A 20-year Ohio middle school science teacher who was fired in 2011 for teaching creationism in his class will have his day in the Ohio Supreme Court on Wednesday when his lawyers will argue that his firing was a violation of his First and Fourteenth Amendment rights to free speech and religion.

"In oral arguments before the Ohio Supreme Court tomorrow, February 27, The Rutherford Institute will defend the right to academic freedom of a science teacher fired for encouraging students to think critically about the school's science curriculum, particularly as it relates to evolution theories," said the Rutherford Institute in a statement released in response to questions from The Christian Post on Tuesday.

"In coming to veteran science teacher John Freshwater's defense, Institute attorneys argue that the Mount Vernon City School District violated John Freshwater's academic freedom rights – and those of his students – by firing him in January 2011," said the statement. more >>

A German couple will have its day in court once more as it appeals a decision barring them from seeking asylum in the United States in order to homeschool their children.

Uwe and Hannelore Romeike, a devout Christian couple with five school-aged children, appealed to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, which decided last week to have oral arguments take place in April.

The Romeikes, who came to the United States in 2008, are being represented by the Home School Legal Defense Association. more >>

A conservative pastor who opposes a proposed bill in California that would remove the Boy Scouts of America's tax exemption status has stated that the effort could backfire on gay rights advocates.

The Rev. Lou Sheldon, founder of the Traditional Values Coalition, told The Christian Post that Calif. Senate Bill 323 "may never see a vote."

"Maybe this will be the beginning of cracking the steel fist of the Democratic Party over the people of California," said Sheldon. more >>

A California-based progressive organization has launched an online petition effort in support of a bill that would strip the California chapter of the Boy Scouts of America of their tax exempt status.

Eddie Kurtz, campaigns director with the Courage Campaign, posted a petition at signon.org that calls for the California Legislature to approve Senate Bill 323. As of Friday, the petition has 9,200 signatures.

"Please ask the California Legislature to help pass SB 323. California should lead on this issue if Congress won't," reads the "petition background" section of the online effort. "Ending this tax break is the right thing to do, for the Boy Scouts and any other youth group in California which discriminates against members based on sexual orientation." more >>

Rob Bell, former pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Grandville, Mich., has created a version of his controversial and 2011 bestseller Love Wins for young adults, in which he "tackles the tough questions about heaven, hell, and the consequences of the choices teens make every day," according to the publisher.

Striking an inclusive tone, the book cover asks young readers, "If God threw a party, would everyone be invited? Would you?"

"For a lot of people when you mention God, the first thing they think of is 'yeah, God's the one who shuts the party down,'" says Bell in a promotional video for Love Wins: For Teens. more >>

A California school district has been sued by a family claiming that the twice weekly yoga classes it offers are a violation of the separation between church and state.

The lawsuit against Encinitas Union School District in San Diego was filed on Wednesday, with plaintiffs Stephen and Jennifer Sedlock speaking out along with their two children, who attend the school, The Association Press reported.

Superintendent Timothy B. Baird has said that he has not yet seen the lawsuit, but maintained that the district has the right to integrate yoga into its curriculum if it chooses. more >>