Page 913 – Family Council

Updated: ACLU Attacks Nativity Scene in Bradley County

Dec 2, 2019Jerry CoxChristmasChristmas, War on Christmas

Fox 16 News reports that Bradley County officials have opted not to place their traditional Nativity scene on the courthouse lawn after receiving letters from the ACLU.

In a written statement, Bradley County Judge Klay McKinney indicated that the county opted not to display the Nativity Scene on public property in part because officials in Mountain Home lost a lawsuit over a Nativity Scene in 2015.

However, it’s worth pointing out that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled Nativity scenes on public property constitutional in the past.

In Lynch v. Donnelly the court ruled a Nativity scene on city property did not violate the Establishment Clause.

Christmas is a federal holiday, and Americans have celebrated it since before the American Revolution.

Contrary to the claims of the ACLU and others, local governments can celebrate Christmas — including by placing Nativity scenes and similar decorations on public property.

Updated at 4:00 PM on 12/3/2019:

KATV now reports that the Nativity scene will be displayed at a church down the street from the courthouse.

Photo Credit: KLRT Fox 16 News via website.

Video: Should Churches Address Political Issues?

Dec 2, 2019Jerry CoxCurrent Events, VideoVideo

Should churches get involved with political issues? What would you say?

Our friends at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview have released a new video answering this tough question.

Check it out below.

DOJ Defends Christian School in Court

Dec 2, 2019Jerry CoxReligious FreedomReligious Freedom, Religious Liberty

Last week the U.S. Department of Justice filed a Statement of Interest in a court case over a Christian school in Maryland.

In 2018 the Maryland State Department of Education denied a scholarship to students at Bethel Christian Academy and demanded that the Christian school repay the state $102,600 it had previously received in scholarship funding — all because the school believes marriage ought to be the union of one man to one woman and “that God immutably bestows gender upon each person at birth as male or female to reflect His image.”

The state accused the school of discrimination simply because it holds a biblical view of marriage and biological sex.

The school filed a federal lawsuit against the state as a result.

On Tuesday the DOJ filed a Statement of Interest in the case as well, explaining that the Maryland State Department of Education discriminated against Bethel Christian Academy.

While the case is far from over, it’s good to see the federal government standing up for religious liberty and protecting schools like Bethel Christian Academy from state censorship.