IFAS | Freedom Writer | July/August 1992 | inbrief.html

In brief...

On June 24th, in a 5-4 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a major victory to families as the nine-member body pronounced prayer at high school graduations a violation of the separation between church and state. Associate Justice Blackmun said, "The mixing of government and religion can be a threat to free government, even if no one is forced to participate. When the government puts its imprimatur on a particular religion, it conveys a message of exclusion to all those who do not adhere to the favored beliefs."

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Although Pat Robertson withdrew his bid for United Press International, he plans to go ahead with a multi-billion dollar news-gathering network. Seeing Jesus as "Lord of the government," and "Lord of the press," Robertson will establish his first news bureau in Washington, DC, with emphasis on radio news.

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Now in 47 states, the Christian Coalition continues its grass roots organizing. Road to Victory II, their second annual political strategy conference, will be held on September 11 and 12 in Virginia Beach.

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Another Christian Right group, the Colorado Springs-based Focus on the Family ministry now has coalitions in some 30 states. Family Research Council, headed by Gary Bauer, is the ministry's Washington, DC-based lobbying division.

© 1998 Institute for First Amendment Studies, Inc.