To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE


SHARE THIS ARTICLE Printer friendly version of this page

Obama-appointed Judge says Transit Authority Can Ban Christmas Ads

Todd Starnes : Dec 13, 2017  ToddStarnes.com

"We are disappointed. We will continue in the coming days to pursue and defend our right to share the important message of Christmas in the public square." -Archdiocese spokesman Ed McFadden

[Reprinted with permission from ToddStarnes.com] A federal judge appointed to the bench by President Obama says the public transit authority in Washington, DC has the right to ban religious-themed Christmas advertisements. (Image: Nativity/via ToddStarnes.com)

The Archdiocese of Washington had filed for an emergency injunction after the Washington Metropolitan Ara Transit Authority rejected a Christmas ad promoting its annual "Find the Perfect Gift" program.

The advertising banner featured shepherds and sheep walking toward the North Star—along with the words, "Find the perfect gift."

The transit authority argued that the banner was declined because of a ban on religious-themed advertising.

Their attorneys explained in a court filing that Christmas is actually divided into two components—a religious half and a secular half.

"Advertisements involving secular symbols of the holiday—reindeer, the Yule log, the Christmas trees ... address the secular half of Christmas," the transit authority argued. "Overtly religious ads, like those featuring religious imagery like a scene of shepherds and the Star of Bethlehem...address the religious half of Christmas."

"Here, WMATA has simply prohibited advertisements related to the subject of the religious half of Christmas, but not the secular half," the transit authority pointed out. "That is not viewpoint discrimination."

Shockingly, Judge Jackson actually bought into that nonsensical argument and ruled rejected the Catholic Church's emergency injunction.

She said the transit authority has the right to ban advertising that either promotes or opposes "any religion, religious practice or belief," Courthouse News reports.

"Given (the transit authority's) concerns about the risks posed by issue-oriented ads, including ads promoting or opposing religion, its decision was reasonable," the Obama-appointed judge ruled. "The regulation is reasonably aligned with WMATA's duty to provide safe, reliable transportation ... and it does not violate the First Amendment." (Image: the rejected ad/via Washington Examiner)

Bah! Humbug!

"We are disappointed," Archdiocese spokesman Ed McFadden said in a prepared statement. "We will continue in the coming days to pursue and defend our right to share the important message of Christmas in the public square."

Jeremy Dys, an attorney with First Liberty Institute made an interesting observation regarding the Christmas-hating public transportation authority.

"The remarks that President Trump delivered at the lighting of the national Christmas Tree could not be quoted on the side of a DC Metro Bus," he told the Todd Starnes Radio Show.

But they will accept advertising from the "secular" side of Christmas.

"They will take Santa but not Jesus; three French hens, but not the three Wise Men," Dys noted.







SHARE THIS ARTICLE Printer friendly version of this page

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Other Recent Articles from Breaking Christian News

'Get Him!': Watch as Brave Man Rescues Portion of American Flag Being Burned by 'Pro-Hamas Agitators' [Video]

A Growing Global Movement of Parents Is Keeping Their Kids Free from Smartphones

Democrat Downplays That Bill Would Cost Trump His Secret Service Detail

Teacher's Union Accused of Laundering $1.5 Million to Bankroll Dem Governor Josh Shapiro's Campaign

Dan Bongino: 9 Reasons to Vote for Kamala Harris

New Comms Director for Kamala Harris Campaign Wants to Pack the Supreme Court and Defund the Police

Pro-Life Protester Sentenced to More Than 3 Years Behind Bars for Blocking Abortion Clinic

Ben Carson Gives Perfect Defense of Pro-Life Position and Much More, in Powerful Tucker Carlson Interview [Watch]

Pastor Faced Death Threats, Had to Go into Hiding after Revealing Political Beliefs: 'I Reject the Victimhood Mentality'

'Hey Mom, I'm Trans!': The Truth About the Gender Dysphoria Deception, from a Mom in the Middle of It

These Important Election Integrity Initiatives Might Be on Your 2024 Ballot

Harris Campaign Admits to Misleading Voters on Trump, Project 2025

Pro-Harris Media Scrambles to Erase 'Border Czar' from Her Resume as GOP Highlights Her Record

House Republicans Raise American Flags at Union Station in DC after Chaotic Protesting Hamas Supporters Took Down and Burned Flags

Netanyahu Hails Israeli-US Bond, Reminds Protesters Israel the 'Land of the Bible' for 4,000 Years

'Influencing the Culture': Megachurch Equipping Churches to Mobilize Voters Ahead of November Election

Pray: Elderly Trump Supporter Run Over in Front Yard

Elon Musk Says AI Must Be 'Pro-Human,' Is Alarmed by Technological Developments

The Man and the Motive: Behind Musk's War on the 'Woke Mind Virus,' and Why He Fights for Children

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith Promises Bill Protecting Rights to Refuse Vaccines Is Coming



Search the Articles Archives

Keyword:  
Author:  
Words Posted On:  
Day Month Year



BCN Plus

Follow BCN on Twitter
Are You Praying for Our Government Leaders?
BCN Staff

Steve Shultz
Steve Shultz, Managing Editor
Founder and Owner


Aimee Herd
Aimee Herd, Editor


BCN Plus
Are You Praying for President Trump?
 
 

All articles on this site and emails from BCN are copyrighted property of Breaking Christian News. Permission is given to link to, or share a BCN story if proper attribution is given to both the original writer and summarizer of the story. Breaking Christian News 2005-2019. All Rights Reserved.


Breaking Christian News is a division of Elijah List Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved


Disclaimer: Articles and links, as well as the source articles linked to; do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Breaking Christian News.

editor@breakingchristiannews.com