Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Volume 2, Issue 31

Volume 2, Issue 31 ~ August 30, 2006


Christian Pro-Lifers Win First Amendment Settlement

Columbia Christians for Life
P.O. Box 50358, Columbia, S.C. 29250
(803) 765-0916
http://www.christianlifeandliberty.net/

“… I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18


Christian Pro-Lifers Win $51,000 First Amendment
Settlement against City of Florence, South Carolina

Case stems from arrests by Florence City Police of five Christians for peaceably assembling and exercising free speech and freedom of religion on public sidewalks without a permit from the government on August 14, 2002



COLUMBIA, SC - In a victory for the free exercise of the God-given, Constitutionally-protected, unalienable rights of peaceable assembly, free speech, and freedom of religion, Christian Pro-Lifers have won a $51,000 settlement in a First Amendment case against the City of Florence, SC, in addition to declaratory and injunctive relief against the unconstitutional “Parade” permit requirement contained in the Florence City Ordinance on August 14, 2002.

As ordered by the United States District Court for the District of SC (Florence Division):

“IT IS on this 3rd day of March, 2006, ORDERED AND ADJUDGED as follows:

1. This Court hereby declares that the permit requirement set out in City of Florence Code, Article III, Parades § 19-40, et. seq., as it read on August 14, 2002, is unconstitutional under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

2. Defendants* named herein are permanently enjoined from enforcing and/or applying the permit requirement set out in City of Florence Code, Article III, Parades § 19-40, et. seq., as it read on August 14, 2002, to the expressive activities of Plaintiffs Steve Lefemine, Beverly Murch, Linda Beckman, Randall Beckman, Dave Lytle, Jeanette Lytle, Jim Shirmer, and Dennis Green on public streets, sidewalks or ways in Florence, South Carolina.” [Dave Lytle, 86, died June 2005]
* Defendants: City of Florence, and Chief of Police for City of Florence

The plaintiffs received a total of $16,000 in compensatory damages, and defendants paid attorney fees and expenses of $35,000 for plaintiffs’ attorney. We praise and thank the Lord Jesus Christ (Messiah) for this outcome. He is King of kings and Lord of lords of all men and all nations for all time (1 Tim. 6:15).

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This Press Release and the other items below are all archived at: http://www.christianlifeandliberty.net/ (click on ‘Events’)

Settlement of Federal Lawsuit against Florence, SC - Final Judgment by Consent Order – March 3, 2006

FEDERAL CIVIL LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST FLORENCE, SC - August 6, 2004
Lefemine, et.al. v. City of Florence; Civil Action No.: 4:2004cv21807 (Disposition: Dismissed – Settled)

FLORENCE CASE DISMISSED - Prosecution by City of Florence, SC of First Amendment Christian Pro-Life Protesters Ended After 12 Months - Press Release (9/11/03)

FLORENCE MORNING NEWS - July 16, 2003 - "Judge continues Florence anti-abortion protesters case" (scroll to this article)

SC “Show the Truth - Establishing Bloodguilt” Tour - Aug. 13-18, 2002 - Tour Report (fax version, 8/23/02)

More Florence photographs (11), including Florence City Police Arresting Christians, August 14, 2002, with "South Carolina Show the Truth Tour" report (Full Quiver Mission)

Florence photographs (5), including Florence City Police Arresting Christians, August 14, 2002 (Life and Liberty Ministries)

FLORENCE MORNING NEWS - August 15, 2002 - "Police arrest abortion protesters" [print edition] (scroll to this article)

SC “Show the Truth - Establishing Bloodguilt” Tour - Aug. 13-18, 2002 - Press Release (8/5/02)
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Parents ask High Court to Review Sex-Survey Case

Seven California parents have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a case in which the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled parents do not have the right to control what their children are taught in school.

The case started when elementary school children were given a survey containing sexually explicit questions. Kids were asked how often they touch their private parts, how often they think about sex, and how often they think about touching other people's private parts.

When parents took the issue to court, the 9th Circuit's Judge Stephen Reinhardt ruled they relinquish parental rights at the schoolhouse door.

"Schools cannot be expected to accommodate the personal, moral or religious concerns of every parent," he said.

Mat Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, said parents do not cease being parents when their child walks through the schoolhouse gate.

"The 9th Circuit's ruling is deplorable, as it strips parents of their constitutional rights to protect their children," he said. "Parental involvement in the education of their children should be encouraged, not punished.

"This ruling is an assault on every parent whose child attends public school."

After the 9th Circuit denied an appeal, Liberty Counsel filed the petition on behalf of the parents asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case.

"No one believes when a child is dropped off at daycare, soccer practice, or summer camp that parents cease being parents," the petition reads. "Although parents might object to subjecting seven-year-old Susie to probing questions about her sexual thoughts, feelings and experiences, as long as the school does not commit treason, the 9th Circuit's decision says: 'Parents -- back off. Susie belongs to the public school.' "

Copyright © 2006 Focus on the Family.
All rights reserved. International copyright secured.

Editor's Note: These surveys are happening all across America and have been for years! The socialists were intruding into students and families private lives when I was a school board member (Fall 1995 - Spring 2000). In fact, a copy of our local intrusive questionaire was sent to Congressman Henry Hyde (R-IL) approximately 10 years ago... I wonder if the Republican majority will deal with this? Or has it fallen through the cracks like so many other things in DC? Perhaps it is time to clean house? - Angela Wittman
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Gov. Arnold tosses school moral codes

Bill forces condoning of homosexuality, critics say 'the gates of hell are prevailing'

Posted: August 29, 2006
9:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has tossed out all sexual moral conduct codes at colleges, private and Christian schools, daycare centers and other facilities throughout his state, if the institutions have any students who get state assistance.

The governor yesterday signed a bill that would require all businesses and groups receiving state funding -- even if it's a state grant for a student -- to condone homosexuality, bisexuality and transsexuality.
There is no exception for faith-based organizations or business owners with sincerely held religious convictions, critics note.
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“The IRS has succeeded in gagging Christians.”

Rev. D. James Kennedy* has stated:

“The federal government has proved a tremendous impediment to the ongoing work of Christians. In all the laws that they have passed against Christian schools, gagging the church, taxation, and all kinds of things that they have done, they have made it harder for the church to exercise its prerogatives and to preach the gospel.

"Take the last presidential election. There were numbers of things that I knew that I was never able to say from the pulpit because if you advance the cause of one candidate or impede the cause of the other you can lose your tax exemption. That would have been disastrous not only for the church, but for our school and our seminary, everything. So you are gagged. You cannot do that. The IRS, a branch of our government, has succeeded in gagging Christians."

Acceptance of State favors has, indeed, had "disastrous" consequences on the churches in America. The church has been effectively silenced (or as Dr. Kennedy put it, "gagged"). Now the disastrous consequences are being felt by the entire nation.

Is there a remedy? Yes! The church can be re-empowered and regain the former glory and influence she once knew in America. But in order to do so the church must stop acting as an underling, as a subordinate, as a dependent, of the State. The church must cease asking for State favors.

Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. (3John 1:7)
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JUST WHAT IS SO CHRISTIAN ABOUT BUSH?

By Doug Newman

August 22, 2006

Shaun White gained considerable fame from his gold medal performance as a snowboarder in this year’s Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. His abundant mop of red hair earned him the nickname of “The Flying Tomato.”

Shaun White is not really a tomato. People just call him that.

When he was running for president in 2000, George W. Bush said that Jesus had touched his heart. Hence, millions of Christians think that he is this wonderful noble Christian man. Just because people say he is a Christian, does that make him one?

It is not for me to judge whether or not Bush is a Christian. That is between him and his Maker. It is my duty, however, to evaluate the fruit on his tree against the yardstick of Scripture.

Bush and abortion

Is Our Christian President (OCP) pro-life? Well, over $100 million in federal taxpayer money goes to Planned Parenthood every year. This could not happen without the signature of OCP. (And if "he didn't know what he was signing", why did he sign it to begin with?)

And didn’t OCP sign a ban on partial birth abortions? Well, yes he did. The problem is, however, that this bill so narrowly defined this gruesome procedure that it only outlawed it for about ten seconds out of a nine month pregnancy.

When OCP was governor of Texas, that state’s supreme court ruled 6-3 that a 17-year-old girl could get an abortion without parental consent. Governor Bush nominated four of the justices in the majority and was an ally of a fifth. That alone would make for a majority.

I know, I know: OCP’s only veto was of a bill that increased federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. However, he is not opposed to some taxpayer funding for research using dead babies. In August 2001, he authorized federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

(For an incredibly detailed and impeccably documented account of how OCP is no pro-lifer, please read this article by Patrick Johnston, OD.)
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In the Mind of Christ

By Rev. R.J. Rushdoony

California Farmer 244:11 (June 5, 1976), p. 35.

Proverbs 12:5 tells us that “[t]he thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.”

The word “thoughts” here means essentially the plans, principles, and the intentions that we live by, the governing direction of our lives. It does not mean our every thought but the basic governing thinking of a man which reveals itself in action. It is that which St. Paul speaks of when he says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5). St. Paul is not speaking of a mere profession of faith but of a life so lived that it manifests the governing power of Christ and His Word.

Solomon goes on to tell us that “the counsels of the wicked are deceit.” The word “counsels” has the same meaning as “thoughts,” and “deceit” means “underhanded.” It refers, not to the practices of open evildoers and criminals, but to hypocrites. Such wicked men are deceitful or underhanded in that they profess one thing and do another. They profess to believe in the Lord, but their intentions are to exploit the cover of Christian faith for other purposes. Their “counsels” are thus hidden and underhanded.

All this seems obvious enough, but do we apply it? In an election year, do we go by a man’s promises or his charismatic appeal, all of which can be full of deceit, or are we ready to examine the mind they manifest?
We have not yet had anyone run for office, or apply for a job, or serve as a pastor, on a program of planned deceit. Instead, they offer us fair promises which offer us solutions by programs, but which bring us only more troubles, or more troubles with taxes.

Something is wrong with them, and with us. If we are conned once or twice, our human failings and shortcomings can readily explain it. However, if we are conned regularly, it means that something is radically wrong with us. It means that our mind and thought is not the mind of Christ but of a fool, a sucker, one who wants something for nothing and gets instead nothing for something.

Either we live in the mind of Christ, or we go on voting ourselves out of one thing after another, including our freedom.
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God Watches Over The Children:

This could be your child..if you don't do something it will be!
September 26, 2005
11AM, Monday

Teddy Bear Shelter

I saw my son for the first time today. It was horrible. Francis Caccovale, the visitation supervisor, met me at the shelter. When I saw my son, I ran over to him. He stood there, hunched over, arms hanging at his sides, completely spaced out, as though he had a lobotomy. I kept saying,” Ruffles, it’s Mama.” He was totally gone. I couldn’t reach him. I took him to the back room with Francis, who documented everything. I got out our baby book scrapbook to read to him. He finally became more responsive, but was still very passive. I asked if he was on any medication, and Francis said no. I sat, holding him on the couch, for almost an hour. Francis commented on how well he could read, spell, and count.

She asked if I had ever thought about going into Early Childhood Development for a career. I replied that I was considering that or teaching when Rafe was older. She commented on how good I was with him, and said he needed to go home with me, as there was no abuse or neglect, that was evident by his reactions and by the baby book that I was reading to him. It has all of his certificates and activities, and is the same baby book that Corie Adams, the initial investigative caseworker, tried to keep from me at our first interview. I held him the whole time and we sang songs, looked at his baby book, and read books. He was very quiet, but seemed to be content looking at familiar things from home.

It took quite awhile for him to come around. He seemed gone mentally. When he did finally spell a few words, he looked at me as if to say, I am being good now, can I go home? The poor child was in shock. They said he is not eating. In 20 minutes he ate 4 big pieces of my zucchini nut bread, two helpings of yogurt, 3 helpings of pureed fruit, 4 pieces of cheese, and 10 ounces of Ovaltine chocolate milk. He ate as though he hadn’t eaten in weeks, which they said he had not eaten much.

My child was in horrible condition. When we got to the room, I smelled limburger cheese; it was my son. He stunk so badly. He was filthy and his mouth smelled like a garbage can. I tried to leave his toothbrush and toothpaste, but they said he shares with other children, so I should not leave them as the other children would use it. I left a clean outfit for them to put on him. It was quite obvious that my son has not had a bath the whole time he has been there. All the other children ran up to me starved for attention, but my son just stood there like a zombie.

Parting time was worse than any hell I could ever imagine. I gave him hugs and said Mama will be back in a week. He did not cry. He simply clenched his eyes so tight he had wrinkles everywhere, clenched his teeth to the point I thought they would break, and turned his head to the side. It looked as if he was in the worst pain imaginable, as if to say, Oh God, No. I felt like dying. I handed him over, went out to the car, and cried for God to help us. It was the worst day of my life...

Please read more here.
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Every evil work

By Wayne Harris


What is in your heart? One answer is motives. Motives motivate.

When homicide detectives scour the area, what is a primary concern? Motive is a primary concern. Why? Motives motivate.

“For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” (James 3:16, KJV)

The young woman was the wife of a military man on his way home from Operation Desert Storm. She had a wicked motive at work in her heart for this Desert Storm hero. This motive motivated her to murder him. She became the main suspect immediately.

Her husband was worth $100,000.00 dollars in insurance money upon death. Her brother joined her in ambushing this unsuspecting American warrior. Both were quickly caught.

The motive, $100,000.00 dollars motivated them to commit murder. It also led them to a new home-the penitentiary. They took a life and lost their freedom because they harbored murder deep inside.

In the past I wondered why people suddenly turned against me for seemingly no reason. Why would they suddenly mark me off? In retrospect I believe the answer is motive. The motive culprit in many cases is envy.

Have you ever wondered how many dastardly deeds have been committed due to envy? How many relationships have been ruined because of jealousy? Wanting what someone else has can produce powerful poison.

If confusion and every evil work flow from envy, then we can deduce that envy is deadly poison. It is a sneaky thing with a horrifically ugly head. When envy’s head is raised it is like a rattlesnake on the verge of striking.

When someone has more I can either rejoice over his or her blessings, or I can envy what they have. I can burn with a desire to have what they own and more. I look through poisoned eyes, hear through poisoned ears and act under the motivation that is like arsenic to the soul.

I am wise when I keep a close guard on my motives. Am I motivated by envy and self-seeking, or am I motivated by a pure heart, solely serving out of love and sincerity? I need to keep a clean heart that is not aroused by envy and strife.

When I want something someone else has, envying what they have, my motives are out of sync. If I cause trouble from an impure, self-seeking heart, I am part of the problem. I must do whatever it takes to become part of the solution.

When we are motivated by envy we are not operating honestly. Envy robs us of true joy. Envy distorts the view of everything.

Sue could never enjoy her husband because she envied Brenda. Brenda’s husband was rich and handsome. Sue’s relationship with Brenda was not honest. Brenda believed they were best friends. They could not be honest best friends due to envy. Longing to have what Brenda had ruined all happiness for Sue.

Anyone can envy anyone. A superstar football player can envy another superstar football player if that player has more money and fame. The problem is that envy ruins enjoyment.

You can have a great family and be miserable. How? You can look at somebody else’s family through eyes of envy. By being so busy with envy you can miss the blessing inside your four walls.

As a young person said a few years ago, “I may not know much, but I do know that what I don’t know, I know I don’t know.” Well, I do know that the devil is a spoiler. He promotes envy and strife. Stirring up discontent is one of his major gifts.

Let envy and strife boil over in a person’s heart and watch his or her tongue start wagging. Lies and dissensions will be like giant sores on the troublemaker’s lips.

“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” (James 3:6, KJV)

What is in your heart? Check it out. Let Jesus clean it out. Do not let envy and strife steal away your joy.

Send all comments to: weharris44@hotmail.com

Wayne Harris is a graduate of Mars Hill College and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree in theology . He served as a Chaplain in the U.S. Army, and is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm. He is a journalist for the Tribune Papers in Asheville, Hendersonville and Weaverville, North Carolina. He hosts a television program on Channel 10 in Asheville, NC, "The Wayne Harris Show". In his columns he comments on issues of the day with a biblical perspective.


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For His Glory,
Angela Wittman
(Publisher/Editor of Christian Heritage News)

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Posted by Friend for Life at 9:36 AM