and demands colleges take action against alleged aggressors even before judicial hearings are held.
The new federal rule “is part of a decades-long effort by anti-‘hate speech’ professors, students, activists and administrators to classify any offensive speech as harassment unprotected by the First Amendment,” writes Greg Lukianoff, author of “Unlearning Liberty: Campus Censorship and the End of American Debate,” in the Wall Street Journal. “Such speech codes reached their height in the 1980s and 1990s, but they were defeated in federal and state court and came in for public ridicule. Despite these setbacks, harassment-based speech codes have become the de facto rule.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Washington bureaucrats use force to suffocate liberty" posted at The Washington Examiner 5/19/13
. . . The Department of Education and the Department of Justice combined last week on instructions to the University of Montana to implement a breathtakingly broad speech code that is certain to violate thousands of students' First Amendment rights. Preventing sexual harassment on campus is the pretext for the policy, which the government says is its blueprint for codes to be adopted by all colleges and universities. Harassment is explicitly defined as including speech that isn't necessarily offensive to an "objectively reasonable person of the same gender in the same situation." In other words, it's sufficient that the listener is offended, regardless of intent or the particular facts of a given situation.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Watchdog group: Feds to force all U.S. universities to adopt unconstitutional speech codes" by Oliver Darcy, Campus Reform 5/13/13
Federal officials describe the new policy in the letter as a “blueprint for colleges and universities across the country."
According to FIRE, this new mandate even contradicts previous guidance provided to colleges and universities by the DOE. The organization says in 2003 the DOE defined harassment as contact that “must include something beyond the mere expression of views, words, symbols or thoughts that some person finds offensive.”
Neither the Department of Justice (DOJ), nor the Department of Education (DOE), responded to a request for comment from Campus Reform.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Free Speech Under Fire" by Mary Lou Byrd, The Washington Free Beacon 5/15/13
The Washington Free Beacon asked the DOE for comment. They responded, asking for guidance as to where the word “speech” appeared in their letter to the university. The Free Beacon referred them to the page of their letter that now defined sexual harassment to include “verbal conduct.”
After that email exchange, they did not respond to further requests for comment.
The DOE did not indicate in its press release on the matter the new broadened definition of sexual harassment. Rather, it touted the agreement as a positive step toward achieving student safety on campuses.
The new mandate now applies to every college that receives federal funding, which, according to the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), is virtually every American institution of higher education nationwide, public or private.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read President Obama Redefines 1st Amendment Freedom of Religion and yet President Obama Denies Leading War Against Christianity, and also read Religious Liberty & Anti-Christian Totalitarianism
In addition, read 'Gay Rights' Winning, Loss of Religious Liberty Documented - Washington Post writer demonstrates it's a "zero sum" game: Winning homosexual 'rights' means Christians must lose freedom of religion.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Humanists Threaten Missouri School over Prayer
After a lone student at Fayette (Missouri) High School posted an alert on the American Humanist Association (AHA) website that a single teacher, Gwen Pope (who is retiring within days), allowed students to freely enter her classroom before school hours on Fridays to pray, the atheist organization put the school on notice that it, as well as individual teachers/employees, would be sued if the prayer sessions do not stop.
UPDATE 12/29/13: New School Superintendent Says Prayer Will Continue Despite Lawsuit (see article excerpts below)
Also read about laws to bring prayer to schools in Texas, and Louisiana, and North Carolina, and Mississippi, and Florida, and Tennessee.
-- From "Humanist group demands end to teacher-led prayers at Fayette High School" by Kellie Kotraba, KBIA (NPR) Univ. of Missouri 5/16/13
"The big concern here is that we have a teacher using her governmental position to promote her religous beliefs to public school students," said William Burgess, the director of the legal center for the American Humanist Association. He said this goes against separation of church and state, as the public school is part of the state system.
According to the [AHA] letter, the school could be sued in federal court. Principals and teachers might also be subject to lawsuits. The center has asked the school to stop the activity immediately. As of Thursday afternoon, Burgess said the American Humanist Association hadn't heard back from the school.
Principal Darren Rapert said the school has no comment at this time – Superintendent Jim Judd, who acts as the spokesperson, was out of the district for the day.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Humanists Demand an End to Teacher-Led Prayer Sessions at Missouri High School" by the American Humanist Association 5/16/13
“Students are encouraged to attend these sessions by an announcement made by the principal over the school’s intercom system,” the [AHA] letter states. “These public school prayer sessions are clearly unconstitutional.”
As well as conducting prayer sessions on school grounds during the school day, Mrs. Pope also “prominently displays Christian literature on her desk,” the letter reveals, also a constitutional violation.
The Appignani Humanist Legal Center, representing a student at the school, has asked that school officials “terminate this and any similar illegal activity immediately.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Humanists threaten to sue Missouri school officials over teacher-led prayer meetings" by Stephen C. Webster, Raw Story 5/16/13
Burgess [said] that while math teacher Gwen Pope‘s weekly devotionals at Fayette High School appear voluntary, between “both the teacher promoting this practice to students and the principal announcing it, I think it’s fair to say the school is putting this on… This is so unconstitutional that they have to know it is, but they’re doing it anyway.”
The letter says that not only could the district and school face legal action, but so too could Pope and the school’s principal, Darren Rapert, for their individual roles in allegedly violating the Establishment Clause, which blocks laws establishing an official state religion and bars government employees from promoting or participating in religious activities while on the job. The letter also claims Mrs. Pope displays a Bible on her desk while teaching class.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
UPDATE 12/29/13: "Prayer sessions at Fayette High School continue as district answers complaint" by Catherine Martin, Columbia (Missouri) Daily Tribune
Fayette R-III Schools Superintendent Tamara Kimball said weekly before-school prayer sessions are still being held at Fayette High School, despite a legal complaint filed against the district last month [by the American Humanist Association] claiming the sessions were unconstitutional.
But even with all the attention brought to the issue, Kimball said district administrators have not contemplated ending the Friday morning devotionals, which are led by the Fayette chapter of the national organization Fellowship of Christian Students.
"The question would be, 'Why?' " she said. "If we've done something wrong and we need to do something different, we would certainly be open to that … but to end something for the sake of ending something with no real reason is not how we operate."
Christian clubs are relatively common at high schools, she said, and the school also offers most clubs typically offered in high schools. She said one of the [complaining] students involved was even given permission to start an atheist club but did not act on it.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
The root issue is American Religious Liberty vs. Anti-Christian Totalitarianism
“Teachers simply cannot participate in prayers with students at school, nor can they promote their religious beliefs in any other way to their students.”For background, read Missouri Votes to Bring Prayer Back to School as well as Atheists Threaten to Sue Every School in Mississippi
-- AHA Appignani Humanist Legal Center
UPDATE 12/29/13: New School Superintendent Says Prayer Will Continue Despite Lawsuit (see article excerpts below)
Also read about laws to bring prayer to schools in Texas, and Louisiana, and North Carolina, and Mississippi, and Florida, and Tennessee.
-- From "Humanist group demands end to teacher-led prayers at Fayette High School" by Kellie Kotraba, KBIA (NPR) Univ. of Missouri 5/16/13
"The big concern here is that we have a teacher using her governmental position to promote her religous beliefs to public school students," said William Burgess, the director of the legal center for the American Humanist Association. He said this goes against separation of church and state, as the public school is part of the state system.
According to the [AHA] letter, the school could be sued in federal court. Principals and teachers might also be subject to lawsuits. The center has asked the school to stop the activity immediately. As of Thursday afternoon, Burgess said the American Humanist Association hadn't heard back from the school.
Principal Darren Rapert said the school has no comment at this time – Superintendent Jim Judd, who acts as the spokesperson, was out of the district for the day.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Humanists Demand an End to Teacher-Led Prayer Sessions at Missouri High School" by the American Humanist Association 5/16/13
“Students are encouraged to attend these sessions by an announcement made by the principal over the school’s intercom system,” the [AHA] letter states. “These public school prayer sessions are clearly unconstitutional.”
As well as conducting prayer sessions on school grounds during the school day, Mrs. Pope also “prominently displays Christian literature on her desk,” the letter reveals, also a constitutional violation.
The Appignani Humanist Legal Center, representing a student at the school, has asked that school officials “terminate this and any similar illegal activity immediately.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Humanists threaten to sue Missouri school officials over teacher-led prayer meetings" by Stephen C. Webster, Raw Story 5/16/13
Burgess [said] that while math teacher Gwen Pope‘s weekly devotionals at Fayette High School appear voluntary, between “both the teacher promoting this practice to students and the principal announcing it, I think it’s fair to say the school is putting this on… This is so unconstitutional that they have to know it is, but they’re doing it anyway.”
The letter says that not only could the district and school face legal action, but so too could Pope and the school’s principal, Darren Rapert, for their individual roles in allegedly violating the Establishment Clause, which blocks laws establishing an official state religion and bars government employees from promoting or participating in religious activities while on the job. The letter also claims Mrs. Pope displays a Bible on her desk while teaching class.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
UPDATE 12/29/13: "Prayer sessions at Fayette High School continue as district answers complaint" by Catherine Martin, Columbia (Missouri) Daily Tribune
Fayette R-III Schools Superintendent Tamara Kimball said weekly before-school prayer sessions are still being held at Fayette High School, despite a legal complaint filed against the district last month [by the American Humanist Association] claiming the sessions were unconstitutional.
But even with all the attention brought to the issue, Kimball said district administrators have not contemplated ending the Friday morning devotionals, which are led by the Fayette chapter of the national organization Fellowship of Christian Students.
"The question would be, 'Why?' " she said. "If we've done something wrong and we need to do something different, we would certainly be open to that … but to end something for the sake of ending something with no real reason is not how we operate."
Christian clubs are relatively common at high schools, she said, and the school also offers most clubs typically offered in high schools. She said one of the [complaining] students involved was even given permission to start an atheist club but did not act on it.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
The root issue is American Religious Liberty vs. Anti-Christian Totalitarianism
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Media Say Law Forces Christians into Gay Agenda
Another Christian baker has refused to make a cake for a same-sex "wedding" in Oregon. In this case, a lesbian couple found a Christian, Pam Regentin, owner of Fleur Cakes in Mt. Hood, who would hold to the Bible. The lesbians were in front of local TV news cameras within hours; the news reporter informed Regentin that she was in violation of state law for discrimination against lesbians.
In addition, read about the Colorado baker and myriad other Christians sued in states with same-sex unions/marriage laws.
UPDATE 2/22/14: Homosexualists Admit Goal to End Religious Liberty
UPDATE 8/7/13: Church Sued Weeks After 'Gay Marriage' Legalized
-- From "Hood River, Ore., bakery won’t make cake for lesbians" by The Associated Press 5/15/13
Erin Hanson and Katie Pugh told KATU when they went for a tasting at Fleur Cakes, owner Pam Regentin refused service because of the same-sex wedding.
Regentin said despite anti-discrimination law, she believes she has “the liberty to live by my principles.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Local Cake Baker’s Gay Marriage Cake Denial Hits National News" by Julie Raefield-Gobbo, Hood River News 5/17/13
“I did not discriminate against her based on her sexual orientation. I told her I was willing to make her a birthday cake or anything else that she wanted but I could not provide her a wedding cake when same sex marriage was not legal in Oregon,” [Regentin said].
According to Manning, if the businessperson clearly states that the denial is tied to the person’s protected status, that becomes discrimination – an action prohibited in Oregon under ORS 659A.403 and actionable under the BOLI consumer protection department.
Protected class status applies to identified race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status or age.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Another Voice: Cake Maker States That She Stands On Principle" by Pam Regentin, owner of Fleur Cakes 5/17/13
I take my position from my religious principles . . .
I do want to take this time to comment on the means with which this now vitriolic and bitter attack on me has played out.
. . . In the wake of the rapidly spreading misrepresentations, groups of people have organized under the banner of the greater good to attack my business; my personal and business Facebook pages; and my personal blog.
Some people, not including Katie Pugh or her partner, are spreading my contact information to others, encouraging personal attacks and bullying. I have been receiving voice mails and email messages wishing for the destruction of my business and my own death.
To read the entire personal account above, CLICK HERE.
In addition, read 'Gay Rights' Winning, Loss of Religious Liberty Documented - Washington Post writer demonstrates it's a "zero sum" game: Winning homosexual 'rights' means Christians must lose freedom of religion.
It comes down to Religious Liberty vs. Anti-Christian Totalitarianism in America
“If you are a business owner you are allowed to refuse service – you know: no shirt, no shoes, no service – it’s completely legal. Only, it’s not legal when the person being denied service is a member of a protected class.”For background, read Oregon Says Christian Baker Must Do Lesbian 'Wedding' and also read State Sues Christian Florist for Being 'Anti-Gay' as well as Homosexuals Fail to Defeat Religious Liberty in Kentucky
-- Jeff Manning, Communications Director, Oregon Department of Justice
In addition, read about the Colorado baker and myriad other Christians sued in states with same-sex unions/marriage laws.
UPDATE 2/22/14: Homosexualists Admit Goal to End Religious Liberty
UPDATE 8/7/13: Church Sued Weeks After 'Gay Marriage' Legalized
-- From "Hood River, Ore., bakery won’t make cake for lesbians" by The Associated Press 5/15/13
Erin Hanson and Katie Pugh told KATU when they went for a tasting at Fleur Cakes, owner Pam Regentin refused service because of the same-sex wedding.
Regentin said despite anti-discrimination law, she believes she has “the liberty to live by my principles.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Local Cake Baker’s Gay Marriage Cake Denial Hits National News" by Julie Raefield-Gobbo, Hood River News 5/17/13
“I did not discriminate against her based on her sexual orientation. I told her I was willing to make her a birthday cake or anything else that she wanted but I could not provide her a wedding cake when same sex marriage was not legal in Oregon,” [Regentin said].
According to Manning, if the businessperson clearly states that the denial is tied to the person’s protected status, that becomes discrimination – an action prohibited in Oregon under ORS 659A.403 and actionable under the BOLI consumer protection department.
Protected class status applies to identified race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status or age.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Another Voice: Cake Maker States That She Stands On Principle" by Pam Regentin, owner of Fleur Cakes 5/17/13
I take my position from my religious principles . . .
I do want to take this time to comment on the means with which this now vitriolic and bitter attack on me has played out.
. . . In the wake of the rapidly spreading misrepresentations, groups of people have organized under the banner of the greater good to attack my business; my personal and business Facebook pages; and my personal blog.
Some people, not including Katie Pugh or her partner, are spreading my contact information to others, encouraging personal attacks and bullying. I have been receiving voice mails and email messages wishing for the destruction of my business and my own death.
To read the entire personal account above, CLICK HERE.
In addition, read 'Gay Rights' Winning, Loss of Religious Liberty Documented - Washington Post writer demonstrates it's a "zero sum" game: Winning homosexual 'rights' means Christians must lose freedom of religion.
It comes down to Religious Liberty vs. Anti-Christian Totalitarianism in America