Christian group files amendments against vague hate crime laws

A Christian advocacy group has recently filed two amendments to the California Constitution in an effort to prevent hate crime legislation from infringing on religious speech.

LA CHURCH & STATE EXAMINER

Pastor Allan Esses, founder of “Yes Jesus is Lord” and proponent of the amendments, said, “Although the Bill of Rights guarantees religious liberty, recent restrictions on the free exercise of religion have compelled the organization to submit clarifications of citizen’s First Amendment rights, similar to the need felt by some of the nation’s Founding Fathers to clarify in the Bill of Rights what they believed existed in the Constitution.

“Those of us involved with Yes Jesus Is Lord are concerned that the time is fast approaching when Californians, as well as all Americans, will be subject to some of the most unbelievable acts and restrictive laws we have seen or heard,” Esses said… READ FULL STORY

Photo: Billy Graham spoke to huge crowds during the “Christ for Greater Los Angeles” tent revival in 1949. (BGC Archives)

Religious freedom events to ‘proclaim liberty’

In too many instances, public school teachers tell Christian students they cannot include their faith in their homework assignments or classroom discussions. However, the U.S. Department of Education has issued guidelines explaining students’ religious liberties. Students can pray, read their Bibles, and talk about their faith at school during school hours. They can organize prayer groups and Bible studies and announce their meetings. They can express their faith in their class work and homework. — Gateways to Better Education

LA CHURCH & STATE EXAMINER

In an effort to increase awareness for Religious Freedom Day (Jan. 16), two advocacy groups have launched Religious Freedom Sunday planned for next week.

Gateways to Better Education and the Alliance Defense Fund are calling for Religious Freedom Sunday to be a national event in which churches honor the educators within their congregations and inform their members about the freedom of religious expression for students from kindergarten through 12th grade have at school… read more

Angels, sanity return to Sonoma County

Stars, angels first ordered off Christmas trees in Sonoma County government buildings can be placed back

As we reported yesterday, stars and other religious emblems were ordered removed from Christmas trees in all government buildings in Sonoma County, Calif., on Monday following a lone complaint by an “offended” resident. Acting Sonoma County Administrator Chris Thomas today rescinded his directive on Monday to remove stars and angels from the trees.

“At this time, I wish to make clear there is no prohibition on any particular decoration and as such my previous e-mail request should be considered rescinded. You are encouraged to use your best judgment with respect to appropriate decorations for our public places,” Thomas said, as reported by Bay City News.

SCROOGE ALERT LEVEL REMAINS HIGH

Sonoma: Angel ordered off Christmas tree

Officials from California county remove angel ornament from Christmas tree after lone complaint.

Stars and other religious emblems were ordered removed from Christmas trees in all government buildings in Sonoma County on Monday following a complaint by Irv Sutley, a disabled 65-year-old Marine veteran who said the symbols were “extremely offensive” and part of the “cult” of Christianity. FULL STORY

SCROOGE ALERT: HIGHEST LEVEL…SEEK SHELTER…NO ANGEL FOR YOU! …SCROOGE ALERT: HIGHEST LEVEL…

BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: Angels, and sanity return to Sonoma County

Cure for the Christmas blues

What happens when joy seems to have gone missing?

I took a departure from my usual fare at the LA Church & State Examiner and wrote instead about finding the answer to the question, “Where’s the joy?” Read my story, which may be in part your story this Christmas, by clicking here! You just may find a friend you never knew you had!