DefendChristians.Org: Top 10 Anti-Christian Acts of 2011
DefendChristians.Org released a list of its top 10 anti-Christian acts in the U.S. for 2011 and the majority relate to gay rights, abortion and religious liberty.
The group asked its online members to submit events they saw as discrimination against Christians or religious liberty this year. Voters listed the bill signed by California Gov. Jerry Brown forcing public school curriculum and textbooks to "celebrate" homosexuals, transgenders, and bisexuals as the number one anti-Christian act of 2011.
Brown signed the bill back in July. It requires public schools in California to revamp their social studies curriculum to ensure that it includes contributions from famous gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people.
The governor said in a statement, "History should be honest. This bill revises existing laws that prohibit discrimination in education and ensures that the important contributions of Americans from all backgrounds and walks of life are included in our history books."
But pro-family groups disagree and the fight over Brown’s “Gay History Law” continues as other Christian and family groups are still responding to the ruling.
In December, a coalition of these groups called Stop SB48 submitted a proposed initiative to reverse the “overreaching aspects” of the law, to the California attorney general's office.
If approved, the initiative, called the Children Learning Accurate Social Science Act, would be placed on the ballot in 2012. The group said it will begin collecting signatures right after the first of the year.
Jack Hibbs, one of the sponsors, noted SB 48 simply went too far. “We all know that the issue of homosexuality is controversial. It is unacceptable to require that our schools shine a spotlight on this lifestyle on the one hand and then demand that history books and teachers censor shortcomings on the other,” he said.
In the number two spot on DefendChristians.org’s list was President Obama’s declaration of June as "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month.” The administration has recognized the month each year and hosted a White House celebration with gay activists.
This past year, Obama signed a proclamation to recognize the month which states: "The story of America's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community is the story of our fathers and sons, our mothers and daughters, and our friends and neighbors who continue the task of making our country a more perfect Union.”
The DefendChristians.org website is part of The Christian Anti-Defamation Commission, whose mission is to promote Christian religious liberty.
Dr. Gary Cass of DefendChristians.Org said in a released statement, "I am always surprised at the results of our poll and this year is no exception. The fact the number one and number two issues are public policy and political in nature shows Christians are very concerned about the political direction of the country. I wouldn't be surprised if this translates into a strong political response in 2012."
Other Anti-Christian events on the list include:
NBC television network twice took out the words "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance in its lead-up to the U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club.
In Franklin, Mass., a pro-life man was beaten by the police for peacefully handing out pro-life materials. The police accused him of conspiring to plant bombs.
A Christian man in Minnesota was fired from his job because one of his female co-workers attended a Bible Study that his wife led.
A Christian Florida teacher was suspended after school administrators discovered his support of traditional marriage posted on the Internet.
In Kalispell, Mont., pro-lifers were attacked by a fire-bomb during a prayer vigil in front of an abortion clinic. No one was hurt, but a police officer remarked pro-lifers should expect this sort of reaction to their activities.
Because of a complaint filed by the ACLU, the liberal 9th Circuit Court ruled that the Mt. Soledad War Memorial in San Diego was unconstitutional.
A homosexual activist effort prompted investigations by the online money-transfer company PayPal against pro-family Christian organizations.
A Bible study was shut down by San Juan Capistrano, Calif., officials who claimed the group needed a permit because it posed a risk to public safety and health.