Roe v. Wade - 40 Years Later

This week marks the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, when the Supreme Court made the decision to legalize abortion in the United States.  Since that time,almost 55 million babies have died.  To some, the abortion issue is a controversial one that produces heated debates.  Others are apathetic on the issue and simply accept the status quo – that abortion will always be legal in the US.  In fact, in a recent Pew poll, 53% of respondents (in all age groups) think abortion “is not that important, compared to other issues.”

We choose to continue praying that the hearts and minds of our leaders will be changed, and that we will one day see the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the courts.  As Christians, we believe that life begins at conception and that God plans each life even before that time!  In Jeremiah 1:5, God says, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb.”

Our Constitution promises the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness – and yet our nation is systematically denying millions of unborn babies their right to life.  Please join us in continued prayer that abortion would be rejected by our President, Congress, judges, and women who are contemplating abortion.

A Positive Outlook on the Next 4 Years

So far, we at Advocates have not said much since the election last November.  But, now that we are in a New Year and looking forward, we want to share our positive outlook on our nation’s leadership, the liberties we possess, and the work that we continue to do! Daniel 2:21 says, “He [God] changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.”  In God’s perfect timing and plan, He set up President Obama to serve as America’s leader for four more years. 

We as a nation – and especially us Christians – should continue to pray for President Obama, for the direction our nation is heading, and for God’s intercession in the issues at hand.  Because, according to Proverbs 21:1, we know that God can direct the hearts of our leaders:

  “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes.”

More personally to us here at Advocates, we continue to thank God that He blessed our nation with a Constitution that is worth protecting.  We are still free to spread the Gospel to others at home and abroad, and we celebrate that.

As long as the Lord allows, we will continue to protect the Constitution and our God-given liberty to spread His Good Word.  Thank you for your continuing support, and we are excited for what is to come this year and beyond!

Military Insignia No Longer Allowed on Bibles

The publishing arm of the Southern Baptist Convention recently stated that U.S. military insignia is no longer allowed on the Soldier's Bible, Sailor's Bible, Marine's Bible and Airman's Bible. Permission to use the military emblems on the Bibles was granted by the Department of Defense in 2003, but it was withdrawn last year after the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) threatened to sue the government for what they say amounted to governmental endorsement of a specific religion.  Now, a generic symbol is printed on the Bibles.

Once again, it seems that the concept of “separation of church and state” has been misconstrued and used to scare our government into more political-correctness.  

Col. Ron Crews, executive director of The Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty, made the following statement:

“From General George Washington until today, military personnel have taken counsel, received comfort, and been encouraged by biblical texts.  These Bibles cost the Department of Defense nothing, and their presence is legally legitimate; therefore, no reason exists for the DoD to retreat in the face of the small anti-religious group that demanded removal of the Bibles.”

Senate Votes on Pro-Abortion Appointment

On June 11, the Senate voted to end the filibuster concerning the appointment of David Hurwitz, whom President Obama has recommended to fill a vacancy at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, CA. Much controversy surrounds this appointment.  Why?  In 2002, Hurwitz wrote a law review article in which he says he helped create the legal framework for the Roe v. Wade decision – which legalized abortion – and says he still admires it.  Over 50 million abortions have been performed in our nation since the decision of that divisive case.

Is it right for someone with such strong opinions of a very controversial and still legally-battled issue to be deciding the legality surrounding that matter?  The biggest concern for opponents to his appointment is that he will let his personal feelings and history on the matter influence his judicial decisions.The President of the Judicial Action Group, Phillip L. Jauregui, sent a letter urging Republican Senators not to support this nomination.  He said:"Senators who consider themselves ‘pro-life’ simply cannot, in good conscience, vote for Andrew Hurwitz. It is rare for a nominee to have taken a position on abortion, and perhaps unprecedented for a nominee to have participated in the creation of the “rationale” of Roe v. Wade that usurped legislative authority by purporting to write “abortion” into the text of the constitution.  A judge like Hurwitz who played such a clear role in one of the most significant exercises of judicial activism in our nation’s history must not be confirmed."  (emphasis added)

Despite these impassioned pleas, the Senate voted to end the discussion and confirm Mr. Hurwitz to the Ninth Circuit, with a vote of 60-31.ACTION POINT

Please pray for future cases that go before the Ninth Circuit.  We have been before this Court many times and know how difficult it already is to receive a conservative judgment.  With this additional appointment to the Court, our work may be even harder.

National Day of Prayer ~ Thursday, May 3

On Thursday, May 3, people across the country will join together in prayer to lift up the well being of our nation, our leaders, our armed forces, and our future.

Since the establishment of the United States, our nation has succeeded because of the faith and prayers of its founding fathers, leaders, and people.  In 1775, when we were on the brink of birth as a nation, the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in creating this new country.  Ever since that time, prayer has been an integral part of our foundation and progress:

• In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln called for a day of “humiliation, fasting, and prayer.”

• In 1952, President Harry Truman made the National Day of Prayer official, signing its annual observance into law.

• In 1988, President Ronald Reagan designated that the first Thursday of every May would be the formal nationwide observance of the National Day of Prayer.

As the years progress and we see more and more of our inherent religious liberties seemingly slipping away from us, it is encouraging to know that our nation still gathers one day a year to ask for help and guidance from beyond ourselves – by the power and grace that can only come from God.  It is a day to recall the faith that drove the founding fathers to develop our country upon strong principles and to continue asking for God’s help in the development and perseverance of our nation.

Several organizations will be holding events next Thursday, and we encourage you to take part in them if you can.  You can find an event near you on the National Day of Prayer website:http://nationaldayofprayer.org/about/find-an-event/.

Also, consider taking a moment during the day to spend in prayer with your family.  Lift up our nation and our leaders, asking for God’s guidance and provision for the future of America.

Blockbuster Case in Education Goes to the U.S. Supreme Court

Four years ago, Chad Farnan was a high school student at Capistrano High School in Orange County, CA.  Day after day, he would attend his Advanced Placement European History class and have to endure anti-religious statements from his teacher, such as, “When you put on your Jesus glasses, you can’t see the truth.”  Chad realized that this offensive speech was an attack on religion and thus violated his First Amendment rights. He came to Advocates for help, and we have brought this case before several different Courts.  We had a victory in the District Court, where the Judge ruled that this teacher violated the Establishment Clause in at least one instance when he expressed "an unequivocal belief that creationism is 'superstitious nonsense.’"

The case was appealed to the Ninth Circuit, which overturned that ruling and said that the teacher was immune from a lawsuit since there was no case like this before.  Then, the Ninth Circuit refused to rule on the constitutionality of the teacher’s conduct as it should have done, leaving future teachers free to discriminate.

We have fought for Chad and his family since the beginning, and we are now taking his case to the highest Court in our nation  ⎼⎼ the U.S. Supreme Court.  Why?  Because we believe that this case is supremely important to establish once and for all that public schools must provide a neutral educational environment.  Although we support the majority of teachers who teach responsibly, we cannot tolerate those public school teachers who abuse their position to force anti-Christian ideology onto our students!

We will be working diligently over the next month preparing our petition to the U.S. Supreme Court asking the Court to accept Chad’s case for review.

Chad, his family, and all of us at Advocates appreciate your prayers and support as we pursue this case further.  Our hope is that this landmark education case will provide powerful precedent for the future.

The 9/11 Cross – Offensive or Inspiring?

Ten years ago on September 11, the most devastating act of terrorism on American soil took place when two planes crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City.  When the rubble fell to the ground, two steel beams remained, and they formed the shape of a cross.

Some would call this a reminder from God – that he endures through tragedy, and that he is with us through all circumstances.  However, one group – The American Atheists – have filed a lawsuit saying that the “the 9/11 Cross” should not be included in a Memorial being constructed on the site of the incident.  They say it is unconstitutional and represents a “mingling of church and state.”  If no other religions or philosophies are represented in the memorial, then they want the cross removed.

The group’s president, Dave Silverman, issued this statement: "The WTC cross has become a Christian icon. It has been blessed by so-called holy men and presented as a reminder that their god, who couldn't be bothered to stop the Muslim terrorists or prevent 3,000 people from being killed in his name, cared only enough to bestow upon us some rubble that resembles a cross.”

This cross was not man-made – the beams fell into this position, and the resulting cross has become a symbol of hope for many people.  We support the inclusion of this cross in the Memorialand Museum being constructed at the site, and we plan to help in the legal battle in whatever way we can.

What do you think?  Should the Cross remain at the 9/11 Memorial Site?  Let your voice be heard – leave your comment on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Advocates.

This information is provided by Advocates for Faith & Freedom, a non-profit religious law firm dedicated to protecting religious liberty in the courts!  To help us in our ongoing battle for religious freedom, click here to donate to Advocates.

Hemet Free Speech Case Goes to Court

“Free speech” is a revered and often talked about principle enshrined into our Constitution.  It is as much a part of the fabric of American political and social life today as it has been throughout our Nation’s history.  It is, however, a principle that must be vigilantly protected and defended as it is increasingly under attack in today’s culture.  As we seek to do just that, those who are tasked with protecting and defending it often do so at great cost.

            Ultimately, “free speech” is not truly free.  Protecting our constitutional rights by becoming embroiled in a lawsuit takes a great toll on those individuals who are willing to do so despite the costs to their families and everyday life.  Several months ago three individuals began a fight to protect against an erosion of our right to engage in free speech in Hemet, California when they read the Bible out loud in front of the Department of Motor Vehicles and were then arrested.  All three men have subsequently experienced the costs that maintaining truly “free speech” can exact.

The non-monetary costs are enumerable and often difficult to bear.  While we may not all agree with the particular method of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ used by these three men, it is indisputable that they are carrying a burden for us all. Should we all choose to remain silent in the face of great costs, our rights will slowly erode and diminish to such an extent that we will not be able to speak freely in the public square.

This month, the first round of the court battle that looms ahead occurred in federal district court in Los Angeles, California.  While we don’t agree with the entirety of the Court’s decision as the Court chose to dismiss a portion of the lawsuit, the most significant aspects of the case will move forward. Please be in prayer as this case forges ahead, recognizing that while “free speech” is not free, it is paramount to our ability to spread the Gospel and live our faith out loud.

ObamaCare – One Mandate Down

Although the national health insurance debate may not directly relate to religious liberty, we felt the Eleventh Circuit’s refreshing decision concerning health care is certainly worthy of reporting.  Last week, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the individual mandate required in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (known as “ObamaCare”) is unconstitutional.

According to the Court, Congress cannot "mandate that individuals enter into contracts with private insurance companies for the purchase of an expensive product from the time they are born until the time they die."

The Court further went on to say:

“Few powers, if any, could be more attractive to Congress than compelling the purchase of certain products. Yet even if we focus on the modern era, when congressional power under the Commerce Clause has been at its height, Congress still has not asserted this authority. Even in the face of a Great Depression, a World War, a Cold War, recessions, oil shocks, inflation, and unemployment, Congress never sought to require the purchase of wheat or war bonds, force a higher savings rate or greater consumption of American goods, or require every American to purchase a more fuel efficient vehicle.”We celebrate the 2-1 majority vote of the Court to call the ObamaCare mandate unconstitutional.  Since this decision differs from another federal appeals court ruling earlier this year which upheld the individual mandate, this case will very likely go to the US Supreme Court next.

Once a new federal law is established, there are often hundreds of pages of regulations adopted by non-elected officials who implement the law. ObamaCare has raised serious concerns regarding how politicians and regulators will use this new law to promote abortion and other causes that are repugnant to the Christian faith.

If the Supreme Court does not overturn ObamaCare for its individual mandate, we will monitor the implementation of ObamaCare in order to protect religious liberty and traditional values.  We will keep you updated on what happens in the ongoing case of ObamaCare.

Do you know the TRUE story behind our national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner”?

In the midst of the War of 1812, three US hostages aboard a British ship wait through the night, hearing the devastating sounds of war raging against a strategic US fort.  In the morning, they wake up at dawn, head to the deck, and look out to see whether the US flag is still flying, or if it has been replaced with a British flag….

Want to know the rest of the story?  Click here to watch a video from David Barton, President of WallBuilders, explaining this amazing moment in our history.

We are excited that David Barton will be our keynote speaker at this year’s Justice Gala!  His intimate knowledge of history – particularly from a religious viewpoint – is incredible, and we are blessed to have him share more about our nation’s forgotten heroes and Christian heritage at our event.

As the icing on the cake, we have Mike Williams – one of the greatest Christian comics today – as our Master of Ceremonies. Be ready to laugh the night away while supporting Advocates for Faith & Freedom!

Justice 2011, taking place on October 1 in Newport Beach, CA, will be one you will always remember…we hope you will join us!