Posts Tagged ‘proselytizing’
Street preacher topples Tenn. town’s permit rules
State appeals court agrees with Wallace Scott Langford that Maryville’s ordinance is too broad, too vague and gives too much discretion to police chief.
6th Circuit rules in favor of Christian leafleters
Court finds anti-solicitation policy at southwest Ohio corn festival unconstitutionally broad.
S.C. school district, ACLU settle suit over religious rally
If approved by federal judge, consent decree would resolve claims that a middle school assembly featuring a Christian rapper and youth evangelist unconstitutionally promoted religion.
Lawsuit claims S.C. school district promotes Christianity
ACLU files claim on behalf of atheist father and son asking federal court to block defendants from ‘proselytizing during class and school-sponsored events.’
Ohio judge upholds firing of teacher accused of pushing religion
School board first tried to dismiss John Freshwater in 2008 after investigators reported that he preached his beliefs in class when discussing topics such as evolution and homosexuality.
Ga. library system bans teen for pestering patrons
COLUMBUS, Ga. — A 16-year-old who officials said was bothering patrons by evangelizing outside a library after he was warned to stop has been banned from the Chattahoochee Valley Regional Library System for six months.
Kirsten Edwards, acting manager of the North Columbus Public Library, said in a letter that Caleb Hanson repeatedly asked patrons about [...]
6th Circuit revives challenge to state funding of Baptist agency
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A federal appeals panel yesterday gave opponents of publicly funding faith-based organizations another chance to make their case, sending the long-running Kentucky case back to a lower court for more consideration.
Plaintiffs contend that Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children, now known as Sunrise Children's Services, received $100 million in state funding and used [...]
Ohio school board settles student’s claim that teacher branded him
Editor’s note: The Mount Vernon school board voted 4-1 on Jan. 10, 2011, to accept a state hearing officer's recommendation to terminate John Freshwater. Freshwater told the Associated Press he was disappointed school officials voted to fire him, but he did not say whether he would appeal.
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio — The family of a student [...]
Parents claim Vt. teacher proselytized in class
MONTPELIER, Vt. — Two families are suing the Irasburg school district over a teacher who they claim proselytized in the classroom and retaliated against students who complained.
In a federal lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on their behalf, the families accused Irasburg Village School teacher Wally Rogers of including religious books he bought [...]
Evangelist, Ky. school settle lawsuit
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — An evangelist who preaches at campuses nationwide has settled a lawsuit over his being barred from speaking Murray State University in western Kentucky.
Murray State changed its policy on outside speakers on campus by creating a free-speech zone available to anyone who signs up.
That change, made Nov. 30, was enough to satisfy James [...]
Orthodox Jew accuses VA hospital of pushing Christianity
DES MOINES, Iowa — U.S. Navy veteran David Miller, an Orthodox Jew, has accused chaplains and staff at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Iowa City of attempting to convert him to Christianity.
Miller, 46, of Iowa City, was treated for kidney stones during three hospitalizations over the past two years. He said he went hungry [...]
Post offices can’t promote religion, federal judge rules
HARTFORD, Conn. — A federal judge has ruled that religion has no place in post offices across the country that are run by churches and other private contractors, citing the separation of church and state in the Constitution.
U.S. District Judge Dominic J. Squatrito, in a case involving a church-run post office in Manchester, ordered the [...]
N.J. district bans secret taping after classroom preaching flap
Editor’s note: On Feb. 13, the parents of Matthew LaClair filed court papers, saying they intended to sue the Kearny school district for violating Matthew’s First Amendment rights. The New York Times reported on May 10 that the district and the LaClairs had settled their dispute. Under the settlement, the district will provide training for [...]
Divided 5th Circuit panel opens door for nonsectarian school-board prayer
Editor’s note: On Feb. 9, 2007, the full 5th Circuit agreed to rehear the case. Oral arguments are scheduled for May 22.
NEW ORLEANS — A divided federal appeals court panel has issued a ruling that may allow the Tangipahoa Parish School Board to begin its meetings with a nonsectarian prayer, and opened up a new [...]
Federal judge tells Mo. district to halt teacher-led prayers
ST. LOUIS — A federal judge in St. Louis has ordered a southeast Missouri school district to end school-initiated or sponsored prayer and other religious activities.
In his Aug. 30 injunction, U.S. District Judge Henry Autrey also ordered the Doniphan R-I School District to abide by its policy recognizing separation of church and state and forbidding [...]
The First Amendment Center is an educational organization and cannot provide legal advice.
Ken Paulson is president and chief executive officer of the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University and in Washington, D.C. Previously, Paulson served as the editor and senior vice president/news of USA Today.
Gene Policinski, senior vice president and executive director of the First Amendment Center and president and chief operating officer of the Diversity Institute, is a veteran journalist whose career has included work in newspapers, radio, television and online.
John Seigenthaler founded the First Amendment Center in 1991 with the mission of creating national discussion, dialogue and debate about First Amendment rights and values.
Dr. Charles C. Haynes is director of the Religious Freedom Education Project at the Newseum. He writes and speaks extensively on religious liberty and religion in American public life.
David L. Hudson Jr. is an expert in First Amendment issues and a regular contributor to the First Amendment Center's website. Hudson teaches law and was a scholar at the First Amendment Center.
Tiffany Villager is a contributor to the First Amendment Center's website and was the director of First Amendment studies at the First Amendment Center.
