Religious Bullying

Editorial: Jewish leaders tardy to denounce email smear campaign against Barack Obama

By JewsOnFirst.org, January 27, 2008

Only weeks ahead of primary elections in the states with the largest Jewish populations, Jewish organizational leaders and elected officials condemned a pernicious email calling Barack Obama a secret Muslim. The email has been circulating on Jewish lists for at least a year.

It is dismaying that the major Jewish organizations and Obama's Jewish colleagues did not confront this issue earlier. Continue.

Widespread denunciation of "Islamo-fascism Awareness Week"

Event leader Ann Coulter's anti-semitic rant also denounced

Background by JewsOnFirst.org, October 26, 2007

Interfaith groups, among other critics, have sharply reproached right-wing activist David Horowitz and his associates for staging "Islamo-facism awareness weeks" on campuses around the country this week. The events were hosted by right-wing campus groups, in some cases by the campus Republican association. The organizers claim that their target is Muslim terrorism. But critics -- such as the authors of the first two articles below -- say they are promoting a blanket condemnation of Muslims and their faith.

In Los Angeles, the Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace (ICUJP) held a protest outside the event at the University of Southern California. Their signs affirmed religious unity against hate. Photos of that protest are posted on this page. The op-ed by ICUJP board members (cited immediately following) is posted on AlterNet; Rabbi Haim Beliak, one of the authors, is co-director of JewsOnFirst.

Ann Coulter, a featured speaker in some of the events, including the one at USC, kicked off some preliminary bigotry on October 8th when she stated on CNBC that Christians want Jews "to be perfected" by converting to Christianity. Continue.

Paganism May Not Pass Religious Muster

Charles W. "Chuck" Colson, On Faith (blog of Newsweek and Washington Post), July 5, 2007

It is debatable whether paganism is a religion, per say. It is generally defined as a pre-Christian state, but it takes a wide variety of forms—all the way from relatively benign New Age-style nature worship, to pantheism, to witchcraft, and even human sacrifice.

Those who publicly identify themselves as pagans are at best a marginal number and are basically no different from dozens of other cults.

I see no reason why Wiccans or pagans generally should have the services of taxpayer-paid chaplains. It is perfectly appropriate, if a group meets court tests for religion, that outside priest/ministers be allowed to come into federal facilities and minister. But historically, with standards that have been spelled out carefully by the courts, chaplains are appointed to represent mainline religions. Continue.

Brave New Schools; Hindu Appointed to Run Christian Religion Studies

New Church College Leader Says 'Proselytization' Produces Violence

A college affiliated with a Christian denomination has appointed to head its religion department a practicing Hindu who believes that some forms of Christian ministry produce violence. Anantanand Rambachan, who has taught religion and philosophy at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., since 1985, now will become the first non-Christian to head the religion department in the school's 133-year history. "It's a great honor," Rambachan, a leading figure in Minnesota's Hindu community, told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. But in an interview with Hinduism Today, he wrote of participating in the Pontifical Council in Rome in 2006. "Last year we met in Rome in a joint consultation with the World Council of Churches to discuss conversion. This was the first meeting of a three-year project to study the issue and to develop an acceptable code of conduct. Certain forms of Christian proselytization have given rise to tension and even violence between some religious communities," he said. "We gathered to share our perspectives on this matter and to consider acceptable and unacceptable ways of sharing our faiths in communities. "Our discussion was frank and at times difficult, but we agreed that while everyone has a right to invite others to an understanding of their faith, no one has the right to violate others' rights and religious sensibilities. At the same time, all should heal themselves from the obsession of converting others," he wrote. Continue.

The Late-Great State of Minnesota?

Is there something in the air or water in my home state, Minnesota? "Minnesota nice" is going too far. We are making headlines for all the wrong reasons: The flying Imams, Muslim foot baths, unhappy Somali cab drivers, having the first Muslim as a Congressman, etc.

This story has little to do with the above issues, as now it is Hinduism in Minnesota making news. I don't have a particular battle with the Hindus and wish they didn't have one with me. While I say I don't have a battle with them, I am very troubled by the situation at a Lutheran-based school here known as St. Olaf College. Anantanand Rambachan, who has taught religion and philosophy at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota since 1985, now will become the first non-Christian to head the religion department in the school's 133-year history. Continue.

How to Deal with Field Trip to Mosque

CALLER: I'm trying to find out how I should deal with the education system here in New York.

CALLER: When they schedule a field trip to a mosque for sixth grade children under the guise of diversity and broader understanding. They gave us a two-day notice on this field trip. You get the notice on June 4th for a June 6th field trip so that we didn't react. Continue.

Islam and America Poll Results

In an apparent effort to agitate its followers against Muslims, the American Family Association circulated a "poll" asking questions that encouraged expression of prejudice. For example: Do you consider Islam to be a tolerant religion? A small percentage of this major religious right group's respondent actually expressed tolerant answers. This "poll" got no mainstream media coverage at all! Click here to view the results.

9 Jewish Leaders Say E-Mail Spread Lies About Obama

The leaders of nine Jewish groups released an open letter on Tuesday condemning what they called “hateful e-mails” that they said spread lies about Senator Barack Obama’s religious beliefs and his intentions.

The anonymous e-mail messages have circulated for months, saying that Mr. Obama is a Muslim and carried a copy of the Koran when he was sworn in at the United States Senate. Continue.

Smearing Barack Obama

Hayes posts the smear that's circulating cyberspace that claims that presidential hopeful Sen. "Barack Hussein Obama" had a "black Muslim" (i.e. Kenyan) father and a "radical Muslim" stepfather and attended a "madrassa" in Indonesia -- where he also attended Catholic school. Click here.

Islam presentation causes stir at Friendswood school

Chronicle reporter Ruth Rendon files this report after talk radio was buzzing this morning:

A presentation by representatives of the Council on American-Islamic Relations to Friendswood Junior High School students has created a stir.

Karolyn Gephart, spokeswoman for the Friendswood school district, said the 874 seventh- and eighth-grade students at the junior high sat through a 40-minute presentation on May 22.

Since then some parents have complained to school officials. On Thursday, listeners to Walton and Johnson on Houston radio station 950 AM were encouraged to call and complain to the school district. Continue.

Principal loses job in ‘Islam 101’ furor

Friendswood — The Friendswood principal who invited two Muslim women to give a presentation about Islam to junior high students has been reassigned at her own request.

Robin Lowe asked to be reassigned to another job and accepted the position of testing coordinator effective immediately, said spokeswoman Karolyn Gephart.

Superintendent's letter to parents

Trish Hanks, Superintendent of Friendswood Independent School District, May 31, 2008.

In response to an incident that occurred between students at Friendswood Junior High School and the perception and fear that it caused to some involved, Robin Lowe, principal, was contacted by the Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and told that they considered the incident a hate crime and had reported it to the FBI. Mrs. Lowe and Sherry Green, Deputy Superintendent, attended a meeting with representatives of CAIR. At the meeting, CAIR requested an opportunity to present factual and basic information about Muslims to students at Friendswood Junior High School since the school is predominantly Anglo Christian. Anticipating this request, I instructed Mrs. Green that the district would welcome the presentation to administrators and staff only, but not for a student presentation. This has been the way the District has handled other requests by groups interested in raising our awareness of the culture of our students who are minorities in Friendswood. After administrators have listened to others' concerns, we discuss the issues we are having in FISD schools and the appropriate way to address them for our students. After the meeting, I was told that a presentation would be scheduled with the administrative team. It is obvious now, that a misunderstanding occurred between two very competent and dedicated administrators. Continue.

Controversy highlights pitfalls to teaching faith

Faced with the threat of having a hate crime reported to the FBI, the principal of Friendswood Junior High School hurriedly agreed to let the Council on American Islamic Relations make a half-hour presentation to about 875 students last month.

At the assembly, seventh- and eighth-graders learned, among other lessons, that Muslims are expected to avoid pork, dress modestly and believe "Allah is God for all human beings."

But as word of the May 22 assembly spread, outraged parents have flooded the district with calls and e-mails, saying they deserved to be notified before students were pulled out of physical education class for the presentation. The controversy, stoked by local talk radio, cost Robin Lowe her principalship. Continue.

The real faith base of Friendswood

In her letter apologizing to the parents and other people of Friendswood for a presentation on Islam to junior high students, school Superintendent Trish Hanks closed by saying:

"Friendswood is a faith-based community and founded on these principles. The school district has always and will continue to honor that heritage."

The letter didn't say what principles she had in mind, and efforts to reach her through her secretary and the district's public information office failed. Continue.

Christian legal group protests Islamic presentation

An evangelical Christian legal organization has taken the controversial issue of an Islamic presentation May 22 at Friendswood Junior High to a national audience.

The American Center for Law and Justice this week began soliciting for signatures on a protest petition to send to Friendswood ISD. FISD “needs a lesson in the First Amendment,” according to the ACLJ website.

“In a disconcerting display of discrimination, (FISD) crossed the line – from teaching about religion to indoctrinating students in the tenets of Islam,” the ACLJ states. Continue.

Texas: Muslim Speakers Outrage Parents

A presentation to Friendswood junior high students about Islam has ignited a furor among some parents.

Parents of Friendswood Junior High School students started a letter campaign to school officials in protest of a presentation meant to combat hate and bullying.

On May 22, two Muslim women gave a 30-minute presentation about Islamic culture as part of a yearlong study at the school of respect, tolerance and culture, according to a statement from district officials. Continue.

Pro-Islam principal removed

Pastors in the Houston area who objected to a pro-Islam assembly at an area junior high school are applauding the removal of the principal who arranged the presentation.

As OneNewsNow previously reported, nearly 900 seventh- and eighth-grade students at Friendswood Junior High were required to attend a pro-Islam presentation by two representatives of the Council on American-Islamic relations. The program stated Islamic opinion on religious issues as fact, and contained instruction on how to practice Muslim religious rituals.

Pastor Dave Welch, executive director of the Houston Area Pastor Council, was one of those who complained about the assembly. He is responding now to news that the principal who planned the assembly has been removed from her position. Continue.

Houston Area Pastors Council "warns" of "threat"

A video posted on the website of the Houston Area Pastors Council claims leadership for the fight against threats to the "biblical point of view." The council's leader, David Welch was instrumental in mobilizing parents to fight the "threat" to students of the presentation on Islam by the Council on American Islamic Relations. Click here.

Islamic infiltration in Texas school

Parents and Christian pastors in the Houston area are angry after a local junior high school forced students to attend what they describe as an indoctrination to Islam.

Pastor Dave Welch, executive director of the Houston Area Pastor Council, is just one of those angry over a presentation by two female representatives of the Council on American-Islamic Relations that students at the Friendswood Junior High School were forced to attend two weeks ago.

"The specific details, as we were given by the students, included teachings that Adam, Noah, and Jesus were all prophets like Mohammed; the basic tenets of Islam; the process of how to pray five times a day; again, the pillars of Islam. These were specific, religious instructions," Welch explains. Continue.

Church rejects interfaith service on its property

Tutt: Give thanks for religious freedom

Hyde Park Baptist Church leaders recently changed their minds about renting space to Austin Area Interreligious Ministries. AAIM was paying the church to have its 23rd annual interreligious Thanksgiving service at The Quarries, a recreational facility owned by the church. Four days before the event, the church cancelled the agreement, when they learned that non-Christians would take part in the gathering.

As a member of the AAIM board of directors, I am not sure how it came about. Perhaps our organization did not clearly explain the scope of the event. Perhaps Hyde Park Baptist did not understand the interreligious aspect of the service. In any event, they canceled. Congregation Beth Israel, a Jewish synagogue, agreed to host the service.

Savor the irony. How interesting that a Christian church said no to an event, mainly because Muslim prayers would be offered. How much more interesting that a Jewish synagogue would "save the day." Continue.

Lost Consciousness: Dennis Prager Poses as Townhall Hellenizer

A Commentary at Hanukah

I despaired of finding the perfect real-life example for framing a Hanukah message until radio talk host Dennis Prager unexpectedly burst on the scene with his insistence that newly elected congressman Keith Ellison, a Muslim, take his oath of office using a Christian Bible. Ellison, the first Muslim ever elected to Congress, had said he planned to take the oath on a Quran.

Prager, who styles himself a Jewish thinker and defender of American values, came to my aid when he wrote, in his November 28, 2006 column for Townhall.com, that Ellison's should not be allowed to use the Koran: "He should not be allowed to do so -- not because of any American hostility to the Koran, but because the act undermines American civilization."

Prager was "out-chauvanizing" the Christian nationalists (or, at least, beating them to the punch). In another age, he would have been said to be "Hellenizing" -- adopting the notion that Greek cultural domination is ordained by the gods and the political order. (Hellenizing is the equivalent among Jews of calling some one an Uncle Tom.) Continue.

America, Not Keith Ellison, decides what book a congressman takes his oath on

Keith Ellison, D-Minn., the first Muslim elected to the United States Congress, has announced that he will not take his oath of office on the Bible, but on the bible of Islam, the Koran.

He should not be allowed to do so -- not because of any American hostility to the Koran, but because the act undermines American civilization. Continue

A response to my many critics - and a solution

In Prager's second column on the issue he raised in a first column regarding Keith Ellison taking the oath of office with a Quran, he says: "You don't have to be Christian to acknowledge that the Bible is the source of America's values" and "America derives its laws from its Constitution. It derives its values from the Bible." Continue.

Choose Generosity, Not Exclusion

by Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), posted on the Washington Post's On Faith section, January 4, 2007

Somewhere in Minneapolis or Jackson or Baltimore, somewhere in America today, there is a young couple that is feeling vulnerable. Maybe one has been laid off due to outsourcing, and maybe, the other is working for something close to a minimum wage. They probably have no medical benefits. Today real income is lower for the typical family than in 2000, while the incomes of the wealthiest families have grown significantly. Things are tough for working people, but in America, we often turn to our faith in tough times.

When our couple shows up for worship service, probably on a Sunday, there is no doubt that the preacher will tell them of God’s unyielding love. “God loves you.” But the next thing the preacher tells them is crucial - not only to the young couple, but to us all. The next message from the preacher may help to shape, not only the next election results, but the political landscape of the nation.

Will the preacher tell our young couple, “God loves you – but only you and people like you?” Or will the preacher say “God loves you and you must love your neighbors of all colors, cultures, or faiths as yourselves”? One message will lead to be a stinginess of spirit, an exclusion of the “undeserving”, and the other will lead to a generosity of spirit and inclusion of all. Continue.

Congressman to be sworn in using Quran once owned by Thomas Jefferson

By Frederic J. Frommer, Associated Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, January 3, 2007

WASHINGTON – Rep.-elect Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, will use a Quran once owned by Thomas Jefferson during his ceremonial swearing-in Thursday. Continue.

America Was Meant to Be Free, Not Secular

Contrary to what you learned at college, America from its inception has been a religious country, and was designed to be one.

As the greatest foreign observer of America, the Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville, noted in his Democracy in America, "Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power." Or, as the great British historian Paul Johnson has just written: "In [George] Washington's eyes, at least, America was in no sense a secular state," and "the American Revolution was in essence the political and military expression of a religious movement." Continue.

Dennis Prager won't apologize for attack on Quran's use in Congressional swearing-in ceremony

Adam Wills, Jewish Journal, December 4, 2006. Photo courtesy of the Jewish Journal.

Conservative pundit Dennis Prager has come under fire from Muslim and Jewish groups after he attacked an incoming Muslim congressman who plans to bring a Quran to the House swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 4. But Prager said he stands by statements made in his column published Nov. 28 on the Townhall.com Web site and has no intention of apologizing to Rep.-elect Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) or his critics.

"I called on [Ellison] not to break a 200-year tradition," Prager, who is also a radio talk show host, told The Journal today. "He thinks it's important, and I think it's important." Continue

Dennis Prager responds --- Sort of

December 24, 2006 - Dennis Prager is issuing the following statement in response to criticism of his comments demanding that a Muslim-American Congressman-elect take his oath of office on a Christian Bible.

"'I completely respect Congressman-Elect Ellison's right to take an oath on the Koran, and regret any language that suggested otherwise,'" Mr. Prager added in a statement, emphasizing that he began reaching out to the Muslims 20 years ago. "'My entire effort in the Keith Ellison matter has been to draw attention to the need to acknowledge the Bible as the basis of America's moral values. Judeo-Christian values are the greatest single protection against another Holocaust.'" Continue.

New congressman drawing heat for taking ceremonial oath with Quran

Frederic J. Frommer, San Diego Union Tribune and Associated Press, December 1, 2006

Keith Ellison, who will become the first Muslim member of Congress next month, has offended some conservatives with his plan to use the Quran during his ceremonial swearing-in.

The decision by Ellison, D-Minn., to use the Muslim holy book for the ceremony instead of the Bible triggered an angry column by Dennis Prager on the Web site Townhall.com this week. Continue

Reform Jewish Leader Supports First Muslim Member of Congress’ Right to Take Oath of Office Using Koran

Saperstein: No provision has meant more to ensuring that Jews and other religious minorities would enjoy rights as citizens without regard to their religious practices and identity than the Constitution’s Article VI ban on religious tests for office.

In Response to today’s column by Dennis Prager and the ensuing criticism of Repersentative Keith Ellison’s request to take his oath of office on the Koran, Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement: The criticism by Dennis Prager of Rep. Keith Ellison’s use of the Koran for taking the oath of office is irreconcilable with American law and ideals as well as Jewish values and interests. Continue

Anti-Muslim Assault on Democratic Congressman

It didn't take long for the bigots to come after Rep.-Elect Keith Ellison (D-Minnesota). Ellison is an African-American and the first Muslim to be elected to Congress. Yesterday, Dennis Prager, the far-right Jewish talk-show host, attacked Ellison because the young Muslim wants to take his oath of office on a Quran and not on the Christian Bible.

Prager went ballistic, sayng “he should not be allowed to do so.” Prager said that "the Bible is America's holiest book. If you are incapable of taking an oath on that book, don't serve in Congress.” Continue.

A first for America...The Koran replaces the Bible at swearing-in oath

What book will America base it's values on, the Bible or the Koran?

The alert begins: "Please take a moment to read the following TownHall.com column by Dennis Prager, who is a Jew. After reading the column, take the suggest action at the bottom of this email. After you have read it, please forward it to your friends and family."

The suggested action: "Send an email asking your U.S. Representative and Senators to pass a law making the Bible the book used in the swearing-in ceremony of Representatives and Senators." Continue.

Muslim Ellison should not sit in Congress

Last month Keith (Hakim Mohammad) Ellison of Minnesota became the first Muslim elected to serve in the United States Congress and shocked many Americans by declaring that he would take his oath of office by placing his hand on the Quran rather than the Bible. Can a true believer in the Islamic doctrine found in the Quran swear allegiance to our Constitution? Those who profess a sincere belief in Allah say "no!" Continue.

At swearing in, congressman wants to carry Koran. Outrage ensues.

Keith Ellison hasn't even started his new job, and he's already under fire. When America's first Muslim congressman, a Democrat from Minnesota, let it be known he will carry a Koran to his swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 4, conservative pundit Dennis Prager called it "an act of hubris ... that undermines American civilization."

In a web column, the talk-show host said, "Insofar as a member of Congress taking an oath to serve America and uphold its values is concerned, America is interested in only one book, the Bible. If you are incapable of taking an oath on that book, don't serve in Congress."

The column has sparked a brouhaha on talk radio, in the blogosphere, and in newspapers across the country. The congressman's office has been inundated with angry e-mails.

The US Constitution says nothing about swearing on the Bible. But some commentators insist the US is a Christian nation, and the proposed act goes against its values and tradition. To others, the uproar shows an ignorance of the Constitution and the principle of religious freedom. Some people worry that it reflects growing anti-Muslim sentiment in the country. Continue.

Journalist Says Rep. Goode Wants to Preserve Nation's Christian Heritage

Lawmaker's Comments re: First Muslim Congressman Land Him in Hot Water

This report focuses on right-wing journalist John Lofton, saying "There's a sense in which [what Goode said is] not all that exciting a statement. You'd think every Christian in America would want to preserve our heritage; that was his point." Click here.

Jewish Columnist Disputes 'Islam-Basher' Tag

Why Isn't 'Yes' Enough?

The fuss over swearing-in ceremonies reveals a deeper problem.

After a deluge of disagreement, conservative Jewish pundit Dennis Prager eventually agreed that Muslims should not be legally barred from taking oaths on the Qur'an. Prager launched the controversy by saying U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison "should not be allowed to do so," but later said he does not support a law requiring the use of the Bible. Rep. Virgil Goode, another critic of Ellison's decision, didn't call for one either. Don Wildmon's American Family Association remains alone in calling for such legislation. Continue

Conservatives Criticize Congressman's Insistence on Using Koran

A pro-family activist and conservative political pundit says he has more of a problem with what the first Muslim member of Congress will do in regards to national security, than whether he wants to take the oath of office with his hand on a Koran.

Keith Ellison will represent Minnesota's Fifth Congressional District when he takes office next month. But he has already created a stir with Christian leaders like the American Family Association's Dr. Don Wildmon with his announcement that he wants to take the oath of office with a Koran, rather than the Bible.

Gary Bauer of American Values, a Washington, DC-based advocacy group, says carefulness is needed in this situation – especially in light of the fact that one of the first things Ellison did after being elected was "to go speak to a number of very questionable radical Islamic rights organizations. So I think we're going to find a lot of things about him very disturbing." Continue

Gary Bauer piles on

In his "End of Day" email for December 5th, former Reagan aide and presidential candidate Gary Bauer wrote:

Appeals Court Moves Quran Lawsuit Ahead

Appeals court rules lawsuit seeking use of Quran for courtroom oaths can go forward

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) A lawsuit filed by the ACLU and a Muslim woman seeking the use of the Quran or other non-Christian texts in addition to the Bible for courtroom oaths should be allowed to go forward, the state Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.

A trial court dismissed the lawsuit in December 2005, saying there was no controversy that warranted litigation. The three-judge appeals panel disagreed but did not comment on the merits of the case. Continue.

Escamilla seeking big-time backers

Evangelists asked to assist his cause

Robert Escamilla, the embattled Wake County social studies teacher, never has denied that he is a Christian or that his transfer from Enloe High School to Mary Phillips High School may have been punishment for his beliefs.

Now he is trying to get high-profile evangelical Christian leaders to champion his cause. The latest is Charles Colson, the one-time Richard Nixon aide and now born-again Christian, best known for founding Prison Fellowship, a Christian outreach ministry. Escamilla met with Colson recently during a conference in Charlotte at which Colson spoke.

On Friday, Colson, speaking through a spokeswoman, said he thought Escamilla was "a very solid guy with a strong case." Colson said he was doing more research and may consider a commentary on his "BreakPoint" radio show, which has a weekly listening audience of 2 million, according to the Prison Fellowship Web site. Continue.

Wake teacher raising money for legal challenge

Donations taken at barbecue rally

Raleigh - Former Enloe High School teacher Robert Escamilla is looking for more than just support; he also wants donations to finance a legal challenge to personnel actions taken against him for hosting a guest speaker who denounced Islam.

Escamilla drew 75 people to a rally Tuesday where supporters solicited donations over plates of barbecue at Hideaway BBQ. Billy Strickland, his lead attorney, said it could cost as much as $75,000 in legal fees.

"If this is going to the next level, it's going to take a lot of horsepower," said Chuck Campbell, the emcee of the rally and the host of Take A Stand, a local conservative television show. "That's not going to happen without a lot of money." Continue.

Teacher fights on in flap over anti-Islam speaker

The former Enloe High School history teacher who invited a Christian evangelist to speak to his students is not taking his reprimand quietly.

Social studies teacher Robert Escamilla said the Wake County school system squelched free speech and academic freedom -- and he is finding a growing group of supporters.

In the days since he was reassigned to Mary E. Phillips High School, 100 of his former students have signed a petition to have him reinstated at Enloe. The chairwoman of the social studies department at Enloe wrote a forceful letter to the school board calling him a "sacrificial lamb." A Web site (www.freeesco.com) is being built and bank account has been set up to help with his legal bills. Continue.

Enloe students questioned

Former students say a teacher suspended this week often talked about Christianity

Students at Enloe High School said they have long heard the kinds of Christian overtures that got social studies teacher Robert Escamilla suspended this week.

An 18-year Wake County schools veteran, Escamilla was suspended with pay while the school system investigates his invitation of a Christian evangelist to several of his classrooms Feb. 15. Kamil Solomon, a Raleigh-based evangelist, denounced Islam and handed out pamphlets titled, "Jesus not Muhammad, Part I," and "Do Not Marry a Muslim Man, Part I."

Enloe students said attorneys for the school system questioned them Wednesday and Thursday. Schools spokesman Michael Evans said those inquiries would conclude today. He could not say when the investigation would be completed. Continue.

Students told to shun Muslims

Yonat Shimron and Kinea White Epps, The News & Observer, (Raleigh, North Carolina) February 22, 2007

Raleigh - A national Muslim advocacy group has rebuked the Wake County Public School system for allowing a Christian evangelist to speak at Enloe High School and distribute pamphlets denouncing Islam.

The Council on American Islamic Relations said the school system will have created a "discriminatory, hostile learning environment," violating federal civil rights law, if it does not investigate the incident and apologize to students.

The complaint stems from a guest appearance last week in several classes by Kamil Solomon, a Raleigh-based Christian evangelist, who urged students to shun Muslims. Continue.

Group: Pupils Given Anti-Islam Material

Raleigh, N.C. (AP) -- A high school teacher allowed a group whose declared mission is to "raise an awareness of the danger of Islam" to distribute literature in his class, including a handout titled "Do Not Marry a Muslim Man," according to an advocacy group.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations says a representative from the Kamil International Ministries Organization, based in Raleigh, spoke to a ninth-grade world history class at Enloe High School and distributed the literature, which also discussed Jesus. Continue.

See also: "In Muslims We Do Not Trust," By Tom Zeller Jr., The New York Times' Lede Blog, February 22, 2007, 7:38 am.

Furor Over Religion in Louisiana Governor's Race

Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press, The Culpepper Star-Exponent (Culpepper, Virginia), August 22, 2007

Baton Rouge, La. (AP) -- A political ad from the Louisiana governor's race is drawing a storm of criticism for accusing Republican Rep. Bobby Jindal of calling Protestants "scandalous, depraved, selfish and heretical."

Democrats say the state party's 30-second TV spot - running in heavily Protestant central and north Louisiana - simply explains Jindal's beliefs with his own words, using portions of the Catholic congressman's religious writings through the 1990s, before he was an elected official.

Jindal, who is running for governor, said the ad distorts his writings. Continue.

Jindal declares prayer ban for school boards absurd

U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal talked about prayer and pop culture Wednesday during a gubernatorial campaign swing through Sabine Parish.

In his prepared remarks to supporters, Jindal, R-Kenner, did not dwell on the political furor over a Louisiana Democratic Party commercial that contends he doubts the beliefs of Protestants.

Jindal focused instead on the federal courts’ restriction of religion, saying he finds it absurd that prayer at School Board meetings is restricted.

“I’m not worried about them (children) being exposed to prayer. I’m worried about them being exposed to Paris Hilton,” Jindal told supporters at the Sabine Shrine Club in Many. Continue.

Sen. Patrick walks out on religious tolerance

I would have thought that having a minority-religion-led prayer in the Senate would open people's minds.

Opinion article, Brenda Tso, The Daily Texan (University of Texas, Austin), April 6, 2007 , April 6, 2007

On Wednesday, the Texas Senate came into session with an Islamic prayer. Imam Yusuf Kavacki offered blessings from the Koran on the Senate floor. Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, became so irate that he walked out.

Sen. Kay Shapiro, R-Plano, the state's senior Jewish Senator, had granted the prayer request from the Freedom and Justice Foundation.

In a press release, Sen. Shapiro stated that "Our country prides itself on freedoms, the most relevant today is freedom of religion. In our blessed country, everyone is free to pray according to their religion, and allowing a Muslim to express his freedom demonstrates what we all have in common in the United States." Continue.

ADL Welcomes Resolution of Florida Condominium Mezuzah Issue

Boca Raton, FL, April 6, 2007 … Calling it long overdue, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) welcomed the resolution of a dispute over the posting of mezuzahs in a Fort Lauderdale condominium. In response to the intervention of the Attorney General, the condominium has provided assurances that it will allow residents to attach mezuzahs to the outside doorposts of their apartments. [A mezuzah is a ritual box containing verses from the Hebrew Bible and posting it on the doorpost is a commandment in Judaism]. Continue.

Mezuza Comes Between Florida Woman and Her Condo Association

Lauderdale, Fla. - The Florida attorney general is investigating a condo association’s efforts to block one resident from affixing a mezuza to her front doorpost.

At issue is the 5-inch mezuza that Laurie Richter, a 28-year-old lawyer, put up at the end of last year, when she began renting a unit in The Port, a condominium building in this area. About six weeks after Richter moved in, the building’s homeowners’ association informed her that hanging the object violated a building rule; she was told to take down the mezuza or face a $1,000 fine and possible eviction. Continue.

Woman's fight to keep mezuzah could lead to new law in Florida

A Florida woman is fighting for the right to hang a mezuzah on her door in an escalating dispute with her condominium managers.

Laurie Richter, an attorney in Fort Lauderdale, was informed by her condo association in late January that her mezuzah violated building regulations and that the failure to remove it could result in fines of $100 a day.

The association, which runs the 129-unit waterfront building known as The Port, says its by-laws prohibit occupants from affixing anything to exterior walls, doors or balconies. But Richter counters that many residents hung Christmas wreaths from their doors during the recent holiday season and none were ordered to remove them. Continue.

Lauderdale condo bans religious symbol on doorposts

FORT LAUDERDALE -- Laurie Richter says Jewish law requires her to attach a mezuzah to her doorpost.

But the board that runs The Port condominium, in the 1800 block of Southeast 17th Street, says displaying the 5-inch-long case with a religious message inside violates the condo documents and has ordered it removed. Because wreaths were allowed on doors during Christmas, Richter accuses her board of discrimination. Continue.

Workplace ministries continue to expand

This report profiles two groups that "minister" to the "unchurched" in the workplace: Corporate Chaplains of America and hischurchatwork.org. The latter group teaches churches to train their congregants to evangelize their workplaces. The head of the chaplains group says:

Click here. There is related report on a South Carolina church's workplace "ministry" here.

Christian Zionist leader Hagee depicts Jews as Christ killers

John Hagee, the megachurch pastor who is the current face of Christian Zionism in the United States, depicted Jews as Christ killers in a recent interview. Hagee also stated that Muslims have a "mandate" to kill Christians and Jews and that God caused Hurricane Katrina to destroy New Orleans to prevent a scheduled gay parade. Continue.

Bible League Spearheads Effort to Bring Bibles to Latin America

This report on the Bible League's campaign to distribute Bibles in Latin America "with a special emphasis on Ecuador" quotes a league spokesman:

A Reason to Live vs. a Reason to Die

This is the second part of an article that begins by reporting a Muslim defense organization's plea to stop references to "Islamofascism." Onto this AgapePress tacks the following:

Baptist Pastor: Outreach to Muslims Appropriate Response on 9/11 Anniversary

A leading Southern Baptist pastor is encouraging churches in the denomination to provide Bibles to Muslims.

Johnny Hunt is pastor of First Baptist Church of Woodstock, Georgia, near Atlanta. Several years ago Hunt became involved in a project, through the SBC's International Mission Board, to provide God's Word to those in the Islamic faith. Now, as the fifth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks draw near, Hunt says churches can provide Bibles to those trapped by Islam. Continue

Attorney Suggests Gov't Regulation of Google a Possibility

An attorney with a prominent conservative Christian group says he is troubled by the recent announcement that the popular Internet search engine Google has dumped news sites criticizing radical Islam.

Last month Frank Salvato, owner of The New Media Journal, was informed by representatives of Google that his website's news page would be dropped as one of the search engine's news resources because of complaints regarding "hate speech." Google officials referenced three articles from the site that allegedly contained such speech directed at the Muslim religion. Continue

Christian Ministry Leader Urges Prayer as Dalai Lama Visits Mayo Clinic

Olive Tree Ministries founder and director Jan Markell says the patients and staff at the famous Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, need a prayer of protection on April 17. She believes a guest who will soon be visiting the hospital may pose a greater danger to the patients than the illnesses that brought them there.

But despite what Tibetan Buddhism teaches, Olive Tree Ministries' founder asserts, the Dalai Lama cannot offer anyone peace because there is no true peace apart from salvation in Jesus. "The intriguing thing," she says, "is the way people are flocking to want to hear this man. I guess I don't understand, other than that we're in such days of deception now, as the Bible predicted."

Markell suspects that the public's fascination with the Dalai Lama may be a mark of many people's desire to have a fresh encounter with God. "But this is a false god in a false religion, who has nothing to offer anybody," she emphasizes. "As a matter of fact, he's a Buddhist, and Buddhists don't even believe there's a God." Continue