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Pray in the corner, or not at all
Senior citizens told to keep God out of their SeniorCenter
For 20 years, senior citizens at the Balch Springs (Texas) Senior Center have used the facility for social programs and recreational events. A group of Christian seniors had also gathered – without government interference – at the center to sing gospel songs and hear the Word of God from a retired pastor. These seniors quietly say a word of thanks to the Lord when they receive their meals at the center. All prayers and participation in the worship service are voluntary – no one is coerced into praying or attending.
Then things changed. In August 2003, the city of Balch Springs enacted a new policy demanding that all mealtime prayers, gospel music, and “religious messages” cease immediately. No other group was silenced, only Christians.
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ACLU tries to tear down cross
ADF and its allies defend veteran’s memorial
The towering white cross adorning the hilltop at Mount Soledad dates back to 1954 and is part of the Korean War memorial. The battle to save the now 52-year-old cross began in 1989, after a single atheist sued the city of San Diego in an effort to remove it. The ACLU backed this efforts starting in 1999.
In 2005, over 76% of San Diegans voted to save the cross by authorizing its transfer to the federal government. ADF and Liberty Legal got involved, representing the The American Legion and The American Legion California chapter respectively. In addition, Congress passed legislation transferring the property to the National Park Service, making it a National War Memorial. As a result, the 9th Circuit has ruled that this legal effort to remove the cross is now moot and the cross can remain – for now. The ACLU still has other lawsuits in the works to have the cross removed.
Transfer of Mt. Soledad land to feds to save war memo... - 11/30/2006
ADF attorneys ask 9th Circuit to dismiss 17-year laws.... - 11/28/2006
ADF and American Legion ask Supreme Court to stop r ... - 7/3/2006
ADF offers assistance to City of San Diego - 3/8/2005 |
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Don’t say they’re wrong
Kentucky officials forbid students from telling other students that homosexual behavior is wrong
The Alliance Defense Fund filed suit in 2005 against the Boyd County Board of Education for requiring students to attend unconstitutional “diversity training.” The training instructs students that if they believe homosexual behavior is wrong, they must keep their opinions to themselves.
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No room at the inn
ADF intervenes after public library shelves nativity scene
Brandi Chambless, a member of the music ministry at Broadmoor Memphis Church, submitted an announcement for display on the library's community shelves regarding the church's upcoming Christmas show. Library officials accepted the announcement but told Chambless that she would have to remove the "religious figures" of the baby Jesus, Joseph, Mary, and the wise men from an accompanying nativity scene and limit it to farm animals alone.
Nativity scene reborn at Memphis library - 12/8/2005
No room at the inn: Jesus, Mary, Joseph, wise men barr... - 12/5/2005 |
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ACLU attacks prayer in South Carolina
Oconee County officials vote to adopt “moment of silence” to pacify ACLU
The American Civil Liberties Union contacted Oconee County officials and demanded that they immediately halt the practice of beginning each meeting with prayer.
Despite an offer from ADF attorneys to provide free legal assistance, Oconee County officials surrendered to the ACLU pressure and voted to eliminate the opening prayer, opting instead for a “moment of silence.”
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Student told to “leave his faith in the car”
Nation’s highest court asked to reverse the 9th Circuit’s approval of censorship of Christian students
The Alliance Defense Fund filed suit when the Poway Unified School District violated the constitutional rights of a student and censored his free speech. The school district threatened further punishment and suspended the student for expressing his religious faith on a T-shirt during a school day designated to promote homosexual behavior. A school administrator told the student to "leave his faith in the car" when his faith might offend others.
ADF attorneys appeal Poway “T-shirt” case to U.S. Supre - 10/27/2006
ADF attorneys plan to appeal “extremely poor” ruling fro... - 4/20/2006
Judge refuses to put brakes on San Diego “T-shirt” case - 11/5/2004
School administrator to student: "Leave your faith in the car" - 6/2/2004 |
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ACLU battles Ten Commandments…loses
Monument defended by ADF attorneys withstands legal challenge by ACLU
In Oklahoma, the ACLU challenged the legality of a Ten Commandments monument erected with private funds on a county courthouse lawn. The ACLU had originally submitted a motion to the court requesting that its name be held in confidentiality so that the public and any jury would not know that it was behind the suit.
Still standing: Court declares Oklahoma Ten Comman... - 9/18/2006 |
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Georgia Tech flunks free speech
Free speech violation halted by ADF intervention
Georgia Tech proscribes what it deems is appropriate speech in various speech codes on campus. These codes apply to students and student organizations and limits their ability to express views on topics that may seem "intolerant." University officials at Georgia Tech implemented a program aimed at indoctrinating the campus community in the "correct" position on the morality of homosexual conduct. This program, called "Safe Space," explains the "proper" interpretation of Biblical passages regarding homosexual conduct and compares the positions of various denominations and religions on the topic. In so doing, university officials establish an official position on how to interpret the Bible, overtly prefer denominations and religions that condone homosexual conduct, and denigrate those who oppose it.
Georgia Tech repeals speech code; no future policy cha... - 8/15/2006
ADF files civil rights lawsuit against Georgia Tech for “d... - 3/16/2006
Case summary at the Center for Academic Freedom
Blog: Finding Un-Common Ground at Georgia Tech - 10/17/06 |
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ACLU says “Shhhh” to voters
Suit aims at having marriage amendment removed from Tennessee ballot
On April 21, 2005, the ACLU filed a lawsuit in the Chancery Court for Davidson County, arguing that Tennessee’s proposed constitutional amendment on marriage is unconstitutional because, the ACLU alleges, it was not published six months prior to the election of the current General Assembly. The ACLU suit sought to deny voters the ability to decide on a constitutional amendment defining marriage as “the relationship of one man and one woman.”
Latest results show marriage victorious in seven states - 11/8/2006
Strong victories for ADF in Nebraska, Tennessee marri... - 7/14/2006
Here we go again: ACLU bent on silencing voters - 5/27/2005 |
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BBQ okay! Bible Study – no way!
FEMA tells church that BBQ okay but optional gospel message and Bible studies for hurricane victims must go
Officials who operated several Hurricane Katrina trailer communities on behalf of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) prohibited a church from sharing the Gospel after free barbeques the church provided to residents. The officials also refused to allow the church to use community facilities for Bible studies even though other groups freely used the facilities. Attendance at the religious services that followed the barbeques or at the Bible studies was completely voluntary.
FEMA tells church that post-BBQ messages, Bible studi... - 12/4/2006
FEMA-managed Katrina housing officials to church: Bri... - 11/13/2006 |
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City ordinance unconstitutional
Christians no longer subject to fines for expressing faith in public
Donald Horina filed suit against Granite City, Ill., in 2005 after he was ticketed by police for offering a pro-life tract through a vehicle’s window two years earlier. The incident occurred outside an abortion clinic. Horina was ticketed under a Granite City ordinance which forbade any public distribution of handbills or other literature. Horina was fined $100 after the citation was applied under a different city ordinance.
Federal judge declares city ordinance barring distributi... - 10/12/2006 |
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Officials ban pro-life speech on campus
Students permitted to promote “Day of Silent Solidarity” after assistance from ADF attorneys
Hilary Humphrey and other pro-life students at Northeast Senior High School in Pasedena Maryland, were informed by school officials they would not be permitted to distribute pro-life literature and post flyers announcing the “Day of Silent Solidarity,” a student-led event designed to heighten awareness about the number of babies aborted each year. The officials considered the materials to be “inflammatory.”
Maryland high school officials drop ban on campus pro-l - 10/10/2006 |