Stop the Susan G. Komen Foundation from Funding Planned Parenthood

Stop the Susan G. Komen Foundation from Funding Planned Parenthood at theLake Elsinore City Council Meeting Tuesday, August 25, 2015 7:00 PM 183 N. Main Street, Lake Elsinore, California

The local Susan G. Komen Inland Empire organization is seeking to get approval to hold the “Race for the Cure” at the Elsinore Storm Stadium in October. While we admire Komen’s efforts to bring a cure to breast cancer, it is widely reported that Komen’s headquarters donates hundreds of thousands of dollars to the abortion factory known as Planned Parenthood.

Komen’s raised $672,000 at the 2014 Race for the Cure in Temecula. Although 75% of the funds raised at the Race for the Cure remain in the Inland Empire to provide breast cancer counselling or other services, 25% is sent to Komen’s headquarters.

Komen’s 17^th annual Race for the Cure came before the Temecula City Council on August 11, 2015. After 16 years of history, it was expected that the City would again approve the donation of approximately $30,000 worth of in-kind City services (police, fire, medical and public works support) to the foundation. However, the Temecula City Council courageously voted to provide these service only if Komen agrees to ensure that all the proceeds raised at the Temecula Race for the Cure be used locally to support breast cancer awareness, detection and related services. Komen refused and now seeks to move the race to Lake Elsinore’s Storm Stadium.

Temecula City Councilman Mike Naggar publicly said, “I can’t support an organization, not one dollar, not one 50 cent piece, that supports Planned Parenthood.” Numerous videos have recently revealed the gruesome and heinous abortive activities of Planned Parenthood.

Come to the Lake Elsinore City Council meeting on Tuesday and ask that they put the same requirements on the Race for the Cure. If Komen is going to benefit from tax revenue, let’s demand that none of the proceeds raised at this event are allowed to flow to Komen’s headquarters. Komen claims the funds given to Planned Parenthood are not for abortions. Regardless, the donations from Komen will free other non-designated Planned Parenthood funding for abortions.

“We do not believe that tax revenue should be used to support Planned Parenthood, either directly or indirectly. We are not trying to prevent this event from occurring, just trying to ensure that the good work of the event organizers are not spoiled by the horrific actions of Planned Parenthood,” said Robert Tyler, General Counsel for Advocates for Faith & Freedom.

Call Advocates for Faith & Freedom for more information: 951-305-7583.

Please also politely and respectfully email the City Council: smanos@lake-elsinore.org; btisdale@lake-elsinore.org; njohnson@lake-elsinore.org; rmagee@lake-elsinore.org; dhickman@lake-elsinore.org; Or call Diana Giron, the City Clerk at (951) 674-3124 ext. 261

Another Victory for Religious Freedom in Public Schools!

Thanks to your support, Advocates for Faith & Freedom was able to help Tracy Stevenson, mom to fifth-grader Ryan, when the principal improperly prohibited the student from donating a Bible to the school’s library.  After consulting with Advocates, the parent met with the principal and gently informed her on the legality of the Bible donation. Not only did the principal realize she was wrong, but the school is now accepting the parent’s offer to donate more religious materials!  

Ryan, the student, tried to donate an Action Bible to the library as part of the school’s ongoing “birthday program,” in which all students are allowed to mark their special day with a book donation of their choice. As part of the program, the book is officially presented during a class visit to the library and is specially displayed at the library’s new book kiosk.

As Ryan’s birthday neared, he decided to give the colorful Bible, telling his mother, “My friends would love to read this book!” But the fifth-grader and his mother were shocked when school officials rejected the Bible because of its “religious content.”

“He didn’t understand why it was okay for books about witchcraft and wizardry to be okay in the library, but not the Bible,” his mother said. “It was important to me to challenge the denial because I know the Bible is the Truth, and I cannot even imagine not allowing all students access to its pages. They may not have a Bible at home, but most kids at 11 know what it is; and if there is mystery of what it is, then why not be able to find it in the library? Isn’t that what libraries are for?”

While doing online research about the legality of Bibles in schools, the mom came across a similar case that Advocates successfully handled last year. In that case, we sent a demand letter to the Temecula Valley School District after second-grader Victoria Nelson was prevented from donating a Bible at her campus. Our letter extensively explained the legal provisions of the Establishment Clause, which “mandates governmental neutrality,” not only among different religions, but also “between religion and non-religion.” In essence, rejection of the Bible signaled a disapproval of religion to the student, a direct violation of the Establishment Clause.

The Temecula district responded by reversing its decision and Victoria was allowed to present her gift of the Bible. Often, as in this case, the demand letter consumes hours of research and writing and reads like the legal briefs submitted to courts. Advocates often publishes these letters on our website so others may use and benefit from our work.

After reading about our success in the Southern California case, the Massachusetts mother contacted us. Under the guidance of one of our attorneys, Marty Nicholson, the mother gathered research and case law backing her cause. “She helped steer me to the materials I needed to show my son’s educators that, yes, the Bible can absolutely be in the school library. I needed to research the laws and examples of the Bible in libraries,” the mother explained.

Armed with the information, the mother made an appointment to meet with the principal. “All through the process, I knew that this was really about educators trying to do the right thing, but they did not have the facts,” the mother said. “God steered me to take this on with love. It was about me showing and teaching the educators that, yes, in fact the Bible can be in the school, and I’d like to show you why.” “It was a great meeting. She was a good listener. She was surprised by all my material and mentioned that I had definitely done my research and admitted that she had not looked into it so thoroughly.”

Nearly a month later, the family received word that not only would the Bible would be accepted into the library, but the principal was also willing to accept additional donations of religious reading material from the family to add to the school’s library collection! Since the letter arrived during the summer recess, the mother vowed to follow-up after class resumes this fall. “I am newly reborn and the fear of talking about my faith was all stored up,” she said. “I had to break this down and have amazing faith—surrendering faith—to speak up on this matter, which is so important to me but may not be to others. By doing this, my son saw me demonstrate publicly my faith in God, that I believe that the Bible is Truth, and all should have access to it.”

We thank God for Tracy’s courage and hope that she will inspire Christian parents across the country. As this story shows, many educators across the country are simply ill informed when it comes to the constitutionality of religious freedom at public schools, and when provided sound legal arguments to support religious expression, many educators are willing to do the right thing.

We need your prayer and support more than ever.  It sometimes appears that public institutions, the courts, and the government in general have licensed discrimination of Christians. Please consider partnering with us today so that we can continue defending our First Amendment liberties. Whether the interference of religious freedom is intentional or not, Advocates for Faith & Freedom remains committed to protecting those rights. Thanks be to God for His abundant blessings and sovereignty in all things.

Bible Donation Rejected

Advocates is consulting with a Massachusetts student who gifted a Bible to the school’s library book donation program only to have campus officials reject it. Through the program, students who donate a book to the library on their birthday are recognized at the school assembly. The child decided to donate a pictorial version of the Bible as his gift.

After consulting with us, the child’s parents are meeting with school officials in hopes to settle the dispute out of court. One of their resources for the discussion is an Advocates case from last year in which officials with the Temecula Valley School District reversed an earlier decision preventing second-grader Victoria Nelson from donating a Bible at her school. The Nelson family contacted us saying that the district and school had not only rejected the Bible, but also their daughter.

In that case, Advocates intervened by writing a nine-page letter to the district explaining that the Establishment Clause “mandates governmental neutrality” not only among different religions, but also “between religion and non-religion.” The demand letter pointed out that rejecting the Bible donation was tantamount to sending a message of disapproval toward religion.”

Not only did the principal apologize to Victoria, but she was also allowed to share her donation at a school assembly. You can read more about the Nelson case here.

Whether it’s incidental or deliberate, public schools across the country are increasingly quashing the rights of students to practice their First Amendment rights of free speech and freedom of religion. As demonstrated by these cases, Advocates for Faith & Freedom is committed to protecting these unalienable rights, no matter where in the United States the infractions occur.

Bible Donation Rejected

Advocates is consulting with a Massachusetts student who gifted a Bible to the school’s library book donation program only to have campus officials reject it. Through the program, students who donate a book to the library on their birthday are recognized at the school assembly. The child decided to donate a pictorial version of the Bible as his gift.

After consulting with us, the child’s parents are meeting with school officials in hopes to settle the dispute out of court. One of their resources for the discussion is an Advocates case from last year in which officials with the Temecula Valley School District reversed an earlier decision preventing second-grader Victoria Nelson from donating a Bible at her school. The Nelson family contacted us saying that the district and school had not only rejected the Bible, but also their daughter.

In that case, Advocates intervened by writing a nine-page letter to the district explaining that the Establishment Clause “mandates governmental neutrality” not only among different religions, but also “between religion and non-religion.” The demand letter pointed out that rejecting the Bible donation was tantamount to sending a message of disapproval toward religion.

Not only did the principal apologize to Victoria, but she was also allowed to share her donation at a school assembly. You can read more about the Nelson case here.

Whether it’s incidental or deliberate, public schools across the country are increasingly quashing the rights of students to practice their First Amendment rights of free speech and freedom of religion. As demonstrated by these cases, Advocates for Faith & Freedom is committed to protecting these unalienable rights, all across the United States.

Help support Advocates by donating any amount today!

National Day of Prayer

Thursday, May 7th marks the National Day of Prayer, an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. Please join us in encouraging friends and family to pray for our country and the challenges it faces.

Fasting and prayer are religious exercises; the enjoining them an act of discipline. Every religious society has a right to determine for itself the time for these exercises, and the objects proper for them, according to their own particular tenets; and right can never be safer than in their hands, where the Constitution has deposited it. – Thomas Jefferson, 1808

The following video is brought to you by the National Day of Prayer Task Force.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-C8cSv0q5FE

For more information, visit www.nationaldayofprayer.org.

Yesterday's Supreme Court Oral Arguments in Gay Marriage Case

          Yesterday, attorneys argued in front of the Supreme Court on whether to redefine marriage to include gay couples. Hundreds of protesters stood outside debating and holding rallies.

          The justices seemed deeply divided as they grilled both plaintiffs and respondents during oral arguments in the landmark marriage case, Obergefell v. Hodges, which is scheduled to be decided in June.

          The separation between the liberal and conservative justices was very apparent. Justice Anthony Kennedy, usually considered a swing vote, expressed concern in changing what has been recognized as marriage for a “millennia.”

          However, in a very alarming statement, Justice Kennedy made a comparison between the current battle to protect marriage and the civil rights battle African-Americans faced saying, “It was about the same time between Brown and Loving as between Lawrence and this case.”

          Justice Kennedy was referring to the thirteen years between decisions in the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision (ending racial segregation in schools) and the 1967 Loving v. Virginia decision (overturning Virginia’s interracial marriage ban) which have a similar time frame as the 2003 Lawrence v. Texas decision (overturning Texas’ law that outlawed sodomy) and Obergefell v. Hodges being argued currently.

          To hear the complete oral arguments, click the link below:

http://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2014/14-556-q1

          Please ask for God’s intervention in the minds of our Supreme Court justices to preserve the institution of marriage.

Can't Miss These Reactions from Our Victory in Court!

The month of March ended with a sweet victory for all those who support religious liberty. Ventura County Superior Court Judge, Henry Walsh, affirmed the rights of a Christian school to ask that its employees provide a reference from a pastor.

When parents send their kids to schools that bear the “Christian” title they rightfully expect the school to provide a quality Christian education backed by biblical values. They also expect those teachers charged with the care of their children to share in these values. Little Oaks School in Thousand Oaks, California is a Christian school that takes this responsibility very seriously. For the 2012 school year, Little Oaks asked their employees to provide the reference from a pastor in order to renew their teaching contracts. Two preschool teachers refused to provide a pastor’s reference and their contracts were not renewed.

The teachers argued that because the school was not a non-profit entity, the school did not have the right to require teachers to obtain a pastor’s reference. The school was owned by Calvary Chapel Thousand Oaks and served as a ministry to the community even though it was not separately organized as a tax exempt entity.

Attorneys from Tyler & Bursch, LLP, with the support of Advocates for Faith & Freedom, represented the school and Calvary Chapel Thousand Oaks. They argued that the school is protected by a ministerial exception backed by case law that prohibits courts from intervening in the employment decisions of religious organizations regardless of whether the school is formally organized “for profit” or “not for profit.”

Judge Walsh agreed, explaining that “the ministerial exception is constitutionally compelled and arises out of the Establishment and Free Exercise clauses of the First Amendment…It is based on the concept that secular courts will not attempt to right wrongs related to hiring, firing, discipline or administration of clergy. It extends to church related institutions which have a substantial religious character, which includes church related schools.”

Attorney James Long applauded Judge Walsh’s ruling, saying, “We are grateful that this Court has chosen to protect the liberty of Little Oaks School. It only makes sense that a Christian school has the constitutional right to require that its teachers provide a reference from a pastor.”

As the story garnered attention in the media, many took to Facebook, Twitter, and the Advocates website (faith-freedom.com) to weigh in. The vast majority brought words of encouragement and support for the court’s decision and the school’s unwavering commitment to ensuring students receive a quality Christian education and care:

“This is a banner day… it is a testimony to the glory of God and His hand being upon a righteous judge and lawyers.”

“It’s a victory for freedom of religion. Thanks for your faith.”

“This is a wonderful affirmation of the right of a religious organization to insure that those that represent that organization also meet the standards of that organization. Thank you to all who were involved and to the Judge.”

Others, however, different opinion:

“All Christians are crazy.”

“Pretty sad to see people happy about this…you don’t need to be Christian to be a good teacher.”

Nevertheless, there is nothing sad about this decision. As Calvary Chapel Thousand Oaks’ Pastor Rob McCoy explained, “Religious Liberty is a foundational right that must be preserved. This ruling gives cause to celebrate our government’s faithfulness in protecting this right.”

Robert Tyler, Managing Partner of Tyler & Bursch, LLP and General Counsel of Advocates for Faith & Freedom agreed and stated, “This case is a great example of why we need to continue to stand for religious liberty regardless of the cultural climate. We can win as long as we show-up to defend our constitutional rights.”

We promise to continue to show-up and defend your constitutional rights. We trust in the Lord and depend on your prayers and support as we continue to fight for your religious liberties. Please consider making a tax deductible donation today of $10, $50, $100, or $500. Be assured of our prayers for you and may God bless you and your loved ones.

In His Service,

Victor Bermudez Director of Public Outreach

BREAKING: Little Oaks Christian School Wins Discrimination Trial

On Monday, March 23rd, a Ventura County Superior Court judge affirmed the rights of a Christian school in Thousand Oaks, California, to ask that its employees provide a reference from a pastor. Little Oaks School asked their employees to provide the reference in order to renew their contracts each year. Two preschool teachers refused to provide a pastor’s reference and their contracts were not renewed.

They argued that because the school was not a non-profit entity they had no right to require their employees to obtain a pastor’s reference. The school was owned by Calvary Chapel Thousand Oaks and served as a ministry to the community even though it was not separately organized as a tax exempt entity.

Advocates for Faith & Freedom, with the support of Tyler & Bursch, LLP, represented the school and Calvary Chapel Thousand Oaks. They argued that the school is protected by a ministerial exception backed by decades of case law that prohibits courts from intervening in the employment decisions of religious organizations. 

The Judge agreed and in his ruling and explained, “the ministerial exception is constitutionally compelled and arises out of the Establishment and Free exercise clauses of the First Amendment…It is based on the concept that secular courts will not attempt to right wrongs related to hiring, firing, discipline or administration of clergy. It extends to church related institutions which have a substantial religious character, which includes church related schools.”

Attorney James Long applauded the judge’s ruling saying, “We are grateful that this Court has chosen to protect the liberty of Little Oaks School. It only makes sense that a Christian school has the constitutional right to require that its teachers provide a reference from a pastor.”

Robert Tyler, General Counsel of Advocates for Faith & Freedom agreed, “This case is a great example of why we need to continue to stand for religious liberty regardless of the cultural climate. We can win as long as we show-up to defend our constitutional rights.”

Calvary Chapel Thousand Oaks’ Pastor Rob McCoy explained the importance of the case saying, “Religious Liberty is a foundational right that must be preserved. This ruling gives cause to celebrate our government’s faithfulness in protecting this right.”

Advocates for Faith & Freedom is a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to protecting religious liberty in the courts. You can visit our website at www.faith-freedom.com.

Email info@faith-freedom.com to receive press releases from Advocates for Faith & Freedom. Also, join us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date on our progress in this case and others.

Your First Amendment Rights Are Under Attack!

Spreading the Gospel in Public

             You may remember the case about the man who was arrested for reading the Bible aloud in front of a DMV. This man was arrested for “preaching to a captive audience.” After realizing there is no such law, the officer issued a citation for interfering with an open business through obstruction and/or intimidation. The District Attorney realized that neither of those claims were valid and, instead, prosecuted our clients for failing to have a permit pursuant to a vague and little-known state regulation.
             After successfully defending this man in criminal court, we filed a civil law suit in federal court for unlawful arrest and false imprisonment. The case was brought before the US District Court for the Central District of California where a judge ignored the lack of probable cause to arrest our client and said his First Amendment rights were not violated.
             We disagree with her decision and are taking the fight to the next level, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Opening briefs are scheduled to be filed in July.

Barred from Sharing Faith
             Advocates is serving as co-counsel to the Center for Religious Expression (CRE) in a law suit against San Bernardino County officials on behalf of Mark Mante who was prohibited from sharing his Christian faith on public sidewalks outside of two San Bernardino courthouses. As a result of a court order, Mante has been barred from speaking or handing out literature referencing his Christian beliefs in the public spaces in and around courthouse grounds.
             For over 5 years, Mante routinely stood on public property outside the historic San Bernardino Courthouse and shared his faith. But on Dec. 3, 2012, a deputy sheriff stopped Mante and told him about a court order that required Mante to abandon his expressive activities and leave the area. The sheriff provided Mante with a copy of the order detailing a policy regulating speech activities outside of county courthouses. Mante soon learned that he could be subject to sanctions up to $1,500.00 each time he tried to share his Christian faith, even if it was during a one-on-one conversation.
             This is an important lawsuit that challenges the dangerous policy of prohibiting speech in public forums. We are proud to partner with CRE’s Chief Counsel, Nate Kellum, to defend Mante’s First Amendment right to peacefully share his faith with willing listeners. This type of speech is protected by our Constitution, and it’s a shame that it is prohibited at a courthouse, of all places.
             We appreciate your prayers and support as we continue to fight for your religious liberties. Please consider making a tax deductible donation today of $10, $50, $100, or $500. Be assured of our prayers for you, and may God bless you and your loved ones.
                                                                  In His Service,
                                                                  

                                                                  Robert Tyler

                                                                  General Counsel

BREAKING: Supreme Court announces that it will hear Gay Marriage cases

The United States Supreme Court has announced that it will decide whether same-sex couples have a right to marry under the Constitution. The ruling will affect all fifty states and will either affirm or invalidate the political process states have in place to decide on such issues.

The Court will decide two issues:

1. Whether the constitution requires states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
2. Whether states must recognize same-sex marriages performed in another state.

Because of the implications of such a ruling, the Justices have decided to extend the time for arguments from one hour to two-and-a-half hours.

The case being brought before the Supreme Court comes from the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. In November, the Sixth Circuit upheld bans on same-sex marriage in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee. The Supreme Court will now hear from plaintiffs challenging the bans in each of those states.

The time is now to pray for the protection of the traditional marriage and family. We’ll be sure to send you an update if there are any developments in the story.