5.8.2007

An Update on Two Key Cases...

Geneva College is a four-year private Christian college located in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. The college wanted to post job openings with a state job placement service, funded by the federal government; they were told that a so-called governmental "non-discrimination" policy prohibited the listing of religious staffing requirements.

ADF allied attorneys, along with attorneys from the Christian Legal Society filed a lawsuit against federal and state officials on behalf of Geneva College and the Association of Faith-Based Organizations (AFBO) - comprised of social services providers, educational institutions, and advocacy and outreach organizations. The result: government officials agreed the policy does not apply to either Geneva College or AFBO and they will no longer be prohibited from posting job listings.

While this case may seem "small" or "routine" to some, it is just another example of the type of religious discrimination that would be quietly taking place on a daily basis if it were not for the founders' vision in launching ADF back in 1994. Thank you for making it possible for ADF and its allies to be there in cases large and small to defend and protect our First Liberty – religious freedom.


Marriage…
In Connecticut, ADF attorneys have filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the state Supreme Court on behalf of our good friends at the Family Research Council, in the defense of marriage from the latest legal assault by advocates of homosexual behavior.

In 2004, the ACLU and the Gay Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) filed a lawsuit demanding "marriage" for same-sex couples. The following year, Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell signed a bill allowing "benefits" but the bill limited marriage to one man and one woman. But as we see time and again, the "granting" of benefits is not enough to satisfy the demands of the homosexual legal agenda.

In July 2006, a state trial judge ruled that the law defining marriage as the union between one man and one woman did not violate the state's constitution. Homosexual behavior advocates appealed that decision to the Connecticut Supreme Court. You can read a copy of the ADF brief filed on behalf of FRC www.telladf.org/UserDocs/KerriganBrief.pdf.

Please pray for this case – as oral arguments will be held next Monday, May 14. Also pray for the ongoing legal battles to defend and protect marriage in California, Iowa, and Maryland. Working together – and always on our knees – we CAN WIN!


Thank You Mr. President on Two Fronts!

President George W. Bush (R) praying at the National Day of Prayer with ADF co-founder Dr. James Dobson and National Day of Prayer chairwoman Shirley Dobson during last week's National Day of Prayer observance at the White House. © 2007 Alliance Defense Fund.

Last week, the White House made two announcements that were a great encouragement to all of us who are engaged in the ongoing battle to defend, protect, and affirm religious freedom, sanctity of life, marriage, the family, and the Constitution.

Thursday morning, during the National Day of Prayer, the White House issued a statement that it strongly recommended that President Bush veto H.R. 1592, the misnamed "hate" crimes legislation passed by the House later that day. The statement rightly recognized that this bill is not only unnecessary, but also very likely unconstitutional. I want to strongly commend the President for taking a bold stand on principle and for the Constitution by promising to veto this potentially free-speech chilling bill. You can read a copy of the White House statement here.

Following in his Father's Footsteps – A Big Step for Life...

George H.W. Bush

Later that day, the White House issued a letter from the President to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (read it here) stating that he will veto any legislation that "weakens current Federal policies and laws on abortion, or that encourages the destruction of human life at any stage."

The President's action was in response to a letter from 155 pro-life members of the House of Representatives (read it here) that urged the President to publicly commit to veto any appropriations bill that includes language that would "prevent direct taxpayer funding of abortion, restrictions on funding for abortion advocates, conscience protections, embryo protection, and anti-coercive family planning provisions." The members agreed that they would vote to sustain any presidential veto.

In 1989, the president's father, President George H.W. Bush, sent a similar letter to the members of the Senate Appropriations Committee stating that he would not sign any bills that expanded federal funding for abortion. (See http://bushlibrary.tamu.edu/research/papers/1989/89101701.html). He followed through on his principled stand several times throughout his presidency. (See the following letters: Letter 1 | Letter 2 | Letter 3)

All of us here at ADF personally thank these members of Congress, and President Bush for taking a strong and courageous stand for the Constitution and the sanctity of human life, which hopefully complement ADF's legal efforts for life.

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

1. Please for wisdom and victories in the many legal battles ahead.
   
2. Please pray for the ongoing marriage cases in California, Connecticut, Iowa, and Maryland.