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.
Our friends at the American Family Association in Mississippi have published their annual “Naughty or Nice” list.
The list identifies companies that are “Christmas-friendly” in their advertising.
Retailers who use the word “Christmas” in advertising Christmas trees and Christmas decorations earn a positive rating while companies that use generic terms like “the holidays” or “holiday decorations” earn a negative rating.
AFA divides companies into three categories: Nice, Marginal, and Naughty.
Nice companies include:
1-800-Flowers.com
Ace Hardware
AFA Online Store
Banana Republic
Bass Pro Shops
Bath & Body Works
Bed Bath & Beyond
Belk
Big Lots
Books-A-Million
Cabela’s
Cracker Barrel
Dillards
Do-It-Best Hardware
Dollar Tree
H.E.B. Stores
HSN.com
Hallmark
Harbor Freight
Harris Teeter Stores
Hobby Lobby
Home Depot
Hy-Vee Stores
JCPenney
JoAnn Fabrics
Kirkland’s
Kmart
Kroger
L.L. Bean
Lowe’s
Macy’s
Marshalls
Meijer
Menard’s
Michael’s Stores
Neiman Marcus
Pier One Imports
ProFlowers.com
Publix
QVC.com
Rite Aid
Sam’s Club
Scheels Sporting
Super D Drug
Toys R Us
True Value
Wal-Mart
Zappos.com
Marginal companies include:
Academy Sports
Amazon.com
Best Buy
CVS Pharmacy
Dollar General
Safeway
Sears
Starbucks
Whole Foods
Naughty companies include:
Barnes & Noble
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Family Dollar
Foot Locker
Gap, Inc.
Kohl’s
The Limited
Maurice’s
Nordstrom
Office Depot
Office Max
Old Navy
Pet Smart
Staples
Stein Mart
Supervalu
TJ Maxx
UncommonGoods.com
Victoria’s Secret
Walgreens
AFA notes that only nationally-recognized companies appear on the list.
The list only reflects a company’s “Christmas” advertising and does not take into account other corporate policies the American Family Association may not agree with.
You can find the entire 2019 Naughty or Nice List at AFA.net.
In October of 1847, Arkansas’ third governor, Gov. Thomas Drew, issued Arkansas’ very first Thanksgiving proclamation.
The proclamation set aside Thursday, December 9, 1847, as a day of thanksgiving.
In his proclamation, Gov. Drew highlighted the many blessings Arkansas had enjoyed—including Arkansas’ great people, abundant crops, prosperity, and good health.
He concluded by calling on Arkansans to thank God for these blessings.
Below is a copy of Gov. Drew’s proclamation.
Whereas, an all wise and merciful Providence has dispensed blessings of the most bountiful and diversified character among the people of this state, in the abundance of the various agricultural crops, the universal prosperity of our people and their unexampled good health, it is deemed worthy of a greatful people to make public manifestation of their sense of the renewed obligations under which we have been placed, by the appointment of a day of general THANKSGIVING throughout the state.
Be it known, therefore, that I, Thomas S. Drew, Governor of the State of Arkansas, have appointed Thursday, the 9th day of December next as a day of THANKSGIVING, which is hereby proclaimed and recommended to the good of people in every county and town in the state as a fit day and proper time to acquit ourselves, each and every one, of a high and praiseworthy duty to the Bountiful and Merciful Providence.
Given under my hand at Little Rock and to which is affixed the Great Seal of the State of Arkansas, this 12th day of October, 1847, and the Independence of the United States the seventy-second year.
By the Governor, Thomas S. Drew
Gov. Drew’s proclamation is significant, because it came at a time when Thanksgiving was not formally recognized by Congress or the President. It was up to each state to decide whether or not to recognize Thanksgiving.
Of course, here’s the million dollar question everyone always asks when we talk about that first Thanksgiving: What did Arkansans eat?
I’m a little sorry to say it wasn’t turkey or cherry pie.
The Department of Arkansas Heritage writes that families likely ate “bacon, fresh beef, mutton, fresh pork, veal and geese. Butter, eggs, cheese and honey were abundant, and potatoes, onions, beets, apples and turnips were sold by the bushel.”
Because states like Arkansas recognized Thanksgiving year after year, the federal government eventually made it an official holiday for the entire nation.
It’s good to know Arkansas played a part in the history of one of the most important holidays that our country observes all year.
