5/17/2012

If the three-judge panel of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in Minneapolis rules against Liberty Counsel’s defense of Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), that decision would invite school districts across America to shut down their Good News Clubs – and every other religiously oriented club.  Discrimination against Christian groups in public schools could become rampant!

But if we win the case – and I feel the hearing went well from our perspective – religious groups in America will continue to have the right to freely meet and access facilities to the same extent as any other group.  That is why the case I argued yesterday is so important – and it is the reason I called upon you for prayer. Please see my important update below and click here to listen to my special audio report on the hearing– Mat.

http://www.libertyaction.org/7082/offer.asp

Yesterday, I argued in the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in defense of Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) and their young members.  These young people MUST NOT be denied their constitutional right to access school facilities and services!

As I shared with you on Monday, Minneapolis Special School District No.1 school kids who want to participate in CEF programs are being denied access to school facilities and buses that all other young people in afterschool programs are allowed to utilize.  

I’ve litigated scores of these cases for CEF and have eventually won all of them. But I never take any litigation lightly or for granted – especially when it involves defending our religious liberties.  

Even though the United States Supreme Court has long since settled the question of whether Christians can be denied access to public school facilities or removed from public school buses, that’s exactly what the misguided administrators in this school district decided to do!

This is why we MUST stand up to such illegal discrimination with the best legal representation possible. But if we are not “eternally vigilant,” our precious liberties will fall by the wayside, one by one.  

++Liberty Counsel was founded for this very reason.

Challenges to our core liberties like the one in Minneapolis must be aggressively answered with immediate action!

There is NO constitutional basis to discriminate between Good News Clubs and any other group. Private speech expressing a religious viewpoint is fully protected by the Free Speech and Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment.

The law is crystal clear. Christian viewpoints ARE constitutionally protected.  Public schools MUST provide equal access for Christian viewpoints and Christian clubs!

The ruling of the three Eighth Circuit Court Judges will likely come down in a couple of months.  I am optimistic about their holding, but I’m asking you to join me in prayer for the judges’ deliberations.  Their ruling will impact other cases like this throughout the nation.

++Liberty Counsel represents CEF free of charge, as we do for all of our clients.

Yesterday, I entered the courtroom to fight for these young people’s rights because God has called us to defend liberty, life, and family.  Liberty Counsel was founded on that simple principle and we do it to the best of our ability at no charge to our clients.

This is how we believe we should perform our God-given mission, and we depend on faithful friends like you to help as the Lord leads.

We can win the battles when we show up to fight…but you play a crucial role in making it possible. With your support, we remain confident of future victories in the battle for our culture!

Please click here to make a special gift – and to hear my audio report on the Minneapolis court hearing:

http://www.libertyaction.org/7082/offer.asp

Please help equip Liberty Counsel to continue to fight on behalf of life, liberty, and family at this pivotal time in American history.

Tremendous things happen when God’s people join together in a common effort, and we are going to need every friend we can find to stand up to the deep-pocketed organizations, like the ACLU and, increasingly, the U.S. Department of Justice!

As daunting as the challenges may be, we know the Lord has called a large group of patriotic Americans to stand with us. We know from over 20 years of experience that God sends friends like you to help win the day!

Go here now to hear my audio report on the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals hearing and to give a special gift. We depend on friends who give $50, $100, $500, $1,000 or more – whatever the Lord leads. Every gift is deeply appreciated and tax-deductible.  

http://www.libertyaction.org/7082/offer.asp

God bless you, as always, for your prayers and financial support!

Mathew Staver, Founder and Chairman

Liberty Counsel

P.S. Every court case in defense of our essential liberties is important. Every case has meaning to the legal community – and to our nation at large.  That’s why I call on my friends to pray and support us financially when there is a need for both.

http://www.libertyaction.org/7082/offer.asp

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+ + Comments? Questions?

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Liberty Counsel, with offices in Florida, Virginia and Washington, D.C., is a nonprofit litigation, education and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of human life and family.  Liberty Counsel . PO Box 540774 . Orlando, FL 32854 .800-671-1776