part 2

Boston sued for censoring Christian flag

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  July 6, 2018

Liberty Counsel   Contact:   Public Relations Department   407-875-1776 office   407-462-9715 cell   Media@LC.org   www.LC.org

Boston Sued for Censoring Christian Flag July 6, 2018 BOSTON, MA - Liberty Counsel filed a lawsuit today against the city of Boston and one of its officials for censoring the Christian flag of Boston resident Hal Shurtleff and his Christian civic organization, Camp Constitution. The city regularly extends to civic and cultural organizations the freedom to raise their flags on the city hall flagpoles to commemorate whatever events are important to the organizations.   However, when Camp Constitution asked the city for a permit to raise the Christian flag on Boston City Hall flagpoles to commemorate Constitution Day (September 17) and the civic and cultural contributions of Boston's Christian community, the city officials denied the permit based on a secret, unwritten, and unconstitutional "policy" of refusing religious flags.   Shurtleff began the permitting process for Camp Constitution's event in July 2017 and offered the city several proposed dates for that September. The city stonewalled. Yet after several follow-ups, the commissioner of property management revealed the city's secret, anti-Christian policy, as the reason for denial:   I am writing to you in response to your inquiry as to the reason for denying your request to raise the "Christian Flag." The City of Boston maintains a policy and practice of respectfully refraining from flying non-secular flags on the City Hall flagpoles. . . . According to the above policy and practice, the City of Boston has respectfully denied the request of Camp Constitution to fly on a City Hall flagpole the "Christian" flag, as it is identified in the request, which displays a red Latin cross against a blue square bordered on three sides by a white field...The City would be willing to consider a request to fly a non-religious flag, should your organization elect to offer one. (Emphasis added.)   The city's denial is unconstitutional because its past and current written policy and practice (and permit application) provides that Boston City Hall flagpoles are available for privately-selected flags to be flown upon request of virtually any private association or activity. Previously allowed flag-raising events include ethnic and other "cultural celebrations," corresponding with the raising of the flags of various countries or causes, and announcements of the same on the CityHallPlazaBoston.com website. Approved flags flown at such events include those of Albania, Brazil, Ethiopia, Italy, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, and Mexico, as well as of Communist China and Cuba. The flag of the private "Chinese Progressive Association" has been raised. The "Juneteenth" flag has been raised by the private National Juneteenth Observance Foundation. A rainbow flag has been raised by the private organization Boston Pride. Even a "transgender" pink and blue flag has been raised. Since these have all been allowed, the city cannot deny Camp Constitution's permit request to fly the Christian flag.   In the lawsuit, Shurtleff and Camp Constitution seek an injunction requiring the city to allow the Christian flag-raising event that it denied in 2017, to coincide with the 2018 observance of Constitution Day, which will celebrate the civic and social contributions of the Christian community to the city of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, religious tolerance, the Rule of Law, and the U.S. Constitution, and will include historical and contemporary presentations, such as the need for racial reconciliation through Jesus Christ.   "Government officials cannot single out a religious viewpoint for disfavored treatment to a public forum that is open to non-religious viewpoints," said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. "The First Amendment protects the religious expression of all, and it prohibits the open hostility to religious viewpoints. The Massachusetts Constitution recognizes that 'the happiness of a people and the good order and preservation of civil government essentially depend upon piety, religion, and morality,' and the Boston City Flag­-flying on the same flagpoles denied to Camp Constitution-includes the Latin inscription, 'God be with us as he was with our fathers.' The city's censoring of religious viewpoints is not only unconstitutional, but also violates the historical and deeply held values of Boston, the Commonwealth, and the country," said Staver. About Liberty Counsel Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics.

This Wednesday July 4 we celebrate Freedom!

After the Emancipation Proclamation (1865)

by Oliver Wendell Holmes

Giver of all that crowns our days,

With Grateful hearts we sing thy praise;

Through deep and desert led by Thee,
Our promised land at last we see.

Ruler of Nations, judge our cause!
If we have kept thy holy laws,
The sons of Belial curse in vain
The day that rends the captive's chain.

Thou God of vengeance! Israel's Lord!
Break in their grasp the shield and sword,
And make thy righteous judgments known
Till all thy foes are overthrown!

Then, Father, lay thy healing hand
In mercy on our stricken land;
Lead all its wanderers to the fold,
And be their Shepherd as of old.

So shall one Nation's song ascend
To Thee, our Ruler, Father, Friend,
While Heaven's wide arch resounds again
With Peace on earth, good-will to men!

CA Bill Bans the Bible

Liberty Counsel   Contact:   Public Relations Department   407-875-1776 office   407-462-9715 cell   Media@LC.org   www.LC.org

CA Bill Bans the Bible April 25, 2018 SACRAMENTO, CA - A California bill is so broad that it bans books, printed materials and advertisements that provide information that a person facing unwanted same-sex attractions or gender confusion can change. AB 2943 declares "advertising, offering to engage in, or engaging in sexual orientation change efforts with an individual" is fraudulent business practice. California State Assemblymember, Al Muratsuchi, said, "The First Amendment does not prohibit banning fraudulent conduct. The faith community, like anyone else, needs to evolve with the times." (emphasis added). During his speech on the California bill at Google headquarters, LGBT activist Samuel Brinton said he wanted to "figure out a way to stop" pastors and churches from offering counsel to help people change unwanted same-sex attractions. He went on to say, "I may not be able to FIND every little camp...every pastor, but I can make it something that is culturally unacceptable." He added, "Yes, it's directly affecting mental health professionals, but by proxy, it's affecting everyone else." The Bible specifically refers to homosexuality 1 Corinthians 6:9. Then verse 11 states, "And such were some of you," thus clearly stating that through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, people with same-sex attractions or who engaged in same-sex behavior can change. Advertising this passage or quoting it in a brochure would be considered fraudulent business practices under this bill.

“It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.” – George Washington 

“You do well to wish to learn our arts and our ways of life and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are.” – George Washington 

“We ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained.” – George Washington 

Happy Halloween

America, land of the free and home of the brave

Irish Mystique Behind the Luck

When merry hearts and laughing eyes get together and sing,
It's bound to be the Irish if you hear angel bells too-la-rring.
Add a jig, a yarn or two,
It's all designed for fun;

And when the leprechauns drop by,
You'll find the magic has begun.

Try to talk them into telling secrets of their gold,
Respond they with a sneer or tease about rainbows of old.
Pose a toast or throw a punch;
It's all the same to them,
'Cause by hook or crook and end of night
They'll all be next o' kin.

And when the party's over, love for brother doesn't end.
They seek to find if there's a helping hand that they can lend.
Pass the hat, commit a chore,
Each burden is theirs to share.
Challenge the shirts right off their back,
They're sure to take that dare.

The shamrock is known as a symbol of divinity.
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Blessed Trinity.
An Irish blessing or special prayer
To the Constant One above,

Ever mindful of his beneficence-
Never forgetful of His love.

@Kara Lucky Kraemer,2008

Kara L. Kraemer

History and legend of the Poinsettia

The plant Euphorbia pulcherrima, which we have named poinsettia is indigenous to Central America and grew vigorously in parts of Southern Mexico. Known by the Aztecs as the "flower that grows in residues," it was prized for its beauty and also for cosmetic and medicinal purposes.

During the presidency of James Madison, Joel Roberts Poinsett (1779-1851) became the first American Ambassador to Mexico.  He was the son of a French physician and had developed a deep interest in botany. 

While visiting Taxco del Alarcon in 1828, he was delighted by the beautiful red plants he saw all around.  Sending a few samples back to his greenhouses in South Carolina, he soon propagated the plants.  They made special gifts for friends and a welcome addition to botanical gardens of the time. 

One man gifted by the plant was John Bartram of Philadelphia.  He gave it over to a Robert Buist, nurseryman in Pennsylvania.  From there, the enchanting plant sold well to other Americans and became known in name for the man who brought it to America.

Since then, the man and his popular Christmas plant is honored on December 12 designated by Congress as National Poinsettia Day.

It is interesting to note that Mr. Poinsett founded the roots of today's Smithsonian Institution.

The Legend of the Poinsettia

The plant's connection with Christmas began in Mexico during the 1500's.  It seems there was a poor Mexican girl named Pepita who had no gift for the Christ Child at Christmas Eve Services.

As she and her cousin Pedro walked to the chapel, a feeling of gloom overtook her heart.  Pedro tried to console her by reminding her that it isn't a fancy gift that is important but that any gift of love is acceptable.

Rather than appear empty handed, she picked out some weeds and tried to make a pretty bouquet of them.  Pepita felt tears come to her eyes as she walked through the doors of the village chapel with her drab gift for the One she adored above all.

As she approached the altar, the love within her shone bright.  She knelt to leave the bouquet at the foot of the nativity scene and suddenly felt a warming spirit all around her.  The bouquet she dropped started to bloom into bursts of brilliant red and green.  It was Christmas miracle of love!

Since then, the bright red flowers became known as Flowers of the Holy Night and come back every year at Christmas time.

@KLKraemer

http://www.phoenixflowershops.com/pages/poinsettiahistory.htm