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Crosswalk Legal Update, August 26, 2004 Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk News Staff Welcome to the Crosswalk Legal Update, a free newsletter from Crosswalk.com. Crosswalk Legal Update brings you brief updates on the top developments in legal cases impacting Christians in America this week. If this newsletter no longer meets your needs, please use the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this newsletter and you will be removed immediately. In today's edition: > Two Votes Stymie Wishes of 400,000+ Marriage Traditionalists in Michigan > Legal Group Encourages Churches to Take a Political Stand > Mission Pleads for Texas Bible Display; Judge Unmoved > County Worker Will Keep Contending for Religious Freedom * * * * * * * * * * * * ADVERTISEMENT * * * * * * * * * * * YOU CAN EARN A RESPECTED MINISTRY DEGREE @ HOME by enrolling in Master's Divinity School! We offer accelerated, practical & professional biblical and ministry training and education for individuals who need or prefer an off-campus educational alternative to a traditional theological degree program. http://l.salemweb.net/masters1203a/legal/082604/ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * >> Two Votes Stymie Wishes of 400,000+ Marriage Traditionalists in Michigan Jody Brown, AgapePress Once again, it appears that a group of black-robed judges -- not the people and not the legislature -- will have the final say in whether voters will have a chance to determine the fate of a state constitutional amendment protecting traditional marriage. According to state law, they needed 317,000 signatures on a petition to get the proposed amendment placed on the November ballot. After gathering more than 464,000 signatures in favor of that amendment, the four-member Board of State Canvassers deadlocked on the decision to certify the petitions, the two Democrats on the board voting against certification. Gary Glenn, president of the American Family Association of Michigan, labels the canvassers' deadlock as unconstitutional. "The decision is clearly in conflict with the Michigan constitution, which says that if enough signatures are gathered, the people of Michigan have a right to vote on a proposed amendment to the constitution on the ballot," he explains. Glenn says organizers of the petition drive are appealing the vote to the Michigan Supreme Court, and that it is likely the Supreme Court will put the issue on the ballot. He hopes the court will be swift in making a ruling because the ballot must be finalized the first week of September. >> Legal Group Encourages Churches to Take a Political Stand Agape Press A California-based legal group that specializes in defending individuals' and groups' religious freedoms is providing a resource to churches as they deal with threats to their tax-exempt status because of sermons on social and political issues. The Church and Politics, which has been mailed out to more than 1,200 churches nationwide, outlines the legal issues involved with religious advocacy on political issues. The Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) says it is providing its booklet so that pastors and laypersons can be equipped to "speak boldly" on the issues. "In an election year, it is absolutely critical for churches to know that they have the freedom to proclaim truth and biblical perspectives from the pulpit without fearing for their church's non-profit status," says PJI president Brad Dacus. He explains that his group is "passionate about letting [churches] know the truth" because many liberal groups are attempting to "muzzle" the churches with false warnings about "being too political." PJI encourages churches to contact them for a free copy of the booklet, and suggests they also consider inviting Dacus to speak to pastors groups or individual churches so they have guidance in this area of the law. >> Mission Pleads for Texas Bible Display; Judge Unmoved Mary Rettig, AgapePress A federal judge has once again ordered a Bible in a monument outside the Harris County civil court building in Houston, Texas, to be removed. Judge Sim Lake, who ruled two weeks ago that the display violated the separation of Church and State, has now turned down an emergency request to let the Bible remain until the county has exhausted its appeals. Star of Hope Mission, a ministry to the homeless, erected the monument near the courthouse in 1956. It stood for years without controversy, until last year, when a real estate broker and attorney sued the county, complaining that the Bible display improperly promoted Christianity. According to an Associated Press report, the county argued that the monument was created as an expression of free speech, with private funds donated to purchase the Bible, and therefore the county should not be held responsible for its contents. However, Judge Lake sided with the plaintiff and ordered Harris County to remove the monument. Although Judge Lake has now ruled twice against retaining the Mosher memorial, a new request has been submitted to the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans in hopes of delaying the enforcement of his decision. >> County Worker Will Keep Contending for Religious Freedom Allie Martin and Jenni Parker, AgapePress A California man is not giving up his fight to display his Christian faith at his place of employment. Last year Daniel Berry, a Tehama County Department of Social Services employee, filed suit against the county, arguing that he was discriminated against on the basis of his religious beliefs. Berry claimed his supervisors told him he could not discuss his faith with his clients. He says they also prevented him from displaying religious items in his employee work space. A district court sided with the county and ruled against Berry. But now the Pacific Justice Institute has filed an appeal with the higher Ninth Circuit Court. Brad Dacus, PJI's president, feels the case is a clear example of government hostility against religion. "Religious people -- and Christians particularly -- should not have to put up with being treated as second-class citizens and have to hide their faith simply because they are in the workplace," Dacus says. He points out that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for employees' religious beliefs. Since the lower court sided with the county, the head of PJI believes the appeal is warranted -- and he says the client is eager to pursue the matter. >> Visit Crosswalk�s News channel for more great articles and weblogs on the latest news from a Christian worldview. http://www.crosswalk.com/news/ ____________________SUBSCRIPTION INFO_______________________ * This newsletter is never sent unsolicited. To unsubscribe from this newsletter immediately, simply click on the link below. If this link is not clickable, simply cut and paste it into the address bar of your browser. http://www.salememail.com/unsub/248/1698058.aspx * Copyright � 2004 Salem Web Network and its Content Providers. All rights reserved. 1698058 ____________________________________________________________ Online predators know that more kids are online in the summer than at any other time of year. Research shows that 90% of children between 8-16 have viewed pornography on the internet. 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