Student removed from graduation ceremony for wanting to mention "Christ" and "God"

Freedom of speech is under attack for Christians in this country. As our young people continue to be muzzled in their free speech, it is our responsibility to stand up for their rights.

From The Fox Nation comes this disturbing news:

John Whitehead, founder of the Institute, says many people were scheduled to speak at the 2008 Butte High School graduation. Some chose serious subjects, others humor, he says.

"Renee Griffith, who is a Christian, wanted to mention Christ once and mention God once in one of her very short remarks, and the school said she couldn't do it," he explains. "She [insisted she] wanted to do it, so then they actually removed her from the graduation ceremony and did not allow her to speak."

According to a Rutherford press release, the co-valedictorian was ordered to replace two phrases in her speech -- "sharing Christ" and "lived with a purpose from God with a passionate love for Him" -- with the following phrases: "sharing my faith" and "lived with a purpose, a purpose derived from my faith and based on a love of mankind."

Mr. Whitehead added:

Whitehead maintains that students have constitutional rights -- but warns that "if we don't begin protecting the right to free speech in the schools, we are going to lose the right to speak entirely."

Mr. Whitehead's words bring to mind the famous quote from German anti-Nazi activist Pastor Martin Niemöller:

In Germany they first came for the Communists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.

Then they came for me —
and by that time no one was left to speak up.

'Nuff said.

Posted at Graduation Shoppe

Campus evangelism now a crime?

God seems to be moving farther away from the public square.

Take the case of Yuba Community College (California) student Ryan Dozier who was handing out Christian tracts to fellow students when he was told to stop by a campus policeman. For his "crime" he could be expelled or arrested, he was told. The college followed up ... and it is now in the court system.

America was built on religious freedom and freedom of speech. I remember as a young girl in the 1960s hearing in Sunday school how Russia and Germany crushed down on Christians and did not allow them the freedom to worship ... and the implication was it could someday happen in America.

"No way," I thought ... and the youthful, innocent child believed it ... but many things are beginning to change my mind.

As we enter the Christmas season it will be interesting to see how much Christmas ... that time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ ... comes under assault again.

Edmund Burke, Irish orator, philosopher, and politician (1729-1797), said:

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

As we continue to do nothing, our rights are eroding.

Wake up, America!