Religious Liberty – Page 89

Religious Freedom Bill Passes Committee, Heads to Entire House

Feb 10, 2015Jerry CoxLegislatureArkansas Legislature, Legislation, Religious Freedom, Religious Liberty

HB1228, the Conscience Protection Act by Rep. Bob Ballinger, passed the House Judiciary Committee today.

This bill restores religious liberties that have eroded over the past 25 years. Most states in America have a state law, constitutional amendment, or court ruling protecting religious liberty similarly to HB1228. Arkansas is one of only a handful of states that has not affirmed the free exercise of religion.

The bill will be voted on by the entire Arkansas House of Representatives as early as tomorrow. Please call your state representative, and ask him or her to vote for HB1228, the Conscience Protection Act by Rep. Ballinger.

You can leave a message for your representative at (501) 682-6211.

Atheists’ Billboard Encourages Arkansans to “Skip Church”

Dec 2, 2014Jerry1 CommentChristmasAtheism, FFRF, Freedom From Religion Foundation, Religious Freedom, Religious Liberty

According to 40/29 News, the group American Atheists has placed a billboard along I-49 near Springdale that reads, “Dear Santa, All I want for Christmas is to…SKIP CHURCH! I’m too old for fairy tales.”

According to a press release from American Atheists, the billboard is part of a campaign to promote atheism in the South ahead of the group’s convention in Memphis this spring.

This billboard is the latest in what seems to be an anti-Christmas tradition with some atheist groups any more.

In 2008 the Freedom From Religion Foundation placed a billboard in downtown Little Rock that read “Beware of Dogma.”

Last year atheists in Florida hung a banner depicting a few Founding Fathers gathered around a manger holding a copy of the Bill of Rights. They also placed signs alongside Christmas decorations in some state capitols claiming there are no gods, no Heaven, and no Hell.

Different groups have gone after everything from simple Nativity scenes in front of courthouses to Christmas tree lighting ceremonies. And then, of course, there is the shrine to paganism and nature-worship local atheists have placed on the Arkansas Capitol lawn every December since 2009.

This newest billboard raises a lot of questions. The big one I have, frankly, is what’s wrong with people celebrating Christmas? Christmas in this country has always been a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. If people want to go to church as part of that celebration, what’s wrong with that?

Photo obtained from 40/29 News website here.

Seven Myths About Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Public Schools

Nov 13, 2014JerryChristmas, Religious FreedomChristmas, Religious Freedom, Religious Liberty, War on Christmas

As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, many schools and teachers are preparing educational material and programs that coincide with the holidays. In recent years, it seems like Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations at school have come under increased scrutiny from atheist groups and others who allege schools somehow are violating the U.S. Constitution when students sing Christmas carols or learn about Puritans.

Alliance Defending Freedom has assembled an excellent fact sheet busting seven myths about Christmas celebrations in public schools. You can download it here or read it below. If you are a teacher–or know someone who is–please be sure to share this information with your friends.

While the fact sheet deals specifically with Christmas, its principles apply just as well to other federal holidays–such as Thanksgiving, which is just a couple of weeks away.