Family Research Council Joins Rally for Religious Free Speech

Family Research Council Joins Rally for Religious Free Speech

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 /Christian Newswire/ -- Representatives from various churches and religious liberty organizations continue to join together with an ad hoc coalition of concerned ministers as they hold a press conference and Rally for Religious Free Speech in front of the Department of Justice in Washington, DC on Monday, November 16, 2009.

The official list of speakers and participating organizations now includes: Pierre Bynum of Family Research Council, Rick Scarborough of Vision America, Gary Cass of the Christian Anti Defamation Commission, Bishop Earl Jackson of STAND America, Paul Blair of Reclaiming Oklahoma for Christ, Steve Kern of Reclaiming Oklahoma for Christ, Dan Fisher of Reclaiming Oklahoma for Christ, Mat Staver of Liberty Council, Matt Barber of Liberty Council, Paul Diamond of Christian Legal Centre in London, Jim Garlow of Protect Marriage CA, Janet Porter of Faith2Action, J. Grace Harley of Jesus is the Answer Ministry, Pat Mahoney of Christian Defense Coalition, Richard Land &/or Barrett Duke of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, Gordon Klingenshmitt of Pray in Jesus Name, and Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth.

Among the speakers will be testimonials of Christians who have been victims of workplace discrimination because of their Christian faith and others who have even faced felony charges simply for sharing their Christian faith with others.

"The Great Commission commands us to go and share the Good News of the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ," said Pastor Paul Blair of Reclaiming Oklahoma. "Hate Crimes laws currently in existence at the state level or in other countries have been used almost exclusively to silence Biblical teaching and Biblical thought. This law clearly violates the free exercise of religious liberty."

After delivering a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder outlining the law's unconstitutional infringements towards Christians, a press conference will be held outside the Department of Justice. At the conclusion of the press conference, several short sermons will be preached addressing the Biblical view of homosexuality.

"Pastors have preached the Bible in America for over 400 years, pointing people to Jesus Christ and standing against sin. If preaching the Bible is now against the law, then let us be arrested. If not, may every pastor across America know that he can stand strong and proclaim Biblical Truth without fear of persecution or prosecution," Blair summarized.

The press conference is scheduled to begin at 1:30 Eastern time.