Church State

Christians in Texas fed up with efforts by atheist groups to remove Christmas nativity scenes from public squares have been rallying, perhaps more unified than ever, behind Henderson County’s decision to defend their manger display on the courthouse lawn from a potential lawsuit.

As the result of a threatening letter from the Madison, Wis.-based Freedom From Religion Foundation received on Monday, pastors from the area have decided that they will no longer be silent on the issue.

The FFRF has asked that the county in east Texas remove the display from the square located in the city of Athens. The group also plans to display a banner next to the nativity scene that states, “At this Season of the Winter Solstice, LET REASON PREVAIL.” The banner further describes religion as a “myth and superstition.” more >>

A senior Roman Catholic Church official announced Thursday that Pope Benedict XVI will visit Communist Cuba this upcoming spring, marking the first official visit by a pontiff in nearly a decade.

Although the official purpose of the trip is to make a pilgrimage to honor Cuba’s patron saint, the Virgin of Caridad del Cobre, the visit also holds meaningful insight into Cuba’s relationship to the Catholic Church.

The head of the Cuban Bishops Conference, Monsignor Jose Felix Perez said Thursday that the Pope has “a special affection toward the people of Cuba for the social conditions in our country,” the majority of whom claim to be Roman Catholic. more >>

Rick Perry is aiming to resonate with Christians with a new ad where he identifies himself as a believer and paints President Obama as essentially their enemy.

“I'm not ashamed to admit that I’m a Christian,” Perry begins in the ad called “Strong.” “But you don’t need to be in the pew every Sunday to know there’s something wrong in this country when gays can serve openly in the military but our kids can’t openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school.

“As president, I’ll end Obama’s war on religion. And I’ll fight against liberal attacks on our religious heritage. Faith made America strong. It can make her strong again.” more >>

The State University of New York-Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo) is looking into allegations that a Christian campus group is in violation of school policy and the law by requiring its leaders to sign a faith-based statement.

This week’s investigation by a committee of the Student Association comes after sophomore Steven Jackson stepped down from a leadership position with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship over differing views on sexuality.

JoAnna Datz, president of the Student Association at SUNY Buffalo, told The Christian Post Wednesday that “the [investigative] committee has been meeting and collecting objective information, reviewing the Student Association Constitution, clubs documents, and just collecting information.” more >>

‘Tis the season for political correctness. This year the debate once again rages over the evergreen. Do we call it a Christmas tree or a Holiday tree?

Rhode Island’s tree lighting ceremony Tuesday evening will be rivaled by two other ceremonies, one of which is being hosted by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence. The diocese scheduled its own event in protest of the state governor’s refusal to call the tree a “Christmas” tree.

“Call it what it is,” Bishop Thomas Tobin told WPRI News. “Sometimes the governor tries to be so inclusive he becomes exclusive of the majority of people who understand what a Christmas tree is and what it means.” more >>

A church in the Bronx borough of New York City that has been engulfed in a 17-year legal battle against the City's Board of Education over holding Sunday services at a public school auditorium, is near the end of its fight as the Supreme Court has decided it will not hear their case.

The Bronx Household of Faith, an evangelical church of approximately 48 members, first applied to hold Sunday services at a public school auditorium in 1994, but was rejected. Through years of back-and-forth appeals, BHF eventually earned a temporary injunction to worship on Sundays at the school in 2002, where it has been holding services ever since. However, the Supreme Court's decision not to hear the case means the lower court's decision will stand, thus allowing the Board of Education to evict the church.

The church has been represented by the Alliance Defense Fund since 1995. Jordan Lorence, senior counsel at ADF, said the Supreme Court's decision is not consistent with previous decisions that protected religious expression. more >>