High School Teacher Mocks God

  

       For many years Christian teachers have been unable to express their faith in Christ in public school classrooms because of an incorrect interpretation of the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause that mandates the “separation of church and state.”  Although these words are not found in the First Amendment, the concept has resulted in the removal of religion from public school classrooms. 

        On December 13, 2007, Advocates filed a lawsuit on behalf of Chad Farnan against the Capistrano Valley Unified School District and Chad’s Advanced Placement European History teacher, Dr. James Corbett.  Throughout Chad’s time in Dr. Corbett’s classroom, he was forced to listen to Dr. Corbett’s pervasive anti-religious comments.  Just one such example of Dr. Corbett’s many highly irreverent comments includes, “When you pray for divine intervention, you’re hoping that the spaghetti monster will help you get what you want.” 

       If religion is to remain outside the classroom doors, then teachers should not be allowed to express such deep hostility towards religion either – especially when Christian students are left both deeply offended and alienated.  The School District disagrees, however, and responded by filing a “Motion to Dismiss” the lawsuit, claiming that Dr. Corbett’s comments were part of the “curriculum” and he was simply stating “facts.”  In opposing the School District, Advocates emphasized the need, at a minimum, to interpret the First Amendment in such a way that protects Chad’s right to attend class without being constantly barraged with Dr. Corbett’s anti-Christian sentiments.  

       The Judge denied the School District’s “Motion to Dismiss,” and this case continues to move forward.  As a fellow Christian, you know the importance of protecting our religious liberty.  I urge you to stand with Advocates today by giving your generous gift of support as we continue to fight for students’ rights to express their faith, for the preservation of marriage, for the sanctity of life, for protecting churches from discrimination, for family values in education, and for expressing your faith in public.

                                                                                                                                                                                                Jennifer Monk,  Legal Counsel

COVER US WITH YOUR PRAYERS

If you can cover us with prayer on each of these important occasions, we will be sincerely grateful.

* The California Teachers Union is attempting to intervene in the Farnan case on behalf of our opposition, the Capistrano Unified School District.  Please pray for Advocates’ attorneys as they prepare and argue on behalf of Chad Farnan at the hearing on April 28, 2008.

 * The fight continues to keep the Mt. Soledad Cross standing in San Diego, California, after the ACLU and its allies filed a lawsuit to have it removed.  Advocates filed an amicus brief in support of the Cross.  Please pray that the judge decides favorably to allow the cross to stay in its present location. 

* Chase Harper continues to fight for students’ constitutional right to express their religious views regarding homosexuality on a high school campus.  Our opening brief with the Ninth Circuit was filed in March. Please pray for the judges involved in this case as they deliberate over a decision. 

 

Help us save the cross!

   

In a case that began over nineteen years ago, the fate of the Mt. Soledad Cross will rest in the hands of a federal judge who will hear oral arguments at a hearing on April 14, 2008.   Because of faithful supporters just like you, Advocates for Faith and Freedom filed an amicus brief, literally “friend of the court” brief, in December, 2007, on behalf of members of the United States House of Representatives including John Campbell, John Doolittle, Gary Miller, and Dana Rohrabacher, in support of the U.S. Government.

 

The fifty-four year old Cross sits atop Mt. Soledad in San Diego where it stands as a symbol of the sacrifice veterans made, and continue to make, fighting for this Nation.  Since 1989, the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial has been involved in continuous litigation regarding its legal status even though the Cross has been recognized by Congress as a National Veterans Memorial and is considered a historically significant national memorial. 

 Despite the ACLU’s attempt to strip the public square of religious symbols, San Diego voters passed “Proposition A” in July of 2005 asking the City to donate the Mt. Soledad Cross to the Federal Government, thereby allowing the Cross to remain as the centerpiece for the Veterans’ Memorial.  Where will the ACLU stop?  Will Arlington National Cemetery be the next attack by the ACLU? 

The Judge’s resolution of this case will affect the legal landscape governing the countless Veterans Memorials and cemeteries owned and operated by the federal government, as well as the state and local governments.                           

 

Please pray that the judge will allow the Cross to stay in its present location, and continue to  stand firm with us to defeat the ACLU!  Without your donations, our work would not be possible.  Please send a check today and decide now to become a partner with Advocates for Faith and Freedom. 

 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  Gal. 6:9, NIV