Updates 2:

Jefferson’s Religiosity
“Enter most preserved 19th-century one-room schoolhouses. What they share are the Ten Commandments hanging on walls and a depiction of George Washington, often kneeling in prayer at Valley Forge.
Many today desire these religious symbols be returned to public school classrooms. They long to re-live those days of yesteryear when students studied the Bible after beginning the school day with prayers to the Almighty who preserved Washington on bent knee. Where did the Ten Commandments and prayer in public schools come from?
Thomas Jefferson carved a model of public education that embraced the spirit of Christianity, holding high the Bible as the source and fountain of all true wisdom, morals and government. He wanted public education to foster those religious sentiments with which students of high culture and keen minds mutually agreed.” (Jack Van Ens. Guest Commentary. The Denver Post. 7/11/99.)

Day of Prayer Nixed
“A nonbinding resolution calling for a national Day of Prayer and Fasting failed in the house on 6/29/99, as Congress waded once again into volatile issues of religion and politics. Sponsored by Rep. Helen Chenoweth (R-Idaho), the resolution recommended that national, state and local leaders ‘call the people they se5ve to observe a day of solemn prayer, fasting and humiliation before God.’ The vote was 275 in favor, with 140 opposed and 11 members voting present. ‘If there ever is a time to call upon God, it’s now,’ Chenoweth said.” (The Denver Post. 6/30/99.)

Religious Protection
“The Religious Liberties Protection Act (RLPA) has been overwhelmingly passed by the House (306 to 118). Under this law, local governments will be prohibited from ‘substantially burdening a person’s religious exercise’ unless they can prove a ‘compelling governmental interest’ to do so. It will also ensure that religious institutions are treated on ‘equal terms’ with non-religious institutions and not subject to discrimination. The bill will be presented to the Senate.” (Christian Coalition. 7/16/99.)

Victory for Prayer
“In 1997, U.S. District Judge Ira DeMent handed down an injunction that was one of our nation’s most damaging legal assaults on the rights of religious students to express themselves. That ruling was recently struck down!
In a 3-0 decision, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta ruled that Judge DeMent wrongly restricted student-initiated prayer at DeKalb, Alabama schools. ‘This is a victory for all the school children in the public schools of our state, that they do not surrender their constitutional rights when they attend a public school in Alabama,’ said Attorney General Bill Pryor.” (Liberty Alliance. 7/16/99.)

Valedictorian Valor
“The valedictorian of the class of ’99 at Deposit High School in Windsor defied his principal and included references to God and to his Christian faith in his valedictory speech. School authorities objected to a poem and to religious remarks in a draft of the speech. John Woodford sought legal advice from the Rutherford Institute, then determined to give the speech and poem as written, and to include a personal invitation to consider Christianity. The speech was warmly received by Woodford’s fellow students and by members of the audience. School officials have elected not to take any action against Woodford.” (Evangelical Press News Service. 7/16/99.)

Prayer Ban Rejected
“When students at a Calvert County high school wanted to include a prayer in their graduation ceremony, their wishes were overruled by the objections of one student. A planned prayer was replaced by a moment of silence. But when the graduation ceremony was underway, the audience turned out to have plans of its own. During the moment of silence, a man’s voice began clearly praying, ‘Our Father, who art in Heaven…’ The prayer quickly spread through the hall, as thousands of voices joined to defy the prayer ban, and insist that God be invited to the ceremony.
‘This is a churchgoing community, and no one in Annapolis or Washington, D.C., is going to tell us when and where we can pray,’ said County Commissioners President Linda Kelley, who joined in the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer. ‘The school administrators did the legal thing and complied with the law. But the audience took this one over.’” (Maranatha Christian Journal. NewsWatch. 7/16/99.)

A Witch Wins
“A witch aided by the American Civil Liberties Union ousted the Christian ‘fish’ from a city seal. A federal judge ruled in favor of Jean Webb, a practitioner of Wicca and former resident of Republic, Missouri, who sued the city to remove the symbol of the fish as its official seal. She claimed that the symbol constituted a violation of the First Amendment and created an uneasy atmosphere for non-Christians. U.S. District Judge Russell Clark agreed. (Current News Summary. ReligionToday.com. 7/16/99.)

Dallying with Deities
“Various museums in Washington, D.C. are increasingly becoming sites and vehicles for the ‘celebration’ and ‘empowerment’ of non-Christian religions and deities. The recent display of the primary female Hindu deity in your nation’s capital clearly illustrates how the “powers that be” gladly receive foreign gods but reject the Creator of our Declaration of Independence.
No official has come forward to challenge these Hindu religious ceremonies and rituals as a Constitutional violation of the ‘separation of church and state.’ On the other hand, last year a pastor and group of Christians were arrested as they but paused and prayed in front of historical paintings in the Capitol Rotunda. Christians are now arrested annually as they kneel in prayer on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court.
The display of cultural religious artifacts, images and even idols is one thing, but the active worship of specific and named deities in America’s public museums – in effect turning them into pagan temples – funded by your tax dollars, is quite another.” (Intercessors for America. 7/7/99.)

Nativity Scene In
“The United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit ruled in August that a Missouri city will be permitted to 8include a nativity scene in its Christmas display. The City of Florrissant had been sued by the American Civil Liberties Union for erecting a display at the City Civic Center.
‘Cities must not be railroaded into excluding all religious references during the holidays simply because they are afraid of being sued. According to the Supreme Court, a display can have religious elements in it and still be perfectly constitutional,’ stated Jennifer Schans, regional coordinator for The Rutherford Institute.” (Maranatha DayWatch. 8/25/99.)

Vouchers Stay
“Arizona residents can get a tax break for giving money to groups that offer scholarships to students at religious schools, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Oct. 4. The court let stand without any comment an Arizona law that gives taxpayers an annual credit up to $500 for donating to charitable "school tuition organizations," news reports said.
The organizations use the money to give scholarships to children at private schools, 70% of which are religious. As much as $75 million a year in public funds could be channeled into private education under the law, Arizona officials said. The law had been challenged by the Arizona Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of
Church and State, and organizations representing teachers.
The ruling provides a boost for efforts in other states to provide financial help for families whose children and other private schools, observers said. The case is the first of several to reach the Supreme Court in which state governments attempt to help fund private or religious schools.” (Current News Summary. ReligionToday.com. 10/5/99)

Bible Week – KO or OK?
“A federal court allowed a town to proclaim a Bible Week. A district court judge in Phoenix, Ariz., Sept. 30 dismissed a lawsuit against Cynthia Dunham, the mayor of Gilbert, who had issued a proclamation for Nov. 21-28, the week of Thanksgiving.
The lawsuit had been brought by the Arizona Civil Liberties Union, and had resulted in a temporary restraining order forbidding Dunham to proceed with the declaration. Bible Week is part of a national observation promoted by the National Bible Association. (Current News Summary. 10/5/99.)

Columbine Tile Lawsuit
“Columbine victims’ relatives and friends accused Jefferson County school officials on 10/4/99 of violating their rights by refusing to display their handmade tiles at the school because they contained religious symbols.
The Rutherford Institute filed a lawsuit against the district in U.S. District Court on behalf of several families and friends of those killed in the April 20th massacre. ‘Exhibiting this type of hostility toward religion violated the establishment clause of the First Amendment,’ said Jim Rouse, a Rutherford attorney.
‘The point here is the tremendous lengths government officials are going to keep religion out of our schools. We’re talking about a 4-inch tile with a 1-inch cross. That’s too much religion for Jefferson County,’ he said.” (The Gazette. 10/5/99.)

Bible Week – KO or OK?
“A federal court allowed a town to proclaim a Bible Week. A district court judge in Phoenix, Ariz., Sept. 30 dismissed a lawsuit against Cynthia Dunham, the mayor of Gilbert, who had issued a proclamation for Nov. 21-28, the week of Thanksgiving.
The lawsuit had been brought by the Arizona Civil Liberties Union, and had resulted in a temporary restraining order forbidding Dunham to proceed with the declaration. Bible Week is part of a national observation promoted by the National Bible Association. (Current News Summary. 10/5/99.)

Wall of Separation?
“I think it would be wise for everyone to go down to their library and read the ltter Jefferson wrote to the Baptists of Danbury, Conn. Then it would be obvious that Jefferson was not seeking a ‘wall of separation between church and state’ as the ACLU and their followers interpret it.
Instead, Jefferson was concerned that one religion would become nationalized and all other religious denominations and beliefs would be left in the cold. He wanted to ensure freedom of religion, not from religion.
Two days after Jefferson wrote this comment he was in the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., faithfully attending church among thousands. The Supreme Court didn’t have much to say about it either because there was a church service being held in their building, too.” (Steve Ledford. Letter to the Editor. The Gazette. 9/15/99.)

Public Education Robs
“Our liberal overseers have long since decided that religious teachings have no place in public education. While Darwinism is mandatory, religion is not even optional. Education has always meant more than instilling knowledge; it has also meant cultivating the moral habits necessary to continue a tradition.
Christian parents have correctly intuited the hidden agenda behind so much state education. Their children have been weaned from Christian culture and taught a godless cosmology in the guise of biology. Public schools need not attack Christianity frontally; they merely have to keep the young ignorant of their Christian heritage.
The battle over evolution and religion is really a battle between state and parental authority. Making education private would be a giant step in keeping with a great American tradition: decentralizing power.” (Joseph Sobran. Washington, D.C.-based columnist. The Gazette. 9/2/99.)

Jefferson’s Religiosity
“Enter most preserved 19th-century one-room schoolhouses. What they share are the Ten Commandments hanging on walls and a depiction of George Washington, often kneeling in prayer at Valley Forge.
Many today desire these religious symbols be returned to public school classrooms. They long to re-live those days of yesteryear when students studied the Bible after beginning the school day with prayers to the Almighty who preserved Washington on bent knee. Where did the Ten Commandments and prayer in public schools come from?
Thomas Jefferson carved a model of public education that embraced the spirit of Christianity, holding high the Bible as the source and fountain of all true wisdom, morals and government. He wanted public education to foster those religious sentiments with which students of high culture and keen minds mutually agreed.” (Jack Van Ens. Guest Commentary. The Denver Post. 7/11/99.)

Day of Prayer Nixed
“A nonbinding resolution calling for a national Day of Prayer and Fasting failed in the house on 6/29/99, as Congress waded once again into volatile issues of religion and politics. Sponsored by Rep. Helen Chenoweth (R-Idaho), the resolution recommended that national, state and local leaders ‘call the people they serve to observe a day of solemn prayer, fasting and humiliation before God.’ The vote was 275 in favor, with 140 opposed and 11 members voting present. ‘If there ever is a time to call upon God, it’s now,’ Chenoweth said.” (The Denver Post. 6/30/99.)

A Blessing Booted!
“A devout Christian who used to wish everyone a ‘blessed day’ at work has been ordered to stop her faith-tinged brand of sunshine or be fired. USF Logistics of Indianapolis reprimanded Liz Anderson, an office worker, after a client at Microsoft Corp. objected to her religious greeting in an email, the Indianapolis Star and News said. Anderson, a member of Phillips Temple CME Church, had been told repeatedly to stop the practice. She has stopped now because she knows she could be fired, the newspaper said.
‘I don't see what's wrong with it,’ Anderson said. ‘It's just my way of saying, Have a nice day.’ Microsoft has insisted that documents be presented in "a professional manner," and that additional religious, personal, or political statements are not welcome, reports said.
Anderson's situation is becoming more common in the American workplace, the Star said. The number of religious discrimination complaints filed with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has risen 29% since 1998, to 1,786 annually. Common complaints arise from Christians who were forced to work on Christmas even though other employees had volunteered to fill in for them, Muslim women prohibited from wearing religious head coverings to work, and Jews forbidden to wear yarmulkes.
Religious groups of various faiths have supported federal legislation to ensure workplace protections for religious freedoms at work. They back the Religious Workplace Freedom Act, which has failed to pass for the last two years. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) is continuing to push for the legislation this year. (Current News Summary. ReligionToday.com.10/28/99; The Beacon Journal - Akron, OH.10/30/99.)

Nativity Scene In
“The United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit ruled in August that a Missouri city will be permitted to 8include a nativity scene in its Christmas display. The City of Florrissant had been sued by the American Civil Liberties Union for erecting a display at the City Civic Center.
‘Cities must not be railroaded into excluding all religious references during the holidays simply because they are afraid of being sued. According to the Supreme Court, a display can have religious elements in it and still be perfectly constitutional,’ stated Jennifer Schans, regional coordinator for The Rutherford Institute.” (Maranatha DayWatch. 8/25/99.)

Natural Revelation
“Children believe in God regardless of whether they are exposed to religious faith, a study found. Oxford University psychologist Olivera Petrovitch and her research assistants found that children they studied in Britain and Japan gave similar answers when asked who created various natural objects, she reported in the magazine Science & Spirit.
The children, who had not been influenced by concepts of God from organized religions, had abstract notions of a creator. Petrovitch's researchers in Japan said they were surprised at the children's responses. ‘My Japanese research assistants kept telling me, We Japanese don't think about God as creator - it's just not part of Japanese philosophy,’” she said. (Current News Summary. 11/2/99.)

Sporting Events Prayer
“Congressmen asked the Supreme Court to support prayer before sporting events at public schools. The House of Representatives passed a nonbinding resolution asking the court to support the constitutionality of such prayers when it considers a case in
coming weeks, The Associated Press said. The resolution carries no legal force and is merely an expression of the representatives’ wishes.
Texas Reps. Henry Bonilla, a Republican, and Charles Stenholm, a Democrat, introduced the resolution in response to an appeals court’s February decision banning the
prayers in Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. An important religious tradition ‘has been threatened by a foolish decision in federal court,’ Bonilla said. ‘This resolution gives the U.S. Congress a chance to take a stand.’” (Current News Summary. 11/4/99.)

FCC Riles Religion
“A little-noticed decision by federal regulators about when religious programming counts as educational has touched off a storm among the nation’s religious broadcasters, who complain the action amounts to an infringement on what they can air.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in deciding a license transfer last month between a public television affiliate and a religious broadcast station in Pittsburgh, determined that not all programming dealing with religious matters qualifies as educational.
In its ruling, the FCC defined more clearly what standards must be met. Specifically, the commission said broadcasters must devote 50% of their regularly scheduled air time to educational programs. The commission also defined educational content.
Programming ‘primarily devoted to religious exhortation, proselytizing or statements of personally held religious views and beliefs generally would not qualify as ‘general educational programming,’ the FCC ruled. And in a footnote, it said church services also normally would not qualify as ‘general educational’ programming.
The decision has drawn fire from religious broadcasters, who argue that such distinctions are arbitrary. According to Brandt Gustavson, president of the National Religious Broadcasters, ‘The order contains a disquieting implication that the government may restrict certain strains of religious speech…The net effect I think will be less preaching of the gospel, less programming of church services.’” (The Gazette. 1/11/2000.)

Religious Meeting Limits?
“Local governments would not be able to pass ordinances limiting the amount of time residents spend in religious study in private residences under a measure headed to the Colorado House floor.
The House Local Government committee approved HB1176 by Majority Leader Doug Dean, R-Colorado Springs. The measure would pre-empt any ordinance limiting religious study in private homes.
Dean said he knew of three such ordinances, including one in Colorado Springs. The ordinances limit such study sessions to once per month to prevent traffic and noise problems, he said.
‘I used to participate in a Bible study group every other Friday night with a couple of other couples, and I was surprised to find we were in violation of the Colorado Springs ordinance,’ he said. He said such ordinances violate the Constitution’s guarantee of freedom of religion.
In August a Denver couple filed a federal lawsuit against a zoning law preventing them from holding more than one prayer meeting a month at their house. Denver dropped its challenge to the couple’s lawsuit last month.” (The Gazette. 1/18/2000.)

Separation of Church and Sex?
“A Christian group planning a sexual abstinence rally was denied funding by city commissioners concerned about violating constitutionally required government separation from religious activities. ‘It’s just one of those slippery areas. I’m not sure we want to go there.’ said Mayor Paula DeLaney.
Members of the local chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Alachua County Youth Ministers Association (Gainesville, FL) had asked the city to waive fees the groups expect to pay the city for its ‘True Love Waits’ rally planned in February at the city’s Martin Luther King Center. The rally is a non-denominational, free event aimed at challenging students to ‘abstain from sex until marriage.’
City Recrreation Director Cliff Crawford said city funding of the event would create a ‘conflict between public use and religious use.’ Another Commissioner, Pegeen Hanrahan, said, ‘I presume that if it is being put on by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes that it is Christian, our Jewish and Muslim residents shouldn’t have to fund.’” (The Gainesville Sun. 1/25/2000.)

Nine Inch Nails
“Fans of the alternative rock band ‘Nine Inch Nails’ have made the Southern Baptist family magazine ‘HomeLife’ a cyberspace target in response to a critical review of the band’s most recent musical recording.
Trent Reznor, 34, the group’s lead singer and primary lyricist, once fostered a relationship with satanic-rocker Marilyn Manson. Reznor’s studio, which he founded in 1992, helped Manson release his first major album entitled ‘AntiChrist Super Star.’ Reznor has a huge following among teenagers. Susan Swann, a spokeswoman for Nothing Records, told Baptist Press she could neither confirm nor deny whether Reznor had sent an obscene e-mail to HomeLife. (Current Baptist News Summary. 1/25/2000.)

No Courtroom Verses
“A convicted killer who has been on San Quentin’s death row for the past 21 years had his sentence set aside recently when a Los Angeles federal judge ruled that the jury foreman in his trial committed misconduct by reciting biblical passages about capital punishment during penalty deliberations.
One of the passages imparted to the jury was ‘Who so sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed.’ The jury was deadlocked 7 to 5 at the time in favor of life without the possibility of parole. After hearing from the foreman, the panel voted unanimously to send Fields to the gas chamber. (Los Angeles Times. David Rosenzweig, Staff Writer. 1/21/2000.)

Columbine Anti-Christs
“Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold blasphemed Christ and directed invectives at Christian students and others in a video prior to the killings at Columbine High School last year. The two made five videos before the shooting, venting their rage at athletes, minorities, and Christians, according to Christianity Today.
The tape reveals Harris saying, ‘Go Romans! Thank God they crucified that (expletive),’ making a vulgar reference to Jesus Christ. Both teens then began chanting, ‘Go Romans’ and cheering. ‘What would Jesus do?’ Klebold yelled. ‘What would I do?’ he said, pretending to fire a gun at the camera, the publication said.
The boys singled out Christian student Rachel Scott on the tape, calling her a ‘godly whore’ and ‘stuck-up,’ it continued. Harris mimicked her faith. ‘Yeah” I love Jesus. I love Jesus.” Shut the (expletive) up,’ he said. Scott had told Klebold and Harris about Christ during a class they shared, and confronted them about a violent video they made, her father, Darrell, said. She was one of the first to be killed in the attack.
The killer hated God, Darrell Scott said. ‘There seemed to be an extra element of hatred and vengeance there.’ Police allowed victims’ parents to see the videos, which have not been released to the public, Christianity Today said. A Time magazine report included some details from the tapes but did not mention the anti-Christian elements.” (Current News Summary. 1/28/2000.)

State Cancels Scholarship
“The state of Washington cancelled funds awarded to a local scholarship recipient when it learned the student was using the scholarship money to study theology, alleging it created a conflict with the state constitution that mandates ‘the separation of church and state.’
The money was awarded from the Promise Scholarship fund, which provides financial assistance to students from low and middle-income families who exhibit high academic credentials and are enrolled in an accredited public or private post-secondary school within the state of Washington.
The student, 10-year-old Joshua Davey, had already enrolled at Northwest College in Kirkland, a small private school affiliated with the Assemblies of God denomination, when he learned he wouldn’t get the scholarship he earned. Now Davey is suing Washington Governor Gary Locke and the state agency that administers the scholarship, arguing that the state’s exclusionary clause against studying theology amounts to religious discrimination.
‘The actions of the state of Washington represent a very troubling display of religious discrimination and hostility,’ said Kevin Theriot, a senior counsel with the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), an independent public interest law firm that is handling the case. ‘The state cannot simply single out a student and withhold state scholarship funds just because he has decided to pursue religious studies. We believe the state’s action and policy are not only wrong, but unconstitutional,’ Theriot said.” (Conservative News Service. 1/18/2000.)

Dropping God from Morality
“A southern Indiana school board has dropped a reference to God from a list of precepts promoting good student conduct. But a vote to change the ground-breaking guidelines may not avoid a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
The Scott County, Indiana, District 2 Board voted Jan. 11th to remove the first precept, which read, ‘Trust in God.’ The remaining 10 have been posted in lobbies and other areas of each of the county’s seven schools.
Printed on light gold 11-by-14 inch paper, the guidelines have also been changed from their original form to include a picture of a penny beside each point. The name now reads, ‘Common Cents Precepts to Promote a Virtuous and Civil School Authority.’
The addition of the penny is upsetting the ACLU. Ken Falk, legal director for Indiana’s affiliate of the national organization, is withholding a decision about a lawsuit until he talks to his client. ‘Obviously, the face of a penny with Lincoln has “In God We Trust” on it, so I don’t know if anything has really been changed,’ said Falk.” (Baptist Press News. 1/17/2000.)

Religion in School Debate
“The controversy about the separation of church and state continued on Jan. 27th as the Senate Education Committee held hearings on a bill that would put religion in the classroom.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. John Andrews, R-Englewood, would require public school teachers to enforce a 60-second pause for reflection at the beginning of the day and to post the Ten Commandments in the classroom.
Opponents don’t think the classroom is the right place for those values to be taught or re-enforced. Several students said the moment of silence and the posting of the Ten Commandments would not offend students practicing other religions.” (The Gazette. 1/28/2000.)
Good Friday Schools
“A Maryland law requiring public schools to close on Good Friday is constitutional, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Jan. 18th. The justices rejected an appeal by Judith Koenick, a retired teacher, who said the law violates the separation of church and state and ‘sends a message of inclusion to Christian children and a message of exclusion to their Jewish, Muslim, and nonbelieving classmates.’
A lower court had ruled that the law serves the ‘pragmatic legitimate secular purpose’ of avoiding high absenteeism among teachers and students on the days surrounding Easter. Many people travel over the ‘increasingly secularized holiday of Easter,’ school board lawyers argued, The Associated Press said. Thirteen states designated Good Friday as a legal holiday but only Maryland, Illinois, and North Dakota require schools to close.” (Current News Summary. 1/19/2000.)

A Profanity Lawsuit
“A Mormon who wants to be an actress is suing the University of Utah, claiming she was drummed out of the drama program for refusing to deliver lines containing profanity. Christian Axson-Flynn, 20, says faculty members violated her right to religious freedom. Her lawsuit, filed Jan. 13, seeks unspecified damages.
Ms. Axson-Flynn was asked during her audition whether she would be uncomfortable in any performing situations. She said she would feel uncomfortable ‘taking the Lord’s name in vain’ and ‘saying the F-word.’
After she was accepted by the program, Ms. Axson-Flynn asked if she could substitute words in a scene that contained language she found inappropriate. According to the lawsuit, a faculty member told her to ‘get over’ her inhibition and said she could use profanity and ‘still be a good Mormon.’
Her lawyer, James McConkie, said requiring her to use profanity would be like telling a Jewish student taking a cooking course that he would have to eat pork. (Washington Post. 1/14/2000.)

Unconstitutional Vouchers?
“A federal judge ruled 12/20/99 that a program giving thousands of Cleveland children taxpayer-financed vouchers to attend parochial schools violates the Constitution’s separation of church and state.
U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver Jr. wrote that the voucher program, enacted by the Ohio Legislature in 1995, ‘has the effect of advancing religion through government-sponsored religious indoctrination.’
Noting nearly all the Ohio students attend parochial schools, he added, ‘A program that is so skewed toward religion necessarily results in indoctrination attributable to the government and provides financial incentives to attend religious schools.’
The governor and attorney general of Ohio immediately vowed to appeal the decision, and all parties to the case agreed to let children continue attending schools under the voucher program until the appeal is considered.” (The Gazette. 12/21/99.)

Clinton’s Religious Disgust?
“The president of the Southern Baptist Convention said President Clinton ‘has very few convictions’ and accused his administration of distorting Christian evangelism as religious hatred, the denomination’s newspaper recently reported.
Paige Patterson, the leader of the 15.8 million-member denomination that includes Clinton and Gore as members, said he was offended by White House spokesman Joe Lockhart’s comments during a Dec. 16th media briefing. Patterson said the Clinton administration was trying to bully Southern Baptists for upholding beliefs about sharing the Christian faith with people of other religion or no religion.
‘Apparently, because the President has very few convictions, he harbors deep resentment against those who do,’ Patterson told The Baptist Press in an article posted on the Internet.” (The Gazette. 12/23/99.)

School Activity Fees
“A debate over the right not to speak was at the heart of a Supreme Court argument concerning student speech on public university campuses. At issue was the University of Wisconsin’s mandatory student activity fee, which goes to support essentially any nonpartisan student group that applies for a share.
With 125 students groups receiving money, three law students at the Madison campus, describing themselves as conservatives and Christians, objected. They argued they should be able to withhold their money from 18 groups that support gay rights, women’s rights and other generally liberal causes.” (The Gazette. 11/10/99.)

Public Aid for Parochials?
“Struggling once more with the circumstances under which government can support religious organizations, the Supreme Court on December 1, 1999 heard a constitutional challenge to a federal law that provides computers, software and library equipment to parochial schools.
Federal education block grants in Louisiana are in question. However nationwide, the court’s decision will also apply to private religious schools having a major impact on President Clinton’s proposal to connect every classroom and school library in America to the Internet at a cost of $800 million. Furthermore, the case will clarify the constitutional boundaries of church-state relations on a broader level.” (Christian Coalition News. 12/6/99.)

Good Friday Holiday
“Good Friday is still a holiday in Indiana. The U.S. Supreme Court declined without comment an appeal challenging the constitutionality of the state holiday, The Associated press said. It rejected a challenge to a similar law in Maryland in January.
Good Friday is a religious holiday and should not be recognized by the state, attorneys for Russell Bridenbaugh argued. A federal magistrate dismissed his suit in 1997 and the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld that ruling last year, AP said.
The appeals court ruled that Good Friday has no religious significance under the law. ‘To Indiana, Good Friday is nothing but a Friday falling in the middle of a long vacation-less spring – a day which employees should take off to rejuvenate themselves,’ a court panel said. Good Friday commemorates the day Christ was crucified.” (Current News Summary. Religion Today. 3/8/2000.)

State-Church Unification?
“A pastor who received an urgent package in the mail from the U.S. Census Bureau containing pamphlets and mini-sermons for his congregation is outraged at what he perceives to be government intrusion into church affairs.
Federal Express delivered an overnight letter to Pastor Albert Hitchcock of Wiser Lake Chapel in Lynden, Wash. There were folders containing announcements and messages for the next six weeks to be printed in church bulletins and announced to church members during worship services.
According to one pamphlet to be passed out to the parishioners, there is a letter from Census Bureau Chief Kenneth Prewitt saying: ‘Census 2000 must enlist strong partners to achieve the most accurate and complete census possible…Your dedication to your congregation and your community as well as your credibility throughout the communtiy makes you an ideal partner for this critical endeavor. By helping us spread the word that the Census is important and safe, you will play a key role in making Census 2000 a success.’
Pastor Hitchcock was incensed. ‘Almost every day I read something wherein the Church is being told to stay out of government’s business – indeed out of the public square altogether. If I put out voting guides, I am told I jeopardize our tax-exempt status, for example. So, where does the Census Bureau think they get the right to commandeer God’s Church to do government business?’ Hitchcock interprets the Bureau’s soliciation as a violation of the First Amendment.” (WorldNetDaily. 3/18/2000.)

Students’ Right to Pray
“In a dramatic and urgently-needed victory for student graduation prayer, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 10-2 vote, issued a 94-page decision upholding the rights of students to pray and articulate their beliefs during graduation ceremonies.
The court found that since the Duval County (Jacksonville, FL) policy ‘unambiguously recognizes’ the difference between government speech endorsing religion –prohibited by the Establishment Clause – and private speech that may contain a prayerful message – protected by the Free Speech and Free Exercise Clauses – their policy is constitutional. The court affirmed the earlier decision of a district court.
Schools should not be in the business of censoring students’ speech simply because the message is religious. Such discrimination is nothing less than educational tyranny. Public schools – of all places – should accommodate and nurture students who have found peace and fulfillment in their faith.” (WorldNetDaily. Rev. Jerry Falwell. “Right to Pray at Graduation.” 3/18/2000.)

Bible History Scandalized
“Schools which have Bible classes must now teach them as literature after complaints that Bible history courses were used to preach religious views. The changes came after People for the American Way Foundation issued a report in January concluding that 14 school districts violate the state constitutional requirement that history of the Bible be taught in a secular, objective way.
Under the new guidelines announced by Florida’s Education Commissioner Tom Gallagher, course titles will change. The courses would be classified as humanities, rather than history. According to PAW, the classes have been used to teach the Bible as ‘Historical fact’ and to ‘promote a Christian viewpoint.’” (Tallahassee Democrat Online. 3/17/2000.)

Florida Vouchers Nixed
“For the 8 months, children in Florida who had been attending sailing schools have had the opportunity to learn in more fruitful conditions. Florida adopted the first statewide voucher program and is also the first state to tie school performance on standardized test with voucher eligibility. Its unique system has helped numerous children escape schools that repeatedly failed to adequately equip them with the basic knowledge to pass the exam.
On Tuesday, March 15, 2000, Leon County Circuit Judge L. Ralph Smith Jr. struck down Florida’s Opportunity Scholarship Program. He ruled that the state’s constitution barred students from using taxpayer money for private school tuition. This decision is expect to be appealed directly to the State Supreme Court.” (Traditional Values Coalition News. 3/17/2000.)

Anti-Catholic U.N.?
“The National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) and the Women Leaders Online, both groups enthusiastically endorsing Gore for president, are supporting ‘See Change,’ a campaign to oust the Vatican from the United Nations.
Since 1964, the Vatican has had ‘permanent observer’ status at the U.N. – enabling it to play an active role and vote with other countries at U.N. conferences, but not in the General Assembly. Republican National Committee Chairman Jim Nicholson is demanding that Vice president Al Gore repudiate these two groups that are calling for the eviction of the Vatican from the United Nations.
‘As a Catholic, I am appalled that these two groups are trying to silence the voice of Pope John Paul and to prevent one billion Catholics from speaking up for morality and justice at the world’s most prominent international forum,’ Nicholson said.” (WorldNetDaily. 3/18/2000.)

Filtering Out Religion
“Internet filters sound appealing if they are filtering out X-rated material or pornography; but what if they are filtering out religion? President Bill Clinton has taken the lead in endorsing a Anti-Defamation League (ADA) filter geared towards eliminating so-called ‘hate.’ However, a state run test filtered out materials such as the U.S. Constitution, the Bible, the Declaration of Independence, all of Shakespeare’s plays, and George Washington’s farewell address.
President Clinton is attempting to persuade Americans to install this ‘hate filter’ in the name of religious and ethnic tolerance. White House support of this ADL filter could have a grave effect on the policy decisions of public schools and libraries all over the country.” (Traditional Values Coalition News. 3/3/2000.)

Death Penalty Overturned
“The Georgia Supreme Court overturned a death sentence on 3/6/2000 in a Clayton County murder case because an assistant district attorney urged trial jurors to follow biblical mandates. The justices affirmed the conviction of Anthony Carruthers for the 1995 murder of Jeanette Williams, but said a new jury should decide whether he lives or dies.
Carruthers was convicted in March 1998 of attacking Williams during a visit to her home on Dec. 12, 1995. Evidence showed he choked her, cut her throat and almost severed her head, and stabbed her repeatedly. Williams was in her late 20s.
During closing arguments in the penalty phase of the trial, D. Brandon Hornsby, the assistant district attorney, cited passages from the books of Romans, Genesis and Matthew, telling jurors ‘all they who take the sword shall die by the sword.’ Hornsby argued that the Bible says society must deter criminals by taking the lives of people who kill other people, the justices noted in their ruling.
In explaining the Supreme Court’s ruling, presiding Justice Norman S. Fletcher wrote that such references ‘inject the often irrelevant and inflammatory issue of religion into the sentencing process and improperly appeal to the religious beliefs of jurors in their decision on whether a person should live or die.’
Georgia law requires the Supreme Court to review death sentences to determine whether they were imposed ‘under the influence of passion, prejudice or any other arbitrary factor.’” (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 3/7/2000.)

Ohio Boots God
“Ohio’s motto, ‘With God, all things are possible,’ was declared unconstitutional recently by a federal appeals court that said the phrase amounts to a government endorsement of Christianity.
The 2-1 decision by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court’s ruling that permitted Ohio’s use of the motto. The motto was taken from the New Testament, specifically Matthew 19:26, which quotes Jesus Christ.
In a dissent, Circuit Judge David Nelson said he found Ohio’s motto no more troubling than the words ‘In God We Trust’ on U.S. coins. Ohio’s motto was challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union.” (The Gazette. 4/26/2000.)

University Bans Christians
“Tufts Christian Fellowship was stripped of its official ‘student organization’ status in a secret, midnight meeting because the group would not allow an admitted homosexual to hold a leadership position. Tufts University administration de-recognized an affiliate of international college ministry InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.
The university’s decision was prompted by a complaint against the Christian club by Julie Catalano, who claimed she had been discriminated against because of her sexual orientation. Catalano sought a leadership position within the Christian group and asserted her belief that homosexual practice is a biblically acceptable lifestyle.
Curtis Chang, TCF’s leader and affiliate chaplain at the university said, ‘Barring religious groups from using religious-based values in leadership selection is the same as prohibiting them from practicing the religious nature of their group.’
Hadley Arkes, a jurisprudence professor at Amherst College, wrote a letter to Change after the decision was handed down. According to Arkes, “What the University has done is nothing less than declared orthodox Christianity and Judaism as illegitimate, as religious traditions that should have no legitimate place in the life of the University, or in the lives of the students collected there.’” (WorldNetDaily news. 4/25/2000.)

Forcing Gay Immorality
“Another campus Christian group in New England is facing a rebuke over gay rights. Middlebury College in Vermont is debating whether to punish an InterVarsity Christian Fellowship student group that refuses to allow Ryan Palsrok, who is gay, to hold a leadership post. The school is considering changing its handbook to force the Middlebury Christian Fellowship to allow gay leaders.
Palsrok was denied a leadership position not because he is gay, but because he does not believe homosexual practice is wrong, Kerra Struthers, an InterVaristy Christian Fellowship worker, said. Anyone can attend the group’s meetings, but leadership is restricted to ‘people who hold to traditional or orthodox interpretation of the Bible,’ she said. The policy is intended to ‘preserve the integrity of the organization as an evangelical Christian group that believes the Bible is unique, divinely inspired, and entirely trustworthy.’” (Current News Summary. 5/3/2000.)

NDOP Victory
“The National Day of Prayer organization won a court victory last week that has implications for other religious groups. The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled that cities are not allowed to deny free services during public events just because the events are organized for religious reasons. The decision overturned a previous ruling.
Religion should not be used to exclude citizens from public forums or publicly funded services '‘as long as those services are provided to all speakers in the forum on a religiously neutral basis,’ the court ruled. The annual national Day of Prayer is held on the first Thursday of May.” (Current News Summary. 4/24/2000.)

Praying Disciplined
“A Georgia high school student faces possible disciplinary action for repeatedly praying aloud during a state-mandated period of quiet reflection. John Robert Cruz is continuing to pray aloud after being suspended for 10 days for defying a school prayer law enacted by the Georgia legislature in 1994, which requires a moment of silent reflection at the start of the school day.
Carver High School principal Cleophus Hope said Cruz had otherwise been a model student. Assistant School Superintendent Brenda Dozier said Cruz had been encouraged to start a prayer group or pray alone in a separate room so that he does not disturb others’ quite reflection. She said Cruz could be suspended again, required to undergo counseling, transferred to an alternative school or expelled. ‘I will not stop praying,’ the 14-year-old said.” (CBS MarketWatch. 4/7/2000.)

Home Educators Arrested
“A Virginia couple has filed a civil rights lawsuit against officials of the Richmond County School District in Warsaw because an assistant school principal had them arrested for pulling their children out of public school.
Gerald and Angela Balderson withdrew their eight-year-old son from the public school district after deciding to home school him. They filed the required legal notice with the local school superintendent on Feb. 25th.
A suit has been filed by the Home School Legal Defense Association and charges the entire school board and the assistant principal with gross negligence, false arrest and violation of the 14th Amendment guarantee of due process of law. The suit seeks $50,000 in compensation, along with $50,000 in punitive damages for each parent.” (WorldNetDaily. 4/10/2000.)