ACLU and the Elimination of Public Prayer

While wallowing in the research and writing of a criminal sentencing appeals brief (due next Monday), I have hardly taken the time to look at the recent news, much less spent any time looking at my emails.

However, one of them took my breath away. As a former agnostic, and now a Christian, I am appalled at the viewpoint of the ACLU, as shown by an important member of the organization.

The disturbing quote, recieved via an email from the Alliance Defense Fund, is: "Their refusal to comply . . . should and must result in their removal from society." From Joe Cook, Executive Director of the ACLU of Louisiana, referring to individuals who insist on praying publicly.

I pray publicly. In my car, sitting on a bench, alone in a meeting room, and while doing other things. Sometimes silently (actually mostly silently), and sometimes aloud. Most of the time alone, and on occasion, with another person. What business is it of the government when and where I do it? Must I always be silent?

Mennonite Farmer Wins

While everyone else is properly concerned about the two U.S. Supreme Court case decisions of yesterday, I thought I would discuss a Mennonite Farmer who stood up for his religious freedom and won.

You see, this particular farmer had been providing ducks to New York for several decades without incident. He participated in all the federal avian health screening requirements for the same period of time.

Then, in an attempt to regulate and keep track of individuals and farmers who are in business, the state decided to require a federal identification number (just like I have) in order to continue legally selling ducks to New York. The problem? This kind of identification goes against the religious teachings of his church.

Fortunately, a settlement was reached after a long struggle for this farmer. Perhaps there is a bit of religious freedom left in the country. Not just private worship and prayer, but religious choice within the context of a business arrangement.

Oh, if only this would lead to faithful people being able to legally choose other faithful people to be their employees, tenants, and such. Discrimination. That is the problem.

I am glad for the various farmers and others who will benefit from the arrangement between the
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and this
Mennonite farmer.

And, I am glad for the intervention of the
Alliance Defense Fund, once again.

ADF Files Suit Against New York Officials in Watertown

Thanks to the
Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), we are informed that yet another New York government entity is denying religious use of its Dulles State Office Building.

Perhaps all public buildings should be closed to all public functions unless directly sponsored and paid for by the general taxpayers.

Why? Religious groups are still routinely denied permits to rent or use public facilities that other groups rent and use, simply upon the basis of the content or purpose of the meeting: to wit: religious services.

If religious groups may not use public buildings upon proper application and with the same rent as other groups, then perhaps public entities should not use religious buildings for public purposes (high school graduations, election polling, etc.) because of the entanglement of church and state.

For instance, at one of our local polling centers, voters are "subjected" to and potentially "offended" by walking by the open doors of the sanctuary of the church. Crosses readily visible. Hymnals are sitting on pews. Children's religious drawings are visible. Stained glass windows have biblical people on them.

If the "wall" between church and state is really critical, then lets call for no public events at any church. Why not close public buildings to all organizations. Why? Some of the attendees may be wearing crosses or Stars of David, or other such offensive and entangling items. Some participants may be carrying religious artifacts on their bodies, and may, therefore offend some other participants.

Oh, I forgot, all groups except Christian groups, must be tolerated.