It's the War on Christmas, Charlie Brown!

IN THE SCHOOL

As the assaults on religious freedom in the schools increase, they also become more outrageous. Now, an atheist group is attacking an elementary school for offering a field trip to see a stage play of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” held at a local church.

The Arkansas Society of Freethinkers (ASF) announced its opposition to the trip after receiving a complaint from a parent whose daughter attends the school. The school sent home letters, allowing children to opt out, but according to KARK 4 News, the complaining parent is “concerned her child could be open to ridicule” if she chooses to not attend.

‘Tis the Season for…Religious Attacks?

IN THE PUBLIC ARENA

You won’t hear these stories in the mainstream media, but the War on Christmas is very real and is continuing to heat up in cities and towns across the country. Last week, a small Illinois town chose to remove a Christmas cross from atop the village water tower after the Freedom From Religion Foundation threatened a lawsuit.

The 19-foot lighted cross has been placed atop the Alsip, Ill., water tower every year since 1973, but this year, the cross will be replaced by a tree. According to an article in the Southtown Star, the village mayor made the call in order to avoid a costly lawsuit.

Defending Freedom of Conscience

IN THE PUBLIC ARENA

Today, like never before, people of faith are being forced to make decisions that either violate their faith or penalize them in some way for their religious beliefs, whether it be losing a job, paying a fine, etc.

Liberty Institute is helping to ensure Americans’ Freedom of Conscience is protected.  Last week, we submitted an Amicus Brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in support of a family-owned pharmacy, Ralph’s Thriftway, and two individual pharmacists who are standing strong for their faith.

ACLU Sets Sights on Oklahoma Monument

IN THE PUBLIC ARENA

Just days after a monument displaying the Ten Commandments was placed on the grounds of the Oklahoma state Capitol, it is already drawing criticism from the ACLU of Oklahoma and atheist organizations.

Oklahoma Rep. Mike Ritze proposed legislation for the privately funded monument in 2009.  The proposal received bi-partisan support from both the state House of Representatives and the Senate, with former Democratic Gov. Brad Henry signing the bill into law.

War on Christmas Begins

IN THE PUBLIC ARENA

Christmas is fast approaching, and with the holiday season comes a barrage of attacks on religious expression. Specifically, in the past several years we have seen one of the most popular, beloved symbols of Christmas come under fire – the Nativity scene.

This year is no different. On November 19, a federal judge ruled that the city of Santa Monica is allowed to ban seasonal displays. This includes a Nativity scene that has been displayed in Palisades Park for approximately 60 years.

A Day to Remember

IN THE PUBLIC ARENA

At a very special Veterans Day celebration, Henry and Wanda Sandoz were finally able to fulfill a promise they made to their old friend, Riley Bembry. After numerous, lengthy court battles they were able to witness the restoration of the Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial Cross.

More than 200 supporters turned out on Sunday for the three-hour event, which included the long-awaited restoration and re-dedication of the new, replacement cross. The Sandozes, longtime caretakers of the cross, and members of the VFW and the American Legion took turns reflecting on the historic moment – a moment 11 years in the making.

Students Honor Those Who Served

IN THE SCHOOL

As Liberty Institute Attorney Erin Leu walked through the doors of the Kountze High School gymnasium, she was amazed to see such a crowd gathered for a local Veterans Day celebration.

Students from both the middle school and high school joined together with teachers, administrators, principals and community members for a two-hour event that paid tribute to our nation’s veterans. The high school band played, the choir sang and veterans from the community spoke about their service.

Here They Go Again… Atheist Group Attacks Presidential Oath

IN THE PUBLIC ARENA

There are truly no limits to what the Freedom From Religion Foundation will do to religiously cleanse our nation. Now, they are taking their intimidation campaign all the way to the White House.

On November 8, FFRF sent a letter to President Obama, asking him to eliminate religious language from the Oath of Office. The atheist group also suggests that the President place his “hand on the Constitution instead of the Bible.” They even go as far as requesting that he “Restore the presidential oath to its original form and begin the necessary process of divorcing American politics from religion.”

Mojave Cross Historic Rededication Draws Enthusiastic Veterans Day Crowd

IN THE PUBLIC ARENA

Liberty Institute, VFW, The American Legion and Longtime Caretakers Celebrate the Restoration of the Mojave Cross as 200 Supporters Flock to Sunrise Rock on a Cold Veterans Day

SUNRISE ROCK, CIMA, CA, NOV. 11, 2012 —Today, the Mojave Veterans Memorial Cross rose again to its original glory and stature, made of steel pipe and standing seven-feet high overlooking Sunrise Rock in the Mojave National Preserve where it was first erected in 1934 to honor fallen WWI comrades. During a chilly, three-hour Veterans Day celebration, Liberty Institute, in conjunction with the VFW, The American Legion, longtime caretakers Henry and Wanda Sandoz and 200 enthusiastic supporters, re-dedicated the memorial and then took turns reflecting on the historic victory that followed a 13-year battle against the ACLU.

11/11 at 11 am: The Mojave Cross Returns to its Former Glory This Veterans Day

IN THE PUBLIC ARENA

Liberty Institute, VFW and Longtime Caretakers Invite the Public to Celebrate the Mojave Cross Victory and to Participate in Unveiling of New Cross during Public Ceremony

WHAT: This Veterans Day, the drama surrounding the Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial Cross, originally erected by veterans to honor their fallen WWI comrades in 1934, continues to unfold much like a Hollywood movie. In addition to being the crux of a 13-year court battle that reached the U.S. Supreme Court before it was ruled constitutional, and after being bagged, put in a box, torn down and stolen by vandals, one week before a new, replacement cross is to be re-erected in its original location on Sunrise Rock, the stolen cross has mysteriously reappeared hundreds of miles away on the side of the road.

An Obama Presidency: What’s In Store For Religious Freedom?

IN THE PUBLIC ARENA

This was one of the most critical elections in our nation’s history, the effects of which will dramatically impact the future of our nation. Now that the ballots have been counted and the winner has been announced, many of you are left wondering….what will happen to the future of religious freedom under President Obama?

You Made This Possible: The Return of the Mojave Desert Memorial Cross

IN THE PUBLIC ARENA

This Veterans Day will be a special one for Henry and Wanda Sandoz. As longtime caretakers of the Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial Cross, they have been waiting years to see it returned to its rightful place on Sunrise Rock.

November 11 will mark the official end of the 11-year fight to save the memorial cross, which was first erected in 1934 to honor those who bravely served in World War I.

FFRF Attacks School Boards in Pennsylvania

IN THE SCHOOL

It is the ultimate goal of the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), and other atheist organizations, to eliminate any trace of religion from public view…especially in our schools. Last month, the group blanketed school districts across the country with misleading and threatening letters that demand school officials ban anything that resembles a display of faith.

Criswell College Files Lawsuit Against Obama Administration Over Coercive HHS Mandate

IN THE SCHOOL

Lawsuit Seeks Injunction Declaring Requirement to Provide Insurance for Abortions Unconstitutional

DALLAS, TX, Nov. 1, 2012—Today, Liberty Institute on behalf of its client Criswell College, a Christ-centered institution of higher learning located in the heart of Dallas, filed a lawsuit against the federal government’s HHS Mandate in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division. Read the original complaint.

Opulent Life Church Granted Injunction Against Holly Springs' Revised Ordinance

IN THE CHURCH

Following Fifth Circuit Victory, Liberty Institute Continues Fight Against the City of Holly Springs’s Discriminatory Zoning Laws that Ban Churches in City’s Central Square

HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss., Oct. 18, 2012 —Today, Liberty Institute on behalf of its client, Opulent Life Church, obtained a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction from U.S. District Court Judge Michael Mills prohibiting enforcement of the City of Holly Springs’ revised zoning ordinance that bans churches from operating in the City’s central square. The court ordered the City of Holly Springs to “cease enforcement of its prohibition against religious organizations on the square.” A full trial is set for April 8, 2013.

Liberty Hands Another Loss to the ACLU!

IN THE PUBLIC ARENA

After years of legal battles, the Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial Cross will finally be returned to its rightful place on Sunrise Rock.

November 11 will mark the end of the 11-year fight to save the memorial cross, which was first erected in 1934 to honor those who bravely served in World War I.

More Americans Taking a Bold Stand for Religious Liberty!

IN THE SCHOOL

Today, Liberty Institute filed a lawsuit against the federal government on behalf of Criswell College, alleging that the Obama administration’s HHS mandate violates Criswell’s religious freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

Criswell college has a clear mission to “provide biblical, theological, professional, and applied education on both the undergraduate and graduate levels, based on an institutional commitment to biblical inerrancy, in order to prepare men and women to serve in Christian ministries.”

Atheist Groups Ramp Up Attacks on Students’ Freedoms

IN THE SCHOOL

In recent weeks, the heroic story of the Kountze cheerleaders has spread throughout the country, inspiring students everywhere to take a bold stand for their faith. Although this trend is gaining support from thousands across the U.S., it has also lit a fire under radical atheist groups seeking to completely remove any trace of religion from our nation’s public schools.

That Wouldn’t Happen to me in America…Would It?

IN THE PUBLIC ARENA

Liberty Institute’s Hiram Sasser had the unique opportunity to sit down with the highly regarded British Barrister Paul Diamond for an exclusive look at the intense attacks on religious freedom in the United Kingdom.

During their hour-long conversation, Diamond provided numerous examples of vicious assaults that he says are growing in number and are quickly headed our way if we do not wake up.