Updates 4:

Witchy Hate Crime
"A witch in Maine has been charged with a hate crime against a Christian. In what may be a first in the state, Scott Buchanan, 27, of Livermore, who claims to have evil powers and the ability to read minds, was charged by the attorney general's office under the state's Civil Rights Act, the Bangor Daily News said.
'I hate Christians,' Buchanan told a 16-year-old co-worker at an Auburn restaurant, according to the complaint, which quoted Buchanan as saying Christians 'should all be burned at the stake like witches.' The case may be the first in which Christianity was the religion targeted in a hate crime, Attorney General Andrew Ketterer said.
Maine has asked a judge to stop Buchanan from threatening or hurting the boy, the attorney general said. 'It is unfortunate that there are those in our community who would make threats of violence because of a person's religion,' Ketterer said. 'This office is committed to protecting the rights of all people in Maine to be free from violence and threats.'" (Current News Summary . 5/31/2000.)

Judging the Bible-Thumpers
"In the Senate Judiciary Committee, Mr. Orrin Hatch presiding, is considering Ms. Bonnie Campbell, a Clinton nominee for the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Campbell had this to say about Christian conservatives at a teachers' union event: 'I hate to call them Christian because I am Christian, and I hate to call them religious, because they're not…These are the people that get their orders from God, which is funny because I get contrary orders from God. Maybe there's more than one God.'" (The Federalist. 6/2/2000.)

Pagan Day?
"Asheville, N.C., has become the center of an unlikely spiritual clash. The city of 68,000 known as the home of Billy Graham and his training center, also has become 'America's new freak capital,' Rolling Stone magazine said.
Residents are not pleased with the new label for the city, located in the hills where Methodist revival preacher Francis Asbury rode his horse spreading the gospel during the second great awakening.

The situation came to a head when the mayor proclaimed the last week in October 'Earth Religions Awareness' week, arousing anger among Christians for the city's support of paganism. About 3,000 Christians protested in front of city hall, and asked the mayor also to proclaim it as 'The Lordship of Christ' week. She rescinded her earlier proclamation, upsetting many local pagans." (Current News Summary. 6/2/2000.)

Christians Aren't Dangerous
"Is there a reason for the unwarranted hostility coming from courts against Christians. Fear, perhaps? Within these rulings, there seems to be a pervasive thought that somehow religion in general and Christians in particular may be – could be – are – dangerous to society. No matter what, the court seems to be saying, 'Don't worry; we'll protect you against them (Christians).'
The reality is that Christians, as a group, are the safest, most responsible and law abiding people on this planet. True Christians are about as dangerous to society as an arsonist with an empty matchbook.

Why doesn't that matter?
So demonized are Christians that anytime one is mentioned in the public forum, the term itself is usually preceded by unflattering adjectives, like 'right-wing,' 'zealous,' and the F-word – 'fundamentalist.'
Meanwhile, all of the Supreme Court's rulings on the issue of public religious displays only underscore this wrongheaded perception, this fear of an otherwise subtle, docile segment of our society.

What's to fear?
I think the real reason American secular society today 'fears' the Christian faith (in all its forms) is because those who believe ascribe to a higher morality and personal code of conduct. A touch act to follow if you're a committed moral relativist with an 'anything goes' mindset.
Statistically speaking, persons with no moral, Christian-based convictions are more likely to kill, rape, burn and plunder. Now do you see what I mean? Christianity is not dangerous. What is dangerous is for a nation to lose its soul – as we are well on our way to doing." (Jon E. Dougherty. Staff Writer for WorldNetDaily. "Christians Are No Danger." 6/28/2000.)

Anti-God Sex & the City
"The HBO hit, 'Sex and the City,' show sexual vibrators in all their shiny glory, and their benefits are discussed amply if discreetly. I hope I won't be excommunicated for referring to God and vibrators in the same column, but both figure in a particular episode, and perhaps are connected.
A minute or so of screen time and a very nice Ukrainian cleaning woman has accidentally come across one of our young ladies' vibrators, for which she earns herself a severe reprimand.
But the reprimand is far more severe when the cleaning woman, in perfectly good humor, says 'God Bless!' on parting from her employer, Miranda. But Miranda (the vibrator lady)flies into an absolute rage at this invocation of the divine. She becomes truly menacing when, her rage apparently not being enough, she swears she will dismiss her poor servant if the woman ever blesses her again in the name of God. The woman is quite startled (as indeed was I).
This fashionable lady from New York's East Side, in conflict with her cleaning woman, bristles with belligerent hostility to religion even in dealing with her servants. I have encountered this attitude frequently among America's educated, affluent classes. (Richard Grenier. WorldNetDaily. 6/28/2000.)

Religious School Equality
"The Supreme Court held on June 27 in Helms v. Mitchell that it is not a violation of the Establishment Clause for the government to provide instructional equipment to nonpublic schools, including parochial schools.
At issue in this case was a federal statute which provides financial assistance to all nonpublic schools in the form of instructional equipment, which can include computers, printers, library books, maps, filmstrip projectors, videocassette recorders, overhead projectors, and sound recordings.
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the statute in 1998, claming it violated the Establishment Clause, but not before also declaring that the Supreme Court's jurisprudence on the Establishment Clause was a 'vast, perplexing desert.' The Supreme Court issued a clarifying ruling, safeguarding equal equipment distribution to all nonpublic schools.
According to a FRC Legal Analyst, 'The government cannot deny school children important educational equipment as long as it is distributed equally among all nonpublic schools. When government treats all schools equally, it does not establish religion.'" (Family Research Council. 6/28/2000.)

Judge Censors Ads
"The ads proclaimed hope for homosexuals, but a federal judge said San Francisco had a 'duty' to call them hate speech. The city's Board of Supervisors even claimed the ads were partially responsible for the death of Matthew Shepard and hostility toward gays.
'Truth in Love' was an ad campaign, sponsored by several Christian organizations, that proclaimed homosexuals can change. 'The dream that I thought could never happen – having a wife and kids – has finally come true,' said one of the ads. 'If you're hurting, lonely or confused, Jesus can set you free.'
The city of San Francisco concluded the ads contributed to 'horrible crimes committed against gays and lesbians,' and city officials asked local TV stations not to run them. In response, pro-family groups (including American Family Association) filed a lawsuit in October 1999 to stop the Board of Supervisors from issuing similar resolutions in the future. Earlier this month, however, a federal judge ruled the city was only doing its 'duty' to address concerns for 'public safety.'
'Nothing like this has ever happened in this country,' said Brian Fahling, with the AFA's Center for Law and Policy. 'This, really, is extraordinary and should give everybody great pause, because now we have a court decision – a federal court decision – that says governments can take official action condemning religious beliefs.'" (Family News in Focus. 6/27/2000.)

Escalating Anti-Christianism
"Isolation of, and discrimination against Christians is growing almost geometrically. This is the way it started in Germany against the Jews. As they became more isolated and marginalized by the Nazi propaganda machine, as popular hatred and prejudice against the Jews increased among the German people, wholesale persecution followed. Could this be where the growing anti-Christian consensus in America is taking us?" (Don McAlvany. The Midnight Herald.)

Lashing Lieberman
"After the Anti-Defamation League publicly asked Lieberman recently to temper his religiosity and stop talking about God, the American Civil Liberties Union, People for the American Way and Americans United for the Separation of Church and State all lodged their disaffection well." (The Gazette. 8/30/2000.)

Editorial Comment: Rev. Lou Sheldon of Traditional Values Coalition has given Lieberman an "Honorary Evangelical Award" for receiving the same persecution that conservative Christians have received throughout the last three decades.

In God We Limit
"The Jefferson County School Board has ruled against posting the national motto, 'In God We Trust,' in its schools unless it is displayed in an educational context. Las month, the Colorado Board of Education voted to encourage such postings. The nonbinding recommendation left the final decision with local school boards.
On 8/10/2000, the Jefferson County board, which represents the largest school district in the state, voted unanimously against it. 'We don't want our schools engulfed in controversy,' said Jon DeStefano, board president.
Supporters say the postings provide an opportunity to give children a moral compass. Opponents say they are a veiled attempt to introduce and violate the U.S. Constitution." (The Gazette. 8/12/2000.)

Mass, No Mas?
"The nondemoninational worship facilities at Denver International Airport come in handy for some travelers. We can't see how services might breach the proverbial separation between church and state, considering the two-room chapel was paid for the DIA Interfaith Chapel Inc., which consists of Christians, Jews and Muslims.
So far, to our knowledge, no one has complained, but attorneys for the airport say one traveler did write to criticize the airport's practice of announcing Catholic masses over its public address system. That was sufficient to prompt airport authorities to cancel the announcement a while back.
Now, Denver Catholic Archbishop Charles Chaput has written to complain of the curtailment, and the airport's attorneys have, in turn, set about trying to determine procedures at other airports with chapels. Concerns about state endorsement of religion have a profound origin, of course. But to invoke that seminal concern time and again over contemporary minutiae stands eventually to devalue our hard-won heritage of religious freedom." (The Gazette . Editorial Staff. 8/18/2000.)

Boy's Bible Banned
"A civil rights suit filed by a boy who was forbidden to read his favorite Bible story to school classmates was recently dismissed by default. Zachary Hood's action was rejected when U.S. Court of Appeals judges were split equally over their decision, thereby affirming the previous lower court ruling.
This 1995 incident followed one when Hood – now 10 – was in kindergarten and his Thanksgiving poster was taken down and redisplayed in a less prominent location because of its religious theme. Kevin Hasson, attorney for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which represented Hood said the decision would be appealed." (Charisma News Service. 8/29/2000.)
Conservatives Censored
"More than 1000 religious and spiritual leaders convened at the United Nations from August 28-31st for the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders. Conservatives were outraged that evangelical Christians were denied participation.
According to Robert Maginnis, Vice President for Foreign Policy at the Family Research Council, 'The promised goals of the summit may be 'peace' and 'tolerance,' but the unspoken agenda is one of leftist politics. Like a wolf dressed in sheep's clothing, the Millennium Summit cloaked anti-life, anti-family politics in the robes of religion.' (Family Research Council. August 2000.)

Supporting Sacred Spurned
"Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush has come under fire for his support for March of Jesus, the global public prayer and praise event. The Texas governor – who has spoken openly about his Christian faith – declared June 10th as 'Jesus Day' in his state to honor the event. His decision was then criticized by Democratic opponent Al Gore, who was then selecting Senator Joe Lieberman as his running mate.
Bush was one of 10 governors across the country that issued a statewide proclamation for the event, which saw Christians taking part in a wide range of social care projects before joining public rallies." ( Charisma News Service. 8/10/2000.)

Dems Okay GodTalk
"Some people have suggested that there is a serious double standard when it comes to religion; that it's OK for Democrats to mention God with no political fallout, but not Republicans.
During Lieberman's acceptance speech, he used the name of God over 15 times and even quoted Scripture. The media barely seemed to notice, other than to applaud him. But when George W. Bush mentioned Jesus as his favorite philosopher during the Republican presidential debates, the media backlash was fierce.
Concerning the media attack, Brent Bozell of Media Research Center says, 'There are undertones of intolerance. This is the anti-Christian bias the media have.'" (CBN News. 8/15/2000.)

Campfire Song Banned
"The campfire favorite 'Kum Ba Ya' was too Christian for the North Port, Florida, Boys & Girls Club. Samantha Schultz, 8, had planned to sing the song at her daycamp's talent show in August but organizers said her selection violated their ban on religious music. They said she could not perform her choice because the song repeats the phrase, 'Oh, Lord' several times.
Parents might complain if their children hear a religious song at camp, said Bill Sadlo, operations director for the nonsectarian camp. 'We don't want to take the chance of a child offending another child's religion,' he said. Randy Bouck, the local club's director concurred, 'We just can't allow any religious songs. You have to check your religion at the door.'" ( Current News Summary. 8/16/2000.)

Editorial Note: Because of phone calls, mail, and public outcry, the club has since reversed its decision and permitted Samantha to sing her song.

No Gays, No Bible Club
"California's State Board of Education is facing criticism over new regulations on Bible clubs. The Pacific Justice Institute says the new regulations are discriminatory and unconstitutional.
The new amendments to the California Code of Regulations would require all student clubs in schools, including Bible clubs, to extend membership to students regardless of their sexual orientation or religion. Brad Dacus, President of the Pacific Justice Institute, says the regulations would only lead to more government control of school clubs.
The attorney says the new regulations would make it possible for radical activists to take over Christian clubs. 'This is very serious. We see it as state-sanctioned intolerance, for which factions will be able to engage in at the expense of religious freedom and the rights of expressive association of religious students,' said Dacus." (American Family Association News Alert. 8/16/2000.)

Keep Christians Out of Parks!
During a span of seven days, members of the RJL Church-State Law Group have caused, first, the Douglas County Sheriff, then the U.S. Census Bureau, and now, the U.S. Forest Service to accommodate the free exercise of religion.
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod has a ministry in Woodland Park, Col. Called Lutheran Valley Retreat (LVR). LVR has a mountain camp where it hosts religious retreats. Under a special use permit with the U.S. Forest Service it also takes "retreatants" on backpacking and horse packing trips into the U.S. Forest Service land. The small print of the permit required LVR, as a licensee, to promise not to discriminate in its hiring classifications, including religion.
This obviously would not do because a Lutheran ministry has many legitimate reasons to discriminate based upon religion in both its hiring and its delivery of services. What makes this situation unusual is that the Forest Service was merely entering a contract with LVR, and many believe that the government, when contracting with a religious institution, must require that religious institution to follow the identical rules that a secular contracting party would follow.
Not so, argued Nathan Adams, who invoked the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the recent Boy Scouts v. Dale decision that finely articulates the right of expressive association for values-inculcating organizations, and the parochial line of cases.
After working his way up through the Forest Service bureaucracy, Nate convinced their Washington, D.C. attorneys not only to allow LVR to drop the offending provisions, but to change U.S. Forest Service contracts for religious organization nationally. (Report emailed to Tom Pedigo, AFA of CO State Director. 8/30/2000.)

Quote – Cleaning Out Christianity
"We began this century as a Christian nation. As we approach the end of the century we are witnessing a cleaning out of what's left of Christianity: expressions of the Christian religion are being stuffed into the closets once reserved for perverts. For in an anti-Christian culture, we Christians are the new perverts." (Editorial. www.MessiahNYC.org)

Abolishing Jesus
"When you abolish Jesus Christ and the Bible from not only the classroom but also a two-minute time slot before high school football games, you are not practicing religious neutrality. You are substituting a new religion for an old one. When classroom instruction is anchored in Darwinian evolution, state socialism, and a passionate amorality, you are looking at a New Established Religion – secular humanism. There is no religious neutrality in this, and there never could be. Secular humanism has supplanted orthodox Christianity as the unofficially established religion of the United States. Government schools are the chief hotbed of this new religion. It is relentlessly anti-Christian. Christian parents who turn their precious children over to vigorously anti-Christian religionists are not only sinful; they are foolish." (P. Andrew Sandlin. Taken from The Federalist. 8/22/2000.)

Commandments Barred
"A federal judge recently blocked Kentucky's General Assembly's effort to erect a monument bearing the Ten Commandments on the Capitol lawn, saying the measure appeared to be an endorsement of religion.
U.S. District Judge Joseph Hood sided with ACLU lawyers who argued that the monument would violate the U.S. Constitution, which requires government to be neutral on the subject of religion.
The state, by contrast, argued that the monument does not endorse religion. Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Carrico told Hood that the display is intended to highlight the Ten Commandments' historical importance on law and that objective people would see it as such." (The Courier-Journal. Frankfort, KY. 7/26/2000.)

Courtroom Religion?
"A Harris County (Texas) man would like a federal judge to write an addendum to the Ten Commandments – thou shalt not display religious Scripture in a courtroom.
James Craig Guetersloh filed a motion recently for preliminary and permanent injunctions barring state District Judge John Devine from displaying the sacred text in his courtroom. Guetersloh said he noticed the biblical laws hanging inside the witness box during a trip to review the pleadings in a lawsuit filed against him.
Devoutly religious jurors might view the text as an instruction to ignore the facts of the case and allow the Scriptures to guide their verdict, he says. Last year, 41 members of Congress agreed to post the Ten Commandments in their offices to endorse legislation to allow posting the sacred text on school grounds. (Houston Chronicle. 6/9/2000.)

Evolving Supreme Court
"Decrying that the Supreme Court has allowed a federal appeals court to further promote 'the secular legend' of the Scopes Monkey Trial, Associate Justice Antonin Scalia criticized the high court's June 19 rejection of an appeal by a Louisiana school board over its policy requiring teachers to read a disclaimer before teaching evolution to their students.
By a 6-3 vote, the Supreme Court decided not to review the appeal by the Tangipahoa Parish Board of Education concerning its 1994 policy requiring public school teachers to tell their students the lesson on the 'scientific theory of evolution…was not intended to influence or dissuade the Biblical version of creation.' Several parents of children in the school district sued, arguing that the disclaimer violated the so-called 'wall of separation' between church and state." (Maranatha Christian Journal. 6/2//2000.)

Religious Hocus-Pocus
"To the extent any Establishment Clause principles can be discerned from the Supreme Court's rulings on the matter, the court's position seems to be that invocations of the G-word can be permitted only around responsible adults who couldn't possibly swallow that religious hocus-pocus. Congress can begin sessions with a prayer, Congress can have a paid man of the cloth on its payroll, and the nation's coins may proclaim 'In God We Trust.' Even the Supreme Court can still begin sessions with 'God bless this court' – since that has clearly had no effect, anyway. But all religious references must be kept away from impressionable children!" (Ann Coulter. Quoted in The Federalist. 7/24/2000.)

Silent Moments Jeoparized?
"The Supreme Court ruling in the Texas school prayer case could fuel challenges to laws providing for moments of silence in public schools, including a measure in Virginia that takes effect this fall, lawyers and advocates said.
Steven R. Shapiro, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), said the ruling 'makes moments of silence more vulnerable to legal challenge if they are motivated by a desire to promote prayer, regardless of the language of the policy.'
Kent Willis, director of the ACLU's Virginia chapter, said the ruling strengthens arguments that the separation of church and state must be strictly enforced, and could help efforts to overturn the Virginia law. (Washington Post. 6/20/2000.)

Judicial Activism
"The Supreme Court first banned religious activities or expression which the government directs, went on to ban those activities or expression in which the government participates, and now has banned activities or expression which the government merely allows. If judges can make up the Constitution, then judges run the country. If judges make up the Constitution, then we have only the rights they grant us. If judges make up the Constitution, we have no freedom." (Thomas L. Jipping. Taken from The Federalist. 7/19/2000.)

Wrong-headed Court
"The United States has never been more affluent, in terms of material wealth and creature comforts, or more impoverished in terms of spiritual well-being. We have seen the Supreme Court rule, again and again, against allowing volunteer prayer in public school…this ingrained predisposition against expressions of religious or spiritual beliefs is wrong-headed, destructive and completely contrary to the intent of the Founders of this great nation."
(Senator Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia. Senator Byrd described America as a "hollow" nation and called upon both the Republican and Democratic parties to adopt language in their platforms advocating an amendment to the Constitution allowing volunteer prayer in public schools, as he believes the Framers intended.)

Keep Faith Out of Medicine
"Doctors have been warned against providing spiritual treatment for their patients. Prescribing church attendance or offering prayer are out of line and not supported by hard evidence, a group of medical researchers and chaplains says.
Writing in the prestigious 'New England Journal of Medicine' today, the authors say they are worried by the 'uncritical embrace' of including faith in health care – a trend marked by books and studies claiming a link between religion and wellness, and a growing number of medical schools offering courses on the topic.
The result of marrying faith and medicine is poor health care and impoverished religion, they argue. Their alarm is sounded as media attention on the professed health benefits of religion has reached an all-time high." (Charisma News Service. 6/22/2000.)

Teacher Restricted
"Burlington-Edison High School (Mt. Vernon WA) science teacher Roger DeHart says he always corrects the biology textbook he uses in class. He says he must seek 'true evidence, accurate evidence,' no matter what. And when he finds that evidence, he must present that to his ninth- and 10th-grade students.
But recently DeHart, accused two years ago by the American Civil Liberties Union of bringing God into the classroom, found some new evidence pointing out alleged flaws in research done to support Darwin's theories. Principal Beth Vander Veen refused to allow DeHart to introduce five articles – all from mainstream publications – to supplement the biology course curriculum for his students.
The ACLU accused him of teaching the theory of intelligent design. That theory assumes the world is too complex to be anything but the plan of an intelligent agent, which the ACLU believes borders on teaching creationism in a state-funded, public school. They claim DeHart's evidence will just plant seeds of doubt in students' minds." (Skagit Valley Herald. Mt. Vernon, WA. 5/29/2000.)

Quote
"The liberal understanding of 'the separation of church and state' means that as the area of politics expands, the area of private freedom – religious and otherwise – shrinks." (Joseph Sobran)

Losing Faith at College
"Recently at Harvard the editors of the student newspaper, The Crimson, conducted an extensive survey of undergraduate political and religious attitudes, and uncovered by scientific means what has been clear to any sensitive intelligence for many years, namely, that Harvard, like so many other great universities, has become an engine for the imposition of secular and collectivist values.
One out of two Protestants who go through Harvard lose their faith, in considerable part as the result of the secularist stamp of the faculty and curriculum. Jews and Catholics do not appear to go quite so easily, but a considerable percentage of them also turn from religion." (William F. Buckley, Jr. Let Us Talk of Many Things. p. 106.)

ACLU & Bible Week
"Bible Week will go ahead in Gilbert, Arizona, next month, but with less fanfare. Under the terms of a settlement with the ACLU, Mayor Cynthia Dunham will be allowed to make the annual proclamation but won't encourage people to read the Bible, as she has done in previous years. Nor will she again refer to the Bible as 'the foundational document of Judeo-Christian principles.'
The agreement was forged with the ACLU after it sued Dunham and the town. In her revised proclamation, Dunham will call the Bible 'one of the foundational texts, the principles of which helped form many aspects of our nation,' reported The Phoenix Arizona Republic. She will also say, 'There are other texts that reflect the important history of culture of residents moving into the community.'
Other Bible Weeks across the state were scrapped after the ACLU began its campaign against the practice in 1994. Under the new agreement, the proclamation for the November 19-26 observance will not be endorsed with a mayoral seal, and there will be no events connected with it." (Charisma News Service. 10/31/2000.)

"Godspell" Play Revised
"Ogden High School officials have scaled back the production of the musical 'Godspell' after protests from students and parents who called the play too religious. The play is still planned, Principal Debbi Gomberg said, but instead of being a school-wide production, it will be produced by Ogden high's student drama club. Students are raising funds themselves for the production, meaning no state money will be used, she said." ( The Salt Lake Tribune. 10/29/2000.)

School Prayer Reinstated
"A federal appeals court has reinstated a ruling that permits student-led prayer in public-school assemblies and classrooms, after the U.S. Supreme Court ordered in June that the ruling be reconsidered.
The ruling, first issued in July 199 and reinstated by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals on Oct. 19th allows students to initiate and lead prayer in a classroom, assembly or football game, as long as school officials do not force them to do so or participate in any way.
The decision angered opponents of school prayer, who believe that the lower court defied the Supreme Court. But the court and its supporters said that the Constitution allows all forms of private prayer, even those that opponents may believe the Supreme Court outlawed earlier this year." (The Gazette. 10/21/2000.)

ACLU & Library Label
"Under pressure from the ACLU, the Olathe Public Library has agreed to remove labels it had placed on some books designating them as suitable for Christians. Library Board President David Ahlstrom said, 'The stickers were never meant to offend anyone or promote any religion. They were just put on there as a service to our patrons.'
Dick Kurtenbach, executive director of the ACLU of Kansas and Western Missouri said, 'The effect of the stickers, intended or not, is to send a message that Christian books are preferable to non-Christian books.'" ( The Kansas City Star. 10/20/2000.)

Nativity Scene Prohibited
"For the first time in 41 years, Ontario (in Calif.) may not be allowed to put up a 12-scene, life-size nativity that has been erected along Euclid Avenue during the Christmas holiday.
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce, which puts up the scenes, has been told that it likely will not be issued a permit for the nativity. Administrators in the city have taken the tentative position that the religious content of the nativity may violate the constitutional prohibition against the government establishment of a religion.
'The nativity scenes represent tradition to the Ontario community and are an integral part of the holiday display,' said David Grossberg, President of the Chamber of Commerce." (The Press-Enterprise News. 10/25/2000.)

ACLU & the Big Ten
"In an apparent challenge to a federal court ruling, a McCreary County judge recently permitted local veterans to repost the Ten Commandments, Associated Press reported. They were to stay down pending the outcome of legal action taken by the Kentucky chapter of the ACLU against McCreary County.
'There's an element out there who is trying to destroy our country. We don't intend to let them,' said McCreary County Judge-Executive, Jimmie Greene, a retired Air Force sergeant.
A unanimous vote by the McCreary County Fiscal Court paved the way for the Ten Commandments to once again be displayed in the courthouse alongside the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and other historical items. About 150 veterans participated in the ceremony and pledged to help 'take back America.'" (Maranatha Christian Journal. 10/18/2000.)

IRS & Pastor's Housing
"The Internal Revenue Service declared that Pastor Richard Warren, ordained Baptist minister of the Saddleback Valley Community Church, had to rework his housing allowance. The law says a minister's housing allowance is a part of his compensation and is not taxable to the extent used to rent or provide a home.
Warren had used his housing allowance to pay his utilities, furnishings, repairs, property taxes, homeowner's insurance. He also used it for mortgage payments on his new home. The IRS said Warren's income exclusion must be limited to the home's rental value. Warren appealed to the Tax Court. Because this court considered the case extremely important, 17 tax court judges heard the case.
Fourteen of the judges said the law allows a housing stipend to be used for the rent or purchase of a minister's home as well as for expenses related to the home upkeep. And the law doesn't cap the amount. Three judges did strongly dissent complaining about the majority's generosity. The IRS will probably ask an appellate court to reverse this decision." ( Scripps Howard News Service. 10/17/2000.)

ACLU Slaps School
"A Louisiana school that credited church leaders with helping restore peace after a double shooting has been warned that it was wrong to accept the pastors' help. Civil libertarians say that officials at Carter G. Woodson Middle School in New Orleans breached the constitutionally required separation of church and state by allowing the ministers to be involved in the community efforts that followed last month's shooting in which two teen-age boys were seriously injured.
The school was closed down for three days following the shooting, when the two teen-agers wounded each other with the same gun. Worried parents threatened to keep their children away if there were no improvements in safety. Community leaders linked up with school staff to respond to the concerns, the Associated Press (AP)reported. They included clergy members, one of whom gave the school a check for $2,000.
A park next to the school became a regular meeting place for impromptu prayer, and the school principal credited the ministers with helping push attendance back to 80 percent. But the efforts fell foul of the state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, whose leader, Joe Cook, said, 'school officials sand outsiders cannot get involved in sponsoring, encouraging, promoting or participating in any religious activity during a school-related function.' According to the AP, school officials said that the on-campus activities did not include prayer services, although church leaders did lead some prayer events off the school grounds." (Charisma News Service. 10/16/2000.)

School Vouchers & Prayer
"Newly released data from a nationwide study conducted among a representative sample of over 500 Protestant church ministers shows that the majority of these pastors support school vouchers and school prayer.
In fact, 93% of all pastors support 'laws allowing student-led prayers at public events in public schools, such as graduation.' Few ministers of any type oppose this concept.." (Ellison Research. 10/27/2000.)

NEA Slams Objectors
"A teachers union has been accused of discriminating against religious conservatives. The Ohio affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA) was criticized by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for 'unnecessary delay' in its responses to members who applied for 'religious objector' status during the last school year, Education Week reported.
The religious members want part of their annual state dues, about $400 apiece, to be dedicated to charities of their choice rather than used to support the union's political agenda, which they say backs abortion and homosexuality. Federal law allows union members to donate their fees to charity if supporting the union violates their religious beliefs.
Forty-six of 97 applications for religious objector classification were denied last school year, said Christopher A. Lopez, the general counsel for the Ohio union. He said the time frame of six to nine months to determine eligibility status was not unreasonable.
The union is trying to intimidate religious conservatives, a rights group says. The delays are 'designed to harass and humiliate teachers of faith,' Randy Wanke of the National Right to Work legal Defense Foundation told Education Week. The Springfield, Va.-based nonprofit group is representing the complaining union members." (ReligionToday News Summary. 10/16/2000.)

No Christian Paintings!
"A mural at Brooklyn's Shallow Intermediate School memorializing students who died will be painted over because of its religious content, school officials say. The artwork of religious icons – dedicated to 27 young people in the Bensonhurst neighborhood who died – adorns a wall used for handball at the end of Shallow Intermediate School's playground.
Neighborhood residents say they are heartbroken that the public school's principal, Thomas Leahy, notified them that the mural has to be covered up because it's too religious. The mural depicts Jesus on the left and the Virgin Mary on the right. Between them are two angels carrying a banner that says, 'Until We Meet Gain.' Underneath it are two hands clasped in prayer.
Les Hottauser, a parent who is Jewish, said he did not object. His son, Scott, is a sixth-grader. 'It's better than graffiti. It doesn't bother me as a Jew,' he said. 'In the Jewish religion, we have angels. I don't see any big cross on there. It shows Jesus. He's Jewish. He was a rabbi.' Scott agreed. 'It's for the respect of the people who passed away,' he said." (The New York Post. 10/15/2000.)

Court on Christian Clubs
"The Supreme Court recently announced that it would hear the appeal of children in a Christian club who have been forbidden to hold after-school meetings in their local public school. The case involves important church-state and free-speech issues and is considered particularly important.
The Christian youngsters figure in a case called the Good News Club vs. Milford Central School. The Good News Club in Milford, a small, upstate New York town, is one of many such clubs. In 1996, Milford's club asked permission to hold meetings at the public school, a one-building facility housing kindergarten through high school grades.
School officials let 4-H Clubs, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts meet in the building. But they turned down the Good News Club, saying the meeting would be 'the equivalent of religious worship.' Stephen Fournier, who runs the club, accused the school of discriminating and violating the Constitution's First Amendment and filed suit. A federal trial judge upheld the school's policy. So did the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. It threw out the Good News Club's suit. Now, it's before the Supreme Court." (The Washington Times. 10/11/2000.)

Americans United for Porn
"Americans United for the Separation of Church and State (AU), led by Rev. Barry Lynn, has joined United Airlines, the Canadian Embassy and other groups to sponsor a pornographic homosexual film festival in the nation's capital. The film festival is presented by the homosexual advocacy group, One in Ten, whose vision is to 'become the premiere advocate and presenter of gay and lesbian art and culture.'
When asked what church-state issue calls for the sponsoring of this event, Lynn said, 'We oftentimes lend support to organizations which have a constituency sympathetic to our goals and objectives,' which he explained as opposition to the religious right agenda. When asked to be specific, he replied, 'Because they favor a constitutional amendment that would allow prayer in public schools.'
Lynn has a history of softness on pornography issues. As legal counsel for the ACLU, he denounced the report of the 1985 Attorney General's Commission on Pornography, calling it 'prudishness and moralizing.'" (Family Research Council. 10/6/2000.)

Jesus Seminar Stinks!
"After declaring that Jesus was not born of a virgin and that many biblical reports of his life were conjured by early Christian, the Jesus Seminar is talking on God. The small band of 'religion specialists' will now vote on whether God is all-powerful, whether he intervenes in the affairs of humans and, more radically, whether God even exists.
'We are opening up a new phase of the seminar,' said the group's founder, Robert Funk, director of the Westar Institute in Santa Rosa, Calif. 'We are discussing the future of God, so to speak.' Funk, 74, an inactive member of a Disciples of Christ church, said at the outset of this seminar that the scholars will ponder, 'What does God do?'" (Star-Telegram. 9/19/2000.)

Editor's Note: How presumptuous and foolish that these men of "knowledge" will vote on God's characteristics. Mr. Funk, who is 74, will have of his questions answered as he will someday, probably sooner than later, be standing before His Creator.

In Kansas We Trust
"The national slogan appears on all U.S. currency, but the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) argues it should not be displayed in the Shawnee County (Kansas) Treasurer's office. A lawsuit, filed in Topeka, contends that the words 'In God We Trust' violate separation of church and state principles.
In this, the latest round over the motto, the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) will represent the county and its treasurer. 'This is one of the most important Establishment Clause cases defending the use of a phrase that has been at the heart of our national heritage for decades,' ACLJ senior regional counsel Frank Manion said.
According to Manion, 'The use of the motto "In God We Trust" is not only permissible, but constitutional as well. It is clear that the ACLU will do all it can to remove any vestige of religious expression from the marketplace, even if it means banning the motto of the United States of America.'" (Maranatha Christian Journal. 9/27/2000.)

Treasury Dept. Facts
"From Treasury Department records it appears that the first suggestion that God be recognized on U.S. coinage can be traced to a letter addressed to the Secretary of Treasury from a minister in 1861. An Act of Congress, approved on April 11, 1864, authorized the coinage of two-cent coins upon which the motto first appeared.
The motto was omitted from the new gold coins issued in 1907, causing a storm of public criticism. As a result, legislation passed in May 1908 made 'In God We Trust' mandatory on all coins on which it had previously appeared.
Legislation approved July 11, 1955, made the appearance of 'In God We Trust' mandatory on all coins and paper currency of the United States. By Act of July 30, 1956, 'In God We Trust' became the national motto of the United States.
Several years ago, the appearance of 'In God We Trust' on our money was challenged in the federal courts. The challenge was rejected by the lower federal courts, and the Supreme Court of the United States declined to review the case."
Editor's Note: To view this document, go to the following website at: http://www.usmint.gov/facts/fun_facts5.cfm.

Religious Liberty Law
"The White House recently had a bill-signing ceremony for the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA). The law prohibits the government from placing a substantial burden on an individual or group's free exercise rights unless the government proves that it ahs a compelling interest in doing so, and that it is using the least restrictive means of achieving that interest.
'Religious freedom is the first freedom the framers protected in the Bill of Rights. It deserves the highest level of protection from unjustified governmental abuse,' Family Research Council's Senior Director of Legal Studies Jan LaRue said recently. 'The signing into law of RLUIPA is an important first step toward returning religious liberty to the protected status the Founders intended.'" (Family Research Council Press Release. 9/22/2000.)

Bush Battles Bigotry
"On the eve of the anniversary of this century's deadliest church shooting, Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush promised to aggressively fight religious bigotry and said the Clinton Administration should be held accountable for labeling Southern Baptists as 'perpetrators of religious hatred.'
'People who belittle people of faith are exhibiting bigotry,' Bush told Baptist Press, the national news service of the Southern Baptist Convention. 'That bigotry comes in the form of being anti-Southern Baptist. It's religious bigotry pure and simple. Our nation is founded on religious freedom – the principle that people ought to be able to practice religious freedom and speak their mind, freely.'" (Current Baptist News Summary. 9/13/2000.)

Pregnant Mom Persecuted
"A pregnant woman was put off a public transit bus in the rain for having a private conversation about religion with a fellow passenger. Michelle Shocks and Kelly Smith were ordered off the Snohomish Country Community Transit bus in Washington State by the dirver, as they rode home.
Now transit authroities are being sued by The Rutherford Institute, whose litigation counsel Steven Alden siad that the pair had been 'subjected to unfair treatment, retaliation and humiliation.' He added, 'This was intolerable in the South in the 1960s, and is intolerable today.'
The suit, charging discrimination and violation of rights of free speech, follows the incident on April 2 of last year when Smith boarded a community transit bus for his regular commute. He began a quiet conversation with Shocks, who was five months pregnant, and the two discussed religion. The bus driver demanded that they stop talking about religious matters, but the two carried on talking quietly. Even though there were no passenger complaints, they were ordered off the bus into the rain at the next stop, and had to find their own way home." ( Charisma News Service. 9/13/2000.)

Mass, No Mas?
"The nondemoninational worship facilities at Denver International Airport come in handy for some travelers. We can't see how services might breach the proverbial separation between church and state, considering the two-room chapel was paid for the DIA Interfaith Chapel Inc., which consists of Christians, Jews and Muslims.
So far, to our knowledge, no one has complained, but attorneys for the airport say one traveler did write to criticize the airport's practice of announcing Catholic masses over its public address system. That was sufficient to prompt airport authorities to cancel the announcement a while back.
Now, Denver Catholic Archbishop Charles Chaput has written to complain of the curtailment, and the airport's attorneys have, in turn, set about trying to determine procedures at other airports with chapels. Concerns about state endorsement of religion have a profound origin, of course. But to invoke that seminal concern time and again over contemporary minutiae stands eventually to devalue our hard-won heritage of religious freedom." (The Gazette. Editorial Staff. 8/18/2000.)

Boy's Bible Banned
"A civil rights suit filed by a boy who was forbidden to read his favorite Bible story to school classmates was recently dismissed by default. Zachary Hood's action was rejected when U.S. Court of Appeals judges were split equally over their decision, thereby affirming the previous lower court ruling.
This 1995 incident followed one when Hood – now 10 – was in kindergarten and his Thanksgiving poster was taken down and redisplayed in a less prominent location because of its religious theme. Kevin Hasson, attorney for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which represented Hood said the decision would be appealed." (Charisma News Service. 8/29/2000.)
Campfire Song Banned
"The campfire favorite 'Kum Ba Ya' was too Christian for the North Port, Florida, Boys & Girls Club. Samantha Schultz, 8, had planned to sing the song at her daycamp's talent show in August but organizers said her selection violated their ban on religious music. They said she could not perform her choice because the song repeats the phrase, 'Oh, Lord' several times.
Parents might complain if their children hear a religious song at camp, said Bill Sadlo, operations director for the nonsectarian camp. 'We don't want to take the chance of a child offending another child's religion,' he said. Randy Bouck, the local club's director concurred, 'We just can't allow any religious songs. You have to check your religion at the door.'" ( Current News Summary. 8/16/2000.)

Editorial Note: Because of phone calls, mail, and public outcry, the club has since reversed its decision and permitted Samantha to sing her song.

Abolishing Jesus
"When you abolish Jesus Christ and the Bible from not only the classroom but also a two-minute time slot before high school football games, you are not practicing religious neutrality. You are substituting a new religion for an old one. When classroom instruction is anchored in Darwinian evolution, state socialism, and a passionate amorality, you are looking at a New Established Religion – secular humanism. There is no religious neutrality in this, and there never could be. Secular humanism has supplanted orthodox Christianity as the unofficially established religion of the United States. Government schools are the chief hotbed of this new religion. It is relentlessly anti-Christian. Christian parents who turn their precious children over to vigorously anti-Christian religionists are not only sinful; they are foolish." (P. Andrew Sandlin. Taken from The Federalist. 8/22/2000.)

A Principal with Principles
"It has always been a custom at Roane County High School football games to say a prayer and play the National Anthem to honor God and Country. Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law. As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it an alternate lifestyle, and if someone is offended, that's OK. I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity by dispensing condoms and calling it safe sex. If someone is offended, that's OK. I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a viable means of birth control. If someone is offended, no problem.
I can designate a school day as earth day and involve students in activities to religiously worship and praise the goddess, mother earth, and call it ecology. I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depict people with strong, traditional, Christian convictions as simple minded and ignorant and call it enlightenment.
However, if anyone sues this facility to honor God and ask Him to bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, Federal Case Law is violated.
This appears to be at best, inconsistent and at worst, diabolical. Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone except God and His Commandments.
Nevertheless, as a school principal. I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be at best, inconsistent and at worst, hypocritical. I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression.
For this reason, I shall, ';Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's,' and refrain from praying at this time. However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank God, and ask Him in the name of Jesus to bless this event, please feel free to do so. As far as I know, that's not against the law…yet."
(A public address by Roane County High School Principal, Jody McLoud, before a football game last month. RCHS is in Kingston, Tennessee.)
Editor's Note: I have a memo to RCHS principal: You may want to post this quote from the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 (Article III) on bulletin boards around RCHS for "historical" information: "Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged."

Christmas Scene Banned
"A Christmas nativity scene has been banned in Lexington, Mass., bringing to an end almost a century of tradition. The Knights of Columbus have been refused permission to display their annual nativity scene on the town's historic battle green, but have vowed to fight the ruling.
U.S. District Judge Nancy Gertner upheld a decision to ban the nativity. She said, 'If the nativity scene were allowed, then other religions including a pyramid to honor the Egyptian sun god, Ra, and a herd of cows to celebrate Hinduism would also have to be permitted to avoid violating the First Amendment.
Chester Darling, the Knights' attorney, said the decision would be appealed. He told the Globe that the nativity scene had been displayed for nearly 100 years, and it had been 'sanctified by the blood of men who fell in the fight to exercise their religious freedom.'" (Charisma News Service. 12/7/2000.)

Saving Sex Unlawful
"Teaching students to save sex for marriage should be outlawed in public schools because it violates the constitutionally required separation of church and state, say two legal scholars. Gary Simson and Erika Sussman from Cornell University argue in an article in 'The Southern California Review of Law and Women's Studies' that abstinence-based lessons should be scrapped, report FOX News.
The writers contend that 'even if the court finds that religion is not the only purpose, that adopting a program of this sort has the effect of communicating government support of religion,' Simson told the network. Abstinence programs were 'bankrupt' because they did not help students who were sexually active, he said. Lessons should also cover birth control and other sexuality issues.
John Giles, president of the Christian Coalition in Alabama, said that the pair's argument had far-reaching implications. 'You can probably dissect every good trait taught by a schoolteacher and say they've stepped over a line and used public funds to do it.' He added, 'Where do you draw the line on teaching positive attributes? Kids are going to be exposed to the world of sex on every front. What we need to be in the business of is teaching standards.'" (Charisma News Service. 12/6/2000.)

DIA Denounces Mass Times
"Denver International Airport has refused the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Denver's request to resume announcing Mass times over the public-address system. However, airport officials agreed to announce that an airport chapel exists. The announcement will tell travelers to use paging telephones in the terminal to get service times.
The airport discontinued the Mass announcements last summer after a traveler complained. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) also protested, saying the announcements violated the separation of church and state unless all religions received the same treatment. Other groups have not requested time announcements." (The Gazette. 12/10/2000.)

Purging the Past of 10
"Since 1918, a bronze plaque listing the Ten Commandments has hung silently on the Allegheny County Courthouse, scarcely drawing anyone's attention. Suddenly it is the subject of a roiling controversy. Allegheny County Chief Executive Jim Roddey said he is seeking pro-bono legal help to defend a lawsuit that a Washington, D.C., group threatens to file if the plaque doesn't come down.
Americans United for the Separation of Church and State (AU) assert that the county is violating the First Amendment in displaying the Ten Commandments outside a government building.
Roddey said he doesn't want to spend taxpayer dollars fighting the group, since his Law Department advised him that the county is 'at risk' of losing. Nor does he want to surrender. So he hopes an attorney will take the case for free. Roddey made his feelings known when he said, 'It is sort of irritating that somebody in another city is coming in and telling us we should take that down.' He also said that he will inform Americans United that the county intends to leave the Ten Commandments on the courthouse." (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 12/8/2000.)

Zoning Out Christians
"A couple is suing after being ordered to stop holding prayer meetings at their home. Robert and Mary Murphy sued the town of New Milford, Conn., in federal court, saying the town is violating their rights to freedom of religion and assembly, The Associated Press reported.
The Murphys have invited family members and friends to their home weekly on Sundays since 1995 for fellowship, Bible study and prayer. The gatherings typically do not exceed 25 people. Some neighbors complained and the New Milford zoning commission ruled that such regular meetings violated regulations.
Prohibiting a family from using its own home for prayer is 'a direct assault on our client's constitutional rights,' said Murphy's lawyer, Vincent McCarthy of the American Center for Law and Justice." (Current News Summary. 12/6/2000.)

Christ is Out; Allah is In
"In a recent article, The New York Post reported that one Brooklyn high school was allowing Muslim students to be late for classes and turn the auditorium into a makeshift mosque for daily prayers during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Teachers even help students catch up on what they miss in class, one senior told the newspaper.
In Colorado Springs, Colo., technology companies employing Muslim staff are allowing them to adjust their work schedules to accommodate fasting during Ramadan and even take time off for Friday worship. Some have set up special prayer rooms, reported The Gazette of Colorado Springs.
Brian Fahling, senior trail attorney at the American Family Association's Center for Law and Policy said 'on the one hand there is overt hostility by government bodies against Christians and on the other hand we're seeing an open arms approach to the Muslim religion.'" (Charisma News Service. 12/5/2000.)

Holiday Plurality?
"The American Family Association Center for Law and Policy is challenging the legality of a forthcoming 'Winter Gathering' celebration at a State College, Penn., elementary school that feature Hannukkah (Jewish) and Kwanza (African-American) but excludes any reference to Christmas.
The AFA is acting on behalf of David Saxe, an assistant professor at Penn State University and a member of the Pennsylvania school board, who was shocked when he attended last year's event at his children's school. He said, 'It's scandalous for the school to stage a holiday program in December that does not include any recognition of the birth of Jesus Christ.'
A federal court dismissed Saxe's suit, but the AFA has lodged an emergency appeal. Brown said that the judge's decision illustrated 'the myopia plaguing the federal judiciary when it comes to religion.'" (Charisma News Service. 12/5/2000.)

Banning Christmas Trees
"Fully aware that he may be upstaging the Grinch this holiday season, Eugene, Ore., City Manager Jim Johnson is sticking to his unpopular ban on Christmas trees in most city work places because of the 'separation of church and state.'
Scores of city workers and residents have complained the past few days about Johnson's decision that Christmas trees are symbolic of a religious holiday and so should not be displayed in public lobbies, break rooms, community centers and other work spaces shared by city employees.
Helen Towle, the city's human resources division manager, said, 'I have talked with a number of employees who feel quite strongly that they are uncomfortable in a work environment where a Christmas tree is displayed. It's my job to make sure the work environment is as comfortable as possible.'
'The ban on Christmas trees is ludicrous and flies in the face of diversity,' said Gary Nauta, a fire captain at the city's Bailey Hill station and president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 851. 'This is akin to saying no Easter bunnies on Easter because that is somehow symbolic of Christianity,' Nauta said." (The Register-Guard . Eugene, Oregon. 12/1/2000.)

Bible Club Banned
"For Nicolette Pearce, Christian fellowship is everything. So when her high school decided to ban the club Connect for Christ, the 17-year-old senior at Northville High School (Detroit) says she became so distraught that she lost 18 pounds and was hospitalized for emotional stress. Recently, Pearce and her 15-year-old brother, also a Northville student, filed a federal suit against Northville Public Schools and several administrators, claiming they violated their constitutional rights by not allowing the Christian club to meet during school time. This Bible club is 2 ½ years old and had 40 to 60 members at most meetings.
'Without any warning or reason, besides separation of church and state, the school prohibited the club from meeting,' said Richard Thompson, one of Pearce's attorneys. 'They were violating Nicolette's rights under the First Amendment.' Thompson said the school's decision also was at odds with state and federal equal access laws." (Detroit Free Press. 12/1/2000.)

Policing Park Preachers
"A man handcuffed by police and threatened with pepper spray for speaking about his Christian faith in a Portage, Wisc., park is suing the city and its police department over his arrest. Greg Breneman says that officers were wrong to stop him from witnessing in the downtown park recently.
A lawsuit charging unlawful arrest was filed on his behalf by the Liberty Counsel, represented by General Counsel Mathew Staver, warning them that Breneman had a constitutional right to speak in the park. Staver took up the case after officers had tried to stop Breneman and other Christians gathering in the park.
Breneman had been arrested and accused of obstruction, but his case was later dismissed. Staver said that the police had apparently presumed that Breneman would give up and go away if he was harassed enough. 'This man does not shout, yell, or use any amplification devices. He speaks calmly and peacefully. It is reprehensible when police officers attempt to stifle the right of citizens to peacefully assemble,' Staver said. 'Police officers are not above the law.'" (Charisma News Service . 11/17/2000.)

School Bans Minister
"A minister has been barred from visiting students at their school during lunch breaks. Officials of the Molalla River School District in Portland, Ore., called police to prevent Jason Rhoads, a Nazarene pastor, from entering Molalla River Middle School, according to Reuters.
Rhoads had been meeting with the students during lunch breaks for more than a year, but was asked to stop when a parent complained. Rhoads said he never preached to the students on school grounds, but did invite them to church. 'I'm coming there on the invitation of students. I'm coming as a friend. I don't go there to preach, teach, or proselytize religion,' he said.
School officials met with Rhoads and his church's senior pastor, but could not come to an agreement. A meeting between the school board, the community, and local pastors also failed to bring about a compromise, the news service reported. 'As we see it right now, we are just following the law. This is inappropriate. We don't allow other groups as the Girl Scouts or the Boy Scouts into the school,' school board chairman Ralph Gierke said." (Current News Summary. 11/16/2000.)

Losing Faith at College
"Recently at Harvard the editors of the student newspaper, The Crimson, conducted an extensive survey of undergraduate political and religious attitudes, and uncovered by scientific means what has been clear to any sensitive intelligence for many years, namely, that Harvard, like so many other great universities, has become an engine for the imposition of secular and collectivist values.
One out of two Protestants who go through Harvard lose their faith, in considerable part as the result of the secularist stamp of the faculty and curriculum. Jews and Catholics do not appear to go quite so easily, but a considerable percentage of them also turn from religion." (William F. Buckley, Jr. Let Us Talk of Many Things. p. 106.)