A report by two U.S.-based religious freedom groups says anti-Christian persecution is on the rise in America.
The joint report by Texas-based Liberty Institute and Washington-based Family Research Council says groups like the American Civil Liberties Union arenโt the only culprits. The report says government agencies around the U.S. are trying to push Christian expression out the door. (Read Report)
โIt is dramatic,โ says Liberty Institute Founder Kelly Shackleford, of the recent hike in reported incidents of persecution. โI have been doing these types of cases for almost 25 years now. I have never seen the levels of attacks like these and how quickly they are now proliferating.โ
Shackleford says government, from schools to social programs, is the ringleader.
โThere are children being prohibited from writing Merry Christmas to the soldiers, senior citizens being banned from praying over their meals in the Senior Center, the VA banning the mention of God in military funerals, numerous attempts to have veterans memorials torn down if they have any religious symbols such as a cross, and I could go on and on,โ Shackleford said.
WNDย reported in August 2011ย on the Houston, Texas, veteransโ cemetery director who issued an order banning God from military or veteran funerals at the facility.
A pastor and family members of deceased veteransย eventually filed a federal lawsuitย alleging that the Houston National VA Cemetery is discriminating against their religious freedoms.