New Booster Seat Law in Georgia will affect Christian Preschools and Church Childcare Centers
Published July 20, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a CommentThe Georgia General Assembly passed a new law in the 2011 session which places further restrictions and regulations on the use of booster seats. This law will affect Christian Preschools and Church Childcare centers that transport children. GA Transportation Fact Sheet for Child Care Providers is an excellent resource to help understand how the new law could affect your ministry.
Liberty Counsel Clients Celebrate the Upholding of Religious Liberties
Published July 8, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a CommentBy Rachel Devamithran, Liberty Counsel Intern and former AACS Legislative employee
Perhaps America’s Founding Fathers had a special celebration this last Independence Day as Liberty Counsel upheld the “truths to be self-evident,” through their settlement with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to amend Florida’s Santa Rosa County School District’s Consent Decree last week. Representing twenty-four of the district’s teachers, staff, students, and community members, Liberty Counsel battled the decree that violated dozens of constitutional religious freedoms these last two years. Violations included prohibiting teachers from praying privately, wearing religious jewelry, and attending and fully participating in baccalaureate services, and the students from participating in private, after-school religious functions. Founder of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law Mathew D. Staver said, “From the beginning we contended that this Consent Decree went too far and swallowed up the rights of teachers, staff, students and members of the community. The Constitution is not some relic that can be discarded at will.” School employees who disregarded the consent decree were subject to potential criminal or civil contempt charges. Principal Frank Lay and Athletic Direct Robert Freedman, for instance, were charged with criminal contempt after praying over a meal. Their prospective sentence was a $5,000 fine, six months in jail, and a collective loss of seventy years worth of retirement benefits. Liberty Counsel defended those charged and championed the upholding of our Constitutional religious liberties resulting in a huge win for Santa Rosa County citizens. Staver went on to say, “We are pleased that freedom has been restored to Santa Rosa County. It is appropriate to celebrate these restored freedoms as America celebrates Independence Day.”
From The Washington Flyer, July 8, 2011. Published by the American Association of Christian Schools
On this Independence Day weekend, there is much to celebrate – and contemplate. As I speak in churches regularly, I meet people who are very concerned about the direction of our country – both morally and politically. The number one thing that gives me reason to celebrate is that Christians do care about our country, and they are not giving up on America.
Pray for our nation, our leaders (spiritual and political). Pray for revival. [II Chronicles 7:14]
As our country celebrates 235 years of independence, please take time to reflect upon the freedom that is available in Christ.
New Poll Shows Most Americans Favor Traditional Marriage
Published June 23, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a CommentFrom The Heritage Foundation:
The results of a new poll suggest that most American adults still support a traditional definition of marriage. According to the national survey, sponsored by the Alliance Defense Fund, 62 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the statement: “I believe marriage should be defined only as a union between one man and one woman.”
Not surprisingly, the poll results are reflected in votes around the country. In 31 states where voters have had the opportunity to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman in their state’s constitution, Americans have overwhelmingly supported traditional marriage. No state’s voters have voted to the contrary. Even in the face of intimidation tactics, voters have repeatedly chosen to preserve the character of marriage. Unable to sway popular opinion against traditional marriage, activist groups have largely relied on an unelected judiciary to impose recognition of same-sex unions on a handful of states.
Americans’ strong belief in marriage is well founded. The union of one man and one woman, committed to supporting each other and any children they may raise, provides unique benefits that have a profound effect on both society and the next generation. The importance of intact, married families to the health of civil society necessitates greater defense of traditional marriage by policymakers and national leaders. The House of Representatives’ recent decision to defend the federal Defense of Marriage Act in court is one step in upholding the unique qualities of traditional marriage.
From AACS publication, The Washington Flyer:
National attention has been focused on the topic of bullying. Although bullying is not a new phenomenon, a growing number of teen suicides linked to pervasive harassment have ignited a debate over how to best prevent bullying incidents. The latest incident in April involved the double suicide of Minnesota teens who were harassed by classmates allegedly because of their physical appearance. The grief stricken parents of these students blame school administrators for dismissing their complaints or failing to take action. In response to this growing problem, President Obama held a summit with advocates and bullying experts to address the issue. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan issued several statements acknowledging the harmful effects of bullying on school safety and student academic achievement. In conjunction with the Administration, the Department of Education (DOE) has also issued guidance for school officials, convened a summit and launched a website to help bullying victims. The website addresses several topics and highlights the rising concerns about cyberbullying. Unfortunately, these well meaning efforts to prevent and stop bullying are being hijacked by liberals who want to promote the normalization of homosexuality. On the DOE bullying webpage, controversial advice is given to LGBTQ bullying victims concerning the support and affirmation that they should receive from the community. Furthermore, homosexual activists have used this initiative to promote laws that limit free speech, encroach on parental rights, and extend school’s legal responsibility to the monitoring of student Internet activity. Groups such as the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) have coined deceptive terms such as “safe schools” or “welcoming schools” to cloak their efforts to insert their agenda into anti-bullying curriculum. Kevin Jennings, a GLSEN founder, was a strong advocate for this effort during his tenure as DOE Safe and Drug Free Schools Czar. While conservative groups welcome Jennings’ recent resignation, they recognize that the liberal objective to indoctrinate children still exists. Most would agree that bullying is wrong regardless of the intended target or purported reason. Legislation should protect all bullying victims, not single out a particular group for preferential treatment. Recently, the Alliance Defense Fund has formulated a comprehensive bullying policy and submitted it to the United States Commission on Civil Rights (OCR) for review. Government regulation, bullying summits and public service announcements can never fully address the root cause of bullying or formulate workable solutions that will lead to its complete elimination. Ultimately, the responsibility of training children to treat others with respect and react in appropriate ways lies with the parents.
Woodall Asks Constituents to Contact Obama Administration
Published May 24, 2011 Uncategorized 1 CommentFrom the Dacula Patch:
Citing high gas prices, Rep. Rob Woodall (R-GA-07) said it is time to tap the country’s vast energy reserves.
“We have a choice in this country,” Woodall said in a videotaped message released last week. “We have resources the likes of which no other country on this planet can claim.”
Woodall said the second largest drilling company in America is going out of business because of restrictions put in place by the Obama administration.
“You know what the solution to this is? Drill, drill, drill,” Woodall said.
According to Woodall, the restrictions do not result in an oil or energy problem, they represent a national security crisis.
“We must achieve energy independence today,” he said. “And the only way to do that is to get started taking advantage of those tremendous petroleum resources, coal resources, natural gas resources and more that God has blessed our great nation with.”
Woodall encouraged citizens to contact the Obama administration and ask that drilling permits be issued.
Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization
Published May 18, 2011 Uncategorized Leave a CommentFrom EFCA: Supreme Court Decides Major Taxpayer Standing Case
The Supreme Court, in Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization v Winn, held 5-4 to reverse a lower court decision holding that a state tax credit was a violation of the establishment clause and therefore unconstitutional. This state tax credit was for donations that offer scholarships to private schools, both religious and non-religious organizations.
Notably the Court did not decide the case on the establishment clause basis, but rather on whether the group of taxpayers challenging the bill had standing. The Court held that taxpayers lacked standing to challenge a state program allowing tax credits.
Some legal scholars believe the outcome of this case could lead to the dismissal of the 2009 lawsuit Freedom from Religion Foundation v. Geithner brought forward by atheist Michael Newdow. Lloyd Mayer states in a blog post that the court in this case will likely be seeing some renewed motions to dismiss the case based on the Supreme Court’s decision in Arizona Christina School Tuition Organization v. Winn.
