2008 California Election Forum

Twenty-three Cal State schools have been instructed by a judge to remove free speech restrictions that have been used against Christian and conservative students.

Last month the judge said they are to be suspended until a lawsuit against the school is heard.

There are also lawsuits against discrimination for Christians and conservatives at San Diego State University and California State University, Long Beach.

Petra Presbyterian Church was prevented by the city of Northbrook, Illinois from using its church property for worship services, in violation of first amendment rights and the federal RLUIPA law.

RLUIPA is the federal law that protects churches from cities nationwide that have prevented churches from building or expanding by hostile city governments.

A Chicago federal court ruled against the church and rendered the federal RLUIPA law of little value.

The church is appealing its case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

This is a vital case that will impact Christians and Evangelicals nationwide. Please pray for the Supreme Court to rule in favor of the church and the RLUIPA law.

If God lays it on your heart, consider a contribution to the Pacific Justice Institute (http://www.pacificjustice.org) to help this cause.

Six Christian ministries are under investigation by a U.S. Senate Committee.

All six ministries have large TV presences and most promote a form of the "prosperity gospel," a distortion of what the Bible says.

The six are Paula White, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, Eddie Long, Kenneth Copeland and Benny Hinn.

Joyce Meyer Ministries has agreed to provide detailed financial records. Creflo Dollar of World Changers Church and other have refused.

Whatever you may think about the serious theological issues about these ministries, all Christian ministries are under threat of government intimidation (not to mention cost of money, time, stress, distraction from ministry and public exposure and humiliation.)

To hear the National Religion Broadcasters Association opposition to the investigation, click here.

Many churches are finding themselves threatened by city-threatening eminent domain, refusal to allow a new building project or other restructuring.

The Orange Community Christian Church in Orange was repairing their termite-infested shed on church property.

The city filed misdemeanor criminal charges and harassed the chuch for not properly paneling for “historical accuracy.”

Fortunately, the criminal charges were dismissed.

My wife and I saw A Charlie Brown Christmas and we're so glad we did.

15.3 million other households saw it also, the biggest audience ever in its 40 years.

The next showing is December 18 on ABC, or you can get the DVD.

Its message is powerful. And the liberal media hasn't stopped it yet.

Remember: Charlie Brown cries out: Isn't their anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

Linus gives the answer: "Sure I can." Then he quotes Luke 2:10- 11 “And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth, peace and good will towards men.” “And that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.” To see the scene, click the play button below.

In a free society, any publication can say “no” to accepting advertising for whatever reason.

But it's said that some will—out of fear or hatred—deny an ad that even subtly mentions Christianity.

But that's what Morningstar—one of the largest providers of financial information did. They decided all Christian “undertone” be eliminated from this ad. Click here to see the ad.

A lawsuit has been filed against the Palmer School District on behalf of Erica Corder.

As a valedictorian, she was forced to publicly apologize for sharing her Christian faith at graduation.

After she spoke of her faith in Jesus Christ she was told she would not receive her diploma because of the commencement speech she gave. Later, they said she could receive it if she apologized to the school community. The principal sent out an email apology they helped her write.

Because this violated her 1st Amendment rights, the lawsuit seeks to have an email sent apologizing for her being forced to write an apology and that a future written policy be enacted so future students' free speech rights aren't infringed upon.

Governor Schwarzenegger has signed into law liberal Democrat supported anti-discrimination legislation that could be used against Christians.

This is now happening in New Jersey where a Christian camp is under attack after two same-sex couples filed complaints claiming the camp was breaking the law by refusing to allow same-sex "weddings" on camp grounds.

A suit has been filed on behalf of the camp in federal court to protect their right to follow Biblical teaching.

The state has suspended part of the camp's tax exemptions, but has put further action on hold until a federal judge has heard the case.

This is why the California legislation (and the proposed federal hate crime legislation) is worrisome. Christians will be wasting time and money having to defend themselves against the intrusive arm of government bureaucracy and those opposed to Christian principles in the name of tolerance.

As Christians we should be free to establish our own rules without interference of government.

The matter is much bigger than same sex marriage. It's about freedom of Christians to uphold our beliefs and freely live out those beliefs on our own property.

A RLUIPA (Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act) lawsuit has been filed against the city of San Leandro because the city violated the 1st Amendment rights of the church.

The Faith Fellowship, a Foursquare Church, has grown from a congregation of 65 to a congregation of more than 1,700 in 13 years. The current small building made it impossible to minister to the congregation and community.

The church bought a large empty building, but the city has refused to allow the church to use the property, claiming a zoning issue.

Over the last 14 months, the church has faced nothing but obstacles and refusals, and spent over $1,100 per day for a building it can't use.

Pray that the city changes its mind and the courts act to protect the constitutional rights of worship and speech.

A Superior Court Judge, Harry Tobias, has dismissed a lawsuit against a Christian entrepreneur who owns a private swim club that operates under Christian principles.

Parents of one child filed suit based on California civil rights laws. They wanted all Christianity removed from the program.

This shows how important it is to elect Superior Court judges who believe in the Constitution.