Saturday, January 18, 2014

Univ. Wisconsin Bans Bibles per Atheists' Demands

FFRF sells $2 stickers to vandalize Gideon Bibles
The University of Wisconsin-Extension in Madison was quick to agree with demands by the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) to terminate a decades-old practice of allowing Gideon Bibles in over a hundred guest rooms at its Lowell Center conference facility.

The FFRF is also demanding that a memorial Bible be removed from the council chamber of the city of Pinellas Park, Florida.

Meanwhile, the Florida Family Policy Council is helping to distribute Bibles at 19 high schools in Orange County despite a pending lawsuit by atheists.


For background, read of many local governments restoring God and faith to public institutions, and read how Americans nationwide are rebelling against atheists' attempts to dechristianize the country.

In addition, read 2014: 'Year of the Bible,' Declares Texas Mayor as well as Montana Schools & Florida Reject Atheist Anti-Christmas Demands

And also read the latest news of the rebellion against Christmas by secularists, including by President Obama by using the military and also through NASA.

UPDATE 2/20/14: Iowa University Removes Religious Propaganda = Bibles

-- From "Atheist group persuades UW-Extension to remove Bibles from lodging center on UW-Madison campus" by The Associated Press 1/15/14

The Madison-based atheist group on Wednesday called the decision a victory for the separation of church and state. Staff attorney Patrick Elliott says private hotels can put any type of literature they want in their guest rooms, but state-run colleges have to remain neutral toward religion.

The group complained [in a letter dated November 4th] to Ray Cross, then the UW-Extension chancellor. Cross wrote a letter saying the Bibles would be removed by Dec. 1. He also thanked the group for making him aware of the concern.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "In the Spirit: UW-Extension boots Gideon Bibles from guest rooms after complaint" by Doug Erickson, Wisconsin State Journal 1/16/14

A UW-Extension spokeswoman confirmed Wednesday the Bibles have been removed. She released the following statement from Bill Mann, director of Extension conference centers: “We reviewed the concern raised about the placement of Bibles in our guest rooms and decided to remove them. We want to make sure all guests are comfortable in our lodging.”

Jeff Pack, a spokesman for The Gideons International, said he was not aware of the Madison case. The organization “follows whatever direction we are given from the local authorities we work with,” he said. “That’s the integrity we bring to this.”

The November letter was prompted by an overnight guest at the Lowell Center who contacted the foundation . . .

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Wis. University Removes Bibles From Guest Rooms Amid Complaints by Atheist Group" by Jeff Schapiro, Christian Post Reporter 1/17/14

David Hacker, senior legal counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal ministry that specializes in religious liberty cases, says the issue involving UW-Extension is a "nuanced" one. If the university allows other outside literature to be placed in guest rooms, for example, the school could actually be violating the First Amendment rights of the Gideons by engaging in viewpoint discrimination.

"If they allow other outside materials, such as phone books and magazines, in their rooms, there's no basis to remove these Bibles," said Hacker.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.



From "Atheist group fighting to remove Bible from Florida city council chamber" posted at FoxNews.com 1/15/14

The Freedom From Religion Foundation – allied with Pinellas Park businessman Randy Heine – sent a letter to the city Monday which is now being reviewed by Pinellas Park’s attorney, Fox 13 reports.

"Not only is the city council sending a message of endorsement for Christianity over other religions and nonreligion," the letter says, "but display of this King James Bible sends a message of endorsement of one particular Christian sect over all others."

"The Bible was given to the city by the Kiwanis Club, I believe, when the building was dedicated," Lewis said. "They feel it's part of City Hall, as being part of the dedication ceremony, and it's become part of the history of the building."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Atheist Group Challenges Bible Display at Fla. City Hall, Calls It a Violation of the US Constitution" by Jeff Schapiro, Christian Post Reporter 1/16/14

Randy Heine, the owner of Rockin Cards and Gifts in Pinellas Park, Fla., told The Christian Post he was "stonewalled" by city officials when he tried to have the Bible removed from the dais in the city council chambers back in 2005. He could not afford to take legal action against the city, he says, so his mission was put on hold.

In June 2013 he reached out to the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), an organization that promotes the separation of church and state of which he is also a member, to share his concern.

Jeremy Dys, senior counsel with Liberty Institute, an organization that advocates for religious freedom . . . offered to help the city evaluate the legality of displaying the Bible. He also says FFRF wants to rid the government of all religious references, and that the city needs to evaluate the situation carefully and not merely bend to the organization's request.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Christian groups giving out Bibles in Orange schools again today" by Lauren Roth, Orlando Sentinel School Zone 1/16/14

The distribution, which has been allowed by Orange schools twice before, consists of both softcover and hardcover New International Version (NIV) Bibles left on designated tables by volunteers. The tables are placed in accessible locations where students can pick the Bibles up.

Last year an atheist group called the Central Florida Freethought Community objected to a smaller distribution effort, and demanded equal access. After Orange schools refused to allow the group to distribute some of their books and pamphlets, they sued.

The Bible distribution, which coincides with Religious Freedom Day, is being conducted by the Florida Family Policy Council and World Changers of Florida. Bibles are also being given away today in Collier County. World Changers sued that district several years ago to gain open access to its schools, and Orange based their decision to allow Bible distributions in its schools on that case.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

In addition, read Atheists Threaten to Sue Every School in Tennessee and in Mississippi but admit they're Short on Lawyers to Sue ALL Christians

Because of the intimidation tactics of atheist lawyer organizations, state governments across America are educating its citizens on constitutional religious liberty by passing laws in Texas, and Louisiana, and North Carolina, and South Carolina, and Missouri, and Mississippi, and Florida, and Tennessee.

The root issue is American Religious Liberty vs. Anti-Christian Totalitarianism