Barry Lynn, Tom DeLay, Free Speech, Schools & Prayer

Barry Lynn, Tom DeLay, Free Speech, Schools & Prayer

In Today's Edition:

  • Free Speech Advocate Seeks to Censor Ministry
  • DeLay: 'More God, Less P.C.' at Texas Universities
  • Louisiana Governor Signs School Prayer Bill 
  • '10 Days For Holland' to Cover Netherlands in Prayer
  • Other Headlines at a Glance


Free Speech Advocate Seeks to Censor Ministry Videotape ... Barry W. Lynn, whose free speech advocacy has included claims that the First Amendment protects the distribution of hard-core and child pornography, is being sued in federal court for trying to censor the First Amendment rights of a small Phoenix-based Christian ministry. Lynn is the former legislative counsel for the Washington office of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the current executive director of the Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Ironically, Lynn is trying to squelch the distribution of a videotape in which he debates the question, "Is Homosexuality Compatible with Authentic Christianity?"

Alpha and Omega Ministries filed a complaint in federal court, asking for a declaration of its rights to distribute a videotape of the debate. The ministry claims to have substantial records showing Lynn agreed, before the debate, to allow production and distribution of a video. An attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) is representing the ministry. ADF is a legal organization based in Scottsdale, Ariz., that works to advance religious liberty, the right to life, and the traditional family.


DeLay: 'More God, Less P.C.' at Texas Universities  ... Barry Lynn shows up in yet another story Friday. Lynn has accused U.S. House of Representatives Whip Tom DeLay of "pushing religion on public schools" in what he described as "clear violation of the principle of separation of church and state."

It all started when DeLay spoke at a Houston-area church last week. According to reports from Reuters and the Houston Chronicle, DeLay told the group he wants to see more religion at Texas public universities. He reportedly suggested to parents that they pressure state legislators to "throw the P.C. out" and bring God back to school.

The report said DeLay singled out Texas A&M and Baylor universities as examples of schools that have lost sight of values and traditions. He reportedly said, "There are still some Christian schools out there -- good, solid schools. Now, they may be little, they may not be as prestigious as Stanford, but your kids will get a good, solid, godly education."
DeLay's comments were taped without his knowledge and sent to the Chronicle by the Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which Lynn directs.


Louisiana Governor Signs School Prayer Bill ... According to UPI, Louisiana Gov. Mike Foster signed into law Thursday a bill that brings back silent school prayers to the state's public schools. The new law reinstates protection that existed before 1999, when Louisiana decided to allow spoken prayer - a law that a federal judge quickly ruled unconstitutional.

Under the new law, UPI reports, public school boards will allow for a brief period of silent prayer at the beginning of each school day. Joe Cook, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, was critical of the bill earlier this week, according to UPI. "Government ought not to be in the business of endorsing religion as prohibited by the Supreme Court," he said.


"10 Days For Holland" to Cover Netherlands in Prayer ... From May 9-18, a Dutch prayer movement is calling on Christians, prayer groups and prayer movements worldwide to join them in united prayer and fasting for a spiritual change in the Netherlands. The vision is to kick-start 'prayer altars' (places of prayer where Christians covenant with God for the land) in all 500 cities and communities in the Netherlands.

In the last eight years, the Dutch social-liberal government legalized the practice of euthanasia, the use of soft drugs, prostitution and gay marriage. On April 17, this government fell, so the upcoming Parliamentary Elections of May 15 are expected to bring "a political landslide."

The '10 Days for Holland' will be the most extensive prayer effort ever held in and for the Netherlands. The Dutch prayer leaders believe that "it is God's time for the Netherlands. He wants to radically change the spiritual climate in our nation and is looking for people who are willing to set themselves apart for the Lord and His purposes." You may sign up for the prayer effort at www.10dagenvoornederland.nl

 

Other Headlines at a Glance:

Barry Lynn, Tom DeLay, Free Speech, Schools & Prayer