Faith-Cases Rejected

"A Christian counselor who was fired after refusing to help a lesbian client has lost her fight. The U.S. Supreme Court on 10/19/2001 refused to hear an appeal by Sandra Bruff from Tupelo, Miss. A family and marriage counselor at North Mississippi Medical Center, Bruff had been awarded $2 million in 1998 after a district court agreed she had been the victim of religious discrimination when let go for refusing to counsel someone against her beliefs. But the award was later cut to $300,000, and the decision subsequently overturned by an appeals court, The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported.

The justices also declined to hear the appeal of a Texas police officer fired for wearing a crucifix pin on his uniform. George Daniels lost his job in 1998 after twice refusing to take off the pin. The 14-year decorated sergeant had started wearing it when he became a plainclothes officer, said the Associated Press." (Charisma News Service. 10/19/2001.) The Pledge Banned

"The Madison (Wisconsin) school Board is taking heavy criticism for a decision effectively barring children from saying the Pledge of Allegiance in class. Saying The Pledge is a daily part of class for Mrs. Weiss' second-graders at Rawson Elementary in South Milwaukee. But, it's the 'one nation under God' line that the Madison School Board found offensive.

'What I wanted to do was eliminate that which would be repugnant to those who believe very strongly and would have their personal and political beliefs violated by group coercion,' Madison School District board member Bill Keys said.

J. J. Sprague of South Milwaukee said, 'It's poor timing, very poor timing. This is a time when the entire country is uniting and we are all praying for the survivors and the victims of the recent national disaster.' On 10/9/2001, The Madison School Board announced that it will reconsider its decision after the school district received 426 e-mails and phone calls with only five supporting their decision." (The Milwaukee Channel. 10/11/2001.) National Day of Prayer

"The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), a conservative, Christian civil rights group, said today it is encouraged that the U.S. Supreme Court has ordered a federal appeals court to reconsider its ruling that the City of Tucson acted properly when it discriminated against a couple, Patricia and Robert Gentala, who organized a public event celebrating the A National Day of Prayer in 1997.

Under the city's Civic Event Policy, nonprofit groups are eligible for a waiver of charges for various services - such as lighting and trash collection - in connection with events held in city parks. Pursuant to the policy, Tucson has provided free city services for such events as an Earthday Festival, A Hispanic Cultural Arts Event, and a Gay Pride Picnic. However, the city refused to provide free services for the Gentalas and their National Day of Prayer event, citing 'separation of church and state.'" (Worthy News. 10/10/2001.) Voluntary School Prayer

"Barry Lynn, who head the Washington-based Americans United for Separation of Church and State, says his group has fielded various complaints that schools aren't enforcing rules on religious expression since Sept. 11. 'We don't thin you can suspend the religious liberty rules for the country because of a national tragedy,' Rev. Lynn said. 'I think people should understand that we don't change the rules about fundamental constitutional rights.'

Former California Rep. William F. Dannemeyer, who leads Americans for Voluntary School Prayer, strongly disagrees. The heightened spiritual awareness fuels his call for a constitutional amendment to restore prayer in schools. 'This issue isn't just school prayer, but it is broader than that: whether we as a people believe that God exists,' said Dannemeyer." (The Washington Times. 10/8/2001.) God Bless America Blasted

"A demand by the ACLU that Breen Elementary School in Rocklin remove a 'God Bless America' sign prompted angry parents, students and administrators to rally at the school recently. About 250 people, many clad in red, white and blue, gathered to support the message, which was placed on a marquee in front of the school after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

The American Civil Liberties Union contends that the words 'God Bless America' broadcast 'a hurtful, divisive message.' The ACLU sent a letter to Breen Elementary calling the message a 'clear violation of the California and United States constitutions, as well as the California Education Code.' Mark Forbes, president of the district's board of trustees, said he was 'disgusted' by the ACLU request." (Fresno Bee. 10/7/2001.) Offensive Misconduct?

"The Supreme Court on 10/1/2001 let stand a ruling that overturned the death sentence for a murderer from California because the prosecutor told jurors that God sanctioned the death penalty for evil people. The justices declined to review a U.S. appeals court ruling that Alfred Sandoval's right to a fair trial at sentencing had been violated by the prosecutor's closing argument that cited religious authority as support for the death penalty.

The prosecutor said that by sentencing Sandoval to death, the jury would be 'doing what Gos says.' The prosecutor said God sanctioned the death penalty for people like Sandoval who were evil and have defied the authority of the state. Sandoval was convicted of four murders and one attempted murder in Los Angeles in 1984.

The Supreme Court, without any comment or dissent, rejected an appeal by California Attorney General Bill Lockyer. He said the prosecutor's comments, while offensive, do not 'run afoul of the court's teachings.' Lockyer said the appeals court could not marshal any direct authority from the Supreme Court to support its finding that the prosecutor's misconduct amounted to constitutional error." (Yahoo! News. 10/5/2001.) Graduation God Out!

"A California judge recently threw out a case by a former student who sued his high school because he was barred from making references to God in his graduation speech. In 1999, Nicholas Lassonde filed a suit against Pleasanton Unified School District officials after he was ordered to remove the phrase 'to seek the Lord and let Him guide you' from his speech, The Oakland Tribune reported.

Co-salutatorian of the graduation ceremony, Lassonde claimed the officials' decision to censor the speech violated his state and constitutional freedoms of speech and religion. But during his ruling, U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson concluded that permitting the religious statements would have violated the constitutional requirement of separation of church and state, the Tribune stated. Lassonde - now attending a Christian college in Southern California - agreed to edit the speech for the ceremony, but he told the audience his talk had been censored." (Charisma News Service. 10/4/2001.) Blurring Church and State?

"Since the terrorist attacks, school districts and local governments seem to be blurring - some say crossing - the line between church and state. Lawmakers have urged Americans to pray, and some students are doing so openly in class. 'I think you're going to see more Americans not putting up with those secularists trying to make the public square a religion-free zone,' said Richard D. Land, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, the public policy arm of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Some groups say such displays violate the Constitution's First Amendment prohibition against government establishment of religion. 'The constitutional rights of the religious minority cannot be shoved aside in a time of national crisis,' said Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. 'I hope these efforts to cross constitutional boundaries stop,' he said." (The Gazette. 10/4/2001.) No Holiday Trees?

"Ornaments with a religious theme might be allowed on the state Capitol holiday tree for the first time in more than a decade, a top state official said. The tree in the Capitol rotunda is sponsored each year by a different organization, which typically asks the public to help decorate the tree by submitting handmade ornaments. But the state guidelines that groups can not have ornaments of a religious nature.

Those guidelines were based on an informal policy that has been in place since at least the mid-1980s, after a lawsuit was filed to stop the display of the tree on the grounds that it violated the separation of church and state. That lawsuit was unsuccessful, but the state has had an unwritten policy banning religious ornaments on the tree. State officials and workers also have been careful to call the tree a 'holiday tree,' not a 'Christian tree.' The Madison-based Freedom from Religion Foundation, has protested the tree for years and says it is strongly opposed to a change in the unwritten policy." (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 10/3/2001.) Silent Prayer Stopped

"A Florida woman is suing a university hospital which will not let her come on its property to pray with patients. Late last year, Gainesville resident Mary Jensen was at Shands Hospital on the University of Florida campus when she was taking part in intercessory prayer during a religious program. While praying silently, she held a sing with the word 'Jesus' on it. Hospital officials had Jensen arrested after she refused to stop her silent prayers. Attorney for Jensen, Joel Oster, says, 'She needs to be able to have full First Amendment rights just like everybody else in Gainesville.' He says public institutions have to follow constitutional guidelines." (Worthy News. 10/1/2001.)



Mall Activities Limited

"The state Court of Appeals overturned a lower court ruling recently that the Westminster Mall (Colorado) has a right to require 24-hour notice for Christians who want to proselytize. Aaron Robertson and Spencer Cowen had appealed regulations that limited 'witnessing' activities at the mall.

Mall officials objected to the practice in which the young men approached strangers to had them information pamphlets about Christianity. The young men filed a lawsuit after security asked them to leave because they had not applied for permission. Colorado's Constitution specifies that 'no law shall be passed impairing the freedom of speech; every person shall be free to speak, write or publish whatever he will on any subject, being responsible for all abuse of that liberty.'

The appeals court said the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled there is no First Amendment right to solicit at private shopping centers, but states have the right to extend those protections." (The Gazette. 9/28/2001.) Take a Hike ACLU

"Reports indicate that in the wake of the terrorist attacks in new York and Washington D.C., many school officials are suddenly putting aside their fears of the American Civil Liberties Union and allowing students to turn to God. While there have been isolated incidents of schools continui9ng to take a hard line against expressions of Christian faith, others realize that with the President calling for a nation to pray, students should not be denied an opportunity to abide by his wishes.

As an example, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently reported that when students at Stockbridge High School expressed a desire to pray in the wake of the terrorist attacks, assistant principal Ingrid Forbes did not hesitate to grant their wish for a room to have a service. She says in nothing President Bush's call for prayer, he did not say 'except in schools.'

The newspaper reports when it requested a comment on the issue from people for the American Way, a group associated with the effort to end prayer in schools, it had nothing to say." (Agape Press & LifeLine News. 9/26/2001.) Evicting Churches Stopped

"A federal judge has dealt a blow to the ACLU by rejecting the organization's attempt to evict churches from rented school property. In February 1999, the American Civil Liberties Union filed suit against the Manatee County School Board, claiming that the Florida school district violated the Constitution by allowing churches to rent school facilities after school hours in order to conduct meetings.

Mat Staver of the Florida-based Liberty Counsel, which represented 15 churches that rent school facilities during non-school time, says the federal court's ruling is a victory for the First Amendment. 'To evict the churches and to discriminate solely against religion would in fact violate the First Amendment,' Staver says, 'so this is a great victory for churches around the country because oftentimes new churches use public school facilities in their start-up phase.'

The attorney says the ruling proves that churches and other Christina organizations cannot be singled out for discrimination. 'The churches have a constitutional right to rent the facilities from the school board,' Staver says. 'The ACLU's version of the Constitution would create hostility toward religion and treat religious speech like second-class speech. The churches have just as much right to rent the facilities as the secular organizations.'" (LifeLine News. 9/26/2001.) Suing the Lawyers

"The American Bar Association (ABA) is being sued for violating anti-trust laws and discrimination for its stranglehold in legal education. For years the ABA has been the power broker for the legal community. One of the ways it exerts its influence is through the accreditation of law schools. While the ABA accredits secular universities, they have been denying status to religious universities like Barry University Law School (a Catholic institution).

Five years ago, the Justice Department said the ABA's process 'promoted their own self-interest and not the interests of students or schools.' And Mat Staver, of the Liberty Counsel, hopes the suit he has filed will be a catalyst for change for the ABA." (LifeLine News. 9/7/2001 & Family News in Focus.) God Omitted in Oath

"An Alabama senator and United Methodist lay leader rebuked the Senate Democratic leadership recently for omitting the words 'so help me God' during confirmation hearing procedures. Republican Jeff Sessions said the phrase - considered a staple of legal proceedings - has been removed since Vermont Sen. Patrick J. Leahy took over as head of the Judiciary Committee in May, The Washington Times reported.

Sessions, who is considering legislation that would make the language part of the Senate rules, said: 'Ninety-five percent of the people believe in God. An invocation of His name, in conjunction with the seriousness of telling the truth, has an importance beyond mere legal requirement.' Andrea Lafferty, executive director fo the Traditional Values Coalition, said Sessions 'exposed an undercurrent of anti-God bigotry,' the Associated Press reported." (Charisma News Service. 8/3/2001.) Religious Valentine Cards

"Avoiding a potentially messy court battle, the Kettle Moraine School Board (Milwaukee, WI) agreed on 8/27/2001 to allow a student to hand out religious Valentine's Day cards in the future and to publicly apologize for past actions. The agreement comes as part of an effort to settle a federal lawsuit against the Waukesha County school district.

The board's actions are in response to a lawsuit filed earlier this year after school officials refused to allow a Cushing Elementary School second-grader to distribute valentines with Christian messages and made her take back religious tracts she passed out for Halloween. The Liberty Counsel, a Florida-based Christian liberty organization filed the lawsuit on behalf of the student.

The school district and its attorney defended the district's actions at the time, saying that allowing the student to distribute Halloween tracts and valentines with Christian messages would violate the separation of church and state." (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 8/28/2001.)

Editor's Note: How ironic! You can celebrate the devil, witches, demons, Eros, Aphrodite (the love goddess) and that isn't a religious violation. But, adding a religious (read Christian) message to these "holidays" is legally suspect and forbidden. How far we have fallen! Targeting VBS

"A religious liberties group in California says that one city in that state is gaining a reputation of hostile discrimination toward local ministries. Officials in El Cajon, California, have issued three citations this year alleging the illegal display of temporary banners - all three were against vacation Bible schools.

One of the schools cited was held at the Foothills Christian Fellowship, the same church that's suing the city because city leaders have denied a request by the church to lease a near vacant shopping mall for services. This church has had a Vacation Bible School for five years and no prior banner has been cited or challenged until now.

Brad Dacus of the Pacific Institute says the city is not applying the law fairly. 'We're trying to use this information to help our other case against the city to show that we have evidence of clear, hostile discriminatory intent, that they have an axe to grind against churches, and in particular, the church tat we're representing that's trying to reach out to the community,' he says. Dacus says there are numerous temporary banners displayed at businesses throughout El Cajon, none of which have been cited by city officials." (Agape Press. 8/15/2001.) Limiting Church Growth

"Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute, recently addressed the American Bar Association's national convention. Dacus put city attorneys on notice that his group will sue any city that continues to unlawfully thwart church development.

He urged them to support the principles outlined in the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000. The law says that 'no government shall impose or implement a land use regulation that totally excludes religious assemblies from a jurisdiction or unreasonably limits religious assembles, institutions, or structures within a jurisdiction.'" (TVC News. 8/10/2001.) Social Worker Too Moral?

"The Alliance Defense Fund is fighting against anti-Christian bigotry. In a recent case, the ADF successfully defended Larry Phillips, a social worker for the Missouri Department of Social Services. After Phillips expressed his opposition to licensing homosexuals as foster parents, he was subjected to persecution from his fellow employees.

His supervisor wrote a critical review of his performance and he was eventually granted a transfer. The supervisor wrote that Phillips' 'religious beliefs were affecting his ability to perform his job effectively' and that he was 'too moral.' He was eventually fired, but ADF filed an anti-religious discrimination suit against the department. In July, 2001, a circuit ruled in Phillips' favor." (Traditional Values Coalition News. 8/10/2001.) 10 Commandments Vandalized

"A monument displaying the Ten Commandments on a street corner in South Bend, Indiana, was vandalized recently. The words 'Not on Public Land' were spray-painted on it. The monument was presented to the city as a gift in 1957 by the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

The Indiana Civil Liberties Union had sued the city of Elkhart to force it to remove the Ten Commandments in front of the city hall. A federal appeals court ruled that the monument was unconstitutional and the Supreme Court refused to hear Elkhart's appeal.

Indiana Governor Frank O'Brannon and Attorney General Steve Carter have just announced they will ask a federal appeals court to review their case seeking to place a Ten Commandments monument on the lawn of the Indiana Statehouse. The effort to strip public life of all references to religion flies in the face of our nation's Christian roots. (TVC News. 8/10/2001.) No God Bless America Signs?

"After the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, 'God Bless America' signs went up in Oklahoma. Broken Arrow schools spokeswoman Judy Gourd said several parents had complained about the display on school property. 'We had patrons that were not only unhappy but threatened to sue because the sign had "God bless America" on it,' Gourd said.

The school system contacted the Oklahoma State School Boards Association, which said the phrase could be construed as a violation of the separation of church and state under the U.S. Supreme Court's interpretation of the Constitution, officials said. But the executive director of the association, Dr. Keith Ballard, said that it did not advise schools to avoid displaying the signs.

Many parents have told the district that they want 'God Bless America' restored to the signs. Nevertheless, many principals have removed the phrase because of their interpretation of the law."(Fox News. 9/21/2001.) Remove Jesus from Prayers?

"The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) has filed a friend-of-the-court brief representing politicians and religious leaders in support of the city of Burbank, which has asked a California appeals court to overturn a lower court ruling that prohibits the use of the name of 'Jesus Christ' in prayers offered by clergy members before city council meetings.

The case involves a November 2000 decision by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Alexander Williams III who ruled that prayers referencing specific religions violate the separation of church and state and that government officials must provide guidance to members of the clergy concerning the content of the prayer.

The ACLJ filed their brief representing the mayor of the city of Rosemead, Calif. and

the members of the clergy who offer prayers before meetings of the Burbank City

Council and other localities in southern California." (Current News Summary. 9/10/2001.) National Motto in Question?

"The national motto is now hanging in the city council chambers of one Pennsylvania town after council members reversed an earlier decision not to display the motto. After legal research and calls from concerned citizens, they changed their position. The American Family Association's Center for Law and Policy had significant input.

Diane Gramley, director of the AFA of Northwestern Pennsylvania, believes Christians need to be aware of laws permitting the display of the national motto, and in doing so can help city leaders overcome the fear of legal action by groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union." (Agape Press. 8/28/2001.) God Omitted in Oath

"An Alabama senator and United Methodist lay leader rebuked the Senate Democratic leadership recently for omitting the words 'so help me God' during confirmation hearing procedures. Republican Jeff Sessions said the phrase - considered a staple of legal proceedings - has been removed since Vermont Sen. Patrick J. Leahy took over as head of the Judiciary Committee in May, The Washington Times reported.

Sessions, who is considering legislation that would make the language part of the Senate rules, said: 'Ninety-five percent of the people believe in God. An invocation of His name, in conjunction with the seriousness of telling the truth, has an importance beyond mere legal requirement.' Andrea Lafferty, executive director fo the Traditional Values Coalition, said Sessions 'exposed an undercurrent of anti-God bigotry,' the Associated Press reported." (Charisma News Service. 8/3/2001.) Religious Valentine Cards

"Avoiding a potentially messy court battle, the Kettle Moraine School Board (Milwaukee, WI) agreed on 8/27/2001 to allow a student to hand out religious Valentine's Day cards in the future and to publicly apologize for past actions. The agreement comes as part of an effort to settle a federal lawsuit against the Waukesha County school district.

The board's actions are in response to a lawsuit filed earlier this year after school officials refused to allow a Cushing Elementary School second-grader to distribute valentines with Christian messages and made her take back religious tracts she passed out for Halloween. The Liberty Counsel, a Florida-based Christian liberty organization filed the lawsuit on behalf of the student.

The school district and its attorney defended the district's actions at the time, saying that allowing the student to distribute Halloween tracts and valentines with Christian messages would violate the separation of church and state." (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 8/28/2001.)

Editor's Note: How ironic! You can celebrate the devil, witches, demons, Eros, Aphrodite (the love goddess) and that isn't a religious violation. But, adding a religious (read Christian) message to these "holidays" is legally suspect and forbidden. How far we have fallen! Suing the Lawyers

"The American Bar Association (ABA) is being sued for violating anti-trust laws and discrimination for its stranglehold in legal education. For years the ABA has been the power broker for the legal community. One of the ways it exerts its influence is through the accreditation of law schools. While the ABA accredits secular universities, they have been denying status to religious universities like Barry University Law School (a Catholic institution).

Five years ago, the Justice Department said the ABA's process 'promoted their own self-interest and not the interests of students or schools.' And Mat Staver, of the Liberty Counsel, hopes the suit he has filed will be a catalyst for change for the ABA." (LifeLine News. 9/7/2001 & Family News in Focus.) Targeting VBS

"A religious liberties group in California says that one city in that state is gaining a reputation of hostile discrimination toward local ministries. Officials in El Cajon, California, have issued three citations this year alleging the illegal display of temporary banners - all three were against vacation Bible schools.

One of the schools cited was held at the Foothills Christian Fellowship, the same church that's suing the city because city leaders have denied a request by the church to lease a near vacant shopping mall for services. This church has had a Vacation Bible School for five years and no prior banner has been cited or challenged until now.

Brad Dacus of the Pacific Institute says the city is not applying the law fairly. 'We're trying to use this information to help our other case against the city to show that we have evidence of clear, hostile discriminatory intent, that they have an axe to grind against churches, and in particular, the church tat we're representing that's trying to reach out to the community,' he says. Dacus says there are numerous temporary banners displayed at businesses throughout El Cajon, none of which have been cited by city officials." (Agape Press. 8/15/2001.) Limiting Church Growth

"Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute, recently addressed the American Bar Association's national convention. Dacus put city attorneys on notice that his group will sue any city that continues to unlawfully thwart church development.

He urged them to support the principles outlined in the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000. The law says that 'no government shall impose or implement a land use regulation that totally excludes religious assemblies from a jurisdiction or unreasonably limits religious assembles, institutions, or structures within a jurisdiction.'" (TVC News. 8/10/2001.) Social Worker Too Moral?

"The Alliance Defense Fund is fighting against anti-Christian bigotry. In a recent case, the ADF successfully defended Larry Phillips, a social worker for the Missouri Department of Social Services. After Phillips expressed his opposition to licensing homosexuals as foster parents, he was subjected to persecution from his fellow employees.

His supervisor wrote a critical review of his performance and he was eventually granted a transfer. The supervisor wrote that Phillips' 'religious beliefs were affecting his ability to perform his job effectively' and that he was 'too moral.' He was eventually fired, but ADF filed an anti-religious discrimination suit against the department. In July, 2001, a circuit ruled in Phillips' favor." (Traditional Values Coalition News. 8/10/2001.) 10 Commandments Vandalized

"A monument displaying the Ten Commandments on a street corner in South Bend, Indiana, was vandalized recently. The words 'Not on Public Land' were spray-painted on it. The monument was presented to the city as a gift in 1957 by the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

The Indiana Civil Liberties Union had sued the city of Elkhart to force it to remove the Ten Commandments in front of the city hall. A federal appeals court ruled that the monument was unconstitutional and the Supreme Court refused to hear Elkhart's appeal.

Indiana Governor Frank O'Brannon and Attorney General Steve Carter have just announced they will ask a federal appeals court to review their case seeking to place a Ten Commandments monument on the lawn of the Indiana Statehouse. The effort to strip public life of all references to religion flies in the face of our nation's Christian roots. (TVC News. 8/10/2001.) School District Redefines

"Students would be permitted to say nondisruptive prayers in the classroom, and Christmas trees could be part of holiday displays in school hallways, according to some proposed policy changes for the Kent School District near Seattle, Wash. These changes would replace strict guidelines the district put into effect in 2000 that banned 'religious symbols' that some students and teachers found offensive.

More than 1,000 people attended public forums, many of them criticizing the district as 'too politically correct' and 'un-American.' The issue got so heated that schools Superintendent Barbara Grohe placed a moratorium on the guidelines and a committee was charged with defining new ones." (Seattle Times & ReligionToday. 7/2/2001.) People for the "American" Way?

"Liberal producer Norman Lear founded People for the American Way (PFAW) in 1980 as a direct response to the so-called 'Religious Right' and Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority. While this group claims to 'defend religion for everyone' and 'respect for diversity,' socially conservative Christians appear to be excluded from PFAW's 'protective' umbrella.

In the group's 1997 book Hostile Climate, legitimate Christian organizations such as American Family Association, Concerned Women for America and Family Research Council were juxtaposed with skinheads and Aryan Nations radicalism.

On the overtly political front, as in the cases of Justice Clarence Thomas and Attorney General John Ashcroft, it appears that PFAW's opposition to them was based on their religiously based moral convictions. Thankfully, in both instances, reason and justice prevailed." (Washington Watch. Volume 12, Number 6.)

Editor's Note: Is it any wonder that PFAW taped Falwell on CBN and used his words to cause division within our nation? I urge conservative Christians not to be quick to discard Falwell or disavow this patriotic, religious leader who yearly has conducted "God Bless America" or "God and Country" rallies. School District Redefines

"Students would be permitted to say nondisruptive prayers in the classroom, and Christmas trees could be part of holiday displays in school hallways, according to some proposed policy changes for the Kent School District near Seattle, Wash. These changes would replace strict guidelines the district put into effect in 2000 that banned 'religious symbols' that some students and teachers found offensive.

More than 1,000 people attended public forums, many of them criticizing the district as 'too politically correct' and 'un-American.' The issue got so heated that schools Superintendent Barbara Grohe placed a moratorium on the guidelines and a committee was charged with defining new ones." (Seattle Times & ReligionToday. 7/2/2001.) Prayer Meeting Ban Lifted

A federal judges order lifting a towns ban on family prayer meetings at home has plunged New Milford, Conn., officials into secret strategy sessions to find a way to restore the restrictions. In a decision issued earlier in July, U.S. magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons wrote that the towns restrictions were illegal under a 2000 federal law, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized persons Act (RLUIPA), which forbids zoning or other restrictions that place a substantial burden on religion.

People who previously attended the prayer group meetings were no longer participating because the towns actions made them afraid they would be arrested, Judge Fitzsimmons said in barring enforcement of the towns cease-and-desist order against the prayer meetings.

The decision has energized religious-interest groups seeking a replacement for the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, which the Supreme Court in 1997 declared unconstitutional in a 6-3 ruling that federal law may not prohibit local zoning restrictions that bar expansion of a church. (The Washington Times. 7/20/2001.) Churches Hurt Environment?

With a stroke of his veto pen, King County (Wash state) Executive Ron Sims put an end for now to the divisive debate over the building of churches in rural areas. In doing so, he turns back the clock to 1994, when the County Council adopted the current Comprehensive Plan containing regulations he says dont adequately protect the rural environment.

Peter von Reichbauer, Chairman of the County Council, said: During this discussion, my views have been reinforced that the final decision must respect the right to worship. Religious leaders say their places of worship are not a threat to the environment and their right to worship is threatened. (South County Journal. 7/22/2001.) Expanding Church Hostility

 The number one hindrance to church growth is local government intolerance, one attorney says. Many pastors agree. Mike Ware isnt a persecuted missionary in a Third World nation, but the pastor of Victory Church in Denver who believes some local officials and residents are hostile towards his growing ministry. Supporting his claims, the founder of a Christian legal defense organization said there is a growing hostility against churches that try to expand their ministry stakes.

The pastors weve spoken with have been unanimous in saying that the No. 1 hindrance to preventing church growth is not lack of funds or committed membership, Brad Dacus, president of the Sacramento, Calif.-based Pacific Justice Institute, said. It is intolerance from government thats standing in the way. It has become more of the norm rather than the exception on the West Coast.

Pastor Ware agrees. This spring, Ware and 14 other pastors from multi-denominational churches met with Denver officials to address what they called unfair treatment of their ministries. We discovered almost every church had a story to tell of how they ran into trouble and were not treated with respect by the city, he said. One pastor said, We thought you were civil servants, instead you act like civil lords.

Since his 1,500-member charismatic congregation revealed a large expansion plan last year, Ware has experienced antagonism not just from officials. Earlier this year, someone fired a shotgun at Victorys construction site trailer. It was reported to the police, but we didnt want to make an issue of it, Ware said. (Charisma News Service. 7/18/2001.) Forcing Gay Agenda

A coalition of Democrats and liberal Republicans have pushed for a measure (Assembly Bill 1971) that could force churches to hire homosexuals. This is part of the ongoing debate regarding president Bushs plan for religious groups qualified to receive government funds.

Rep. Mark Foley, a Florida Republican who often votes with Democrats on social issues and an advocate of homosexual rights, wants to amend the Community Solutions Act to require religious groups that receive government funding to adhere to all state and local civil rights laws. Many conservatives are opposed, arguing that federal civil-rights law since 1964 has exempted religious groups from employment anti-discrimination laws. They say the faith-based bill simply follows that settled law.

Rep. Steve Chabot, Ohio Republican and a vocal supporter of the presidents plan, said Mr. Foleys amendment could require churches and other religious groups to hirer people with whom they are fundamentally at odds, such as homosexuals. I dont thin we ought to ram something down their throats that they dont want, Mr. Chabot said. (The Washington Times. 7/19/2001.) Ashcroft Defends Faith

Attorney General John Ashcroft stood at one of the nations most recognizable pulpits on Sunday, July 22, to defend his passionate Christianity, saying he imposes his faith on no one. Ashcroft spoke to a near-capacity crowd at Orange Countys Crystal Cathedral, a 10,000-member, open-air church that hosts the weekly TV worship program Hour of Power with Rev. Robert Schuller.

Critics say Ashcroft, a lay minister and son of a Pentecostal preacher, gives religion too prominent a role at the Justice Department  including optional prayer meetings with staff before each workday. But at the service, Ashcroft made no mention of politics and repeated whats become his mantra.

Its against my religion to impose my religion, he said. But he also added, I have always hoped that if I were ever accused of being a Christian that there would be enough evidence to convict me. (The Gazette. 7/23/01.) Manure Abuse Charge?

One youngster at a community for troubled children says he benefited from being made to shovel cow manure in a punishment community leaders nicknamed school appreciation day. But the local sheriff calls it child abuse, saying kids at the heartland Christian School and Community were forced to stand in filth.

Corday Thomas, 13, was one of the youngsters who shoveled manure for breaking strict rules against being disobedient, disrespectful or unruly. yeah, it smelled pretty bad, but I am thankful they cared about me to make me do right. It didnt hurt me, said Corday. Who said his mother sent him toe Heartland from Kansas City because he was violent and using drugs. Since his experience shoveling manure, Corday said he made all As and one B on his last report card.

Lewis County Sheriff David Parrish says the youngsters were forced to stand in cow manure and urine brimming with bacteria. Sheriff Parrish filed felony abuse charges against five adult workers at the tax-exempt religious community. Heartland has filed a counter lawsuit in federal court at St. Louis alleging harassment by Lewis County officials.

Pastor Charlie Sharpe of heartland acknowledges that the manure shoveling was smelly, dirty work, but said none of the children had to do it for longer than 40 minutes. If shoveling manure is abuse, then I was abused and every kid raised on a farm with livestock was abused. No they are absolutely wrong. This is about discipline, said Sharpe. (Yahoo! News. 7/15/2001.) Workplace Discrimination

A former Pueblo air-traffic controller testified on July 10, 2001 that his belief in the Fourth Commandment prohibits him from working from sunset on Fridays until sunset on Saturdays. Donald Reed, 44, has sued his former employer in U.S. district Court for alledgedly harassing and then firing him because he refused to work on the Sabbath, denying him his right of freedom of religion.

The Pueblo air-traffic control tower operates seven days a week from 6 Am util 10 PM. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Krumholz argued that the Federal Aviation Administration, facing critically short staffing in 1995, could no longer accommodate Reeds request at the expense of the safety of the flying public. When Reed failed to show for portions of five Saturday shifts in 1995, he was declared absent without leave and fired. He was always testing me about my faith and my sincerity, Reed said. At one point, the Air Traffic manager told me, If I could remove you, I would. (Denver Post. 7/11/2001.)

Update: On Tuesday, 7/17/2001, a Denver federal jury awarded $2.25 million to a the former Pueblo air traffic controller who was fired for refusing to work on the Sabbath. The jury concluded that employers may not force religious worshipers to work on the Sabbath if it is their sincerely held religious belief. (The Denver Post. 7/18/2001.) Prayer Discrimination

The American Center for Law and Justice has filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a federal appeals court decision that said the city of Tucson acted properly when it discriminated against a couple, Patricia and Robert Gentala, who organized a public event celebrating the National Day of Prayer in 1997.

The Gentalas were told by the City of Tucson officials that they  unlike numerous other event sponsors  could not receive city services free of charge for their 1997 event, the national Day of Prayer. The lawsuit contends the policy was discriminatory because it excluded only religious organizations and religious messages from receiving free city services. (ReligionToday News. 7/13/2001.) School District Redefines

Students would be permitted to say nondisruptive prayers in the classroom, and Christmas trees could be part of holiday displays in school hallways, according to some proposed policy changes for the Kent School District near Seattle, Wash. These changes would replace strict guidelines the district put into effect in 2000 that banned religious symbols that some students and teachers found offensive.

More than 1,000 people attended public forums, many of them criticizing the district as too politically correct and un-American. The issue got so heated that schools Superintendent Barbara Grohe placed a moratorium on the guidelines and a committee was charged with defining new ones. (Seattle Times & ReligionToday. 7/2/2001.) Political Psychobabble

To protect lesbian and gay students from discrimination, the American Psychological Association (APA) may soon erase an exemption in its accreditation policy that allows religious-affiliated colleges and universities to weigh religion in admissions and hiring decisions.

APA members are concerned schools could use the exemption, known as footnote four, to discriminate against lesbian and gay students. The APA is the only group approved by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit graduate programs in psychology. To be accredited, the APA requires that schools practice non-discriminatory policies and actively promote cultural and individual diversity when recruiting faculty and students.

Footnote four allows programs with a religious affiliation to adopt admission policies that directly relate to the religion, but the schools still must follow diversity guidelines. So while religious schools can give preference to applicants on the basis of religion, they may not discriminate on the basis of cultural or individual characteristics.

The proposed change in policy could be important because many states require psychologists to graduate from an APA-accredited school in order to practice clinical psychology. (U-Wire. 7/2/2001.) Judge Thomas Spurned

After comparing him to Hitler and characterizing him as a Uncle Tom, a vocal group of members of Hawaiis American Civil Liberties Union convinced their board to reject an invitation for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to participate in a debate ACLU President Nadine Strossen about affirmative action. Eric Ferrer, an African-American on the Hawaiian ACLU chapter, also called Justice Thomas an anti-christ. (Fox News. 6/26/2001.) The Big 10 Defaced

A Ten Commandments tablet at the center of a lawsuit against the city was spray-painted with two large X marks one week after a judge said the tablet could remain in front of City Hall. City employees arrived at work on 6/26 to see the white paint on the stone monument. Another large X also covered a sign at the monuments base. (The Gazette. 6/28/2001.) The Big Ten Downed

While a judge ruled that the Ten Commandments could remain in Grand Junction, Colorado, on public property, another judge in Eastern Kentucky ruled that several Ten Commandment displays must come down.

U.S. District Judge Jennifer Coffman ruled that displays in the Harlan County schools and the McCreary and Pulaski county courthouses violate previous U.S. Supreme Court decisions that the Ten Commandments can only be displayed in public buildings when they have a secular purpose.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, which filed a lawsuit in November 1999 challenging the Ten Commandments displays, applauded Coffmans 17-page ruling. Johnnie Turner, attorney for the Harlan County school district, said Coffman erred in her ruling. (The Courier-Journal. Louisville, KY. 6/23/2001.) Religious Access Denial

A Massachusetts school district is finding itself at the center of controversy for not allowing Pastor Gary Taylor and his South Coast Community Church meet in a Marion, Mass. school auditorium. Taylor is suing the school for the right to use the facilities like many of the other community organizations that meet there.

The suit comes on the heels of a U.S. Supreme Court decision, which ruled that a New York school may not discriminate against religious groups regarding access to facilities. The school was allowing the Boy Scouts, YMCA daycare, and the City Recreation Department to the facilities, but denied Pastor Taylor the building.

Stuart Roth, senior counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice, called the Taylor situation a clear case of religious discrimination. Roth said that public officials are often confused about religious speech in the public sector, but in an effort to avoid one constitutional crisis, they create another. (ReligionToday News. 6/26/2001.) Recent Church-State Cases

The U.S. Supreme Court announced its responses to three church-state cases June 18 and in the process provided a mixture of results on religion and public schools. The high court of our land:

¨ Allowed to stand a federal appeals court ruling that permits student-initiated, student-led prayer at such school functions as football games and graduations in Alabama.

¨ Rejected and returned to a federal appeals court for further consideration a decision barring the Louisiana Christian Coalition from using school facilities

¨ Declined to review a lower-court decision that allowed a school to bar a first-grader from reading a story out of the Beginners Bible.

The prayer decision enables a 1993 Alabama law permitting student-led religious expression at school events to be in effect. A federal judge issued a permanent injunction in 1997 against such religious activities, but the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the decision. The appeals court reconsidered the case in light of last years Supreme Court opinion striking down student-led prayer at high school football games in Texas, but it affirmed its earlier ruling despite the high courts decision.

In the case involving the Christian Coalition, the high court vacated a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decision against the organization and told the court to review its ruling in light of the Supreme Courts recent opinion on a religious organizations use of a school building. In that June 11 decision, Good News Club v. Milford Central School, the high court ruled a school rule prohibiting a Christian group from meeting on campus after hours when other organizations were allowed to was unconstitutional.

In the Bible reading case, the justices refused to grant a review, thereby allowing a lower-court ruling in favor of a New Jersey school to stand. A teacher and principal in Medford, N.J., prevented first-grader Zachary Hood from reading from his Bible to his classmates though other students were permitted to read stories from other sources. A federal judge ruled in favor of the school, and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals split 6-6 in its decision. (Baptist Press News. 6/19/2001.) 10 Commandment Protest

The latest attempt to force the removal of a public display of Gods laws in Indiana has prompted a truly grassroots protest campaign. Hundreds of residents in the southwest of the state have planted miniature versions of the Ten Commandments on their own lawns. There is a Ten Commandment display on the Knox County courthouse lawn that is being challenged in a lawsuit by the ACLU. This display has been there since 1958. (Charisma News Service. 6/18/2001.) Texas Teacher Tormented

The founder of a Texas-based Christian legal rights organization says his group will keep fighting for a teacher passed over for a promotion because her children attend a private Christian school.

A federal judge has refused to issue a temporary restraining order against the Greenville Independent School District near Dallas on behalf of teacher Karen Jo Barrow. Three years ago, Barrow was denied a position as an assistant principal because she chose to educate her children in a Christian school.

Kelly Shackelford with the Liberty Legal Institute says such discrimination, which he describes as unconstitutional conduct, cannot be tolerated and must be stopped. We think if this kind of conduct isnt stopped, that basically public school officials will be allowed to blackmail all teachers and administrators into taking their children out of Christian schools in order to keep their job, Shackelford says. (Agape Press. 6/9/2001.) Church Denied Permit

Pastor Mark Hoffman sees it as restaurants vs. religion, liquor licenses vs. drug-and-alcohol recovery programs. City Attorney Morgan Foley considers it a simple planning decision. Both will have their day in court.

Hoffmans Foothills Christian Fellowship church filed suit this week against the City Council, saying it violated the churchs civil and constitutional rights in May by voting against its proposal to move to El Cajon Towne Center.

The City Council and the Planning Commission denied the church the permit to relocate. The fact is, if we were a bar, theyd welcome us with open arms, Hoffman said. The lawsuit alleges violations of the First Amendment and the 14th Amendments equal protection clause. It also cites the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000, an untested law that makes it trickier for cities to limit where a church can locate.

Theyre allowing every other social club and political organization except churches, attorney Robert Tyler said. Why? Whats the difference? Its free speech. We just happen to be talking about religious issues. (The Union-Tribune. Sign On San Diego. 6/7/2001.) Limiting Bible Studies

A New Milford, Conn., couple who hold prayer meetings in their home have won a court battle over how many people can attend the Sunday gatherings. In issuing a temporary injunction against the town, a federal judge ruled that officials violated Robert and Mary Murphys freedom of religion by limiting the number of peopoe because of traffic concerns.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Holly Fitzsimmons, in Bridgeport, Conn, ordered a halt to the enforcement of a zoning rule that regulates a permitted use of a residence. The judge, citing federal law enacted last year protecting freedom of religion and property rights, said the neighbors complaints about cards did not justify limiting the prayer meetings. (ReligionToday. 6/10/2001.) National Motto Mulled

When parents in a West Virginia school decided to place posters of the national motto in classrooms, they were met with opposition from a superintendent who took it upon himself to remove them.

Patricia Coan is on the policy council of the Mineral County, West Virginia, Head Start program. Last fall, a parent of a Head Start student bought posters bearing the words In God Wew Turst. Coan says they went through the proper channels before posting them and received legal permission. But shortly after putting them up, she says the district superintendent, Charles Kalbaugh, removed all the signs. Coan says she and the others are willing to fight for as long as it takes to have the posters put back up. (LifeLine News. 6/22/2001.) Prison Program Pummeled

Prison Fellowships pioneering Christian program at a Texas prison, which has slashed repeat offender rates, could be challenged after judges ruled that a similar program elsewhere in the state was unconstitutional. The God Pod unit at Tarrant County Jail near Dallas, which offered a 120-day Christian curriculum to inmates since 1992, was dismantled recently following the Texas Supreme Court ruling that it indicated an official endorsement of religion, reported The Dallas Morning News. The ruling was welcome by the American Jewish Congress, whose southwest region had filed one of the suits along with the American Civil Liberties Union. (Charisma News Service. 6/20/2001.) Wheres the Outrage?

If youre not outraged, youre not paying attention. Consider the following: In certain areas of the Pacific Northwest, churches cannot construct new buildings or even expand their facilities. An Orange County, Fla., ordinance does not allow for a religious gathering of any kind in a residential area. Thus a small prayer meeting cannot be held in a private living room. Recently, a Vermont couple was denied their request for vanity license plates. The reason, their choice of ROMANS5 and ROMANS8 might be offensive to others.

These are but three examples  the tip of the proverbial iceberg  of religious intolerance currently faced by religious conservatives in America. If a religion possesses exclusive truth and moral absolutes, it is view by many with disdain. Conservative Christians are especially looked upon with contempt.

Many who are potential targets of the religious bigotry creeping across America yawn at its reality. Granted, the intolerance is only a mild irritant when compared to the true persecution occurring in other areas of the world. However, left unchallenged this bias could well become government censure of certain politically incorrect religions. Could it be only a matter of time until religious persecution occurs on American soil? (Kelly Boggs. An Iceberg is Out There of Religious Intolerance. LifeLine News. 6/25/2001.) Churches Hurt Environment?

"Alderman Thomas Bauer, D-24th Ward of St. Louis, MO, wants an investigation into whether his black colleague, Alderman Irene Smith, violated city ordinances by urinating into a wastebasket during a floor debate. If a citation is issued, it would be up to the city counselor's office to decide whether to take her to court. The case would go to city courts, where Smith was once the chief judge.

The incident occurred while Smith was filibustering against a certain bill. The aldermanic president ruled that she would yield the floor if she left to use the restroom. Her friends surrounded her with a quilt, sheet and tablecloth as she appeared to urinate.

People convicted of public urination face a fine of up to $500 and up to 90 days in jail, or both. 'The conduct was outrageous and disrespectful of the Board of Aldermen and the people of the city of St. Louis,' said Bauer in an interview." (St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 7/21/2001.) Christianity's True Freedom

"The worst kind of religion is no religion at all - and those living in ease, luxury and indifference to religion may be thankful they live in lands where the gospel has tamed the beastliness and ferocity of men, who, but for Christianity might long ago have eaten their carcasses like the South Sea islanders or cut off their heads and tanned their hides like the monsters of the French Revolution. When skeptics can find a place ten miles square on this globe where society is decent, safe, comfortable and progressive without Christianity, let them then move there and ventilate their infidel views. But so long as they are dependent upon the religion they condemn for the privileges they enjoy, they may well hesitate before they rob Christians of their hope and humanity of its faith in Christ, Who alone has given the world that hope which makes life tolerable." (James Russell Lowell, Diplomat. Taken from Great Pyramid - Proof of God by George Riffert. 1932.) Council Removes Jesus' Name

"The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) has filed a friend-of-the-court brief representing politicians and religious leaders in support of the city of Burbank, which has asked a California appeals court to overturn a lower court ruling that prohibits the use of the name of 'Jesus Christ' in prayers offered by clergy members before city council meetings.

The case involves a November 2000 decision by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Alexander Williams III who ruled that prayers referencing specific religions violate the separation of church and state and that government officials must provide guidance to members of the clergy concerning the content of the prayer.

The ACLJ filed their brief representing the mayor of the city of Rosemead, Calif. and

the members of the clergy who offer prayers before meetings of the Burbank City

Council and other localities in southern California." (Current News Summary. 9/10/2001.) God Bless America Nixed

"After the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, 'God Bless America' signs went up in Oklahoma. Broken Arrow schools spokeswoman Judy Gourd said several parents had complained about the display on school property. 'We had patrons that were not only unhappy but threatened to sue because the sign had "God bless America" on it,' Gourd said.

The school system contacted the Oklahoma State School Boards Association, which said the phrase could be construed as a violation of the separation of church and state under the U.S. Supreme Court's interpretation of the Constitution, officials said. But the executive director of the association, Dr. Keith Ballard, said that it did not advise schools to avoid displaying the signs. Many parents have told the district that they want 'God Bless America' restored to the signs. Nevertheless, many principals have removed the phrase because of their interpretation of the law." (Fox News. 9/21/2001.) You Can Swear But Not Pray

"The ACLU has settled a lawsuit that protects Colorado patrons' rights to say bad words in a bar. Earlier this year, on behalf of the Flying Dog Brewery LLC, the state affiliate of the ACLU sued the directors of the Colorado Department of Revenue and the Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division, challenging the state's revised 'anti-profanity' regulation.

The ACLU had first sued the state on behalf of another client in 1999, after the state started enforcing an old regulation that prohibited bar owners from 'permitting profanity,' ACLU legal director Mark Silverstein said in a press release." (Rocky Mountain News. 10/11/2001.) God Bless America Blasted

"A demand by the ACLU that Breen Elementary School in Rocklin remove a 'God Bless America' sign prompted angry parents, students and administrators to rally at the school recently. About 250 people, many clad in red, white and blue, gathered to support the message, which was placed on a marquee in front of the school after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

The American Civil Liberties Union contends that the words 'God Bless America' broadcast 'a hurtful, divisive message.' The ACLU sent a letter to Breen Elementary calling the message a 'clear violation of the California and United States constitutions, as well as the California Education Code.' Mark Forbes, president of the district's board of trustees, said he was 'disgusted' by the ACLU request." (Fresno Bee. 10/7/2001.) Graduation God Out

"A California judge recently threw out a case by a former student who sued his high school because he was barred from making references to God in his graduation speech. In 1999, Nicholas Lassonde filed a suit against Pleasanton Unified School District officials after he was ordered to remove the phrase 'to seek the Lord and let Him guide you' from his speech, The Oakland Tribune reported.

Co-salutatorian of the graduation ceremony, Lassonde claimed the officials' decision to censor the speech violated his state and constitutional freedoms of speech and religion. But during his ruling, U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson concluded that permitting the religious statements would have violated the constitutional requirement of separation of church and state, the Tribune stated. Lassonde - now attending a Christian college in Southern California - agreed to edit the speech for the ceremony, but he told the audience his talk had been censored." (Charisma News Service. 10/4/2001.) The Pledge Banned

"The Madison (Wisconsin) school Board is taking heavy criticism for a decision effectively barring children from saying the Pledge of Allegiance in class. Saying The Pledge is a daily part of class for Mrs. Weiss' second-graders at Rawson Elementary in South Milwaukee. But, it's the 'one nation under God' line that the Madison School Board found offensive.

'What I wanted to do was eliminate that which would be repugnant to those who believe very strongly and would have their personal and political beliefs violated by group coercion,' Madison School District board member Bill Keys said.

J. J. Sprague of South Milwaukee said, 'It's poor timing, very poor timing. This is a time when the entire country is uniting and we are all praying for the survivors and the victims of the recent national disaster.' On 10/9/2001, The Madison School Board announced that it will reconsider its decision after the school district received 426 e-mails and phone calls with only five supporting their decision." (The Milwaukee Channel. 10/11/2001.) Faith Cases Rejected

"A Christian counselor who was fired after refusing to help a lesbian client has lost her fight. The U.S. Supreme Court on 10/19/2001 refused to hear an appeal by Sandra Bruff from Tupelo, Miss. A family and marriage counselor at North Mississippi Medical Center, Bruff had been awarded $2 million in 1998 after a district court agreed she had been the victim of religious discrimination when let go for refusing to counsel someone against her beliefs. But the award was later cut to $300,000, and the decision subsequently overturned by an appeals court, The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported.

The justices also declined to hear the appeal of a Texas police officer fired for wearing a crucifix pin on his uniform. George Daniels lost his job in 1998 after twice refusing to take off the pin. The 14-year decorated sergeant had started wearing it when he became a plainclothes officer, said the Associated Press." (Charisma News Service. 10/19/2001.) No Holiday Trees

"Ornaments with a religious theme might be allowed on the state Capitol (Wis.) holiday tree for the first time in more than a decade, a top state official said. The tree in the Capitol rotunda is sponsored each year by a different organization, which typically asks the public to help decorate the tree by submitting handmade ornaments. But the state guidelines that groups can not have ornaments of a religious nature.

Those guidelines were based on an informal policy that has been in place since at least the mid-1980s, after a lawsuit was filed to stop the display of the tree on the grounds that it violated the separation of church and state. That lawsuit was unsuccessful, but the state has had an unwritten policy banning religious ornaments on the tree. State officials and workers also have been careful to call the tree a 'holiday tree,' not a 'Christian tree.' The Madison-based Freedom from Religion Foundation, has protested the tree for years and says it is strongly opposed to a change in the unwritten policy." (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 10/3/2001.) God Bless America Debacle

"The 'God Bless America' sign on the Eastwood High School marquee was removed after a senior student suggested that it was offensive to some and that patriotic messages be more inclusive. The school leadership decided to change the sign which now reads 'United we Stand.' Assistant Principal Mike Olivas said that he wanted to make sure everyone had a voice." (El Paso Times. 11/14/2001.) Nativity Battles 2001

"Only a handful more suing days left until Christmas. Lawyers have been squaring off over the reason for the season. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has warned that it may sue the town of Norwood, Mass., to prevent it from putting nativity displays at the town hall and a local school.

The two nativities have been a traditional part of the local scene for years, but last Christmas a family complained about the school display, accord to The Boston Globe.

Selectman Gary Lee, a lawyer, said the town hall nativity was part of a larger Christmas display that included nonreligious symbols.

'I don't see who the creche (nativity) is offending,' he told the newspaper. 'People like it there. It's always been there. It offends no one.'

Sarah Wunsch, an attorney at the ACLU's Boston office, said 'The law is pretty clear that the government cannot be displaying the nativity scene on government property pretty much as the focal point of the display.' The town had ignored attempts to come to an agreement without going to court, she told the newspaper. 'I think that's irresponsible public leadership.'" (Charisma News Service. 10/12/2001.)

