Liberty Counsel

Court Rules Private Display of Nativity Scene is Allowed in Public Places

Warren, MI - A nativity scene that dates back to 1945 will be back up this year, after a 4-year absence. The federal court of appeals has deemed that the private display of a nativity scene on Mound Road’s median in Warren, Michigan, is constitutional and that the city’s refusal to allow the display violated the First Amendment.

Majority of Americans Recognize Christ in Christmas

Orlando, FL - While some “grinches” try to secularize Christmas and remove any mention of Christ from Christmas, the majority of Americans still celebrate the “reason for the season.” According to Rassmusen Reports, 78% of Americans believe that Jesus is the Son of God who came to earth to die for our sins; 79% of Americans say religious holidays should be celebrated in public schools, and 70% prefer “Merry Christmas” to “Happy Holidays” on store signs.

Liberty Counsel Files Free Speech Discrimination Suit Against Illinois Community Room

Chicago, IL – Today, Liberty Counsel filed a federal lawsuit against the Village of Plainfield for violating First Amendment rights. In addition to the First Amendment, the Village’s Community Room Policy also violates the Establishment Clause, Equal Protection and the Illinois Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Governor of Rhode Island Removes “Christmas” Again

Providence, RI – For the second year, Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee will not use “Christmas” to describe the evergreen tree decorated to celebrate December 25. “Governor, what do you call a green, pointed, prickly tree we decorate in December? Everyone except for the governor knows it’s a Christmas tree,” said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel.

Kansas Law Clerk Reveals Extreme Bias Tweeting Against Phil Kline And Gets Suspended

Topeka, KS – In the prolonged case against former Attorney General Phillip “Phill” Kline, tweets sent by a law clerk for a Kansas Court of Appeals judge have clearly revealed extreme bias. The Court of Appeals law clerk and attorney, Sarah Peterson Herr, tweeted nasty comments against Kline during his day in court. Revelation of those comments, which included name-calling, has resulted in her temporary suspension. She works for Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Christal E. Marquardt.

Terrorist Group Hamas Targets Israel Following Obama’s Reelection

Washington, DC – Yesterday sirens were heard in Tel Aviv, Israel, for the first time since the Gulf War. Over half of Israel’s population is currently under fire, as Hamas has become more aggressive and invigorated since Obama was reelected last week.

Our Values Do Not Need to Be Moderated, They Need to Be Clearly Articulated

Washington, DC – Mat Staver, Chairman of Liberty Counsel Action and Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel, responds to the 2012 election:

IRS Gives Pass to Churches, More Pastors Speak Out

Washington, D.C. — The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has officially reported what Liberty Counsel has been saying all along: The IRS is not auditing churches because it does not have the authority to take away churches’ tax-free status.

Federal Appeals Court Rules Against DOMA’s Definition of Marriage

Manhattan, NY – In a sharply divided opinion on Windsor v. US, a panel of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan ruled today that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional, upholding a district court decision concerning the 1996 law that defines marriage as between one man and one woman for federal purposes, including benefits. This is the same case that is currently pending before the Supreme Court, awaiting a decision of whether the Court will take the case.

Mr. President, Planned Parenthood is Not a Women’s Health Organization

Washington, DC - Abortion was front and center at the second of three Presidential debates. On the topic of the economy and women in the workplace, President Obama went out of his way to express his support for taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood four times last night.

Liberty Counsel Asks Court to Allow Defunding of Planned Parenthood

San Francisco, CA – Today, Liberty Counsel filed an amicus brief at the federal court of appeals in support of defunding Planned Parenthood.

World Trade Center Relic Cross Attacked

New York, NY - The 17-foot, relic cross found amongst the rubble at the World Trade Center is the center of a law suit filed by the American Atheists Foundation. The law suit complains of unequal representation. The cross was dedicated to the World Trade Center Memorial. After it was found amongst the debris, workers and volunteers saw it as a symbol of hope. The cross brought great comfort to those who had lost loved ones in the terrorist attack.

2012 Democratic Platform Endorses Taxpayer-Funded Abortion

CHARLOTTE, NC – The 2012 Democratic Platform explicitly aligns the party to the radical pro-abortion movement and officially endorses taxpayer-funded abortion. Democrats “strongly and unequivocally support Roe v. Wade,” the platform reads, “regardless of ability to pay.”

Court Rules that Texas Can Defund Planned Parenthood

New Orleans, LA - A federal appeals court in New Orleans ruled late yesterday that the state legislature can cut funds to abortion providers. The Texas legislature’s decision to cut funds to Planned Parenthood and other abortion-related organizations has overcome a court challenge.

Liberty Counsel Sending Religious Freedom Handbook to Every Public School in America

Washington, DC – As of today, Liberty Counsel has sponsors for 99,750 copies of the "Patriot's Handbook of Religious Freedom in Public Schools" -- one for literally every public school in America! The vast majority of these Handbooks have already been delivered to principals, vice principals, assistant principals, or other senior administrators, and the few remaining schools will receive this powerful resource within the next few days.

New York’s Highest Court Asked to Review Marriage Vote and Open Meeting Violations

Albany, NY – Today, New York’s highest court, the Court of Appeals, was asked to review a challenge to the New York legislature’s vote regarding the redefinition of marriage to include people of the same gender. Liberty Counsel filed suit in the New York Supreme Court (the trial court) against the law, which was signed into law on June 24, 2011, by Gov. Cuomo. The state asked the court to dismiss the case, but Judge Wiggins sided with Liberty Counsel on the Open Meetings complaint, ruling that the case may proceed to trial. Liberty Counsel represents New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms and several other plaintiffs. An appellate court reversed the ruling, and now the state’s highest court has been asked to review the matter.

Liberty Counsel Releases “Silence is Not an Option” for Pastors and Churches

Washington, DC - Liberty Counsel is distributing over 100,000 copies of “Silence is Not an Option,” a DVD and printed material set informing pastors and churches about what is permissible regarding political and advocacy activity.

Liberty Counsel Successfully Defends Pastor’s First Amendment Rights

Miami, FL – Miami-Dade County School Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho has backed down from his threat to revoke the lease from Impact Miami Church and Pastor Jack Hakimian. The Superintendent threatened to review the lease following a sermon by Pastor Hakimian, in which he spoke about the intolerance of those who espouse the homosexual agenda. Liberty Counsel sent a letter on Pastor Hakimian’s behalf stating that any adverse action against the pastor for his speech would violate the First Amendment.

Liberty Counsel Urges the Supreme Court to Act on Personhood

Washington, DC – Today, Liberty Counsel filed a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s decision removing a proposed Personhood citizen-initiative from the ballot.

Liberty Counsel Stands Behind Chick-fil-A

Atlanta, GA - Liberty Counsel stands behind Chick-fil-A and its president, Dan Cathy, regarding Cathy’s recent statement about supporting natural marriage as the union of one man and one woman.