3.20.2007

"March Madness" Reigns at Two Universities Until the ADF Center for Academic Freedom Intervenes...
In response to the ever-escalating attacks on Our First Liberty - religious freedom, ADF launched its Center for Academic Freedom to help defend, protect, and affirm the constitutional rights of Christian students and ministries at our tax-funded public universities.

Over the past year, Director David French and his team have been almost overwhelmed by violations of the constitutional right to free speech and freedom of association at tax-funded campuses across America. This week, an update on two such ADF cases:

At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a place well-known for discrimination against Christian groups, a federal judge has halted the unconstitutional enforcement of a "non-discrimination" policy against the school's Roman Catholic Foundation.

The school had refused to recognize the foundation, which has served over 50,000 students since its inception in 1883, because it won't open up its leadership to students who do not support the foundation's mission. De-recognition results in the loss of equal access to school facilities - earlier applied to InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and other evangelical groups.

David French says: "A ministry does not need to check its constitutional rights at the campus gate...The university's unconstitutional actions have had an impact on multiple Christian groups, and we hope that this ruling will end its harassment of religious organizations on campus."

Read the ADF press release to learn more...


At Southern Illinois University, ADF attorneys sent a letter to school officials on behalf of Christine Mize, a graduate student being held academic hostage by a social work professor who simply didn't like the topic of her paper: a faith-based therapy plan for women suffering from post-abortion syndrome.

Christine had informed the professor of the topic, who informed Christine that her paper would be "downgraded" if she chose to proceed with a faith-based plan. Rather than have the paper "downgraded," Christine chose to remove the faith section. However, she provided her professor with legal information on her constitutional right to include faith-based statements and expression in her assignments as appropriate, in order to clear up any future misunderstandings.

The professor's reaction? She refused to grade it...resulting in an "incomplete" for the class, which could prevent her from finishing her degree.

After numerous unsuccessful appeals to school officials, Christine turned to the ADF Center for Academic Freedom for help. A legal demand letter was sent, and the school quickly relented and Christine's paper was finally graded, and she's on her way to graduation.

Read the ADF press release to learn more...


We praise God for these two, of many early, victories for Our First Liberty. Please continue to pray for David French - and his talented team of lawyers - as they strive to defend, protect, and affirm the right to hear and speak the Truth - which is constantly under attack at our nation's tax-funded public universities!

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 pray for the 2007 Blackstone Legal Fellowship class.