Category Archives: Religious Freedom

March 1, 2014 Newsletter

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Common Core: National Take-Over of K – 12 Curricula

“The Common Core gang in 1996 gathered a cozy group of rich big businessmen, six governors, and a few other politicians and founded an organization called Achieve Inc. Working backward from the 12th grade down to kindergarten, this eventually morphed into the Common Core State Standards.”
– “National Takeover of School Curriculum,” by Phyllis Schlafly, February 26, 2014

Common Core is a set of K – 12 English language arts (ELA) and math standards, primarily developed by trade groups and private interests in Washington, D.C.; funded by the Gates Foundation; copyrighted in 2010 by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers, as sole owners and developers.

Achieve Inc., mentioned in Mr. Pattison’s quote above, began implementing Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in 13 states, without calling it a national effort, since a nationally mandated curriculum is unconstitutional. Instead, Achieve approached each state department of education and by 2009, 35 states had aligned their curriculum with Common Core. By 2011, 45 states had adopted the sight-unseen pig-in-a-poke that had never been field tested.

Whether with amazing naiveté or complicity in the plan, Georgia agreed to implement CCSS to qualify for a $400 million Race to the Top education reform grant received in August 2010, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to improve schools.

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December 20, 2013 Radio Commentary

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At Last!

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, December 20, 2013 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Good morning, Jim. I want to wish Senator Mike Dugan of District 30, an especially merry Christmas! He pre-filed S.B. 283 on December 3rd to be handled in the upcoming session. If his bill passes, it will clarify a controversy about what can and cannot be done in Georgia schools at Christmas time.

If S.B. 283 passes, it would create this new law in Georgia: “A local school system may educate students about the history of traditional winter celebrations and allow students and school system staff to offer traditional greetings regarding the celebrations, such as and including: ‘Merry Christmas,’ ‘Happy Hanukkah,’ and ‘Happy holidays.’”

In addition to that, Senator Dugan’s bill authorizes local systems to display on school property scenes or symbols of traditional winter celebrations, including a menorah or a Christmas image, a nativity scene or Christmas tree, provided other displays include symbols of more than one religion or at least one secular item, but no display can encourage adherence to a particular religious belief. Since the First Amendment is being misused to stop Christian expression in schools at Christmas, this bill is especially timely in this anti-Christian social climate. Continue reading →

December 2013 Newsletter- Christmas Edition

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Jesus … Still the Reason for the Season
(Writer Unknown)

Santa lives at the North Pole;
Jesus is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh;
   Jesus rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year;
   Jesus is our ever-present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies;
Jesus supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited;
Jesus stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited.

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December 13, 2013 Radio Commentary

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Retaining Religious Freedom

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, December 13, 2013 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Good morning, Jim. About this time every year I’m reminded that expressions of Christianity are not politically correct. Then, I’m reminded that “politically correct” expressions reflect conformity to government-approved attitudes and subtle restrictions on one of our most precious constitutional rights, the freedom of speech. Unfortunately, the politically correct phenomenon is causing unconstitutional restrictions on faith-related expressions and activities of individuals, churches, religious entities and civic organizations.

Since they may be a little nervous about exercising their right to influence government, it’s important for pastors, churches, individuals and civic organization to realize that a 501 (c) 3 tax exemption does not prohibit political activity. For centuries, citizens, pastors, individuals, organizations and religious groups in this country have influenced government, and that right is clearly indicated in this statement: “We the people … in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice … insure domestic tranquility … provide for the common defense … promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the U.S.A.”

That last phrase says the Constitution was meant to “secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity,” indicating that all citizens, including Christians, should be civic-minded and work to keep liberty for ourselves and future generations. Continue reading →