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View pictures from Balch Springs
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.
When the seniors’ “representative,” Barney Clark, talked to the city mayor about the decision, the mayor suggested the group go to a corner of the room and pray silently. Barney’s response demonstrated the seniors’ determination:
With ADF backing, Liberty Legal Institute jumped in to defend the right of these seniors to worship God at the center. Liberty Legal immediately sent a demand letter to the city – which was ignored – to reverse its policy or face a lawsuit on the grounds that they had denied the seniors their First Amendment right to worship freely. The seniors were willing to take a stand. Some even began to peacefully picket the center to protest the actions of the city.
In response, the city fired the center’s events planner and bus driver – cutting off the seniors’ access to museum outings, the state fair, and funerals of their friends. They even refused to allow the seniors to go to the drug store to get their prescriptions filled!
As promised, Liberty Legal – led by ADF-allied attorney Kelly Shackelford – filed a lawsuit against Balch Springs – alleging multiple violations of both the Texas and U.S. Constitutions. The city’s answer? They threatened to stop the meal service to the seniors if they did not drop the lawsuit!
The situation got so bad that the United States Department of Justice got involved – opening an investigation of the city’s policy. Finally, at the federal courthouse in Dallas, Balch Springs agreed to end its discriminatory policy. In addition, the judge ruled that the seniors were to receive monetary damages from the city.
By God’s grace, ADF continues to win victories for Our First Liberty – religious freedom. But without your prayers and financial support, we would not have the resources to step into the courtroom! By making a gift today, you enable us to continue the defense and preservation of religious rights in America!
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