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“His Joy is My Strength...” ICC interviews Pastor “Kevin” who narrowly escaped death when his church was attacked by al-Shabaab radicals. They gunned down his associate pastor and several of his parishoners during a Sunday morning service and yet he still preaches, ministers, and reaches out to Somali Muslims in the same church.
May 2016
President’s Letter Each Sunday as he walks into church, Pastor Kevin faces the inescapable reminder of the horror of March 23, 2014. The spilled blood of his sheep has permanently stained the concrete floor. “That’s refused to go away. We’ve washed it… stain removers, everything. This has refused to go away until this day,” Pastor Kevin said. “We have been through a lot (but) we don’t fear anymore… There is nothing human beings can do to you,” he said (see page 20).
Jeff King, President International Christian Concern
I am amazed by Pastor “Kevin.” He was on his way to church in Kenya when al-Shabaab warriors attacked his church and those attending the Sunday school class. His church members called while under attack to warn him. He heard the noise of gunshots and the screams of the terrified and dying in the background. He would have been there except that the assoicate pastor was teaching the Sunday school class. By all rights, he should have died that day along with the associate pastor and his other sheep and yet he was spared. Ninety-nine point nine percent of people would have retired from the battle and figured out a way to make a living with a higher survival rate than being an outreach-oriented pastor in a Somali Muslim area of Kenya. But persecution always takes a few to a new place in life where all their chips have been taken away and having lost everything, they find themselves to be rich. . . in Him. Then they are set free and become truly dangerous. Now here’s a little secret. . .In one way or another, this is what the Lord is doing in your life and mine! He’s always working in gain and loss to get you to give up on the world and desire Him above other treasures and relationships. All our idols must fail until we are left with the one TRUE thing that we can live through, and live for. (Take a look at the following passages: Luke 14:26-27, Luke 14:33, Matthew 13:44-46, Luke 9:24, Mark 8:34-36 and Luke 17:33, 2 Corinthians 4:10-11, Galatians 2:20.) This process of loss is the key to the gate of eternal life and, once eternal life is secured, the key to living the life that truly feeds our soul and the one the Lord wants for us. Let’s join together in prayer and ask the Lord to help the persecuted as well as you and I to live out this life lesson. We live in a fallen world and you, I, and the persecuted cannot escape loss and pain. Allowing loss and pain to drive us to the Lord is one of the great secrets of life. Finally, please join with us as we bandage and build His persecuted Church. As always, your donations will be used efficiently, effectively, and ethically. I promise! Jeff King President International Christian Concern www.persecution.org
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Four Christian Teenagers Sentenced in Egypt for Insulting ISIS
Actions of ISIS Declared “Genocide” 1 | MIDDLE EAST During February and March, numerous governing bodies, including the European Union, the US House of Representatives and the US State Department officially designated the actions of ISIS against Christians and other religious minorities as genocide. This is only the second time that a US administration has issued a label of genocide during an ongoing conflict. In addition to Secretary John Kerry’s designation from the State Department, both the House and the EU were unanimous in their decisions to label these atrocities as genocide. Some believe that this new designation may encourage the US to take further military action against ISIS or ask the Security Council to prosecute the actions of ISIS as genocide in the International Criminal Court. Although there are conflicting opinions on the best steps to move forward, the genocide designation raises international concern and solidarity against the Islamic State in the strongest terms. Regardless of what the next steps may be, this designation is an essential step in defeating ISIS and bringing restoration to the communities which they have ravaged.
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2 | EGYPT In April of 2015, four Coptic Christian high school students in Egypt gained international attention after making a video mocking ISIS. The video was 22 seconds long and showed the teens mocking ISIS. They mimicked the way ISIS makes their pronouncments and quotes the Quran before executing and beheading their victims. The students also made hand motions in the video mocking the recent beheadings carried out by ISIS. The video was recorded on a cell phone belonging to the students’ teacher. The teacher was also sentenced to three years of imprisonment on charges related to insulting Islam for her role in the case. In February, an Egyptian court sentenced three of the teenagers to three to five years in prison, while the fourth was referred to a juvenile detention center for “contempt of Islam” and is one of several blasphemy cases in Egypt. Loved ones of the students and teacher were stunned by the court’s harsh sentence. The students’ lawyer said that the decision was “unbelievable,” stating that a fine would have been more reasonable. He also added that all of the teenagers were tried in absentia. Although Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah elSisi has spoken out about religious discrimination, minority Christians continue to suffer from discrimination at the hands of the Muslim majority.
Six Christians Hospitalized Following Attack by Hindu Radicals 3 | INDIA On January 17, a group of Hindu radicals carried out a brutal attack on a group of Christians gathered in India’s Nagepur village in Telangana State. During the attack, a mob of 40 radicals stormed into a Christian home during a prayer meeting and began violently assaulting the Christians. As a result of the attack, six of the Christians were hospitalized, many of whom suffered internal injuries. One of the victims was a four-year-old girl whose leg was broken during the assault. Before leaving, the attackers also destroyed multiple musical instruments and electronic items inside the home. 2016 had a difficult beginning for Christians in India with 22 recorded incidents of persecution within the first five weeks. Many of these attacks were carried out in a similar manner by fellow Hindu radical groups. MAY 2016
6,500 Children Left Malnourished by Boko Haram 4 | NIGERIA According to Newsweek, the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram has left approximately 6,500 children malnourished as they have been forced into displacement camps in northern Nigeria. The report also indicated that this is just a fraction of the 54,000 people facing malnourishment in northern Nigeria due to the ongoing terrorist insurgency. This is a clear indication of the long-lasting effects of persecution that will affect the Christian community far beyond the damage of a one-time attack.
Christian Leaders in Sudan Detained Since December Without Charges 5 | SUDAN Authorities in Sudan are violating their own laws by holding two Christian leaders since midDecember, despite the fact that they have not been officially charged. Telal Nogossi and Hassan Kodi remain in custody after they were detained by intelligence officials for questioning. However, Sudanese law requires that defendants must be either released or presented before a court for charging within 45 days of the initial arrest. Both men are being held incommunicado at an undisclosed location with no connection to family or legal aid. The government of Sudan is notorious for arresting and detaining Christian leaders arbitrarily in an effort to persecute the Christian community as a whole.
Sudanese pastors illegally imprisoned for the Gospel.
China to Force Religious Leaders to Carry Religious Identification 6 | CHINA China’s Communist Party has initiated plans to require religious leaders to carry religious identification credentials in order to legally practice their faith. Those who are not willing to carry the religious identification will lose their legal right to worship freely. This new restriction is yet another attempt by the Chinese government to quell Christianity which, despite the government’s best efforts, continues to grow. According to reports, over 1,500 crosses have been torn down from churches in Zhejiang province.
43 ISIS Hostages Released in Syria 7 | SYRIA On February 22, ISIS released the final group of Assyrian Christians being held hostage in the Syrian Province of Hasakah. The 43 individuals who were released, many of whom were young children under the age of 10, have since been reunited with their families. The Assyrian Church of the East was able to secure the hostage release after negotiating with ISIS and eventually reaching a ransom agreement. Although there are still hostages being held captive in southwestern Syria, the end of the hostage situation in the Hasakah Province has been a major blessing to the families of the captives and the Christian community around the world.
43 Christian hostages released by ISIS.
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China has sentenced this Christian couple to 14 and 12 years in prison, respectively.
Christian Couple in China Sentenced to 12 and 14 Years in Prison 1 | CHINA A Christian husband, Bao Guohua, and his wife, Xing Wenxiang, were recently sentenced to 14 and 12 years, respectively, in prison in China. The couple, belonging to Holy Love Christian Church, was found guilty on charges of “disturbing public order,” “encroachment,” “concealing financial records,” and “running an illegal business.” Officials accused the pair of having donations from the congregation in their house, citing that they were living “greedy lives.” Reports about the donations from the church have yet to be confirmed. The couple’s sentencing took place after authorities detained at least 16 Christian leaders in China’s Wenzhou city regarding confrontations over the government’s cross removal campaign in Zhejiang province. Ten other members from the church were also issued suspended sentences but were released immediately after sentencing. China’s crackdown on churches and their leaders has grown increasingly apparent as hardliner President Xi Jinping continues his campaign to eliminate religious
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influences in China. The Chinese government only officially acknowledges five different religions and those who do not adhere to the government-controlled religions often find themselves victims of government persecution. Those belonging to the specified five religions are also restricted to practicing their faith in certain approved locations. Those who want to practice their faith outside of registered churches are forced to worship in “underground” churches. In addition to strict registration procedures for churches, the Chinese government continues to carry out their campaign of cross removals and demolitions. The crackdown on Christianity is due largely to the Communist Party’s fear of losing power as the Christian population grows. In spite of the tight grip that the Communist Party has on religion, the light of Christ continues to shine in the darkness.
A Glimmer of Hope as Boko Haram Captive Defies Orders Teenage Girl Tears Off Suicide Vest and Flees Boko Haram 2 | NIGERIA A teenage girl from Nigeria wearing a suicide bomb vest defied orders from her Boko Haram captors, saving both her own life and undoubtedly many others. After escaping captivity, she managed to reach local security forces who helped gather the young girl’s story of incredible courage. She and two others were ordered by extremists from Boko Haram to detonate suicide vests in a large crowd at Dikwa refugee camp. Although she was scared of refusing the orders of her captors, she was also afraid of killing others. Further still, she knew that her father was in the camp at the time and did not want to risk his life. Therefore, as soon as she was able to get out of sight of her captors, she fled. Although the girl tried to convince her two companions to join her in abandoning their mission, they refused, resulting in the deaths of 58 people in the camp. The story of this young girl is a glimmer of hope in the midst of many similar stories that end tragically. Boko Haram has kidnapped thousands over the years, and the number of captives being forced into suicide missions seems to be on the rise.
MAY 2016
UN Publishes Report on the Human Rights Violations in Syria 3 | SYRIA The United Nations committee in charge of investigating human rights abuses in Syria recently published a report detailing the gruesome realities of life for detainees of ISIS and other radical groups. The 25-page report outlines various acts against civilians, including illegal detentions, legal injustices, torture, denial of adequate food supplies, and executions. This report was the result of more than 600 interviews that took place between March 2011 and November 2015.
A human rights report from the United Nations details the suffering experienced by ISIS detainees in Syria.
Man in India Attacked after Being Accused of Converting Hindus to Christianity
New Constitution in Nepal Bans Religious Conversion
4 | INDIA After being accused of converting three Hindus to Christianity, a man in India was attacked and publicly shamed by a crowd of approximately 200 Hindu nationalists. Many Hindu nationalists believe that conversions to minority religions, including Christianity, should be viewed as a threat to India as a nation. At the time of writing, police reports have been filed against both the mob and the man accused of converting the Hindus, but there have been no arrests.
5 | NEPAL In spite of the booming Christian population in Nepal, religious freedom remains out of reach for many Christians in the country. Nepal recently adopted a new constitution which officially made the country secular by name. However, following pressure from radical Hindu groups, the constitution made religious conversions illegal. This restriction has many Christians in Nepal worried that this new constitution will be used to further persecute the already marginalized Christian community.
Christian Couple Tortured, Sentenced to Death 6 | PAKISTAN In 2013, a Christian man in Pakistan named Shafqat Emmanuel and his wife, Shagufta, were accused of texting blasphemous messages to an imam. According to the couple, they are innocent of all accusations, claiming that the phone used to send the texts was stolen from them before the messages were sent. Following their arrest, Shafqat reports that the police tortured his wife in front of him, forcing him to give a false confession in order to bring her relief. However, thanks to the confession forced out of them, the couple has since been sentenced to death under Pakistan’s infamous blasphemy laws. Blasphemy laws have long been used to discriminate against religious minorities, especially Christians, in Pakistan. Many are falsely accused for personal gain, to settle old scores or simply as a tool of religious persecution.
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est atch Bible Removed from POW/MIA Display at Veterans’ Clinic
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Veterans Administration clinic recently removed a Bible from a display commemorating members of the military who are missing in action or prisoners of war, spurred by a complaint from the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF). Mikey Weinstein, president of MRFF, stated that the organization took action after receiving several complaints regarding the display. Although MRFF is satisfied with the result, controversy remains. Ron Crews, the executive director of the
Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty stated, “It is a sad day when the Veteran’s Administration caves to one narrow view of the proper way to honor the courage and sacrifice of those who have dedicated their lives in service of their country.” The National League of POW/MIA Families has stated that the Bible is traditionally placed at “missing man” tables representing “the strength gained through faith to sustain us and those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God.”
Atheist Complaint Puts Ohio Student Bible Clubs on Hold
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n another instance of the crackdown of religious freedom in the United States’ public schools, two public schools in Ohio have temporarily put their student Bible clubs on hold after receiving complaints from the Freedom from Religious Foundation (FFRF). The controversy arose when these student-led Bible groups invited outside pas-
Resolution Declares, “Genocide Being Waged Against Religious Minorities in Syria and Iraq”
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ith the threat of ISIS continuing to dominate in Iraq and Syria, religious minorities in the area are constantly facing the threat of extermination at the hands of these Islamic radicals. The European Union has recognized this extermination for what it is: genocide. The EU showed solidarity in designating the actions of ISIS as genocide by a unanimous vote. A bill, now with over 200 cosponsors in the US House, has sought to do the same. House Concurrent Resolution 75 expresses the sense of Congress that those who target and support atrocities against religious minorities are committing genocide. The US State Department was given a deadline to make a decision on whether or not to recognize the crimes against religious minorities by ISIS as genocide by March 17. ICC is grateful that, along with the House and the EU, Secretary of State John Kerry and the State Department also classified ISIS’ actions as genocide.
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tors to speak at their meetings. FFRF’s complaint reads, “If Faith Memorial Church representatives have indeed been leading student Bible studies, those clubs are not bona fide student-initiative clubs and should be dissolved.” It goes on to explain that although the Equal Access Act states that schools may not discriminate against religious student groups, it is illegal for outside adults to organize or lead the groups. The groups were temporarily suspended following the complaints. Jonathan Morgan, pastor of Faith Memorial Church, said of the situation, “As a pastor, when we are doing our best at the request of others to be of assistance in the lives of others, it’s frankly repulsive where we are today – that an individual can bring such undue and unfounded criticism.”
University Removes All Donor Plates to Avoid Bible Citations
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university in Colorado has recently decided to remove all donor name plates from a football locker room after denying an alumnus the option to cite Scripture on his personalized donor nameplate. President Paul Johnson of the university stated, “Although we strongly stand behind the merits of the original fundraising program and our decision to maintain the locker room as a private space for the football team, rather than a public space of expression, we also wish to remove any potential for further misunderstanding.” Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Tyson Langhofer remarked, “It’s
ridiculous and sad that the school felt the need to punish everyone who participated in the program simply because it could not stomach a Bible reference on one plaque – a reference that was not even going to include the text of the verses.”
MAY 2016
NASA Employee Group Banned from Mentioning Jesus in Newsletter
California Judge Orders School Board To Stop Praying Before Meetings
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California judge has halted the practice of prayer at the beginning of meetings for the Chino Valley Unified School District Board of Education. This decision followed a lawsuit by the Freedom from Religion Foundation in 2014, which stated that the prayers violated First Amendment freedoms. FFRF argues that the prayer and Bible readings from some of the board members are “unnecessary, inappropriate, and divisive.” The Pacific Justice Institute (PJI), a nonprofit which defends religious freedom, says that “some of the board members are very committed to their faith” and these actions by the board members are protected under their First Amendment rights. Although the US Supreme Court recently stated that invocations at government meetings such as this one are constitutional, a district judge ruled in favor of the Freedom from Religion Foundation on the grounds that these prayers “constitute unconstitutional government endorsements of religion.”
Church in Cuba Demolished and Hundreds Arrested
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ocal officials demolished a church located in eastern Cuba in early February while detaining hundreds of worshippers, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). This is the latest incident of church destructions as two other Apostolic Movement churches were destroyed the month prior. The pastor of the church has said that he believes the government planned to carry out this demolition when he was abroad. In addition to destroying the church, the government also took pews and chairs, among other property belonging to the church. The family who runs the church also had over 1,000 blocks of cement seized, although they were purchased legally. This destruction and confiscation is in direct conflict with the religious and human rights of the Cuban people. CSW’s CEO Mervyn Thomas said of the situation, “This series of demolitions since the New Year indicates a worrying escalation in terms of violations of freedom of religion or belief in Cuba.” This is the second time that the government has taken action to destroy the church, the last time being in 2007 of a church, also located in Abel Santamaria, of 700 members.
group of Christian employees at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, the Praise and Worship Club, have been barred from using the name of Jesus in the company newsletter over fears that it may appear that NASA is endorsing Christianity over other beliefs. The Liberty Institute has sent a letter to NASA requesting that they reverse their decision. According to the Liberty Institute, the Praise and Worship Club was formed in 2001 among Christian employees who desired to meet and give praise during their lunch hour. The club had used a NASA email newsletter to send an advert for a session focused on “Jesus is our Life!” NASA attorneys then contacted club organizers asking them to refrain from using Jesus’ name in the future because it would appear “sectarian” by promoting Christianity above other faiths.
Texas High Court Rules In Christian Students’ Favor
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he Texas Supreme Court has issued a unanimous decision to uphold the right of public school cheerleaders to display Bible verses on their banners. Judge John Phillip Devine says the school district no longer prohibits “religious signs or messages on banners at school-sponsored events.” The Supreme Court’s decision comes after the Freedom from Religion Foundation issued a letter to the school district demanding that religious signs be banned. The Justice’s opinion continues, “The district no longer prohibits the cheerleaders from displaying religious signs or messages on banners at school-sponsored events. But that change hardly makes it ‘absolutely clear’ that the district will not reverse itself after this litigation is concluded, without the cheerleaders’ requested declaratory and injunctive relief.” The cheerleaders’ attorney said that the banners represent the private speech of the students who made them, and that the district is restricting that speech by censoring the banners.
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West Watch
Sheriff’s Vehicle Cross Decals Under Scrutiny
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isconsin-based Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) continues its campaign to whitewash Christianity, targeting the state of Texas once again. Brewster County Sheriff Ronny Dodson chose to place cross decals upon each of his patrol vehicles as a way to show God’s protection over his deputies. Brewster County is located along the Texas-Mexico border where the city of Alpine is located. The dangers of patrolling both a border county and the border itself creates a higher threat level for law enforcement officials.
Since the controversy arose, the Republican governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, issued a statement in support of the cross decals. Abbott wrote, “In addition to its religious significance, the cross has a long history in America and elsewhere as a symbol of service and sacrifice.” He went on to add that he doesn’t believe the decals violate constitutional law prohibiting the establishment of religion. He added, “The symbol of the cross appropriately conveys the solemn respect all Texans should have for the courage and sacrifice of our peace officers.”
Texas City Lifts Ban on Voluntary Bible Study Held by Police Officers During Lunch Break
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police department threatened to sue the city for infringement upon their First Amendment rights. Some officers of the Beaumont police department would conduct volunteer Bible studies at the station during their lunch hours. A city attorney demanded they stop partaking in the volunteer Bible studies because they are being held within a public facility which is meant for public activity only. The story garnered regional
attention as Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick voiced his support for the police officers. Once the city was made aware of the potential lawsuit, they lifted the ban and determined, as the event is voluntary and held during the officers lunch break, they have the right to conduct a Bible study within the confines of the department. According to City Manager Kyle Hayes, the situation “was more of a big misunderstanding.”
Christian Leaders in Colombia Doubt New Peace Agreement Will Curb Persecution
New Jersey School Forced to Stop Saying, ‘God Bless America’ After ACLU Threat
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s the Columbian government moves toward a peace agreement with the notorious para-military group known as FARC-EP, church leaders maintain that religious persecution will remain. In many locations around the country, churches and their leaders are targeted by neo para-military groups for not cooperating with groups like the Urabenos while local municipalities hinder indigenous Christians from worshipping. The peace process was
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expected to be completed by the end of March, but even though it would bring some semblance of an end to the violence, Christians will still face hardship. A recent study from the Ideas for Peace Foundation says, “The power vacuum that the peace process with the FARC could generate is being filled before the signing of the peace agreement, especially in the municipalities in which it shares presence with other guerrilla groups and criminal factions of different sorts.”
New Jersey elementary school has been forced to cease a decade’s long tradition of reciting the phrase “God Bless America” after the morning Pledge of Allegiance. Glenview Elementary School had been saying, “God Bless America” as a way to honor those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. However, the legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey said that reciting the phrase is unconstitutional.
Due to budget constraints, the principal was begrudgingly forced to inform parents that they would no longer be able to say, “God Bless America” after the Pledge. Parents and school officials are saddened to hear that it will no longer be allowed. The actions by the New Jersey chapter of the ACLU are “off base” according to Hiram Sasser of the Liberty Institute. The actions of the ACLU do not seem to promote civility or liberty. MAY 2016
West Watch
Cuban Reverend Threatened with Arrest Following Church Demolition
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uban Reverend Toledano was threatened with arrest by local police officials following a meeting with Cuban Communist Party (CCP) leadership. Reverend Toledano of the Emmanuel Church joined other church leaders to discuss the demolition of their church building and the reverend’s home on February 5. CCP officials
informed the reverend that church belongings would be returned and the future of the property would be discussed further with government officials. However, police and government officials held a more hardline position, contradicting the words of the CCP officials. The reverend was informed of charges being filed against him
related to allegedly illegally possessing chairs and supports for the roof of the destroyed church. Reverend Toledano is a member of the Apostolic Movement, a network of churches which the government has refused to register and acknowledge. The actions by police officials support the notion of targeted persecution.
Fresh Lawsuit Filed to Remove “In God We Trust” from US Currency
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acramento-based attorney Michael Newdow filed a lawsuit in Akron, Ohio in January of 2016 pertaining to the United States motto of “In God We Trust” printed upon US currency. Mr. Newdow had once unsuccessfully sued the federal government over the phrase “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance,
creating a pattern of anti-religious sentiment. According to one plaintiff, the presence of the words on the nation’s currency places “a substantial burden” on him due to carrying a religious statement in his pockets. The actions of the plaintiffs and Mr. Newdow are a continued nar-
rative of a small few attempting to remove the presence of religion, primarily Christianity, from the United States. The statement “In God We Trust” has been on US coins since 1864 and was made the official national motto of the United States in the 1950s.
Humanist Group Appeals Ruling of “Peace Cross”
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umanist groups in the Washington D.C. area filed an appeal over a recent ruling which determined a stone cross memorial to be constitutional. The Bladensburg World War I memorial cross, known as the “peace cross,” was constructed in 1925 to honor the 49 fallen who called Bladensburg, Maryland their home.
The American Humanist Association (AHA) believes that the cross erected on government property violates the Establishment Clause of the Constitution. They believe that the Latin cross blatantly promotes a specific religion in clear violation of the Constitution. However, district judge Deborah Chasanow ruled it to
be nonreligious as it is used for secular purposes and the plaque, which uses words like “valor” and “devotion,” do not promote any one religion. The appeal has been filed in the fourth circuit court of appeals. The location is mainly used by the American Legion for Memorial Day and Veterans Day celebrations.
Atheist Group Sues Town over “Jesus Welcomes You” Sign
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isconsin-based atheist organization known as the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) has been battling a small Texas town since June 2015 over a sign which states, “Jesus welcomes you to Hawkins.” The Texas town has been thrown into the news cycle over complaints from individuals who believe the sign
violates the Constitution. Travelers driving west on Highway 80 will enter the small town of 1,320 people, welcomed by a large purple sign with the message displayed in large yellow letters. The city council voted to have the sign removed but the local funeral home, who owns the land, agreed to sell the property to a local church
placing the sign on both private land and church property. The city council is in the process of suing the funeral home over the sale. Reactions from regional cities prompted a call for support by displaying similar signs on local businesses such as, “Jesus welcomes you to Longview.”
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