Nevada - Don't Mention Your Faith in Valedictory Address

When Foothill High School valedictorian Brittany McComb began reading a speech that contained Bible verses and references to God and her faith in Jesus Christ during her commencement speech on June 15, 2006, officials with the Clark County School District actually unplugged the microphone!

Brittany McComb worked hard to earn the right to address her classmates as valedictorian. And she has a constitutional right - like any other student - to freely speak about the factors that contributed to her success, whether they be a supportive family, friends or her faith in Jesus Christ.

I read of this case through the Rutherford Institute. Since then I actually got to see the video of the ceremony and it was exactly as described above. Brittany was in the middle of her speech when an official physically unplugged the microphone. This was met by "boo's" from the audience of students, who wanted to hear Brittany's words.

More information can be found here:

Foothill valedictorian criticizes decision to censor her proclamation of faith

South Carolina - Equal Access to Facilities

Gracepointe Church in South Carolina wanted the freedom for their church to be able to continue to use a local high school gymnasium for Sunday worship services. The school facilities are available for use by any nonprofit group that pays the fees and abides by the rental criteria. Gracepointe Church paid the fees and met the criteria. But the school district's Board of Trustees, hoping to discourage so-called "undesirable" groups from using the school facilities, attempted to make an example of Gracepointe Church by denying them continued use of the school.

Cases like this typically do not stand up to a court fight. If the school facilities are available to other groups, they can not legally be withheld from a church's use. However, not many churches wish to use precious resources to fight something like this in court. And the fact is, it should not come up in the first place. It is another example (actually, one of many such examples from all around the country) of people misunderstanding the meaning of the First Amendment.

Holiday Concert in Michigan

A Michigan elementary school music teacher, acting on instructions from the school principal, eliminated the word "God" from all songs in her school's holiday concert. Children were instructed to be silent rather than say "God" whenever the word appeared in the music.

This is yet another example of the mis-application of the First Amendment. What kind of message does this send to the students?

In case readers might think this to be an "urban legend" that is not part of real life, I'll remind you of my own experience. Because of comments and attitude from an elementary school teacher, my daughter said one evening that you are not allowed to say "God" in school (this is while we lived in Connecticut). She got the message loud and clear.

Snohomish County, WA - Music Is Censored

In Snohomish County, WA, a school refused to let a woodwind ensemble play the music they wanted for graduation. The ensemble was chosen for the ceremony, and they decided to play an instrumental version of Ave Maria by Franz Biebl. The school traditionally allows the top ensemble to perform a piece from their repertoire, but this time they told the group they had to play something else. The school would not allow religion at the graduation ceremony. The group was not planning to include the words to the song in the program and no one would be singing it.

I have two degrees in music, and I can tell you the obvious: if you omit music with any reference to religion or any tradition in religion, you take out some of the greatest works in music history. Such would not be a complete or even satisfactory music education. You would even eliminate such works as Beethoven's 9th Symphony because of its use of Ode to Joy.

Freehold Township, NJ - Your Home Is Not Your Castle

A Rabbi in Freehold Township, NJ, welcomes family, friends, and neighbors to his home on Friday to observe the Jewish Sabbath along with some other Jewish holidays. In 2007 he was informed by his Township that these gatherings violated zoning ordinances. They issued a summons charging the Rabbi with operating a house of worship. The Township also set up a video camera across the street to monitor his house, including the comings and goings of his guests. The Rabbi is fighting this in court with the help of the Rutherford Institute.

Perhaps I have missed it in the news, but I don't recall hearing of weekly football-watching parties, regular bridge nights, or other gatherings being cited because of zoning ordinances. Why would religion be singled out?

If you sell items on eBay (not as a full-time job), are you violating non-commercial zoning laws? It seems clear enough that you are not because your full-time work is elsewhere, so eBay marketing is not the main purpose of your home. Wouldn't that be true for this Rabbi?

This same thing has happened involving Christian Bible studies that are held on a weekly basis at a private home.