Abortion Amendments voted down in U.S. Senate Finance Committee

http://theundergroundsite.com/index.php/2009/10/abortion-amendments-voted-down-in-u-s-senate-finance-committee/





Two proposed abortion amendments to the working version of the Health Care Bill were defeated in the U.S. Senate Finance Committee within days of each other. 

Hatch Amendment C13 would have a) prevented discrimination against health care providers (individuals like doctors or health care institutions like hospitals) who wanted to opt out of doing abortions on the grounds of moral or religious beliefs; and b) that the Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services would be the assigned recipient of discrimination complaints.

Hatch C14 (both amendments named for their creator, Senator Orrin Hatch, R-UT) would have provided stronger language against the use of taxpayer money for abortions. 

The full text of both amendments, plus which members of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee voted for and against, can be seen here at Earth Times.

Current law prohibits federal funds from being used for abortions except for “rape, incest or the life of the mother.” But the wording of the Baucus Bill, which passed this week around the same time as the defeat of C14, may allow taxpayer dollars to be used for abortion due to wording which only qualifies “certain” federal funds and “certain recipients” to be exempt. Pro-life members of Congress and various pro-life organizations are worried this could possibly broad-stroke into existence a loophole to use taxpayer dollars.

According to Guttmacher Institute statistics, abortions due to rape, incest or health of the mother account for only 1.5-2% of all legal abortions. However, “health of the mother” is becoming more and more subjective. What constitutes “health” is left up to abortion providers and their patients. Former Surgeon General Everett C. Koop, along with a group of hundreds of doctors called Physicians for Life, repeatedly testifies that abortion is the least safe way to save the life of a mother, and that Caesarean section delivery is always preferable.

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Pornography isn’t Victimless – Observe WRAP Week

Also here: http://theundergroundsite.com/index.php/2009/10/pornography-isnt-victimless-observe-wrap-week/





The porn industry would have us believe that pornography is a harmless, victimless crime – and they even go so far as to say pornography “empowers” women (see this previous Underground article). Purveyors of porn title theirs a “Business of Pleasure” as seen in a July 2009 CNBC special, where one female porn star says “I just treat it like any job.” Women are now producing and directing pornographic films.

If porn takes no victims, then we wouldn’t need “Victims of Pornography Month,” which happens in May each year, and we wouldn’t need “White Ribbons Against Pornography Week” (WRAP) – taking place Sunday, October 25 through Sunday, November 1, 2009. WRAP is sponsored by the Morality in Media organization.

For decades, numerous reports and articles have offered real statistics about porn’s victims:
-Ruined marriages from addiction to print and Internet porn;
-Abuse and violence after viewing porn videos;
-Addiction to porn in magazines leading to visiting strip clubs and eventually adultery;
-Adult pornography leading to sexual exploitation of children and sex trafficking;
-Teens and children becoming addicted to porn found on parents’ and friends’ computers or in hidden magazines;
-Roughly 93% of boys and 61% of girls have seen online porn;
-Clergy and youth leaders unable to resist the temptation of porn films in hotel rooms;
-Soft porn working its way toward hard porn in major Hollywood films and TV soap operas (not just “B” videos).
(Visit the Morality in Media website linked above for evidence of these statements. Click on “Effects of Pornography” in the column at right side.)

One of the latest phenomena is that tweens and teens don’t see the harm in porn because “everyone’s posting nude pictures” on their cell phones. Michael Leahy, author of Porn Nation – Conquering America’s #1 Addiction and himself a one-time porn addict, calls pornography the “crack cocaine of sexual addiction.”

“Porn is protected by free speech” – myth becomes truth
The Supreme Court has ruled often that the First Amendment does not protect obscenity. But because today’s “politically correct” philosophy tells us that there are no absolute truths and nothing is right or wrong, good or bad, the subject of what is obscene has become relative. Laws are thrown out the window in favor of doing what feels good and allowing others to do so because we mustn’t appear judgmental.
 �
Is all of porn’s harmful evidence falling on deaf ears where laws are concerned? Enforcement of U.S. Federal Obscenity Laws has long been declining in the name of free speech. Despite a 2005 Harris Poll showing 77% of American adults would support efforts to enforce federal obscenity laws, and in 2008 that 75% would support similarly, it still isn’t happening. There is stronger federal willingness to look into sex trafficking since it’s become such a huge, un-ignorable problem; but print and video pornography still isn’t getting much attention.

How can you help?
-Read some of the stories at the Victims of Pornography website.

-Participate in the WRAP campaign as an individual, or enlist your church or any other group to do so (get all instructions at the Morality in Media website under the first right-bar link “Wrap Campaign”).

-PRAY for victims of pornography and their families.
-PRAY for a miraculous downfall to the $100 billion porn industry.
-RESIST temptation and help your family to resist it. Study Matthew 6:13, 26:41; Luke 22:46, 1 Corinthians 10:13, James 1:2-3.

(This writer is not receiving any remuneration or compensation from organizations mentioned in this article.)

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Plastic Church, Part 3: Elements of a Healthy & Relevant Church

Originally here: http://theundergroundsite.com/index.php/2009/10/plastic-church-part-3-elements-of-a-healthy-relevant-church/





Posted: 12 Oct 2009 07:46 PM PDT


A healthy church seeks to exalt the Cross of Christ to the highest place in everything it does.

A healthy church seeks to exalt the Cross of Christ to the highest place in everything it does.

So What’s the Point Anymore?

Fed up. Tired. Burnt out. These and countless other phrases have become the norm for describing the vast majority of today’s churchgoers. Some are unable to find a sense of belonging and are thus content to hop from one community of believers to the next. Others have been burned. They are the victims. They have suffered undue emotional pain and judgment at the hands of fellow congregants and have shunned the very notion of church altogether.

So by now you are likely asking yourself, “What’s the point of corporate church attendance? If every church is as dysfunctional as these, I want no part of it.”

As is the case with so many of life’s conundrums, the answer is not as simple as many would prefer it to be. However, healthy church functionality is not only possible, but can leave lasting results on a community of believers.

Remember Justin Nguyen from last week (see Plastic Church Part 2); the once-angry teen who had been burned by a church? Fortunately, Justin’s story ends on a positive note.

Justin spoke of the church he attends now by saying, “It’s amazing to be able to walk into a church and know that everyone’s got problems and you’ve got problems and nobody cares other than the fact that they want each other together as a collective to get better and stronger and then go out and help those that are dealing with the same thing. You’ve got drug addicts and sex addicts and all these different things and everybody knows it.”

Justin’s words reflect one of the several essential elements of a healthy church: transparency. A healthy church is open, honest and transparent about their brokenness, their struggles and their weaknesses, both as individuals and as a collective. This not only applies to church attendees, but to pastoral leaders, volunteers, ministry staff, etc. as well.

Secondly, a healthy church should exhibit a genuine realism in their affection toward newcomers and each other. Pat Howell (see Plastic Church Part 1) agrees.

“It’s all about being genuine. And there are several genuine people here at this church [I attend now] and in this community of believers. I know that I have personal issues inside of me. I am 60 years old. I’ve been through a lot of stuff. I have things going on in here. But I’m not so stupid as to say that there is nothing wrong with me or that I am the same as everyone else. I’m not. I see these things in other people [too].”

Finally, a healthy church should earnestly desire to reach the lost and raise up a Biblically functioning community. This was and is the Great Commission Christ gave to His disciples before leaving Earth and ascending into Heaven:

“And Jesus spoke to them [the disciples], saying ‘All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20, NASU, emphases added).

When it comes to church function and dysfunction, these few elements are just the tip of the iceberg.

Stay tuned for all subsequent pieces and spinoff series of Plastic Church, which will address many issues facing today’s modern churchgoers.

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Mojave Desert Cross has its day in U.S. Supreme Court

Originally here: http://theundergroundsite.com/index.php/2009/10/mojave-desert-cross-has-its-day-in-u-s-supreme-court/






Most American Christians, unless they’ve been in a frozen cryotherapy container for fifteen years, have heard of the Mojave Desert Memorial Cross controversy; a monument caught in the cross-fires of the First Amendment religious free speech battle.

On October 6, the U.S. Supreme Court finally heard the Mojave Desert Cross case, and will decide in a few months, once and for all, if the cross violates the First Amendment’s “separation of church and state” clause.

The fact that this “separation” clause is an invisible phrase invented by a court interpretation that may itself violate the First Amendment is very ironic. But we must put that aside for a moment.

Here’s some background to the Mojave Desert Memorial Cross case:
In 1934, an eight-foot cross was erected in California’s Mojave Desert as a memorial to the soldiers who fought in World War I.

It sits in the middle of the desert, where cars may drive by quickly, and one would have to look right at it to notice it. The problem is, it’s on government property and permission wasn’t sought for its erection.

In 1994, the National Park Service acquired the land with the Mojave cross. This increased the profile of the cross. Within a few years, a Buddhist organization wanted to put up a shrine near the cross, and was refused. A lawsuit was filed with the help of the ACLU. This quickly transformed from being a case of discrimination to questioning the legality of the cross’s existence on the property.

In and out of courtrooms for nearly a decade, the Mojave cross was deemed illegal by a federal court, but a judge decided to just keep it covered; first with cloth, then with plywood.

In 2001, Congress, now Republican-led after President George W. Bush was elected, refused the federal dollars it would have cost to remove the cross. An attempt was made in California court to transfer the plot of land on which the cross sits to private ownership, in exchange for other land, but it was turned down on the basis that the “separation” issue would not be solved by that action.

In June 2009, Liberty Counsel filed a brief in support of the cross. Those interested can see the law firm’s efforts so far in the Mojave case (legally, Salazar v. Buono) here. So, the case for removal of the Mojave Desert cross, covered with a wooden box to this day, finally reached the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday, October 6, 2009.

The Supreme Court has been handling Christian monuments on a case-by-case basis, giving some the thumbs up for historical value, and others a thumbs down for encroaching on the “separation” clause.

Countless polls by religious and non-religious organizations show the majority of Americans don’t mind religious symbols like crosses, menorahs and Christmas trees in public places. It remains to be seen if an activist Supreme Court will see it the majority’s way.

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Renowned Atheist Richard Dawkins Appears on the O’Reilly Factor

Originally here: http://theundergroundsite.com/index.php/2009/10/atheist-richard-dawkins-appears-on-the-oreilly-factor/




Posted: 09 Oct 2009 10:04 PM PDT


FOX News: Fri. October 9, 2009

Atheistic scientist Richard Dawkins attending the 35th annual Atheists Convention.

Atheistic scientist Richard Dawkins attending the 35th annual Atheists Convention.

Evolutionary scientist, best-selling author and self-professing atheist Clinton Richard Dawkins has a new book out. And you should know about it. In an exclusive appearance on the FOX News Network’s The O’Reilly Factor today, Dawkins debated with conservative political commentator Bill O’Reilly about the existence of God, evolution versus Creationism and everything in between. The discussion also included news of his most recent bestseller “The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution.”

Dawkins has a longstanding history of adamantly speaking out against the theory of Intelligent Design in nature and is known for criticizing religion and faith in a “higher power” at every opportunity. And he is good at what he does.

In the 2008 documentary film “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed”, longtime actor and comedian Ben Stein investigated the controversial issue of academic freedom in regards to Creationism and Intelligent Design. Dawkins was interviewed by Stein, among several other notable scientists, on the possibility of Intelligent Design in nature.

The famed atheistic professor naturally denied any such notion. However, by the end of their intense discourse, even Dawkins was unable to account for the origins of certain microbiological processes in creation. He did, however, remain steadfast in his belief that faith in an intelligent Creator is complete lunacy.

In his previous book “The God Delusion” (2006), Dawkins went so far as to claim that the very notion of the existence of a supernatural Creator is absurd and actually qualifies as a psychological delusion.

Today’s mainstream media and the education establishment of the U.S. are becoming increasingly intolerant of professors and scientists who assert even the possibility of Intelligent Design in nature. Countless university level teachers, professors and faculty have either been reprimanded or completely cut for merely suggesting such a theory.

We live in a world where science and God, science and religious faith, have been separated. Many believe the conjunction of the two is simply politically incorrect. Unfortunately, you cannot have science without God or God without science. Not to mention that any science professor has the right to at least present Creationism in their classroom as a possibility for the origins of life, just as Evolution is presented.

There is a cultural call to Christians everywhere to guard their minds against Dawkins and others like him and to “demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God” and “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV).

Research, study, learn and be prepared to defend your beliefs and faith whenever needed.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction…Happy is the man that finds wisdom and gains understanding.” (Proverbs 1:7 and 3:13).

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Four Reasons We Endure Suffering

Also here: http://theundergroundsite.com/index.php/2009/10/four-reasons-we-endure-suffering/





Why would a loving God allow me to suffer like this?

Why would a loving God allow me to suffer like this?

If we were all completely and utterly honest, the majority of us would admit that, at some point in our lives, we have posed the question “Why would a loving God allow people to suffer?” It is a completely valid question.

Even the wisest and most spiritual of saints continue to grapple with this complex reality of the world in which we live. Why does God allow bad things to happen to genuinely good people? Why do Christians suffer from pains that seem so pointless?

Here are four reasons that people you know, Christians and unbelievers alike, endure suffering. The first two are simple:

1. Sin is a Natural Element of Reality. Since Adam and Eve turned against God’s rules and laws in the Garden of Eden (see Genesis chapter 3), sin has permeated every facet of humanity and existence as we know it. Sin damages people’s lives, destroys relationships and friendships and causes innocent people to suffer harm and even die. Until Christ returns and raptures His bride [the church, those who have placed their faith and trust in Him as Savior], our world will remain broken under the weight of sin.

2. We Make Wrong Choices. God, in his loving kindness toward humanity, infused within every human being a free will to choose right or wrong. Unfortunately, many of us choose wrong and these poor decisions come with their consequences. For more on this, see Deuteronomy 30:11-20.

The next two reasons are not so straightforward and have often been the center of debate and frustration amongst countless Christian men and women struggling through life’s inexplicable circumstances. Why is God allowing me to endure this? Does He not see my pain down here? Is He not paying attention to me?

3. God Has a Bigger Perspective. Ponder the writings of the prophet Isaiah, penning the words of God: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9, NASU)

As one commentator so well noted, there is indeed a vast difference between the plans and purposes of an almighty, omniscient God and the plans of ordinary people.

In fact, it is such a difference that the prophet Isaiah here must employ the use of a vast measurement of distance, specifically the distance between the earth and the highest point of the heavens. A similar comparison concerning God’s love can be found in Psalm 103:11.

Just because we cannot see the end result of our present trial or tribulation does not mean it is without purpose or reason. Rest in the all sufficient grace of God.

4. God glorifies Himself and Receives Praise and Worship through our Suffering. This may very well be the most troublesome reason of all for many Christians, young and old alike. In the midst of a season of suffering, it is easy to find oneself in despair and hopelessness.

However, like no other person you know, God possesses the innate ability to transform the seemingly hopeless into the hope-filled. It is what He does best. And He gets the glory every time.

Do you remember the story of Job from the Old Testament? God allowed, literally gave Satan permission, to destroy Job’s home, his land, all his possessions and finally to take the lives of his precious family, wife and children. Do you remember Job’s response?

“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and he fell to the ground and worshipped…He said, ‘…The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.’ Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.” Job 1:20-22 (NASU, emphasis added)

If you are suffering today under the weight of an excruciating circumstance or tribulation, take heart! Remember that “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:10).

I am certain that the wives and families of missionaries Nate Saint and Jim Elliot who gave their lives to share the Gospel with the Auca Indians did not initially understand the purposes of their husbands’ murders at the hands of savages (see the book “Through the Gates of Splendor”).

Now, years later, thanks to the efforts of Steve Saint (Nate’s son), the Auca people are growing Christians and minister to surrounding villages. Their testimonies are some of the most powerful stories you will ever hear. Countless people have come to know Christ as their personal Savior through the story of Nate Saint and Jim Elliot. Two men gave their very lives to see this dream and mission fulfilled.

God always receives glory, even in the midst of seemingly senseless suffering.

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Prostitution as a College Course? Yep, on taxpayer dollars

Originally here: http://theundergroundsite.com/index.php/2009/10/prostitution-as-a-college-course-yep-on-taxpayer-dollars/



Prostitution as a College Course? Yep, on taxpayer dollars

Posted: 08 Oct 2009 07:01 AM PDT


The College of William and Mary—the second oldest higher education facility in the United States—is only one of many colleges to recently host “The Sex Workers Art Show.” This program is touring schools coast to coast, using taxpayer dollars as “art” and featuring:
-self-professed prostitutes
-nude dancers
-pornographic film stars
among other “educators.” In a National Review Online column, journalist Mona Charen states that the show has apparently been at William and Mary four times already, and also toured Duke University.

William and Mary parents, alumni, students and ordinary taxpayers who found out about this were instrumental in approaching Virginia’s Congress while in session, to review the W&M school board.

This hasn’t stopped “The Sex Workers Art Show” and other erotic “educational” undertakings from entering American institutions of education. Concerned Women for America reports that Randall College—another Virginia school—recently took students to visit a brothel in Nevada and a topless show at a casino. Attendees reported that prostitution was linked to empowerment for women, with no explanation of how some women (and mere girls) are forced into the line of work and degraded by boyfriends, pimps or to support expensive drug habits.

At the Home page of “The Sex Workers Art Show,” it is apparent the program considers the oldest profession in the world to be a normal part of the service industry. After entering the site, it is obvious that the 2009 Tour page makes no bones about using the word “wh_re” to describe its performers.

As Charen so aptly puts it – is restraint becoming an alternative lifestyle? She also names reports about Boston University students publishing a sex-driven newspaper called Boink, and Yale holds an event called SWAY (Sex Week at Yale) with the administration’s blessings. 

The porn industry makes more money per year than all of American sports put together. Our young people need prayer. From reality TV to the classroom, they’re bombarded with the theory that we are sexual beings who can’t have any control over our impulses. Even Dr. Ruth has eluded to sexual activity being “as natural as breathing.”

Living in a “Hooking-Up” culture (see info here), our kids will never know the pleasures of giving themselves to one person fully—emotionally and physically—and may be incapable of surrendering their lives to Christ as they learn that the Bible’s philosophies are outdated and insensitive to our current society.

“Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22, NAS).


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High Approval for Obama from Jewish-American Populace

http://theundergroundsite.com/index.php/2009/10/high-approval-for-obama-from-jewish-american-populace/




High Approval for Obama from Jewish-American Populace

Posted: 04 Oct 2009 07:57 PM PDT


How are we to account for stark differences in Obama's approval ratings between Jewish-American & those living in Israel?

How are we to account for stark differences in Obama's approval ratings between Jewish-Americans & those living in Israel?

Washington, D.C.–The latest data research and analysis polls from world renowned, Washington, D.C.-based Gallup Organization reveal the Jewish-American demographic to retain the highest approval ratings of President Barack Hussein Obama’s current administration, in comparison to other religious groups.

According to Gallup’s official Daily Tracking polls from the month of September, 64 percent of Jewish Americans said they agree with the president’s decisions and policies.

Surprisingly, these numbers stand in stark contrast to approval ratings stemming from other religious sects and denominations throughout the U.S., including Protestants, Catholics and Mormons. The survey found that only 47 percent of Protestant Christians approve of Obama, with Mormons ringing in at a low 32 percent.

Interestingly, The Jerusalem Post, which claims to be “Israel’s Best-Selling Daily” newspaper, sponsored a recent poll of Jewish people within the nation of Israel to aid in furthering Gallup’s research. The results were not surprising to most. According to the survey, only a mere 4 percent of Jewish Israeli citizens truly believe President Obama’s policies and strategies are “Pro-Israel.”

During former President George W. Bush’s tenure in office, a much higher 88 percent of Jewish Israeli citizens believed Bush was “Pro-Israel.”

The question for the majority of political analysts, journalists and researchers has become “What does the Jewish culture living in Israel know that their American Jewish counterparts do not, concerning Obama’s policies towards the nation of Israel?” What is the reason for such stark differences in approval rating percentages?

Gallup accounts for the higher approval of Obama by citing that two-thirds of Jewish Americans identify themselves as Democratic, a surprising figure considering the larger proportions within other religious groups lean more toward the Republican Party.

Overall, President Obama’s approval ratings from Americans in general continue to steadily decline, falling by 14 percent between the months of January and September, according to several national news media outlets. This is coupled with a 19 percent approval rating decline among the Jewish American sect between the same months.

However, an astonishing 83 percent of Jewish Americans approved of Obama in January of this year, a number that has now fallen to the aforementioned 64 percent.

Although many of these numbers may be taken as trivial or meaningless to many Americans, there is overwhelming Biblical truth at work. There are prophesized events already unfolding before our very eyes in the Middle East. Circumstances that surprise many should not surprise the aware and alert Christian man or woman.

And as the Psalmist David reminds us, we must always remember to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure.” (Psalm 122:6, New International Version).

References:

All Gallup research, polls, statistics and percentages citied within this article are ©2009 of the worldwide Gallup Organization and can be found by visiting Gallup’s official website at: www.gallup.com.

You can visit the official website of The Jerusalem Post daily Israeli newspaper at: www.jpost.com.

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Pop Culture Moments by Mo: Sarah Palin tops the charts

http://theundergroundsite.com/index.php/2009/10/pop-culture-moments-by-mo-sarah-palin-tops-the-charts/



sara_palins_book

From the Associated Press:

NEW YORK — These are boom times for conservative authors.

Michelle Malkin’s "Culture of Corruption: Obama and His Team of Tax Cheats, Crooks and Cronies" spent weeks at No. 1 on The New York Times nonfiction list. Sales have been strong for Dick Morris’ anti-Obama "Catastrophe" and the reissue of "The Five Thousand Year Leap," by W. Cleon Skousen.

And Sarah Palin may top them all.

In a feat usually reserved for the likes of J.K. Rowling and Dan Brown, Palin’s book was No. 1 on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com just two days after Harper announced it had moved up the release date from the spring to Nov. 17 and that the memoir’s title was "Going Rogue."

Palin’s 432-page memoir, still No. 1 on Friday, has been given a first printing of 1.5 million copies and booksellers have begun fighting for sales. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. cut the $28.99 list price by more than half, to $13.50, and Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com are offering "Going Rogue" for $15.65, a 45 percent discount.

Although she resigned abruptly last summer as governor, and the Republican ticket of Sen. John McCain and Palin was decisively beaten in the 2008 election, "Going Rogue" will surely outsell the memoir of her Democratic counterpart, Vice President Joe Biden, and likely approach the million-selling heights of President Barack Obama’s "The Audacity of Hope."

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Cheerleaders’ religious speech stifled…school board doesn’t know First Amendment

Originally here:http://theundergroundsite.com/index.php/2009/10/cheerleaders-religious-speech-stifled-school-board-doesnt-know-first-amendment/




Fort Oglethorpe, GA – The Catoosa County, Georgia, School Board has banned their cheerleading squad from holding up Bible-based posters during football games. This is apparently a knee-jerk reaction after Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School received one phone call questioning the posters.

Donna Jackson, the caller, says she was not objecting or complaining about the posters—just wondering whether the school would be sued for allowing the cheerleaders to do this. She claims she is unjustly being made the culprit, and meant no harm according to a Chattanooga WDEF.com report.

Yet, faster than you can say “step away from the Bible,” the School Board announced that the posters could present a Constitutional challenge and would no longer be allowed carried by the cheerleaders at the football field. CBS News in Atlanta reports that the Bible posters have been relegated to a “designated area.”

How many times does this need to be said? Students who participate in religious activities willingly, without coercion from school employees, have a perfect First Amendment right to do so. The cheerleaders had agreed amongst themselves to hold up the posters.

When is the last time our educators and school board members read The First Amendment? Or do they simply believe what they hear from the loudest anti-Bible activists? 

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

The First Amendment doesn’t say that other people have freedom from HEARING or SEEING someone else’s freedom of speech—but this point is seldom brought out. 

The cheerleader case is just one of many in the last dozen or so years. Law firms like Liberty Counsel, the ACLJ, the Alliance Defense Fund and the Christian Law Association now battle well over 100,000 calls of this type per year.

There was the Syracuse kindergarten student whose artwork was folded so that Jesus couldn’t be seen when placed on the bulletin board, even after the teacher told the class they could draw anything they wanted.

The valedictorian in Colorado who mentioned Jesus in her graduation speech, and was then denied her diploma until she apologized to the whole school.

The students in Knoxville who were told they couldn’t read or discuss the Bible during recess; and the Nashville students who had to remove references of God from their “See You at the Pole” signs; even though SYATP takes place in the early morning before school hours.

Not to mention the thousands of cases brought against students singing about Jesus and God in school during Christmas (or should we say “Holiday”) presentations.

Christians in many countries around the world are currently facing life in prison for upholding the name of Jesus (like the Iranian Women reported here at The Underground). American Christians may soon need to decide how far we are willing to go to defend our faith (see Luke 9:23-25).

If your child faces religious discrimination in school, contact one of the law firms linked above, or present the school with the U.S. Department of Education’s document, “Religious Expression in Public Schools”.

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