MISSOURI: Alliance Defense Fund Sues To Force Anti-Abortion Posters Into Schools

The Alliance Defense Fund has filed suit in Missouri to force public schools to allow students to place anti-abortion posters on school walls. According to the ADF, if the school allows "political" speech like posters supporting the anti-bullying Day Of Silence, they must also allow anti-abortion posters.

A lawsuit that has been filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, southern division, by the Alliance Defense Fund that alleges violations of the First and 14th Amendments as well as the Missouri Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The claim in federal court, brought on behalf of J.A., “by and through her next friend, Jodie Anderson,” pinpoints the district’s “censorship of plaintiff’s religious, pro-life flyers and plaintiff’s public announcement over the intercom inviting students to participate in the annual Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity.” “The district previously has allowed the posting of materials, including: posters for the Day of Silence in support of students who feel bullied based upon their sexual orientation.

FRC: We're Suing NYC Over Churches

ATLANTA: Federal Appeals Court Upholds Firing Of Anti-Gay CDC Counselor

The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals today upheld the dismissal of a Centers For Disease Control counselor who was fired after saying that her Christian faith did not allow her to see homosexual clients.

Walden worked as a contractor for the CDC in 2007 when a woman came to her for advice involving a same-sex relationship. She was let go after she told the woman she couldn’t help because her “personal values” as a devout Christian prevented her from offering any assistance. Walden said her firing was a result of religious discrimination, but the three-judge panel said it was not persuaded by her arguments.

Walden was represented by the anti-gay Alliance Defense Fund, who issued a statement after today's ruling.

"A counselor who is a Christian shouldn't lose her job for upholding the highest professional standards. It is unlawful to punish a Christian for abiding by her faith, particularly when she made every effort to accommodate the interests of a potential client. We are disappointed that the court ruled against these fundamental principles, but we are determining next steps to ultimately vindicate Marcia and the freedoms for which she's fighting."

Alliance Defense Fund: Prop 8 Ruling Was Orchestrated By Hollywood Elite

"We are not surprised that this Hollywood-orchestrated attack on marriage–tried in San Francisco–turned out this way. But we are confident that the expressed will of the American people in favor of marriage will be upheld at the Supreme Court. Every pro-marriage American should be pleased that this case can finally go to the U.S. Supreme Court. The ProtectMarriage.com legal team’s arguments align with every other federal appellate and Supreme Court decision on marriage in American history." - Brian Raum, Senior Counsel for Alliance Defense Fund. (Via Right Wing Watch)

Anti-Gay Hate Group Pushes Bill To Force Religious Services In NYC Public Schools

In a move some are calling an "end-run around the separation of church and state," the anti-gay Alliance Defense Fund has authored a bill that would force New York City public schools to allow religious services on their premises. Sock-puppeting for the ADF is GOP Sen. Martin Golden.

Legislation pending in the Senate and Assembly would overturn the city’s policy banning churches and other religious groups from using school buildings for worship services and would allow them whenever they’re “deemed not disruptive of normal school operations.” “It is an end around,” City Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott told the Daily News yesterday. Walcott also raised alarms about the Alliance Defense Fund, an Arizona-based religious organization that fought unsuccessfully in court to overturn the city’s ban and has worked with lawmakers on the legislation.

The ADF, according to its website, opposes legalized abortion and has fought against the spread of gay marriage and what it deemed the “homosexual agenda.” Walcott said the group’s history is “not what we're about as far as equal rights and equal opportunity.” Sen. Martin Golden (R-Brooklyn), a sponsor of the bill, defended the legislation and downplayed the ADF’s role, saying they were one of many groups that had pushed for its passage. Golden conceded, though, that a lawyer for the group did help his staff craft portions of the bill. The legislation could be approved as early as next week, he added.

As I reported here two week ago, also in this fight is the Family Research Council, who says that New York City is oppressing religious liberty by adhering to a recent federal appeals court ruling that bans churches from renting or having free access to public school property. That decision was refused review by the U.S. Supreme Court.