Becket Fund for Religious Liberty

Rev. Jack · Cannabis Sacrament Minister Joined: 14 Jan 2006 Posts: 242

Do we have these folks in our corner yet?

http://www.becketfund.org/index.php

About Us
The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, interfaith, legal and educational institute dedicated to protecting the free expression of all religious traditions. We operate in three arenas: in the courts of law (litigation), in the court of public opinion (media), and in the academy (scholarship).

What Do We Believe?

Freedom of religion is a basic human right that no government may lawfully deny; it is not a gift of the state, but instead is rooted in the inherent dignity of the human person. Religious expression (of all traditions) is a natural part of life in civilized society, and religious arguments (on all sides of a question) are a normal and healthy element of public debate. Religious people and institutions are entitled to participate in government affairs on an equal basis with everyone else, and should not be excluded for professing their faith.

Who Is Becket?

The Becket Fund is named after Thomas á Becket (1118-70 AD), who stood resolutely at the intersection of Church and State. As a friend of King Henry II, Becket served as Chancellor of England and oversaw the laws of the kingdom. But as Archbishop of Canterbury, he steadfastly refused to allow the King to interfere in the Church, and was martyred by the King's knights for defending the principle of religious liberty. Read more about the life of Becket here.

To mark our tenth anniversary, we commissioned a painting of Becket's martyrdom. An electronic image of painting is available at right, and a limited number of signed, numbered prints is available for purchase. Contact Daniel Turner (202-349-7211) for more information.

Staff
Kevin J. Hasson, Esq., Founder & Chairman
Anthony R. Picarello, Jr., Esq., President & General Counsel
Derek L. Gaubatz, Esq., Director of Litigation
Jared N. Leland, Esq., Spokesman & Legal Counsel
Roger T. Severino, Esq., Legal Counsel
Angela C. Wu, Esq., Director of International Advocacy & Legal Counsel
Eric C. Rassbach, Esq., Legal Counsel
Lori E. Halstead, Esq., Legal Counsel
Roman P. Storzer, Esq., Of Counsel
Megan E. G. Donley, Events Director
Kristina Arriaga de Bucholz, Director of Government Relations and International Conference Programs
Mary Musso, Financial and Administrative Director
Megan Anderson, Legal Assistant
Joanna Herman, Administrative Assistant and Office Manager
Katie Mechler, Development Associate

**Ferre** · Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:30 am Post subject:

I had not heard of them before. Considering the statement on their website, it would appear that they would support our cause if they knew about it.

What about sending them a letter?
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Rev. Jack · Cannabis Sacrament Minister Joined: 14 Jan 2006 Posts: 242

Me???
I think there are better writers than me who could make our case understood.

Stokes · Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 5:59 pm Post subject:

This page posted on the Hawai'i forums a couple of months ago gives a contact number and e-mail address.

http://thc-ministry.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1870&highlight=becket

**Ferre** · Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 6:08 pm Post subject:

I guess Roger could write them a letter, specially now with the Church of Cognizance members being harrassed in such a blatant and racist manner in the USA.
_________________
█ Please read the Board Rules and Posting, and you
█ Radio Free Amsterdam
People who know truth, speak truth.
Those who don't, quote scriptures.

Stokes · Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2006 5:09 am Post subject:

This story came in one of their "e-updates" the other day.

“RFRA’s teeth have been sharpened by today’s decision,” noted Jared N. Leland, Spokesman & Legal Counsel for The Becket Fund. “Absent a compelling government interest to regulate the specific religious activity of a specific religious entity, the federal government must accommodate religious exercise and make exceptions to otherwise applicable laws,” Leland added.

“Today's unanimous decision makes clear that RFRA still applies to the federal government -- with force,” said Becket Fund President & General Counsel Anthony Picarello. “And paired with last May's decision upholding RLUIPA -- which was also unanimous -- the Court has sent a clear signal that laws specially accommodating religious exercise are here to stay.”

http://www.becketfund.org/index.php/article/467.html
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And at the bottom of the page is the Becket Fund's Amicus Brief on behalf of the UDV and others.

In a nut-shell, this is our case:
http://www.becketfund.org/files/04290.pdf
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Where love is, there God is also.

-Mahatma Gandhi

**Brother Adam** · Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2006 6:51 am Post subject:

Yes, I hope that our friends at the church of cognizance are aware of this new precedent. I think there will soon be no more harassing of thc ministry members in the US either. Roger would be the best one to contact the Becket group. C'mon Roger...time to lay this thing to rest for everyone's sake.
_________________
-Brother Adam (we are all one family)

“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.”

-James Madison

Police officers acquitted for beating a 64 yr old man recently in New Orleans. In the words of their defense attorney "all he had to do was comply"....and they wouldn't have fractured his face.

ChriCha · Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 2:18 am Post subject:

Rev. Jack · Cannabis Sacrament Minister Joined: 14 Jan 2006 Posts: 242

Rev. Roger and All

This is a chance to turn the tide of the WAR. Save yourself and a very few others, Dan Quaintance (a "Cannabis Sacrament Minister" of our church http://www.thc-ministry.net/forum/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=482 )has the most knowledge, wisdom and courage to stand up in court and make himself heard. His beliefs are different and the same as ours, and THAT is why we should back him up.
The Amicus Curiae http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amicus_Curiae is a powerful tool that "Where a case may have broader implications, amicus curiae briefs are a way to introduce those concerns, so that the possibly broad legal effects of court decisions will not depend solely on the parties directly involved in the case.", can sway the outcome of this "our" case.

We need the support of as many others as we can find and each as "Individual, sovereign churchs" under the THC Ministry International banner send so many Amicus Curiae that we bury the judge and any chance of a finding againest us

We NEED to send out a "Newsletter" to Every Person who has an interest in our cause. Encouraging them to write or sign on to an existing Amicus Curiae. A basic rule of politics is "Squeeky wheel gets the grease". This is the best chance we have had to to squeek in chorus with power and strength and be HEARD excl

**Brother Adam** · Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 6:27 am Post subject:

I would love to see everyone jump onto this...
_________________
-Brother Adam (we are all one family)

“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.”

-James Madison

Police officers acquitted for beating a 64 yr old man recently in New Orleans. In the words of their defense attorney "all he had to do was comply"....and they wouldn't have fractured his face.