ACLJ Victories on Christmas, Student Speech, and Church Zoning

As you know, we receive many contacts at the ACLJ requests for assistance in protecting your religious and constitutional rights.  I want to share with you some recent victories where the ACLJ made a difference on a wide variety of issues.

 

In Texas, we successfully resolved an in-school issue concerning Christmas.  We were contacted by a parent whose daughter was told by her art teacher that she could not create a greeting card with the word Christmas because of its religious origins. She was told that she would have to use Happy Holidays instead or else the teacher would not allow her to submit her artwork for a school contest.

 

We wrote a letter explaining that various Supreme Court cases and guidelines from the U.S. Department of Education make it clear that student artwork, reading materials, and assignments that include religious expression must be assessed on the basis of neutral academic criteria.  After the family shared our letter with school officials, they changed their mind and permitted the students card to be submitted with Christmas included.

 

I want to share another school-related issue that was resolved successfully.  This case was in California and involved a student who handed out Christian tracts at his middle school before and after school, during lunchtime, and between classes. The tracts are replica million dollar bill tracts produced by Ray Comforts Living Waters ministry that invites readers to consider the million dollar question on the back.  The students mother contacted us after the principal asked her son to no longer distribute them due to concerns that some non-Christian students could be offended.

 

Once again, we clearly spelled out the law in a letter that explained that prohibiting students from distributing religious tracts during non-instructional time violates the First Amendment.  School officials made the correct decision and permitted the student to resume handing out his tracts.  The mother contacted us and wrote:  We shared with many at our church that the ACLJ had drafted the letter and what you had done for us. I think it opened some eyes to the help that is available through your work and ministry. I know it empowered us as a family. THANK YOU again for all that you have done for us. It was a GREAT comfort and blessing that you were able to help with the letter. 

 

In Utah, the issue involved a zoning question involving the location of a church.  We were contacted by church officials expressing concern that a building they wanted to rent a request that was met with resistance from city officials who claimed that the citys zoning code did not permit churches to locate in that particular district even though convention, arena, reception, and assembly facilities, theatres, and concert halls were allowed.

 

The ACLJ sent a letter explaining that the citys zoning code violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution as well as the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA). After reviewing our letter, the city amended its zoning code to allow churches to locate in a variety of districts, including the one in which church officials wanted to rent.  Were delighted to report that the church is set to hold its first service in the new facility this month.

 

And, an important victory in Wisconsin where Rachel, a high school student, contacted us after her principal denied approval for a Christian student club because the principal wanted the club to discuss all religions.  We sent a letter explaining that denying the clubs right to meet on campus violates both the Equal Access Act and the First Amendment.  Rachel reported back to us that school officials cleared the way for the Christian club to operate.  Its been approved, Rachel told us.  Thank-you again.

 

These are just a sampling of the many cases we engage at the American Center for Law and Justice.  As you know, were often able to resolve most of these very important constitutional issues without going to court.  The fact is these victories are your victories too.   We couldnt do our work without your prayers and support.  Thanks to all of you for making these and our other victories possible!