Clemson Boots 'Prayer Solicitation Without Permit'

Officials at Clemson University have confirmed that ordinary Christians are forbidden to exercise their First Amendment right to assemble on campus in discreet prayer unless they first obtain a permit, which then restricts them to a "designated free speech zone."

“. . . referring to a silent offer to pray as ‘solicitation’ is not fair. It’s a very different circumstance than someone coming on campus to solicit, say, a new textbook to students without permission.”
-- Emily Jashinsky, Young Americans for Freedom

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Go To Jail for Bible Speech, Says Univ. of Texas Police

Student Booted for Being Christian from Missouri Univ.

Christian Restaurant Rejected at University of Nebraska

Christmas Parties Banned at University of Tennessee

Also read Must Censor Speech, Say Most College Students





-- From "Clemson official tells praying man to leave because it’s not a ‘free speech area’" by Kate Irby, McClatchy, Charlotte Observer 8/31/16

Kyra Palange was walking across Clemson’s campus last Thursday afternoon when she saw a man sitting in a folding chair, with an empty chair sitting next to him.

The Clemson grad student walked closer to him and saw a sign on the empty chair that said “PRAYER,” according to the Young America’s Foundation [YAF].

“I approached him and we sat down to pray for a few minutes,” Palange told Young America’s Foundation. “When we finished, a man from the university approached us and said he could not be praying there because it was not a ‘designated free speech area’ and presented the person who was praying with a form for the procedures for applying for ‘solicitation’ on campus. He told him he had to leave.”

Palange captured part of the interaction on video. In it, a Clemson University official identified as Shawn Jones confirms to Palange that the entire campus is not a “free speech area.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Clemson University Blocks Prayer For Being Outside ‘Free Speech Zone’" by Blake Neff, Reporter, Daily Caller 8/29/16

The school is defending [Shawn Jones], arguing it would actually have violated the Constitution to not stop the man’s prayer.

“With him not being a student or faculty or staff, he has to go through the proper procedures in order to [do this] … this is not a designated free speech area,” Jones says in the video.

The praying man, [Clemson spokesman Mark] Land said, was not affiliated with a campus group, and he was allegedly soliciting because he had put up a sign inviting passersby to join him in prayer. Land also argued that the school’s action was directly in accordance with the Constitution, because the school was not giving the man a special exception from school policy because of the content of his speech.

. . . Clemson has been accused of having overly restrictive free speech policies. The school has a Red Light rating (the lowest) from the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, which rates schools on their free speech policies.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Clemson issues statement about prayer on campus" by Scottie Kay Auton, WSPA-TV7 (Spartanburg, SC) 8/30/16

. . . staff member [Shawn Jones] approached the man and told him what the policies were and that he needed to fill out paperwork.

The man was polite and filled out the necessary papers, but the student [Kyra Palange] who was praying with him got extremely upset.

The staff member told the man that he could continue to sit and pray as long as he would remove his sign.

The staff member also told the man that if he wanted to put up a sign and invite a gathering, he would need to reserve one of the areas of campus designated as available to the public.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Man praying at Clemson U. stopped by campus official: ‘Not a designated free speech area’" by Jennifer Kabbany, Editor, The College Fix 8/29/16

WeRoar Clemson, a group of students dedicated to fighting for First Amendment rights on campus, has identified the man as a well-known local “who prays with students in the community.”

“Free Speech zones were ended at Clemson in 2006 for students, but this policy remains in effect for non-students,” the group stated on Facebook. “Clemson University is a public university that receives taxpayer funds, therefore it must comply fully with the law of the land, the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Clemson has failed its duty to uphold constitutional liberty.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Prayer Banned in Washington Town — Nobody Cares

However, Carolinians Challenge Atheists with Lord's Prayer

Anti-Christian Phoenix Law Challenged in Court

Joanna Duka and Breanna Koski, owners of Brush & Nib Studio, have sued the city of Phoenix in Maricopa County (Arizona) Court over a new "gay rights" ordinance that restricts their freedom of religion to operate their calligraphy business, which includes wedding invitations, according to their Christian conscience (e.g.: marriage is the union of one man and one woman).

“Artists shouldn’t be threatened with jail for disagreeing with the government.  The government must allow artists the freedom to make personal decisions about what art they will create and what art they won’t create.”
-- Jeremy Tedesco, Senior Counsel, Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF)

For background, click headlines below to read how "gay rights," including same-sex "marriage," are inherently anti-Christian:

Illinois Fines Business $80,000 for Being Christian

Homosexuals Force Closure of Iowa Christian Wedding Chapel

Lesbians Attack Ohio Christian Videographer over 'Gay Wedding'

New York Christian Farmers Guilty & Fined over 'Gay Wedding'

ACLU Sues Christians for Refusing 'Gay Marriage'

Also read Michigan Christian Business Trashed by Homosexualists

And read Student Booted for Being Christian from Missouri State Univ.

-- From "Phoenix Is The Latest LGBT Battleground No One Is Talking About" by Casey Harper, Daily Caller 5/15/16

Lawyers for Brush & Nib, a calligraphy studio run by two Christian women who sell hand paintings and calligraphy for weddings and events, filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging the Phoenix LGBT non-discrimination ordinance. The city’s ordinance prohibits businesses from refusing service based on sexual orientation. The lawsuit claims this could be used to punish Brush & Nib by forcing them to service a same-sex ceremony, thus violating the owners’ consciences and religious freedoms. The business argues that since calligraphy is art, it should be considered free speech that cannot be censored or compelled by government.

“The Phoenix non-discrimination ordinance protects fundamental civil rights for everyone, and we will defend it aggressively,” Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton [who voted for the ordinance] said in a statement.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Religious artists file lawsuit over Phoenix LGBT non-bias law" by Dustin Gardiner, The Arizona Republic 5/13/16

The lawsuit could reignite a fiery debate about the intersection of constitutional freedoms and Phoenix's ordinance prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Opponents want the city's law overturned to allow business owners to deny service to LGBT people if it conflicts with their religious beliefs.

Duka and Koski directed a request for comment to their attorneys. Their representatives at the Alliance Defending Freedom said the plaintiffs cannot comment because they worry they could be violating the city's ordinance if they explain their desire not to do work for same-sex weddings.

Duka and Koski's lawsuit asks the court to declare the city's ordinance unconstitutional under the Arizona Constitution's Free Speech Clause and Religious Toleration Clause, among other areas of the law, so they and other artists can create art that "reflects their beliefs, not the government's."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "No Gay Wedding Invitations, Please" by Jamie Ross, Courthouse News Service 5/17/16

The city ordinance says service cannot be denied due to sexual orientation. Violations are punishable by up to a $2,500 fine, six months in jail and three years probation for each day of violation. It also prevents businesses from displaying information about why they will refuse such service.

"Joanna and Breanna believe Jesus commanded Christians to love their neighbors no matter who they are, what they believe, or what they do," the complaint states. "To love their customers, Joanna and Breanna believe they must be upfront and honest with their customers and respectful toward their customers and their customers' time."

They say in the 86-page lawsuit that they do not object to selling artwork to customers of any background, except for same-sex marriages, because it violates their religious beliefs.

The City Council adopted the anti-discrimination ordinance in 2013 to stop discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender residents by privately owned businesses.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Jail time for Phoenix artists who disagree with government?" posted at Alliance Defending Freedom 5/12/16

[ADF Senior Counsel Jeremy Tedesco said,] “Just because an artist creates expression that communicates one viewpoint doesn’t mean she is required to express all viewpoints. It’s unjust, unnecessary, and unlawful to force an artist to create against her will and intimidate her into silence.”

The lawsuit is known in legal circles as a “pre-enforcement challenge,” a lawsuit that allows citizens to challenge a law—in this case, a law that threatens First Amendment freedoms—before the government enforces it against them. Organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood routinely file such lawsuits against laws they oppose.

“Phoenix has already investigated another business for declining to promote a same-sex wedding ceremony for religious reasons and issued a formal report saying [the ordinance] requires businesses like Brush & Nib—those that create expression—to promote same-sex wedding ceremonies if they promote opposite-sex wedding ceremonies,” the ADF complaint explains.

“We simply value art too much to let Phoenix invade the artistic process as if Phoenix were regulating widgets…,” the ADF brief contends. “And make no mistake. Phoenix is playing favorites. It allows artists to speak and create in favor of same-sex marriage yet threatens to incarcerate artists if they speak or create only for opposite-sex marriage. We should all be concerned when the government tries to eradicate a particular idea by silencing adherents and forcing dissenters to profess orthodoxy. When the government manipulates the artistic marketplace and commandeers artists’ minds to squelch an idea, no idea is safe. Everyone eventually loses.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read how Religious Liberty is in the Homosexualists' Crosshairs because they say that the Gay Agenda will be Complete once Christians are Muzzled.

Even so, the 'Gay Marriage' Battle is NOT Over in Some States

Student Booted for Being Christian: Missouri Univ.

Attorneys for Andrew Cash have filed a federal lawsuit against Missouri State University (MSU) saying that the graduate student was kicked out of a master's counseling program because he said that validating same-sex marriage violated his religious beliefs.

“[Andrew Cash] was targeted and punished for expressing his Christian worldview regarding a hypothetical situation concerning whether he would provide counseling services to a gay/homosexual couple. . . . Since he did not give the ‘correct’ answer required by his counseling instructors, he was considered unsuitable for counseling and terminated from the program.”
-- Complaint, filed in the Western District of Missouri Court

For background, read MSU Prof Required Students to Sign Petition Supporting 'Gay' Adoptions

Also read Federal Courts OK Christians being Expelled from Eastern Michigan University and also from Augusta State University for Biblical Beliefs

Click headlines below to read the latest news of "higher education" promotion of the Gay Agenda:

Bibles Removed, Deviant Sex Housing Added at Illinois University

Go To Jail for Bible Speech, Says Univ. of Texas Police

Christian Restaurant Rejected at University of Nebraska

Also read Toilet Privacy Banned in ALL Restrooms at New York College

-- From "Missouri State student says he was kicked out of school because he wouldn't counsel gay couples" by The Associated Press 4/23/16

Andrew Cash said he was removed from the master's counseling program at Missouri State in 2014 after telling a professor in 2011 he would not counsel gay couples. Cash started the program in 2007.

The Thomas More Society, a Chicago-based public interest law firm, filed the lawsuit Tuesday on behalf of Cash. The lawsuit in federal court in Springfield names the university's board of governors and several school officials as defendants. It claims the university denied Cash's rights to religion and free speech and seeks unspecified monetary and punitive damages.

According to the lawsuit, W. K. Boyce, executive director of the Christian-based counseling center where Cash interned, made a presentation to one of Cash's classes in 2011. In response to a question during that presentation, Boyce said he would counsel gay individuals separately but would refer gay couples to other counselors who did not share his religious beliefs.

About a week later, Cash's internship coordinator questioned Cash about his own views on counseling gay couples, the lawsuit said. Cash said he also would counsel gay people individually but refer them to someone else for couple counseling.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "MSU sued by student who told professor he wouldn't counsel gay couples" by Harrison Keegan, Springfield News-Leader 4/21/16

The lawsuit says Cash was a student at MSU in January 2011 when he began an internship at the Springfield Marriage and Family Institute, a Christian-based organization.

Cash told his internship coordinator, Kristi Perryman, that he would also not counsel gay couples, according to the lawsuit, and Perryman told Cash that went against the American Counseling Association's code of ethics.

The lawsuit says Perryman told Cash he was not allowed to continue his internship at the Springfield Marriage and Family institute because of "ethical concerns."

In November 2014, the lawsuit says, Cash was removed from the master's program. The lawsuit says he had a 3.81 GPA.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Student Sues MSU" by John Thomas, KTTS-FM94.7 (Springfield, MO) 4/22/16

Andrew Cash claims the University is violating its mission of being a place for free exchange of ideas and values, both religious and secular.

"Traditionally, universities have been places for free exchange of ideas and values, both religious and secular," said Thomas Olp, Executive Director and Attorney for the Thomas More Society. "Unfortunately, Missouri State University departed from its mission by denying educational opportunity to Mr. Cash simply because he expressed, in an academic setting, sincerely-held religious beliefs which his advisor deemed hostile to her own and therefore unacceptable.

"An educator should not permit her own ideology and agenda to ruin the educational opportunities of her students. We feel the responsibility, on Mr. Cash's behalf, to try to correct this."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "It's not the first time MSU has faced 'religious freedom' lawsuit" by Alissa Zhu, Springfield News-Leader 4/25/16

Emily Brooker sued the university in 2006, accusing the school and a faculty member of violating her First Amendment rights when she refused to sign a letter supporting same-sex adoption. Brooker was a student in the School of Social Work.

Brooker alleged in her lawsuit that faculty members interrogated her for over two hours and asked her questions such as: “Do you think gays and lesbians are sinners?” and “Do you think I am a sinner?”

Brooker made national headlines before reaching a settlement with the university.

David Kaplan, the chief professional officer of the American Counseling Association, said students in other states have filed lawsuits against schools when they felt their religious beliefs came in conflict with the professional association's code.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Student files suit against MSU after being dismissed from counseling program due to his faith" posted at Houston (Missouri) Herald 4/27/16

. . . [Cash's] suit claims that he was unable to complete his counseling curriculum, and is now prevented from working as a counselor, causing him daily emotional suffering. He is seeking for MSU to reinstate him in his counseling program with safeguards put in place so that he can successfully earn his degree.

As a part of the degree program, students are required to complete clinical internship hours. Cash started his internship in January 2011 with the Springfield Marriage and Family Institute, which had been approved by MSU as an internship site. At least one other student in the M.S. in Counseling program had previously completed an internship there. The Institute is a Christian-based counseling agency, and MSU knew this when it approved Cash's internship in January 2011.

. . . Although Cash worked with the administration to find a different internship, the faculty advisor required him, as a condition of being re-accepted to a new internship, to prove to her that he "had learned something from the experience at the Springfield Marriage and Family Institute."  Later, the same advisor wrote a letter to department officials claiming that it appeared to her – despite a total lack of evidence – that she suspected that Cash had not recanted from his earlier-stated religious views. She then made a recommendation, which was accepted, to force Cash into "remediation."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Catholic University Suspends Employee for Espousing Catholic Views

Catholic Univ. Hits Staffer for Pro-Catholic Views

An alumni office employee of Loyola Marymount University (LMU), a Jesuit institution located near Los Angeles, California, espoused the Roman Catholic views concerning "sexual orientation" with Cosette Carleo, a student who claims to be "gender neutral."  Carleo accused the employee of committing the hate crime of "denying transgenderism" so the University promptly suspended the employee.

“The University stands behind its statement of non-discrimination, which prohibits unwelcome, harassing conduct on the basis of several classifications, including gender identity and sexual orientation.”
-- John Kiralla, Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT)

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Bishop 'Too Catholic' to Speak at Catholic College

Notre Dame Honors Pro-abortion VP Biden — Students Protest

Wisconsin Catholic College Welcomes Abortion Feminist Speaker

New Jersey Catholic Religion Teacher Suspended for being Too Biblical

Catholic School Must Hire Homosexuals, Massachusetts Court Rules

Also read Must Censor Speech, Say Most College Students

-- From "15-Year Catholic Employee of Loyola Marymount University Suspended Accused of Hate Crime" by Kevin Whitson, Western Journalism 4/30/16

There apparently are two versions to the story of what occurred April 14 on the campus of Loyola Marymount University.

If the LMU Gender Sexuality Alliance’s story is to be believed, an LMU employee of the alumni office allegedly tore down and threw away LGBTQ+ Awareness Week posters, and accosted three LMU students, one of who self-identifies as gender neutral.

According to LMU’s GSA press release, the employee “aggressively confronted” the students who were attempting to rehang the posters and “replied hatefully” to them adding the employee was “denying the existence of transgender people” and that “heterosexuality is the only truth.”

Substantiating the employee’s claim that she’s the target of a smear campaign, an alumnus, Anthony Gonzales, overheard the entire incident and wrote a lengthy article in defense of the long-time LMU employee.

The other side of the story is vastly different from the one being told by Carleo, the GSA, and The Loyolan (campus newspaper) which published an article about the incident. . . .

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Believing in two genders is a ‘hate crime’ under police investigation at Catholic college" by Matt Lamb, University of Nebraska-Omaha, posted at The College Fix 4/27/16

Both the [Los Angeles Police Department] and the university’s Bias Incident Response Team are investigating the stated belief that only two genders exist, male and female, as a hate crime.

. . . Gonzales said the employee was “in the process of seeking legal counsel” to defend herself and hold LMU accountable for how she was “unfairly treated and summarily dismissed” before she could give her side. He did not immediately respond to a Facebook message from The Fix Tuesday night.

Though the Bias Incident Response Team told The Loyolan there were two investigations – the sign removal and the employee’s conversation with the students – Carleo admitted they have no evidence that the employee removed the signs.

Carleo told The Fix that while voices were raised in the conversation, there was no actual yelling, and witnesses who considered intervening saw that “there was no danger.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Alleged LGBTQ+ hate crime, during Rainbow Week" by Kellie Chudzinski, Asst. News Editor, The Los Angeles Loyolan 4/19/16

Three student workers from the LGBT Student Services office were engaged in a verbal altercation with an LMU employee from the Alumni Relations office between 9 a.m and 12 p.m. on Palm Walk near the Von der Ahe building on Thursday, April 14, according to a Gender-Sexuality Alliance press release.

Senior biology major Catalina Ibarra and senior business majors Kaii Blanton and Cosette Carleo noticed that signs put up for Rainbow Week, or LGBTQ+ Awareness Week, by LGBT Student Services (LGBTSS) had been removed and placed behind a garbage can, according to Carleo.

As Blaton, Carleo and Ibarra attempted to replace the signs, an employee from the Alumni Relations office, whose name has not yet been made available to the public, allegedly approached the students about LGBTQ+ issues and voiced opinions on differing sexualities, expressing that anti-LGBTQ+ signs should be put up in place of the students’ signs. The employee also referred to one of the students as a man, even though that student had informed the employee that they identify as gender neutral, according to Carleo.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "University employee is accused of hate crime for defending Catholic teaching" posted at California Catholic Daily 4/17/16

[Excerpts from an April 16 email forwarded to California Catholic Daily from the husband of the subject employee:]

At the time [of the incident] my wife was talking to alum [Gonzales], who thankfully heard the entire exchange. After determining they had permission to post the signs, the group engaged in a what my wife thought was a very good dialogue of ideas and opinions. The girls were posting signs promoting the various sexual activities and orientations of the LGBTQ. My wife is Catholic and a strong supporter of the Church, marriage and family, and Catholic morality. Of particular focus was the girls promotion of what they label “PanSexual” i.e. someone who participates (or prefers) every kind of sexual encounter. One of the girls identified herself as lesbian and accused my wife of not loving women. My wife pointed out she was called to love everyone, including the girls. She said she found the whole sexual labeling thing was causing confusion especially in the youth whose sexuality is still malleable. The girls agreed with my wife that they too disagreed with the ideas behind Pan-sexuality, claiming they wanted monogamy, but wanted to give it a label so people could identify themselves. My wife pointed out that this was promotion of these lifestyles not just labeling and this was offensive to her heart. It was lovingly expression of disagreement, and a legitimate exchange of ideas and reasons, with my wife defending the Truths of the Church, and listening with love to these girls ideas.

. . . Everyone thanked the other upon leaving, the girls thanking my wife for her opinions and “appreciated the dialogue’. My wife agreed.

. . . My wife was informed this morning that she is suspended from her job of 15 years pending an investigation of this “incident”. No one got her side of the story. In addition there was an alumni witness who verified her accounts of the conversation. No one has spoken to him either.

. . . No-one from the University talked to my wife before the Loyolan article was written, or before she was suspended and sent home. My wife, when she read the article, immediately went to her supervisor to protest the accuracy of the article. Her supervisor refused to talk to her and simply sent her home to let HR investigate.

Clearly my wife has been defamed by the Loyolan, and by lack of supervision, the University itself. The University is responsible for this hateful twist of the truth and allowing these lies to be published without getting the other side. If the girls involved really concocted this lie they too are guilty of libel and slander. We are a Catholic Family and hold true to the faith expressed by Christ. But now, being a loving Catholic called to care for others is a Hate crime at LMU, ironically at so called Catholic University.

To read the entire E-mail and article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read this past news article:

From "Jesuit Loyola Marymount University Launches LGBT Office" by Kathleen Gilbert, LifeSiteNews.com 9/28/10

Unlike the school's student-run Gay Straight Alliance club, the [new LGBT office] will supply professional staff to minister to LGBT students, following in the footsteps of Georgetown University and Gonzaga University.  Dr. Lane Bove, senior vice president for Student Affairs, described the office's role as promoting "equality, visibility and inclusion of LGBT students within the LMU community" as well as "advocacy and support for the LGBT student community" and engaging "regular dialogues about the intersection of sexual orientation and gender identity with issues of faith, religion and culture.”

At the Web site of LMU's Intercultural Affairs/Sexual and Gender Identity Office, the school states a commitment to "developing socially responsible men and women" who will "learn to value the unique qualities of diverse cultures." Notably, the graphic for the office's site includes a photograph of a young woman holding a sign protesting Proposition 8, the constitutional amendment in California establishing the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles did not return a request for comment.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Go To Jail for Bible Speech, Says Univ. of Texas Police

However, Judge Rules Illinois College Must Accept 'Anti-Gay' Speech

Illinois Fines Business $80K for Being Christian

Jim and Beth Walder, the owners of Timber Creek Bed & Breakfast near Paxton, Illinois, have been fined $80,000 by the state Human Rights Commission after being singled out in 2011 by homosexual men demanding their same-sex ceremony be officiated in the Walder's facility.  The Commission ordered the Walders to "cease and desist" from quoting the Bible to same-sex couples and welcome ceremonies of abomination in their facility in accordance with the Human Rights Act and pay the homosexuals $30,000 plus another $50,000 to the ACLU for legal fees.

"To be absolutely clear, we cannot host a same-sex wedding even though fines and penalties have been imposed by the Illinois Human Rights Commission. Our policy will not be changing. . . . We are not looking for a fight, but when immoral laws are purposely passed (or deemed constitutional) that blatantly conflict with God's Word and when the heavy hand of government tries to force us as Christians to embrace sinful behavior, we have a moral obligation to resist and stand for Biblical truth:  'It is better to obey God than men.' Acts 5:29."
-- Jim Walder

For background, read the history of homosexualists targeting Christians in Illinois in this manner.

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

ACLU Sues Christians for Refusing 'Gay Marriage'

Pastors Face Fines, Jail for Refusing 'Gay Wedding'

Homosexuals Force Closure of Iowa Christian Wedding Chapel

New York Christian Farmers Guilty & Fined over 'Gay Wedding'

Homosexualist Oregon Persecutes Christian Judge

Lesbians Attack Ohio Christian Videographer over 'Gay Wedding'

Christian School Sued by Homosexuals in New Mexico

Michigan Christian Business Trashed by Homosexualists

Also read Houston Lesbian Mayor Subpoenas Pastors' Sermons




-- From "Illinois inn fined for refusing to host gay civil union ceremony" by Reuters 3/29/16

[Michael R. Robinson, an] administrative law judge with the [Illinois] commission ordered TimberCreek Bed & Breakfast to pay $15,000 each to Todd and Mark Wathen for emotional distress.

TimberCreek, located about 100 miles south of Chicago, must also pay $50,000 in attorneys' fees and $1,218.35 in costs.

The Wathens had contacted TimberCreek in 2011 as they looked for possible locations for the ceremony.

TimberCreek owner Jim Walder had responded to the Wathens' inquiry with an email that said "homosexuality is immoral and unnatural," according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "B&B ordered to pay $80,000 over refusal to host civil-union ceremony in 2011" by Will Brumleve, Editor, Ford County Record, posted at Champaign/Urbana News-Gazette 3/29/16

In September, [Judge] Robinson ruled that Jim Walder violated the civil rights of the Wathens when he denied them the opportunity to hold their civil-union ceremony at the B&B he co-owns with his wife — the TimberCreek Bed-and-Breakfast west of Paxton.

The landmark ruling marked the first time that the Human Rights Commission made clear that businesses in Illinois must serve the entire public and cannot pick and choose based on their personal religious views.

Following a public hearing held last November in Springfield to consider damages to be awarded to the couple, ACLU attorneys for the Wathens filed briefs to support the couple's request for a "cease and desist" order and for Walder to pay damages for emotional distress, attorneys' fees and costs. Lawyers for the B&B failed to respond in a timely matter, leading to the judge's ruling.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "B&B ordered to pay damages to same-sex couple, stop discriminating" by Will Brumleve, Ford County Record 3/29/16

The Wathens said they never contacted another B&B [other than Walder's]. They ended up being wed in a small ceremony on June 4, 2011, in their back yard . . .

Walder said in an emailed statement Tuesday that his B&B will not host civil-union ceremonies or same-sex weddings, regardless of last week’s ruling.

“Evidently, religious freedom does not exist within the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act or the Illinois Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act.

“In our opinion, neither the state of Illinois nor the U.S. Supreme Court has the authority to tamper with the definition of marriage. God alone created marriage and declared thousands of years ago that it was to be between a man and a woman. Not two men. Not two women. We may be out of step with an increasingly anti-Christian culture, but we are in compliance with God’s design, and that is what ultimately matters.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Further refusals could cost B&B owner more; he won't change stance" by Nicole Lafond, Champaign/Urbana News-Gazette 4/1/16

University of Illinois law Professor Robin Wilson, an expert on the intersection of religious freedom and same-sex marriage, said the penalties the state could impose upon TimberCreek Bed-and-Breakfast owner Jim Walder include placing a lien on his personal estate.

"Every time he refuses," Wilson said, "the state can fine him again."

If Walder opts to fight the state ruling, Wilson said, he must file an appeal within 14 days. Since it was made by a single judge, Walder could request a rehearing by either a three-person panel or the full commission within 30 days. If six of the 13 commissioners grant a rehearing, the original order is nullified, pending the results of the rehearing.

If that doesn't go well, Walder "can jump right back over to the appellate court," Wilson said. In either case, though, "he's got hanging around his neck factual findings that they are going to assume are true," she said.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Discrimination Charge" posted at Timber Creek Bed & Breakfast

We politely disagree.  God is not confused.  His Word clearly illustrates and declares that marriage is between one man and one woman.  It also labels homosexuality as an abominable sin throughout the Old and New Testaments.  God's Word is the ultimate authority, infallible, and unchanging.  It is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  His Word cannot be changed by a vote of the Illinois General Assembly when it passed the Civil Unions Act or the Gay Marriage Bill.  Marriage is only appropriate God's way.  Sexuality is only appropriate God's way.

Consequently, we cannot host civil unions or gay marriages at TimberCreek Bed & Breakfast.  It is not an issue of fairness or equality, but an issue of right and wrong.  We cannot be part of what God condemns.  Be assured that we are not lawless, hateful, judgmental, bigoted, or activists by any definition.  We did not initiate the present controversy.  We are not the ones who voted to change the 6,000 year-old definition of marriage.  We are just small business owners trying to be consistent in following God's Word and living it out practically in our lives.  And we are not alone. . . .

To read the entire statement above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Gay Agenda will be Complete when Christians are Muzzled, Say Homosexualists

Evangelist Wins Lawsuit vs. San Fran. Police, ESPN

Gino Emmerich and a Christian law firm will be paid $10,000 because Emmerich was forced by San Francisco police and sports TV outlet ESPN to cease holding a “John 3:16” sign outside of the Giants ballpark in July 2014.  Emmerich was singled out for holding a Christian sign among a plethora of signs and expressions of free speech by others in a crowd.

For background, read FOX Censors John 3:16 NFL Super Bowl Commercial

Also read Court Forces Maine City to Pay $56,500 for Muzzling Pro-lifers

-- From "Minister carrying sign before Giants game settles suit" by Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle 3/22/16

A traveling minister who carried his “John 3:16” sign to Willie Mays Plaza at AT&T Park before a Giants game, and said he was told to leave or face arrest, has settled his lawsuit for $10,000.

Gino Emmerich sued the city of San Francisco, but the settlement funds — $2,500 to Emmerich and $7,500 to his lawyer — will come from ESPN, which was filming the pregame activities and hired city police to keep order, City Attorney Dennis Herrera’s office said Tuesday. As part of the settlement, the city agreed to review the status of the plaza and the extent of the public’s right to carry signs or express opinions there.

. . . an ESPN producer walked up with four uniformed police officers and told [Emmerich] he would be arrested if he displayed his sign.

After the producer left, Emmerich said he nevertheless held the sign up in front of an ESPN camera. One of the officers then grabbed him from behind and moved him out of camera range, where police issued another arrest warning and let him go. All the while, Emmerich said, fans were in the plaza, some displaying other types of signs, though none with religious messages.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "First Amendment Victory: San Francisco Settles Lawsuit Over Activist's Right to Peacefully Display Sign in Willie Mays Plaza in Front of Giants Ballpark" posted at The Rutherford Institute 3/22/16

A settlement has been reached in a First Amendment lawsuit filed by The Rutherford Institute against police officers who allegedly intimidated and threatened to arrest a man who was lawfully and peacefully exercising his First Amendment rights in the Willie Mays Plaza prior to a Giants v. Dodgers game by holding up a “John 3:16” religious sign in the public plaza in front of the San Francisco Giants ballpark. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on behalf of Gino Emmerich, alleged that police officers violated Emmerich’s right to free speech and assembly when they forcefully removed him from Willie Mays Plaza, surrounded him and threatened him with arrest if he did not cease displaying his “John 3:16” sign. Under the settlement agreement, the City and County of San Francisco have agreed to conduct an investigation about the status of Willie Mays Plaza in connection with the rights of citizens to exercise their First Amendment rights there.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Rutherford Institute Sues California Police for Threatening Man Who Was Peacefully Displaying a 'John 3:16' Religious Sign in Front of S.F. Giants Ballpark" posted at The Rutherford Institute 7/9/15

On Sunday, July 27, 2014, prior to the start of a Giants v. Dodgers baseball game, Gino Emmerich arrived at Willie Mays Plaza carrying a “John 3:16” sign, a religious reference to a central tenet of Christianity. Other people were in the plaza, some displaying signs and otherwise communicating messages. Also in the plaza was a makeshift broadcast booth put together for a live broadcast and discussion of the Giants v. Dodgers game for ESPN SportsCenter. . . . Emmerich stationed himself in view of the camera, behind the commentators, and held up his John 3:16 sign. While Emmerich was holding up his sign, a police officer grabbed him from behind by his shirt and neck and moved him out of the view of the camera. Once Emmerich was clear of the cameras, he was surrounded by four police officers and warned, “If you go over there and hold that sign again, we will arrest you and the sergeant will come over here and decide where we are going to take you.” Emmerich then left the plaza as to avoid the possibility of arrest and turned to The Rutherford Institute for help.

“Much of what used to be great about America—especially as it pertains to our love of freedom and our commitment to First Amendment activities—has been overshadowed by a greater desire for security and an inclination towards political correctness,” said John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute and author of Battlefield America: The War on the American People. “That this incident, with its police intimidation tactics, overt discrimination and censorship, took place in a public plaza dedicated to Willie Mays, a legendary baseball player who lived through an era of police tactics, discrimination and censorship, is a powerful indictment of all that is wrong with America today.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Click headlines below to read previous articles of censorship of Christians:

Florida Police Let Abortionists Prohibit Prayer in Public

Federal Judge Censors Pro-life Ads on Indiana Buses

NASA Bans Jesus, Threatening Employees' Freedom

Must Censor Speech, Say Most College Students

Opposing Sexual Deviancy Verboten in California School

Also read how prayer is being banned from Christian school sporting events.

And read how Christmas is being censored from public schools across America.

Opposing Sexual Deviancy Verboten in Calif. School

A handful of students at Shadow Hills High School in Indio, California recently began wearing tiny stickers showing their opposition to the Gay Agenda advocacy that is widespread in the school.  Naturally, the sexual revolutionaries complained, so the the Desert Sands Unified School District has banned the stickers.

“Yes, there is freedom of speech . . . but at least in my view, it's a hate crime because a group was targeted.”
-- Amy Oberman, teacher of AP U.S. History at Shadow Hills

For background, read how governments and schools censor and discriminate, but also read how courts have ruled against such discrimination.

Read more background on schools banning T-shirt slogans and the resulting court decisions.

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

Also read Kentucky School Censors Christmas from Charlie Brown

And read Bible Verse on Cap Gets Georgia Student Athlete Disqualified

-- From "Anti-gay stickers banned as school reverses course" posted at FoxNews.com 3/1/16

Both anti-gay stickers and pro-gay rights symbols previously had been allowed as a matter of free speech at Shadow Hills High School in Indio, a city outside Palm Springs. But Superintendent Gary Rutherford wrote in a letter to Shadow Hills staff on Monday that new “information” had prompted an additional review. He didn’t note what that information was.

“Recently some information has been brought forward that requires additional investigation and follow-up to determine a proper course of action,” Rutherford wrote. “Pending further investigation, we are going to ask students who are displaying the symbol showing a rainbow pattern with a circle and a line, at least for now, to remove symbols while at school.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Students asked to remove anti-gay badges 'for now'" by Kristen Hwang, The Desert Sun - USA TODAY Network 2/29/16

Site and district administration had previously said they could not ask the 12 students to remove the anti-gay symbols in the interest of protecting freedom of speech rights.

Officials would not comment on what additional information prompted the [reversal and] investigation. A call to Shadow Hills Principal Marcus Wood was not immediately returned.

The symbols began appearing on campus several weeks ago when a handful of students started wearing the anti-gay badges on their school ID cards. One of the symbols was placed on the window of the Gay Straight Alliance coordinator's classroom, and a student changed his Google Classroom profile picture to an image of the symbol, said AP U.S. History teacher Amy Oberman.

Teachers and students at Shadow Hills were upset with the district's rationale last week, saying that LGBTQ students on campus felt targeted by the students.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Previously . . .

From "SoCal school lets students to display anti-gay stickers" by The Associated Press 2/29/16

Students who placed anti-gay stickers on their identification badges at a Southern California high school have the right to wear the symbols, just as others can sport insignia supporting gay rights, administrators said.

Both symbols are allowed as a matter of free speech, as long as they do not cause a disruption at Shadow Hills High School in Indio, a city outside Palm Springs, administrators said in a statement emailed to staff last week.

“We all have a right to freedom of speech, but students also have a right to be educated without fear. This has always been our policy, and we will continue to enforce it,” according to their Wednesday statement.

“Sometimes people can be uncomfortable because of an opinion, but that doesn’t mean it’s bullying,” said Laura Fisher, assistant superintendent of personnel services.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Must Censor Speech, Say Most College Students

And read Univ. Texas Police Threaten Jail When Christianity Offends Students

Christian Restaurant Rejected at Univ. Nebraska

Administrators at the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) have decided that students need a lesson in tolerance after the student government leaders sided with the minority Queer Straight Alliance (the student homosexualist club) against a new Chick-fil-A — the top restaurant choice of the overall student body.

“When we learned more about Chick-fil-A and its corporate values and discriminatory policies, and after hearing these concerns raised by a section of our student body, we concluded that these corporate values are not aligned with our values as a student body, and it is not in the best interested of our UNK community to pursue Chick-fil-A right now.”
-- Evan Calhoun, UNK student government president

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

University Drops Pro-marriage Christian Food Vendor Chick-fil-A

California School Rejects 'Anti-Gay' Food Donation of Chick-fil-A

Lesbian Denver Official Nixes Chick-fil-A at Airport

Army Reprimands Soldier for Serving Chick-fil-A Sandwiches

Homosexualist Terrorist Attacks with Chick-fil-A Sandwiches

Also read Chick-fil-A Support of Natural Marriage Causes Media Storm

-- From "Chick-Fil-A, Raising Canes among list of preferred UNK student union additions" posted at KSNB-TV NBC Nebraska 2/22/16

University of Nebraska at Kearney administration announced Monday that it is moving forward with student-identified restaurants and beginning preliminary negotiations with those interested in locating in the Nebraskan Student Union.

Those moving forward will be Chick-fil-A, Raising Canes, Panda Express, IHOP, A&W, Sbarro, and Johnny Rockets. These restaurants are allowed in the Union under the university’s agreement with its food services contractor Chartwells, and were preferred by students.

After two Student Government opinion surveys, administration will now take those top poll preferences to determine interest and financial viability for the student-preferred restaurants.

“There has been a lot of dialogue and discussion about restaurants and options over the past weeks, along with a lot of emotional debate, much of which is outside the realm of the intent of the polling,” said Kelly Bartling, UNK assistant vice chancellor for communication and community relations.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "UNK ready to move past Chick-fil-A controversy" by Josh Moody, Kearney (Nebraska) Hub Staff Writer 2/22/16

In the [initial] survey, 722 of 1,222 respondents chose Chick-fil-A as their top restaurant choice over A&W, Johnny Rockets, Panda Express, Sbarro and IHOP.

After [Evan] Calhoun was contacted [by the Queer Straight Alliance] with student concerns, a second survey was sent out replacing Chick-fil-A with Raising Cane’s.

Raising Cane’s received 670 of 985 votes in the second survey.

Controversy over the handling of the student polling has prompted the university to schedule a public forum at 6 p.m. Thursday in the union.

“I see that as an important opportunity for students to learn, listen to one another,” [Kelly] Bartling said. “I think that some people who haven’t had an opportunity to talk to somebody and listen to a different point of view from theirs might be moved by it — some of the feelings that people have about inclusiveness, about their faith beliefs. The forum itself is an example of the important learning that comes with conflicts like these on university campuses.”

The forum will be moderated by Gilbert Hinga, UNK dean of student affairs, and points will be summarized and passed on to UNK administration.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "UNK refuses to bring Chick-fil-A to campus over CEO’s marriage views" by Anthony Gockowski, Investigative Reporter, Campus Reform 2/19/16

A student government resolution set to bring Chick-fil-A to the University of Nebraska Kearney (UNK) was reversed because students complained about the CEO’s support of traditional marriage.

In a survey administered in January, a majority of the student body elected to bring a Chick-fil-A to campus over other fast food options. Some students, however, disagreed with the decision because of Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy’s defense of traditional marriage. Cathy’s company took a hit back in 2012 after he stood up for traditional marriage in an interview on The Ken Coleman Show.

“I pray God’s mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude to think that we have the audacity to define what marriage is about,” Cathy said.

According to The Daily Wire, many UNK students are outraged with Calhoun’s decision to reverse the vote. . . .

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Chick-Fil-A Banned From The University of Nebraska Because CEO Supports Traditional Marriage" by Pardes Seleh, The Daily Wire News 2/18/16

In response to the students’ complaints, the UNK student president Evan Calhoun announced via email that his student government would not be bringing Chick-Fil-A to campus . . .

Trevor Wiegert, a third-year UNK student and campus chancellor’s ambassador, said he was initially thrilled that the student government was considering bringing Chick-Fil-A to the campus union. After the decision was reversed, Weigert, backed by classmates and faculty members, urged the student government to reconsider Chick-Fil-A. In a letter he wrote to the UNK student senate, Wiegert wrote:

I think it is ridiculous and appalling that this is a situation we are faced with as a campus and student body, due to the preconceived notions of a very small minority.  This is a country that was built and has thrived on the notion of free speech.  Taking a man’s opinion on his belief in the traditional family and construing it to supposedly encompass his entire company’s corporate values and discriminatory policies in order to feel “safe” or like you’re not being “persecuted” is simply asinine.

Wiegert’s sentiments were echoed by other students who were also disappointed by the student government’s decision. . . .

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

It's all because Religious Liberty is in the Homosexualists' Crosshairs

Also read Michigan Christian Business Trashed by Homosexualists

And read Homosexualists Threaten, Shut Down Indiana Christian Pizza Restaurant

'Anti-Gay' Religious Liberty Law: West Virginia

The West Virginia Religious Freedom Restoration Act (HB 4012) passed the House of Delegates 72-26 and is favored in the Republican-controlled Senate, but Democrat Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin may veto the bill.  Christians say the new RFRA law is necessary because the growing number of local nondiscrimination ordinances allow violations of their religious beliefs.  Sexual revolutionaries are threatening businesses in order to pressure politicians to kill the bill.

"This bill will give state courts a balancing test that guides judges in considering cases alleging that the action of a governmental body has violated a citizen's deeply held religious belief."
-- House Speaker Tim Armstead

"Religious freedom is a basic human right, and a vital Constitutional right, that deserves protection under West Virginia law. Every West Virginian should be free to live and work according to their faith without fear of being punished by the government."
-- House Majority Whip John O'Neal

For background, read about the state-by-state momentum for Religious Freedom Restoration Acts (RFRA).

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Indiana Religious Liberty Law to Fight Gay Agenda Jettisoned by Republicans

Arkansas Religious Freedom Law NOT Gay Enough

Religious Liberty in Homosexualists' Crosshairs

Homosexualists Launch Commerce Attack on Indiana to get Gay Rights

Also read Supreme Court Justice Scalia Says Government Should Favor God of the Bible

-- From "W.Va. House passes Religious Freedom Restoration Act" posted at The Herald-Dispatch (Huntington, WV) 2/11/16

The proposal would let people cite religious objections to state actions in certain court proceedings.

Proponents say it protects people's freedoms to express sincere religious beliefs, as long as there isn't a compelling state interest to restrict them.

Opponents say it's a license to discriminate, particularly against gay people.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "W.Va. House passes Religious Freedom Restoration Act" by WSAZ-TV3 News Staff (Huntington, WV) 2/11/16

The bill models after the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and laws that have been adopted by more than 20 other states.

Under the bill, if a person attempts to defend in court their religious beliefs against government action, a judge would use the following questions to evaluate the merits of the case:

1.) Does a person have a sincerely held religious belief?
2.) Has that belief been substantially burdened by government?
3.) Does the government have a compelling interest to substantially burden that belief?
4.) Has government exhausted all other means to achieve its goals without infringing on that belief, and is the action the least restrictive of that citizen’s religious beliefs?

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "WV House passes Religious Freedom bill, sends to Senate" by Erin Beck, Staff Writer, Charleston Gazette-Mail 2/11/16

Supporters, mainly Republicans, argued that the bill simply codifies a balancing test for courts to abide by when determining if a person’s religious beliefs are being violated by state action and doesn’t guarantee any outcome of that test. Opponents, mainly Democrats, argued that the potential legislation will be bad for business, harm West Virginia’s reputation and encourage discrimination against marginalized groups.

Delegate Mike Azinger, R-Wood, spoke fervently and at length about his belief that the Founding Fathers supported a Christian government.

Some Democratic lawmakers noted that religion has been used to discriminate in the past.

Mayors of several cities with LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances, as well as a coalition of businesses worried about the economic impact of the bill, had spoken out against it.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "WV [small] businesses show support for LGBT patrons in wake of RFRA bill" by Erin Beck, Staff Writer, Charleston Gazette-Mail 2/15/16

Local business owners plan to display “All Kinds Welcome Here” stickers, designed by Jessica Kennedy, to signal that the businesses are friendly to the LGBT community.

Paul Greco, owner of Sam's Uptown Cafe and the Boulevard Tavern, in Charleston, said he hopes, “All Kinds are Welcome Here” stickers, which were designed by Jessica Kennedy, will be ready for distribution at Sam's by the end of the week. Interested businesses can also reach out through the Sam's Facebook page.

Keeley Steele, owner of Bluegrass Kitchen, Tricky Fish and Starling's, said she would post the sticker at her businesses.

Julia and Frank Gonzales, owners of Mi Cocina de Amor, said they would post the sticker, as well.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Major employers mum on WV Religious Freedom bill" by Erin Beck, Staff Writer, Charleston Gazette-Mail 2/17/16

A spokesman for Procter & Gamble, which is building a $500 million plant near Martinsburg, said the company believes it is “premature and inappropriate” to comment on the bill, since the company doesn't yet employ anyone in West Virginia.

The West Virginia United Health System is the second-largest private employer in the state, according to a Workforce West Virginia report from last fall.  Amy Johns, a spokeswoman for WVU Medicine, said . . . that no administrators were available to comment on the bill.

Charleston Area Medical Center spokesman Dale Witte said officials with that hospital system, the third-largest private employer in West Virginia, would not comment on the bill.

Marshall University spokesman Dave Wellman said the school also would not comment on the bill.

Representatives of Wal-Mart, West Virginia's largest private employer, and Mylan Pharmaceuticals, the state's fifth-largest employer, did not return multiple phone calls and emails. Wal-Mart opposed a similar bill in Arkansas, where the company is based.

Gary Broadbent, spokesman for Murray Energy Corp., said the company would not comment. Murray Energy is the sixth-largest private employer in the state, employing about 3,000 people in West Virginia. Broadbent did say the company has an LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination policy.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

In addition, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Gay Agenda: IBM Boycotts Christian Louisiana Gov. Jindal

Corporations Embrace Gay Agenda, With a Vengeance

Pro Sports, GOP Urge Supreme Court to Go Gay

And read Gay Agenda will be Complete when Christians are Muzzled, Say Homosexualists as well as Senator Ted Cruz Says the Gay Agenda Ends Christian Liberty

Go To Jail for Bible Speech: Univ. Texas Police

Several officers of the University of Texas Police Department (UTPD) at Austin issued a citation to Joshua Borchert, an intern with Campus Ministry USA, for using offensive words while preaching on a street across from University property.  The police officers told Borchert that he could face jail for using the words “penis” and “anus” in the context of warning passersby of sexually immoral behavior.

“The first amendment of the Constitution protects offensive speech ... if anyone says anything of substance, it’s bound to offend someone.”
-- Brother Jed Smock, Campus Ministry USA

For background, read Must Censor Speech, Say Most College Students

Click headlines below to read previous articles:

Colorado College Bans Bible Talk, OKs Swear Words

Wisconsin Professor Threatens Student for her Christianity

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

Christmas Parties Banned at University of Tennessee

However, Judge Rules Illinois College Must Accept 'Anti-Gay' Speech

No free speech in Canada:  University of Regina Jails Christian American for 'Anti-Gay Hate Speech'



-- From "University Of Texas Police Give Preacher Citation For Offending Students" by Peter Hasson, Daily Caller 2/10/16

The university told TheDC that the officer was responding to students who claimed to be “verbally harassed” by the intern-preacher. The video shows the officer explaining that the intern’s use of “anal” and “penis” offended students, before issuing a citation for disorderly conduct. “After a lawyer representing Joshua called the chief of police, the chief called Joshua and apologized. The citation was withdrawn.” Brother Jed told TheDC.

Ari Cohn, a lawyer with the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) told TheDC that he found the video “deeply disturbing.” “Speech that simply offends others is protected by the First Amendment, and contrary to the officer’s statements, it is not the job of police to ‘do something’ about it. Issuing a disorderly conduct citation based on the content of speech violates decades of clear Supreme Court precedent,” Cohn said.

“Even worse is that while Brother Jed is not a campus community member, and was not even on campus property, the officer justified his decision with the fact that students on campus across the way were offended. The implications for campus expression are dire,” Cohn went on to say. “If offending someone on campus is now grounds for criminal citations, students wishing to express themselves will much more likely censor themselves, or simply refrain from speaking at all. Such a result is unacceptable, legally and morally, at a state university bound by the First Amendment.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "UTPD voids disorderly conduct citation after review" by Wynne Davis, The Daily Texan 2/12/16

After reviewing a citation written to an evangelical preacher for disorderly conduct, the University of Texas Police Department voided the citation because it did not meet the requirements of the law.

“Our review further showed that the officers in training responded to a call for service in good faith and with respect for all parties involved, including the person(s) wishing to file charges as well those being accused,” UTPD Chief David Carter said in a statement.

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution gives all people the right to freedom of speech. Even hurtful and hateful speech is covered under the amendment, and police officers must defend everyone’s constitutional rights, Carter said.

Carter said if an individual was threatening a student with their speech, the police could and would take action against that person.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

. . . previously, last year:

From "Presence of confrontational protesters sparks student response" by Madison Dudley, Nicole Decriscio, The Depauw 9/24/15

“I’m not protesting; I’m preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Kirsten Borchert, 20, from Lafayette, Indiana.

Borchert was at DePauw University “preaching” with The Campus Ministry USA, based out of Terre Haute. The confrontational evangelical Christian group travels from campus to campus “Preaching specifically about sin and hell, and how sin leads to hell,” she said.

“I don’t want you [students] to burn forever and ever and ever in the lake of fire,” said Joshua Borchert, 22, who was fully adorned in his Eagle Scout uniform.

[In response,] Students mobilized quickly.

“I saw that post on Facebook, and I saw that there were protesters here saying homophobic things,” said sophomore Marissa Higgs. “When I heard about it I was like, 'okay, I've got to go.' So I grabbed my five foot rainbow flag off my bed and ran here.”

President Brian Casey was on the scene almost immediately after the situation began to heat up. As the afternoon continued, many at the protest felt a sense of pride and community with their fellow classmates.

“I don’t know why the school can’t kick them out,” junior Hector Rivera said, “It’s a private institution, so at least I’m curious to know more like the policies and politics behind all this.”

“We’re presenting no danger,” said Brother Jed Smock, the man in charge of The Campus Ministry USA.

. . . after The Campus Ministry USA was escorted off of DePauw’s grounds, Casey sent an email to students, faculty and staff announcing an open forum to be held at 4 p.m. in Ubben Quadrangle to address the protests.

Casey, DePauw Student Body President Craig Carter, City of Greencastle Mayor Sue Murray and Vice President of Student Life Christopher Wells gave short speeches to the crowd.

“Today we got invaded by people who came here, by people who came here who tried to shake our cores, who tried to shake our values,” Carter said, “I’ve never been more proud to be a Tiger.”

Students called for justice, and proclaimed that they were unsafe on campus and that the university was not doing enough to protect them.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Ask them why you deserve Hell" by Olivia Barfield, The Hawkeye (University of Louisiana at Monroe) 2/1/16

Kirsten [Borchert] threw her hands in the air, carrying a Bible up with them, as she exclaimed her message to the crowd gathered outside of the Student Union Building.

The students, who stood at a distance not long ago no longer allowed Kirsten her personal space. They surrounded her with questions and comments, yelling back as she shouted to a crowd that no longer cared what she had to say. They were visibly aggravated.

“We’re using [Kirsten] because she’s usually the calmer one,” Joshua [Borchert] said, dressed in his Eagle Scout uniform. “I tend to rile them up more. They wouldn’t want me out there right now.”

Students screamed obscenities as Kirsten preached against getting drunk.

Joshua didn’t mind the crowd screaming at his sister. He said he is used to it.

“We go through different stages and cycles. She does that to get their attention, and once she gets their attention then she can continue to calm them,” Joshua said. He then explained the five-stage technique used by the group to humble the students into a calm crowd that can then receive their message.

Joshua and Kirsten have preached at around 30 universities in about 20 different states, Joshua said.

“Our message is repent, and be free from sin. Because if these people don’t repent, then they’re headed for hell,” Kirsten had explained.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Bibles Removed, Deviant Sex Housing Added at Illinois University

And read Most Terrorists are White Christians, Colleges Say

In addition, read Catholic School Must Hire Homosexuals, Court Rules

Jewish Mom Opposes School's Santa Claus Christmas

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

For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:

Christmas Tree Flyer Censored by New Hampshire School Supt.

Atheists Help Liberal Schools in Oregon Ban Christmas Choirs

Christmas Parties Banned at Univ. of Tennessee





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

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

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

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

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

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

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

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

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

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

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Lone Jew, ACLU Stop Prayer in Pennsylvania Town