Sunday, December 13, 2009
CEAI Intervenes on Prayer Case in Florida
It is encouraging to know that Christian Educators is intervening on behalf of teachers in Santa Rosa County School District and their religious rights in school. Please pray for Christian Educators and Liberty Counsel as they take on Goliath, the ACLU is fighting to keep CEAI out of this case. This court case has major implications for educator religious rights throughout the country. This case may be a watermark for Christians in public schools.
This case may open the avenue for the ACLU to explore limiting the rights of religion in schools for educators, students, and parents in schools throughout our great land. Kudos to Finn Laursen, Executive Director of CEAI, for making a stand against this formidable foe. The thousands of members of Christian Educators have been alerted to pray for this case through emails, newsletters, and mailings.
Let us know what you think about this case and a teachers religious rights in school. Comment on the case or be sure to show your support by praying.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
School Gives Christmas a Cold Shoulder
This excerpt is from Liberty Counsel
East Syracuse, NY – In the Minoa School District, parents received a letter from their school with strict limits that essentially ban all things Christmas from the school’s program. The letter reads, “Programs that involve singular traditions may take place but such celebrations must be voluntary, occur outside of regular hours, and not be sponsored by the school district.”
Patti Puma, a parent with four children in the school district, approached Deputy Superintendent Dr. Thomas Neveldine about this new restriction. Dr. Neveldine told her that Santa Claus was no longer allowed on campus because he originated from the story about St. Nicholas. Thus, according to the Deputy Superintendent, nothing with any hint of Christianity is permissible to celebrate Christmas, even if the symbol has a decidedly secular meaning today.
On Monday, concerned parents and citizens will address the local school board. A growing group of parents are fighting against these ridiculous restrictions. A petition has been started that requests the return of Christmas celebrations. Dr. Neveldine can be reached by calling 315-434-3006.
Liberty Counsel has joined with Christian Educators Association International in the seventh annual Friend or Foe Christmas Campaign, a campaign that is designed to educate and, if necessary, litigate to make sure religious viewpoints regarding Christmas are not censored. Liberty Counsel has legal memos that address the law regarding this issue on its website at www.LC.org. Liberty Counsel also has its “Naughty & Nice” list, which overviews retailers that acknowledge Christmas and those that do not.
Mathew D. Staver, Founder of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, commented: “Perhaps educators ought to check out the name of the holiday they enjoy on December 25. Wouldn’t someone with a little common sense understand its okay to celebrate both the secular and religious aspects of Christmas? Censoring only the religious viewpoint of Christmas, or pretending like Christmas does not exist, reveals hostility toward religion, which the Constitution forbids.”
East Syracuse, NY – In the Minoa School District, parents received a letter from their school with strict limits that essentially ban all things Christmas from the school’s program. The letter reads, “Programs that involve singular traditions may take place but such celebrations must be voluntary, occur outside of regular hours, and not be sponsored by the school district.”
Patti Puma, a parent with four children in the school district, approached Deputy Superintendent Dr. Thomas Neveldine about this new restriction. Dr. Neveldine told her that Santa Claus was no longer allowed on campus because he originated from the story about St. Nicholas. Thus, according to the Deputy Superintendent, nothing with any hint of Christianity is permissible to celebrate Christmas, even if the symbol has a decidedly secular meaning today.
On Monday, concerned parents and citizens will address the local school board. A growing group of parents are fighting against these ridiculous restrictions. A petition has been started that requests the return of Christmas celebrations. Dr. Neveldine can be reached by calling 315-434-3006.
Liberty Counsel has joined with Christian Educators Association International in the seventh annual Friend or Foe Christmas Campaign, a campaign that is designed to educate and, if necessary, litigate to make sure religious viewpoints regarding Christmas are not censored. Liberty Counsel has legal memos that address the law regarding this issue on its website at www.LC.org. Liberty Counsel also has its “Naughty & Nice” list, which overviews retailers that acknowledge Christmas and those that do not.
Mathew D. Staver, Founder of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, commented: “Perhaps educators ought to check out the name of the holiday they enjoy on December 25. Wouldn’t someone with a little common sense understand its okay to celebrate both the secular and religious aspects of Christmas? Censoring only the religious viewpoint of Christmas, or pretending like Christmas does not exist, reveals hostility toward religion, which the Constitution forbids.”
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Santa Rosa Press Release from Liberty Counsel
The following post is from Liberty Counsel's Press Release on the Santa Rosa Case
Pensacola, FL – Trial testimony concluded this week in which Christian Educators Association International (CEAI) is seeking to intervene to overturn an ACLU court order that has already resulted in three school officials being charged with contempt. Liberty Counsel represents CEAI. Testimony revealed how this order has literally driven Christians to hide in closets to pray in order to avoid contempt charges.
In August, Liberty Counsel successfully defended Michelle Winkler, a clerical assistant, from contempt charges brought by the ACLU after her husband, who is not employed by the Santa Rosa County School District, offered a meal prayer at a privately sponsored event in a neighboring county. On Constitution Day, Liberty Counsel successfully defended Pace High School Principal Frank Lay and Athletic Director Robert Freeman against criminal contempt charges, after the ACLU complained when Freeman offered a 15-second blessing for a lunch meal for about 20 adults with no students present.
CEAI is seeking to intervene to protect the rights of District employees. Under the order crafted by the ACLU, school officials are considered to be acting in their “official capacity” whenever they attend a “school event,” which the order describes as any event “approved” by the a school official. These include events during the day, including breaks, after-school events on or off campus, and privately sponsored events held on campus. A “school event” also includes a private group renting the school facilities if the “primary attendees” are students, such as the Scouts and Good News Clubs. At “school events,” “communication with a deity” is prohibited. “School officials” cannot even show agreement with anyone “communicating with a deity,” such as “bowing the head” or “folding hands.” “School officials” must also prohibit “third-parties” from praying, and must ban prayer from privately sponsored meetings of Good News Clubs or similar groups, including privately sponsored baccalaureate services.
During testimony, Michelle Winkler broke down on the witness stand when she described how a coworker sought comfort from her after losing her two-year-old child. The two hid behind a closet door to pray, for fear they would be seen and held in contempt of the court order. Denise Gibson, an elementary teacher for 20 years, testified the order forces her to tell parents she cannot respond if they talk about church or their faith. She may not even respond to an email from a parent if it contains a Scripture verse or “God bless you.” Instead, the District requires her to open a separate email to respond rather than hit “reply,” in order to eliminate any trace of religious language.
Mathew D. Staver, Founder of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, commented: “The court order crafted by the ACLU takes my breath away. I am embarrassed for our country, knowing that school employees in Santa Rosa County are hiding in closets to pray out of fear they may be hauled into court by the ACLU. We intend to restore religious freedom to Santa Rosa County. We will not allow the ACLU to criminalize Christianity.”
Pensacola, FL – Trial testimony concluded this week in which Christian Educators Association International (CEAI) is seeking to intervene to overturn an ACLU court order that has already resulted in three school officials being charged with contempt. Liberty Counsel represents CEAI. Testimony revealed how this order has literally driven Christians to hide in closets to pray in order to avoid contempt charges.
In August, Liberty Counsel successfully defended Michelle Winkler, a clerical assistant, from contempt charges brought by the ACLU after her husband, who is not employed by the Santa Rosa County School District, offered a meal prayer at a privately sponsored event in a neighboring county. On Constitution Day, Liberty Counsel successfully defended Pace High School Principal Frank Lay and Athletic Director Robert Freeman against criminal contempt charges, after the ACLU complained when Freeman offered a 15-second blessing for a lunch meal for about 20 adults with no students present.
CEAI is seeking to intervene to protect the rights of District employees. Under the order crafted by the ACLU, school officials are considered to be acting in their “official capacity” whenever they attend a “school event,” which the order describes as any event “approved” by the a school official. These include events during the day, including breaks, after-school events on or off campus, and privately sponsored events held on campus. A “school event” also includes a private group renting the school facilities if the “primary attendees” are students, such as the Scouts and Good News Clubs. At “school events,” “communication with a deity” is prohibited. “School officials” cannot even show agreement with anyone “communicating with a deity,” such as “bowing the head” or “folding hands.” “School officials” must also prohibit “third-parties” from praying, and must ban prayer from privately sponsored meetings of Good News Clubs or similar groups, including privately sponsored baccalaureate services.
During testimony, Michelle Winkler broke down on the witness stand when she described how a coworker sought comfort from her after losing her two-year-old child. The two hid behind a closet door to pray, for fear they would be seen and held in contempt of the court order. Denise Gibson, an elementary teacher for 20 years, testified the order forces her to tell parents she cannot respond if they talk about church or their faith. She may not even respond to an email from a parent if it contains a Scripture verse or “God bless you.” Instead, the District requires her to open a separate email to respond rather than hit “reply,” in order to eliminate any trace of religious language.
Mathew D. Staver, Founder of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, commented: “The court order crafted by the ACLU takes my breath away. I am embarrassed for our country, knowing that school employees in Santa Rosa County are hiding in closets to pray out of fear they may be hauled into court by the ACLU. We intend to restore religious freedom to Santa Rosa County. We will not allow the ACLU to criminalize Christianity.”
ACLU Court Order Forces Christians Into the Closet at Santa Rosa County Schools
Testimony concluded this week in the trial in which Christian Educators Association International (“CEAI”) is seeking to protect the rights of Santa Rosa School District employees by intervening in a case with the goal of overturning an ACLU court order that has already resulted in three school officials being charged with contempt.
Liberty Counsel represents CEAI. Under the order crafted by the ACLU, school officials are considered to be acting in their “official capacity” during a “school event.” At “school events,” “communication with a deity” is prohibited. “School officials” cannot even show agreement with anyone “communicating with a deity,” such as “bowing the head” or “folding hands.” “School officials” must also prohibit “third-parties” from praying.
Testimony revealed how this order has literally driven Christians to hide in closets to pray in order to avoid contempt charges. During her testimony, Michelle Winkler, a clerical assistant, broke down on the witness stand when she described how a coworker sought comfort from her after losing her two-year-old child. The two hid behind a closet door to pray, for fear they would be seen and held in contempt of the court order.
Denise Gibson, an elementary teacher for 20 years, testified that the order forces her to tell parents she cannot respond if they talk about church or their faith. She may not even respond to an email from a parent if it contains a Scripture verse or “God bless you.” Instead, the District requires her to open a separate email to respond rather than hit “reply,” in order to eliminate any trace of religious language.
Liberty Counsel represents CEAI. Under the order crafted by the ACLU, school officials are considered to be acting in their “official capacity” during a “school event.” At “school events,” “communication with a deity” is prohibited. “School officials” cannot even show agreement with anyone “communicating with a deity,” such as “bowing the head” or “folding hands.” “School officials” must also prohibit “third-parties” from praying.
Testimony revealed how this order has literally driven Christians to hide in closets to pray in order to avoid contempt charges. During her testimony, Michelle Winkler, a clerical assistant, broke down on the witness stand when she described how a coworker sought comfort from her after losing her two-year-old child. The two hid behind a closet door to pray, for fear they would be seen and held in contempt of the court order.
Denise Gibson, an elementary teacher for 20 years, testified that the order forces her to tell parents she cannot respond if they talk about church or their faith. She may not even respond to an email from a parent if it contains a Scripture verse or “God bless you.” Instead, the District requires her to open a separate email to respond rather than hit “reply,” in order to eliminate any trace of religious language.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Christian Educators Wants Prayer Order Scrapped
Check out this news broadcast on how Christian Educators is taking the ACLU to court to remove the order on the Santa Rosa School District banning their teachers from prayer. Thanks to Finn Laursen, Executive Director of CEAI, for making a stand for the religious rights of teachers in the Santa Rosa School District.
Please pray that CEAI is successful in their court battle against the ACLU.
Please pray that CEAI is successful in their court battle against the ACLU.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
See You at the Pole
This Wednesday is See You at the Pole. Be sure to check out your local school and join them for prayer at their flag pole before school. Students around the country will be praying for their schools. Educators are permitted to participate as long it is not during the contracted hours. This is a perfect time for churches and communities to join together to lift up our schools in prayer.
See you at the Pole!
Friday, September 18, 2009
David Beats Goliath in Santa Rosa, Florida
It is encouraging to see how Principal Lay and his AD were cleared of all charges. The legal battles are not over. On behalf of CEAI, Liberty Counsel had filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit filed last school year by the ACLU against the Santa Rosa County School District. The ACLU charged that some teachers and administrators were actively endorsing religion. The school district attempted to settle the suit by joining with the ACLU in a consent decree that essentially bans all employees from engaging in prayer or religious activities, whether before, during, or after school hours.
In an effort to seek relief from the consent decree CEAI was in front of Judge Rogers just two weeks ago. The ACLU and district attorneys tried to block our intervention, but the judge has kept the case alive and we are currently waiting for another court date to argue the unconstitutionality of the consent decree. Liberty Counsel will argue the case to give us a voice in this matter; a voice calling for the freedoms of the First Amendment to be restored!
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