Gay Activist Organization Says Religious Exemptions in Fayetteville Ordinance “Too Broad”

The Human Rights Campaign is the nation’s largest homosexual activist organization. We have written before about how the group is spending an estimated $1 million per year, on average, on its agenda in Arkansas at the moment.

Last year the group was heavily involved in the effort to implement a “nondiscrimination” ordinance in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The ordinance was overturned by voters last December–but only after a protracted campaign.

The Fayetteville City Council recently referred out a similar ordinance for voters to consider on September 8. Fayetteville voters will have the opportunity–once again–to keep or reject the ordinance. This time, however, according to the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the Human Rights Campaign feels the religious exemptions in the ordinance are “too broad.” (more…)

Atheist Group Threatens to Sue Over National Motto on Police Vehicles

“In God We Trust” has been the official motto of the United States of America for almost 60 years. It has appeared on many coins minted by the U.S. government since 1864.

However, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, based in Wisconsin, has threatened to sue law enforcement agencies in Arkansas if they do not remove the phrase “In God We Trust” from their police cruisers.

The Associated Press writes,

The organization sent letters to the Cave City Police Department and the Hempstead County sheriff’s office after both placed the saying on their patrol vehicles. The foundation’s co-president says she intends to sue if the phrase isn’t removed, but didn’t give further details.

The Cave City mayor says he has seen the letter but has yet to make a decision on whether to strip the message from the city’s police cars. The Hempstead County sheriff he says he won’t remove the logo despite the foundation’s letter.

“In God We Trust” was adopted as the official motto of the United States in 1956, but its history dates all the way back to the American Civil War. Then Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase urged the U.S. mint in Philadelphia to begin minting coins with a motto honoring God, saying, (more…)

10 Facts Every Student Must Know About Religious Rights in School

Liberty Institute in Texas has put together a list of 10 facts every student (and, we would add, public school) must know about religious liberty. This is a great list to look over as students head back to school.

Liberty Institute’s list includes:

  1. Students have the right to First Amendment protections in public schools.
  2. Students have the right to read their Bibles at school during free reading times.
  3. Students have the right to pray before an athletic competition, school assembly, or other extra-curricular activity.
  4. Students have the right to pray during free time, such as lunch or recess.
  5. Students have the right to share their faith with their peers.
  6. Students have the right to talk about religion with teachers and school employees.
  7. Students have the right to write or talk about God in class or school assignments.
  8. Students have the right to start a religious club at their public school.
  9. Students have the right to distribute informational flyers and use school resources for their religious club.
  10. Students have the right to wear jewelry and clothing that expresses their religious beliefs.

Liberty Institute expounds on the facts on this list on their website, and they also provide additional resources to help people understand, exercise, and protect religious liberties. Click here for more information.