12.19.06

Two More Victories for Our First Liberty...

This week, we have two more important victories to report for our First Liberty – religious freedom.

Marie Schumacher is a Christian and a frequent speaker at Scranton, Pennsylvania city council meetings – until she found out that her "religious" speech was forbidden.

The city council had adopted an unwritten policy that stated that any citizen was allowed to speak for five minutes unless they referenced religion or God.

At council meetings, residents were told by the city council solicitor and council president that any mention of God's name was "not to be allowed in a public forum," that citizens could exercise their religious freedom but "not in the courthouse, not in City Hall," and that citizens may not, quote, "inflict [God] on others."

ADF Legal Counsel Matt Bowman of our Washington D.C. office sent a letter to the council on Marie's behalf, explaining that the policy was clearly unconstitutional. In a subsequent telephone call, the city council solicitor denied that the unwritten policy prohibited religious speech. In a second letter, Matt pointed out the instances cited above, but expressed gratitude that the council's latest word is that it does not prohibit religious speech. That letter can be read at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/SchumacherLetter.pdf.

Matt says: "With this policy in the dustbin, citizens can now address the council without fear of discrimination based on religion. But if the council relapses into its unconstitutional policy, we may have no choice but to invite the council to explain itself to a federal judge."

Learn more by reading the ADF press release...


"Give Us Your Food, But Not Your Jesus"...
In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Calvary Baton Rouge Church reached out to those still suffering from the after effects of Hurricane Katrina (right) by providing a free barbeque to residents of a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) managed housing project. Along with the free food, the church shared the gospel message with the residents. Attendance at the barbeque was completely voluntary.

But to officials at the Keta Group, that manages the project for FEMA, the sharing of the Gospel message had to be silenced, even if it meant shutting down a much needed ministry. In addition, officials prohibited the church from using community facilities for voluntary Bible studies, although all other groups freely use them. They told the residents that FEMA made the decisions to put an end to the gospel messages and Bible studies.

ADF Litigation Counsel Jeremy Tedesco sent a letter to the Keta Group officials explaining that the First Amendment rights of the church and its pastor. As a result, FEMA quickly responded, saying that the church can continue its activities at the trailer communities.

Jeremy says: "Second-class treatment of those who wish to help people in need is simply not tolerable, and in this case, it was not legal either. However, FEMA has clearly done the right thing in clarifying its policies and allowing this church to once again offer food and hope to people still in need in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina... The church has already begun to hold Bible studies every Monday in the community events trailer. All government agencies should be as quick to respond as FEMA was in this situation to respect Americans' constitutional rights."

We praise God for another victory in the ongoing legal battle to hear and speak the Truth. Please pray that ADF will have the ability to increase our capacity to respond to the escalating number of threats to our First Liberty – religious freedom.

Learn more by reading the ADF press release...

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE ENTIRE ADF TEAM!!!

Prayer Requests | Visit the ADF prayer page
"Without Christ, we can do nothing." - John 15:5

1. Please pray for safety for all those traveling to visit friends and family over Christmas.
   
2. Please pray for the upcoming legal battles ahead.