Issue #101

by Art Kelly

1. Various abortion rights groups in Atlanta are protesting the pro-life Freedom Rides to pray at the tomb of Martin Luther King, Jr.

These abortion supporters have tried to deny pro-life groups the use of the King Center.

Father Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, stated that the Freedom Rides are intended to show the nation the truth about abortion.

Dr. Alveda King, neice of the slain civil rights leader, stated, “I have no doubt that if he were alive today, my uncle, Martin, and my father, A.D. would be with us on these Freedom Rides for the unborn.”

2. The Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD) has thanked Catholics and Southern Baptists for actively opposing the efforts of the Obama Administration to permit open, practicing homosexuals from serving in the military.

IRD noted on its website that “mainline Protestant denominations are staying largely silent, the two largest denominations in the United States are actively working against repeal” of the policy on homosexuals in the armed forces.

Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Catholic Military Archdiocese says same-sex unions will not be accepted for blessed by Catholic chaplains and no restrictions or limitations will be accepted on moral issues.

Alan Wisdom, Vice President or IRD, stated:

“Permitting active homosexuals to serve openly sends a message that same-sex relations are acceptable. Churches and chaplains that teach otherwise will be branded as ‘discriminatory’ enemies of U.S. government policy.”

3. Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AUSCS) has threatened to file a complaint against the Gano Baptist Church (GBC) in Georgetown, Kentucky for conducting a Vacation Bible School that teaches the role of faith in the formation of the nation.

The Associated Press reports that Joe Conn of AUSCS says GBC could lose its tax-exempt status.

But Rev. Wayne Lipscomb, pastor of the church, says “I think our kids need to know about the Founding Fathers and they need to understand the connection between God and the Founding Fathers. They don’t need to hear the revisionists’ stories of history.”

4. The ACLU wants the Cranston, Rhode Island High School West to take down a banner in its auditorium that contains a nonsectarian prayer.

The Associated Press reports that the liberal organization, citing a complaint from an unnamed parent, objects to the prayer that states:

“Our Heavenly Father,
Grant us each day the desire to do our best,
To grow mentally and morally as well as physically,
To be kind and helpful to our classmates and teachers,
To be honest with ourselves as well as with others,
Help us to be good sports and smile when we lose as well as when we win,
Teach us the value of true friendship,
Help us always to conduct ourselves so as to bring credit to Cranston High School West. Amen”