Petition Tag - religious freedom

Behnam Irani, an imprisoned Christian convert, is in deteriorating health and prison authorities are denying hismmedical care.

According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Behnam Irani has a blood infection , and he might be sent to a hospital for a surgeryto remove part of his intestines, which are source of infection.

Behnam Irani has been arrested and tried for “crimes” against national security twice, first in December 2006 and second April 2010. Basically, in this instance, "crimes against national security" meant holding house church services leading Muslims to convert to the Christan faith.

The first time he was arrested was in December 2006. He was released on bail in January 2007. On February 23, 2008 Branch 30 of the Appellate Court in Tehran gave him a five year suspended sentence. Since it was a suspended sentence he was not required to go to prison, but was free on a five-year probation.

On April 14, 2010 Intelligence Ministry officers burst into a house church service, assaulted him and took him into custody. A service was taking place at the time and the security officials interrogated those attending as well as confiscating Bibles, Christian literature and DVD’s. Behnam was in prison for two months then he was released on bail in June 2010. In January 2011 he was tried for and convicted of crimes against national security.

On May 31, 2011 a warrant was issued for his arrest so he turned himself into the prison and began serving a one year sentence plus his five year suspended sentence.

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In late August, 2011 Abolfazl (Pouria) Shahpari, Zoroastrian citizen and member of the Iran Zoroastrian Committee, was summoned to Evin Prison in order to serve his 2.5 year prison sentence.

In February of 2009, Pouria Shahpari was arrested along with his brother Dariush Shahpari by the Intelligence Ministry. They were transferred to Ward 240 of Evin Prison.

According to the Human Rights House of Iran, his charges included anti-regime propaganda, gathering and conspiracy, insulting the Supreme Leader, membership in the Iran Zoroastrian Committee, and blasphemy by propaganda for Zoroastrianism.

He was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison and 74 lashes. The appeals court upheld the sentence.

He has been transferred to Evin Prison in order to serve his sentence. His brother in law, Mohsen(Bahman) Sadeghi Nour is currently held in Ward 350 of Evin prison and the execution branch of Evin Prison has told him that the prison sentence will be carried out for his brother Mohammad Javad (Dariush) Shahpari in the next a few days.

His mother had a heart attack in 2009 after the raid on her house and the arrest of her family members including her husband Abbas Shahpari, her sons Pouria, Jafar and Dariush and her only daughter Negar Shahpari along with her son in law Bahman Sadeghipour.

Mohsen Sadeghipor is the founder of Iran Zoroastrian Committee and was transferred to prison in July in order to serve his 4.5 year prison sentence.

Furthermore, Mojtaba Ahmadi, Mohsen’s cousin, who has been sentenced to 6 years in prison is serving his sentence since May of 2010 without furlough and prison visits. Ahmadi has been sentenced to 3 years in prison for blasphemy and 3 years of imprisonment for gathering, conspiracy and engaging in propaganda which adds up to a total of 6 years.

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It has come to light that Northwestern University is severing its ties with the Tannenbaum Chabad House. During a meeting this July with Vice President of Student Affairs Patricia Telles-Irvin, he was told to “resign from [his] position at Chabad House and leave Evanston,” and that if he did not heed this warning, that Northwestern would end its association with him and Chabad house.

The University’s stated reason, having to do with violations of Northwestern’s alcohol policies, has yet to be backed by any proof or evidence. Despite the unfounded nature of these claims, Rabbi Klein is now cut off from the Northwestern community. It is likely that he will be forced to leave his posts as faculty adviser at Alpha Epsilon Pi, faculty fellow at the Communications Residential College, and University chaplain. As a result, this page was made to support Rabbi Klein’s struggle to stay a part of Northwestern’s community.

The University’s decision to end its relationship with Chabad House and Rabbi Klein will have a purely negative impact on not just the Northwestern Jewish community, but also the Northwestern community as a whole. As a university chaplain, Rabbi Klein worked to foster understanding between faith groups across campus, while as a faculty adviser/fellow at Alpha Epsilon Pi and the Communications Residential College he has improved the lives of countless students with his wisdom and experience at Northwestern. In addition to these University posts, Rabbi Klein also lobbied for the creation of the kosher station at Allison, where students who keep kosher, halal, or simply enjoy eating kosher food can eat as a part of their University meal plan.

However, Rabbi’s accomplishments go far beyond his various posts at Northwestern. The Tannenbaum Chabad House is not just a normal house; it is a second home for Northwestern’s Jewish students, as well as a place of prayer, celebration, meditation, and happiness. Similarly, Rabbi Klein is not just a Rabbi or chaplain; he is a role model, an adviser, a mediator, a teacher, and most importantly a friend, who has positively influenced students, both Jewish and non-Jewish, over the past 27 years.

Northwestern’s disassociation will bring his nearly three decades of service to Northwestern to a screeching halt, making it much more difficult to continue his great and noble work at Northwestern and in the Evanston community. Join this page to show your support for Rabbi Klein and his struggle to stay a part of the Northwestern community.

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It has come to light that Northwestern University is severing its ties with the Tannenbaum Chabad House. During a meeting this July with Vice President of Student Affairs Patricia Telles-Irvin, he was told to “resign from [his] position at Chabad House and leave Evanston,” and that if he did not heed this warning, that Northwestern would end its association with him and Chabad house. The University’s stated reason, having to do with violations of Northwestern’s alcohol policies, has yet to be backed by any proof or evidence. Despite the unfounded nature of these claims, Rabbi Klein is now cut off from the Northwestern community. It is likely that he will be forced to leave his posts as faculty adviser at Alpha Epsilon Pi, faculty fellow at the Communications Residential College, and University chaplain. As a result, this page was made to support Rabbi Klein’s struggle to stay a part of Northwestern’s community.

The University’s decision to end its relationship with Chabad House and Rabbi Klein will have a purely negative impact on not just the Northwestern Jewish community, but also the Northwestern community as a whole. As a university chaplain, Rabbi Klein worked to foster understanding between faith groups across campus, while as a faculty adviser/fellow at Alpha Epsilon Pi and the Communications Residential College he has improved the lives of countless students with his wisdom and experience at Northwestern. In addition to these University posts, Rabbi Klein also lobbied for the creation of the kosher station at Allison, where students who keep kosher, halal, or simply enjoy eating kosher food can eat as a part of their University meal plan.

However, Rabbi’s accomplishments go far beyond his various posts at Northwestern. The Tannenbaum Chabad House is not just a normal house; it is a second home for Northwestern’s Jewish students, as well as a place of prayer, celebration, meditation, and happiness. Similarly, Rabbi Klein is not just a Rabbi or chaplain; he is a role model, an adviser, a mediator, a teacher, and most importantly a friend, who has positively influenced students, both Jewish and non-Jewish, over the past 27 years.

Northwestern’s disassociation will bring his nearly three decades of service to Northwestern to a screeching halt, making it much more difficult to continue his great and noble work at Northwestern and in the Evanston community. Join this page to show your support for Rabbi Klein and his struggle to stay a part of the Northwestern community.

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During the year of faith, beginning in October of 2012 and culminating on the feast of the Solemnity of Christ the King on November 24, 2013, Pope Benedict XVI has expressed his wish that parishes emphasize liturgy and the Eucharist.

In the United States, while the federal government, via the HHS Mandate, is forbidding Catholics to express our faith through the public ministries of the Church, it is our faith alone which makes us truly free.

According to Pope Pius XI, in his encyclical, Quas Primas, "The annual and universal celebration of the feast of The kingship of Christ will draw attention to the evils which anticlericalism has brought upon society in drawing men away from Christ and will also do much to remedy them. While nations insult the beloved name of our Redeemer, by suppressing all mention of it in their conferences and parliaments, we must all the more loudly proclaim His kingly dignity and power, all the more universally affirm His rights."

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There is overwhelming evidence that the institutions of the state of Azerbaijan are being used to perpetrate injustice and suppress a peaceful religious minority, which does no harm to the daily life of the nation.

While the capital city of Azerbaijan, Baku, hosted the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest, a showcase to improve its Government’s international image, suppression of and discrimination against a small minority of Protestant Christians is going unheeded.

Such suppression persists in many forms, including laws and judicial decisions which, in their conception or enforcement, are neither general nor neutral. Numerous court cases have demonstrated that the Azerbaijani courts have allowed themselves to be used as tools of the Government in its repression of the media, opposition and civic society.

On 25 April 2012, a Court in Azerbaijan ordered closure of the Greater Grace Protestant Church in Baku. The Court’s decision was based on the allegation that the Church failed to re-register its license, despite the fact that all necessary papers were submitted by the Church in good time. The decision of the Court means that any activity the Church engages in would be illegal and subject to severe punishment. This forced liquidation of a religious group in the country came as a result of the harsh new Religion Law which was passed in 2009.

The decision means there will be no freedom of religion in Azerbaijan without state authorization. The first minority already affected is Protestant Christians and it means that all religious activities by Greater Grace Protestant Church members and other churches will be deemed illegal in the future.

While taking legal action against the Church, the Government authorities have also committed serious breaches of procedural law of the state. The decision of the Court was made despite these breaches.

Full Text of the Petition.
This petition is launched by Wade Kusack, Russian Ministries’ Project Manager for Religious Freedom Issues in Eurasia, who was assisted by Alexander Spak, an English Barrister (LLB (Hons), LLM (Int. BL)).
Russian Ministries is committed to lending its time and effort generously to serve Christians across the globe, helping them stay ahead of developments in their own nations and equipping the Next Generation of Christian leaders worldwide.

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On April 2, Negar Mulkzadeh ( نگار ملک زاده ), a Bahai resident of Mashhad, reported to the office of the Ministry of Intelligence in response to a summons, and was arrested. It is not known where she is being held.

She was one of the Bahais involved in organising a handicrafts exhibition to raise money for the disadvantaged, on February 17. Ten Bahais were arrested at the exhibition, held in a private home. To date, six have been released after one month’s detention, and four remain in prison. Their names are Houriyyeh Mohsani, Negin Ahmadiyan, Noghmeh Dhabiheyan and Shayan Tafazzoli (حوریه محسنی، نگین احمدیان، نغمه ذبیحیان و شایان تفضلی).

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When the Pilgrims first settled in what is now the United States, they did so to escape the British governments control over their religious liberty. Our forefathers maintained that we are born with unalienable rights that come from God, our Creator, and not the government as witnessed in the First Amendment.

President Obama and the HHS are trying to force religious organizations to go against their religious beliefs and provide services they believe are immoral and sinful. They have given people of faith one year to compromise their ethics and morals or be in violation of the law.

Irish Statesman Edmund Burke said "There is but one law for all, namely, that law which governs all law, the law of our Creator, the law of humanity, justice, equity — the law of nature, and of nations." He further states, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

I am asking for men and women of faith, men and women of conscience, men and women that still believe in our Constitutional Rights, to stand together. Whether you believe in contraception or not is not at issue. Rather, it is whether you believe that the Government has the right to choose what you do regardless of your beliefs.

It is said that there are over 60 million Catholics in the USA. I am setting a goal of only ten percent of them to stand up and be counted. That's 6 million signatures.

I hope that all Christians and people of all faiths recognize the HHS mandate and it's weak attempt at a compromise as an assault to our religious freedom and stand with Catholics as fellow Americans in outrage. If this is allowed to continue, it is only the beginning of the loss of our freedom to our government.

PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION AND BE HEARD!

In closing, St. Teresa of Avila said, "Christ has no body but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks Compassion on this world, Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, Yours are the hands, with which he lesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks Compassion on this world. Christ has no body now on earth but yours."

AMEN.

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On the 8th September 2011, it was revealed that the English government wanted to force all UK Christian churches to accept gay unions.

After reading these call to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in regards of the idea to make Christian Churches comply with "same sex unions" or face a ban on marriages.

This idea seriously resembles one of a Communist or Fascist. This idea is a huge attack on religious liberty. It's like they're saying that churches are not allowed to disagree with homosexuality or have a stance against it, or otherwise face legal consequences. All in the name of "equality". It's like they're removing their right to disagree. In politics, if a government forcefully removes the right of an institution or an individual to disagree with the state, then that automatically meets the definition of Authoritarianism.

In the United States, even where same-sex marriage is legal, religious institutions have legal protection against having to recognize or perform it. However what they are proposing is that the government should basically trample on the rights of Christian churches and force them to accept civil unions or face legal penalties for refusing to do so. That is not "liberalism" or there so called idea of "equality", it's merely using legal force to keep people in line to your ideas (authoritarianism).

In the USSR there was plenty of "equality", likewise there is in China, North Korea, Vietnam, etc. All of these states had policies which persecuted and suppressed Christians for the sake of "equality", again identical to what you are doing.

We believe that Christians should have liberty too; especially liberty to reject civil unions and gay marriage even if the state itself prohibits it. Why? Because Christians have beliefs and values just like Muslims, Jews, Hindus and Sikhs and just because they are often from this country or "white" does not make it any less of a religion than to face persecution by the state itself.

The two lads setting up this petition are both from a Christian and our church and our beliefs are no business of the state whatsoever, the governments ideas are infringing upon our individual rights and millions of other devout Christians in the United Kingdom. They wouldn't force Muslims or Jews to accept civil unions now would they?

Our Church does not accept civil unions or gay marriage and won't if the state tries to force it upon them. If homosexuals have a problem with our beliefs in this modern society, then they have the liberty not to be involved with us or worship with us, but likewise we also should have the respective liberty to disagree with today's modern obsession with homosexuality.

Please sign this petition and stop this government trying to crush and trample on Christianity

Thank You!

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Mohammad Ali Dadkhah, lawyer for Youcef Nadarkhani, a Protestant Christian pastor charged with apostasy, refuted reports by some media outlets that his client’s death sentence has been upheld. “Fortunately, on Tuesday, 27 June, Youcef Nadarkhani’s death sentence was overturned by the Supreme Court in Qom and it is on hold until Mr. Nadarkhani repents [i.e. renounces his Christianity]. But still, in this ruling it has been stipulated that in case Nadarkhani does not repent, his case file would once again be sent back to the lower court in Rasht. In a way, a complete overturning of the apostasy verdict depends on Nadarkhani’s repentance,” he told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran.

“Because apostasy is not mentioned in Iran’s penal code, and apostasy is not considered a crime, then the court has to consider Mr. Nadarkhani’s case in the context of [the crime] ’insulting the Prophet of Islam.’ In this respect, since my client has not made any insults, he can tell the same to the court. Anyhow, that is all in the future and has to do with my client’s explanation. I am hoping that the death sentence will never be confirmed,” said Mohammad Ali Dadkhah about his client’s repentance.

Previously, family members and associates of Nadarkhani told the Campaign that officials from the Judiciary and the Ministry of Intelligence tried to force the pastor to repent and renounce his Christian conversion. So far, Nadarkhani has maintained that he has never done anything against Islam and will not renounce his faith. “Pastor Youcef has not budged,” said a close associate of his from Rasht.

Youcef Nadarkhani is a 32-year old pastor who was born to Muslim parents. He converted to Christianity at the age of 19. Before his arrest in October 2009, Nadarkhani led a congregation of about 400 Christians in Rasht. The congregation is part of a nationwide evangelical group called the Church of Iran, many of whose members have been arrested and prosecuted since 2009. On 23 August 2010, Nadarkhani’s apostasy death sentence was upheld by Branch Eleven of the Appeals Court of Gilan Province. Nadarkhani is currently being held in Rasht Prison, where he was able to visit with his wife in March, after having not seen each other in a long time. Ever since he has once again been denied visitation with his family.

NOTE: Pastor Nadarkhani's lawyer Mohammad Ali Dadkhah, mentioned above, has himself been sentenced to nine years in prison for his work as a human rights lawyer. He is appealing this draconian sentence. Please also sign the petition calling for the overturn of this illegal sentence: http://t.co/t5W99kc

If the death penalty is carried out, it will be the first official hanging for apostasy and conversion to Christianity in the last twenty years.

On December 3, 1990, Pastor Hussein Sodmand was hanged in Mashhad Prison for refusing to give up his Christian faith. Pastor Sodmand is the only priest who has been officially executed by the Islamic Judiciary Branch for apostasy and conversion to Christianity.

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Update: August 10, 2012: The Islamic Republic of Iran's Court of Appeals has upheld Farshid Fathi's six-year prison sentence. He needs our help more than ever before!

Update: April 22, 2012: According to reports Farshid Fathi has been sentenced to six years imprisonment. See below for full update.

February 18, 2012: The trial of Farshid Fathi, a Christian convert who has been held in prison for more than a year, has finally been held after being postponed several times for various reasons.

Mohabat News, mohabatnews.com citing “a knowledgeable source” who sent a report to the agency, Fathi had been arrested more than a year ago during a raid by security authorities in Tehran.

According to this report, the trial, which had been postponed several times, was eventually held on February 5, in a Revolutionary Court based in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison.

Mohabat News said it is being reported that the court will deliver its verdict to Fathi's attorney in three months. However, according to the penal code in Iran, the judge is obliged to issue the verdict not more than one week after the inquiries are completed.

“It seems that such illegal actions had been carried out by security and Revolutionary Courts officials in order to cause the prisoner more serious mental harm. Such actions are regarded as torture from the perspective of a prisoner,” the agency reported on its website.

Mohabat News explained that near the end of last year, when the Norouz celebrations of 1390 (Persian year) were at hand, security authorities informed Mr. Fathi's family that he could be temporarily released after submitting a bail of 200 million Tomans (equal to $200,000 USD according to the exchange rates of that time).

“But when Fathi was ready for his release at the appointed time, and even had collected all his personal belongings from the prison guards and was at the door, they prevented him from leaving the prison in order to make a negative mental impact on him,” the agency said.

The agency added: “This Christian convert is now being held in the general ward of the prison. It is also reported that he is in a good health condition and his family is allowed to visit him according to prison laws.”

Mohabat News stated that Fathi was arrested as part of a broad-planned attack by security authorities on December 26, 2010, right before New Year celebrations.

“At the same time as this attack, a large number of other Christian citizens and members of house churches were also arrested in Tehran and other cities. A majority of these detainees were temporarily released on heavy bails after some months,” the agency reported.

Farshid Fathi, who is 33 and the father of two children, was held in solitary confinement.

“During that time, he was subjected to severe interrogations by Intelligence Ministry's agents. There, he was questioned about who had he shared the gospel with and what foreign contacts he had been in touch with?”

The Mohabat News report continued: “Unfortunately, some people and organizations who are not aware of the facts but who call themselves compassionate towards Christian prisoners, are refusing to give updates in this regard. They even prevent others from publishing news because they think it is not in the interest of Christians and could worsen their situations."

“As a result, some inaccurate reports have been published regarding Farshid Fathi. Although these people try to earn credit for themselves with respect to these prisoners, their ill-advised activities furthers the Iranian government's interest and even contributes to the continued detention of the prisoners.”

Mohabat News commented: “At a time when the General Council of the United Nations has appointed a special rapporteur to investigate human rights in Iran, this ill-informed view has helped enable the Republic Islamic of Iran to remain silent. It fosters a lack of information on the condition of prisoners and also a lack of factual reports to human rights organizations.

“Considering the large number of Christian prisoners that are being held in prisons in different cities across the country, the concern over the condition of these brothers and sisters is not only an issue for their families but it has expanded to become an issue of the whole church of Iran and a continuing prayer request for many believers around the world who share this passion.”

The agency report concluded: “Being transparent and informing the public regarding the condition of Christian prisoners, Mohabat News calls on churches everywhere to pray for the release of Christian prisoners and all other prisoners of conscience and lift their hands to Heaven in unity.”

UPDATE April 22, 2012: According to Iranian Christian news agency, Mohabat News, reports have been received stating that Farshid Fathi, a Christian prisoner, received a 6 year sentence by the Iranian Revolutionary court. This after more than fifteen months of imprisonment and uncertainty.

Farshid Fathi, whose trial had been postponed several times by judicial authorities, was eventually tried on January, 2012 in a court based in Evin prison after more than one year of uncertainty.

Although the details of his court session have not been published, a knowledgeable source according to the issued verdict said that the court announced his accusations as, "action against the regime's security, being in contact with foreign organizations and religious propaganda".

In an email to The Jerusalem Post in August 2012, Jordan Sekulow, executive director of the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), wrote: “Iran continues to persecute Christians simply because of their religious beliefs. Sadly, this nation is one of the world’s worst offenders when it comes to abusing religious and human rights.”

“Iran would prefer that the outside world never know what’s happening to these pastors – the imprisonment, the torture, and the executions,” Sekulow, whose organization aims to promote religious freedom abroad, said. “Iran must be held accountable for this abhorrent behavior. Iran needs to know that the world is watching.”

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UPDATE: MR. MIRZA-GOLPOUR WAS RELEASED ON BAIL MONDAY MAY 9L, 2011:
Bahai citizen, Vajihollah MirzaGolpour was released today (Monday, May 9th) on a $10.000 bail.

According to House of Human Rights in Iran,RAHANA, Tonekabon's attorney general issued the bail on Sunday but eventhough Mr.MirzaGolpour's family had managed to provide the bail , the release procedure was not completed as an expert opinion was needed to determine the value of the bail(the document used as the bail) today, with the confirmation from an expert, Mr.MirzaGolpour was released after eleven days of arrest,torture and public insult. (NOTE: This does not mean the end of his persecution, as many prisoners of conscience released on exorbitant bail have continued to face various forms of harassment, including summons to interrogation and even re-imprisonment.)

Previous news of persecution:

Baha’i citizen Vajiollah Mirza-Golpour who had been led around the city with shackles in order to be humiliated has been transferred to the Execution Ward.

His family stated that during their prison visit, he stated that he is held in the execution ward of prison.

His interrogator has informed him that he will undergo a harsh interrogation in the upcoming days. Golpour is suffering from heart problems and is deprived of the basic rights of a prisoner. He has to sleep on the ground in prison.

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This petition demands that the government stops the state-funding of all faith schools.

The tax collected from the public should not be spent in funding faith schools that may be contrary to the religious or atheist beliefs of those from whom the tax was collected.

Where religion is taught, it is the right of every pupil to learn of all mainstream religions and atheist belief, without bias, pressure and influence, in accordance with Article 9 of the Human Rights Convention 1998. No child should be forced to participate in any religious practise.


This petition is for the right of a pupil to learn of a variety of religions and choose or practise a religion if he/she likes without the objection of the school.
This is not a petition against religious education but against state-funded faith schools, which indoctrinate children in a particular religion.

To quote Richard Dawkins;

"There are nearly 7,000 state-funded faith schools in England. These schools have many special privileges – they can select pupils on the basis of parents’ religious observance, discriminate on religious grounds in the employment of teachers, and teach their own RE syllabus, free of Ofsted supervision and free of any National Curriculum. By the way, RE is the only subject (together with religiously ‘sensitive’ subjects like Sex Education) for which there is no National Curriculum.

Some faith schools, as I discovered while making my recent television documentary, use their state-subsidized freedoms to undermine the teaching of science. It should be unthinkable in the 21st century to have a state-funded school whose science teachers believe the world is less than 10,000 years old, yet that is what I found. And at a school that is little short of a flagship for state-funded Muslim education, I found the pupils regurgitating the Koranic claim that salt and fresh water do not mix. Once again, with the blessing of the teachers, a Holy Book takes unquestioned precedence over scientific evidence – as the pupils could have discovered for themselves in a trivially easy experiment."

Children have the right of free choice to follow whichever religion they choose, without pressure and coersion, and to make this choice at whatever point in their life they are informed and mature enough to do so.

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“Save Our Yeshiva” is the name of the last-ditch campaign launched by students and supporters of the Od Yosef Chai Yeshiva in Yitzhar to stop the demolition of the yeshiva building, a key Torah learning center located in Samaria, in the heartland of Israel.

The yeshiva replaced the former one located at the grave of Yosef Hatzadik in Shechem which was ransacked, smashed by pickaxes and set on fire by an Arab mob in October of 2000 after the then Prime Minister Ehud Barak ordered the army to vacate the tomb.

Under the order of the present Defense Minister, Ehud Barak, the IDF Civil Administration issued a demolition order against the 11-year-old yeshiva building. According to Israeli building practice, the Defense Minister needs to sign off on the project as a formality. Barak has refused despite amply documented early government authorization and funding for its construction. Ironically, the building commenced when Barak was Prime Minister. The building was built with private donations along with the Israeli government which invested 3-4 million shekels in the building.

Yeshiva staff, students and supporters, shocked by the May 9th demolition order, which many claim to be the result of politics within the Labor party, have mobilized to prevent the destruction of the 13,000 square foot Torah institution.

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Currently, there is a law in all public school systems of the United States of America that prohibits prayer by students.

The current law states that "Students have the right to pray individually or in groups or to discuss their religious views with their peers so long as they are not disruptive."

What defines disruptive? "In the classroom students have the right to pray quietly except when required to be actively engaged in school activities." What defines "actively engaged"?



A copy of the law may be found on http://prayerpetition.yolasite.com/current-student-prayer-law.php
Courtesy of the Author and the Reference at the bottom of that page.

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85% - 96% of the United States Citizens believe in God. Yet, over the past few years there has been a concerted effort under the guise of separation of Church & State, we have gradually been required to remove any and all reference to God from schools, public places, public assemblies etc.

We have remained silent and allowed this injustice to pervade our social and governmental affairs. Some of us feel this has gone well beyond tolerable limits and it is time to return to the fundamental principles established by our Founding Fathers and the rights guaranteed in our Declaration of Independence, our Country's Constitution, and our Bill of Rights!

(For the song: In God We Still Trust by the Diamond Rio Singers displayed on this site, please adjust your computer volume).

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In early May, 2008, the University of Toledo (Ohio) suspended an African American female administrator for stating in a guest column in a local newspaper that choosing homosexual behavior is not the same as being black or handicapped.

Associate Vice President of Human Resources Crystal Dixon wrote in response to a newspaper editor's column criticizing a lack of equality for homosexuals that, "I take great umbrage at the notion that those choosing the homosexual lifestyle are 'civil rights victims.' Here's why. I cannot wake up tomorrow and not be a black woman.

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