For nearly sixty years, the Knights of Columbus of Kalispell County, Montana have owned and maintained the Tenth Mountain Veterans’ Memorial located on Big Mountain in flathead National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service recently denied renewal of the Knights’ permit for the memorial statue because it depicts Jesus and stands on federal land.

On behalf of several noted Christian theologians — including Drs. Wayne Grudem, Darrell Bock, Wayne House and Clinton Arnold — Liberty Institute filed a friend of the court brief in The Supreme Court in support of an appeal seeking to overturn a legislative prayer decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. In Forsyth County v. Joyner, the Fourth Circuit declared unconstitutional a North Carolina County Commission’s practice of legislative invocations because the prayers offered by private religious leaders often contained references to Jesus and tenets of Christianity. Read our brief here.

Members of Congress who want to spread a little Christmas cheer to citizens living in their districts cannot do so in official mailings. The congressional franking commission, reviews mail House members send to their constituents to see if it qualifies to be franked, or paid for with tax dollars. Anything advocating a member's re-election is prohibited. But so are holiday greetings, including "Merry Christmas," even as an addendum to a non-holiday-related message. To guard against violation, the commission sent out a memo this year concerning Holiday Messaging. The phrase Happy Holidays is permissible, but not "Merry Christmas." Senators have more leeway. According to Senate franking regulations, "Senators may express holiday greetings at the commencement or conclusion of otherwise frankable mail."

With its authorization ending December 16, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is winding down at a time when it’s needed more than ever. Since 1998, the commission has sent delegations to investigate and report on the world’s worst persecutors, shining a bright light on their egregious violations of human rights and religious freedom.

Breaking News: Texas Sonogram law ruled constitutional! The Fifth Circuit Court (Edith Jones opinion) holds recently enacted Texas Sonogram law constitutional. The Fifth Circuit reversed Judge Sparks, vacating his granting of preliminary injunction, which had stopped enforcement of the Texas Sonogram law.

Though they continue waging battles to take Christ out of Christmas, the Grinch, Scrooge and all their other Bah Humbug buddies have not won the war. When they aren’t spending their time attacking the faith of children, they are telling people that the name of God should not be spoken or allowed in public.