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Christian Seniors Association
Asks Justice Department To Investigate Church Harassment by "Mainstream"
Extremists
Group Wants Federal Investigation of Midwest Church Harassment Washington, DC - The head of the Christian Seniors Association (CSA) asked U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft to investigate reported harassment of churches in Kansas and Missouri. CSA Executive Director James Lafferty said a report by the Associated Press and the website of a group calling itself "The Mainstream Coalition" says it has over 100 members who "monitor" sermons and worship at targeted churches. Lafferty said he has delivered letters to Attorney General Ashcroft and to the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division asking that federal agents be dispatched to Kansas and Missouri to observe the coalition's activities against churches there. "Churches in those states are being strong-armed and pushed around because of their beliefs," said Lafferty. "We want those religious citizens to get the protection they are promised in the Constitution. It is time somebody pushed back at the liberal bullies. "This is harassment, pure and simple, "said Lafferty. "Churches in Kansas and Missouri which oppose homosexual marriage go to the top of the coalition's target list for some 'monitoring'. "The free exercise clause of the First Amendment still covers Kansas and Missouri. Church people there should be able to worship freely and according to their beliefs without this group's heavy-handed monitors taking down their names and staring at them. "The Mainstream Coalition has taken a page out of the practices of those who harassed African-American churches during the darkest days of the civil rights struggle. When will they start wearing hoods as they go about their 'monitoring'? "This is an attempt to intimidate pastors and church members who are faithful to teachings which conflict with the liberal agenda. It is despicable! "These same people would go hoarse defending the free speech of some foul-mouthed disc jockey but let a minister or a priest condemn homosexual marriage - that makes them fighting mad. "Look at their website (http://www.mainstreamcoalition.com/join.html) and the bios of their board members - many are current or former members of the American Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthood and the National Education Association. They don't want to monitor anything; they are there to intimidate pastors and worshippers. "Christians shouldn't be forced to surrender any of their rights as citizens including the right to public worship and the right to express sincerely-held religious beliefs." |