Press release below. Please forward widely. Please call for interviews!
In Jesus,
Chaplain K.
------------------------
Appeals Court Bans Prayer 'In Jesus' Name'
Contact: Chaplain Klingenschmitt, www.PrayInJesusName.org, 719-360-5132 cell,
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
WASHINGTON, July 23 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
today ruled that the city council of Fredericksburg, Virginia had proper
authority to require "non-sectarian" prayer content and exclude council-member
Rev. Hashmel Turner from the prayer rotation because he prayed "in Jesus'
name."
Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, writing the decision, said:
"The restriction that prayers be nonsectarian in nature is designed to make the
prayers accessible to people who come from a variety of backgrounds, not to
exclude or disparage a particular faith."
Ironically, she admitted Turner was excluded from participating solely because
of the Christian content of his prayer.
A full text copy of the decision, with added commentary by Chaplain
Klingenschmitt is here: www.PrayInJesusName.org/Frenzy13/AgainstOconnor.pdf
Gordon James Klingenschmitt, the former Navy chaplain who faced court-martial
for praying "in Jesus name" in uniform (but won the victory in Congress for
other chaplains), defended Rev. Hashmel Turner:
"The Fredericksburg government violated everybody's rights by establishing a
non-sectarian religion, and requiring all prayers conform, or face punishment
of exclusion. Justice O'Connor showed her liberal colors today, by declaring
the word 'Jesus' as illegal religious speech, which can be banned by any
council who wishes to ignore the First Amendment as she did. Councilman Rev.
Hashmel Turner should run for mayor, fire the other council-members, and
re-write the prayer policy. And if he appeals to the Supreme Court, I pray he
will win, in Jesus' name."
For media interviews, call:
Chaplain Klingenschmitt 719-360-5132 cell
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Web address: www.PrayInJesusName.org
Source:
http://christiannewswire.com/news/558917273.html
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