1.16.07

The New Year Rings In Three More Victories!
Today, three more God-given victories to report in the legal battle to defend our First Liberty – religious freedom:

In Covington, Louisiana, a nurse named Toni Lemly had informed hospital staff of her objection to administering the so-called "morning-after" pill (left) because of her sincere pro-life religious beliefs.

Despite her numerous suggestions to the hospital administration on alternatives, Toni was fired from her full-time position and was reduced to part-time status, with a resulting loss in pay and employee benefits.

ADF allied attorney Brian Arabie filed a lawsuit in the 22nd Judicial District Court for the Parish of St. Tammany on behalf of Toni. A copy of the suit can be read at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/LemlyPFD.pdf.

On Friday, January 5th, he received word that the court will allow her lawsuit to go forward against the hospital.

Arabie says: "This case is about protecting a person's freedom of conscience, particularly when it is guided by religious beliefs. We are pleased that we will now be able to continue to pursue justice on her behalf."

We praise God for this initial victory for Toni's First Liberty and we will keep you posted on future developments in this case as they occur.

Read the ADF press release...

At the University of Missouri, a Christian fraternity, Beta Upsilon Chi, had its official status threatened by the university because its requirement that officers and leaders be Christians was "religious discrimination."

Without official recognition, the fraternity would be denied access to meeting space and the ability to advertise on campus.

ADF attorneys, working together with attorneys from the Christian Legal Society intervened and, thanks be to God, university officials quickly backed down – agreeing that the fraternity did not have to establish a religious non-discrimination policy for official recognition. The fraternity will remain a registered student organization.

Read the ADF press release...

In Southfield, Michigan, a federal judge ruled in favor of a church that was being denied access to the building it had purchased by city zoning officials.

ADF provided support to allied attorney Daniel Dalton, who represented the Lighthouse Community Church of God, a small church of approximately 100 members, against the city.

City officials first told the church that occupancy would not be a problem, but then refused to issue them an occupancy permit. Before ADF got involved, the church spent nearly a million dollars in its legal battle with the city to be able to use the building.

On Wednesday, January 3rd, a federal judge ruled in favor of the church, stating that its right to equal access had been violated by the city. The court will now decide when the church can occupy the building and a jury will also hear the case to decide the amount of damages the church is entitled to. In addition, the court will determine whether the city has violated any constitutional rights of the church.

You can read a copy of the opinion at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/LighthouseChurchofGodOpinion.pdf.

Thank you for making all of these victories possible through your faithful prayers and support. We praise God for this great start to the New Year and we look forward to His continued blessings in the days and months ahead!

Read the ADF press release...

Thank you President Bush!
Last Thursday, President George W. Bush issued the following proclamation for Religious Freedom Day 2007 which will be observed this Tuesday, January 16th:

"On Religious Freedom Day, we commemorate the passage of the 1786 Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, authored by Thomas Jefferson, and we celebrate the First Amendment's protection of religious freedom.

Across the centuries, people have come to America seeking to worship the Almighty freely. Today, our citizens profess many different faiths, and we welcome every religion. Yet people in many countries live without the freedom to worship as they choose and some face persecution for their beliefs. My Administration is working with our friends and allies around the globe to advance common values and spread the blessings of liberty to every corner of the world. Freedom is a gift from the Almighty, written in the heart and soul of every man, woman, and child, and we must continue to promote the importance of religious freedom at home and abroad.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 16, 2007, as Religious Freedom Day. I call on Americans to reflect on the great blessing of religious liberty, endeavor to preserve this freedom for future generations, and commemorate this day with the appropriate events and activities in their schools, places of worship, neighborhoods, and homes.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH

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

1. Please pray for wisdom and for victory in the many legal battles ahead
   
2. Please continue to pray for the recovery of ADF co-founder Dr. D. James Kennedy and Southern Baptist Seminary President Dr. Albert Mohler.