The 3 - June 1, 2025

Prayer service conducted at the Pentagon - Secretary of Defense invites, but does not mandate, employees to attend

Gary Bauer, writing for the James Dobson Family Institute, which presents Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk weeknights at 8:30 on Faith Radio, states:

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth held an overtly Christian prayer service in the Pentagon’s auditorium on May 21, 2025. A pastor spoke at the event, which was voluntary and well attended. Secretary Hegseth said that his plans are to have such events each month. JDFI commends him.

After highlighting several media sources which denounced the event, Bauer wrote this:

The First Amendment prohibits the government from establishing an official religion in America. A prayer service on government property does not establish an official religion. The First Amendment also guarantees the “free exercise of religion.” Hegseth’s prayer service at the Pentagon is a perfect example of this freedom.

Erin Smith, Associate Counsel at First Liberty Institute, issued this statement, published at the organization's website:

Secretary Hegseth’s exercise of his religious faith is protected just like it was for the Navy SEALs we represented against the prior administration when it tried to kick them out for their faith objection to Covid requirements. We commend Secretary Hegseth for standing up for the Constitution and against censorship.

Gary Bauer added: 

This prayer service is well within the historic traditions of the American Republic. Our first president, George Washington, credited God for the birth of our country and victory in our War of Independence. Our Declaration of Independence states explicitly that our Creator—a reference to the God of the Bible—is the author of our liberty. The American Revolution itself was inspired by colonial pastors who roused their congregations to stand for liberty. President Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address referred directly or indirectly to the Bible a dozen times.

He also noted that President Franklin Roosevelt led the nation in prayer via radio as American troops embarked on the D-Day invasion. Bauer states: "Many of our soldiers carried small Bibles, consisting of the New Testament and the book of Psalms, provided by the Gideons organization with the consent of the US government."  There was a personal note from FDR in the front of those Bibles.

Court rules drag queen show can move forward near children's park

As backlash continues in various sectors of our society to the incredible lack of self-awareness of the gay community, who have been pushing this notion of "pride" upon the public during June, CBN.com reports that:

A U.S. District Judge has issued a preliminary injunction allowing a "grossly inappropriate, and sexually explicit drag show," to be held in view of children at a June 7 "pride" festival, a non-profit legal group reports.

As CBN News reported, Liberty Counsel filed a motion on behalf of three Collier County parents to keep the sexualized LGBTQ performance away from a children's playground.

The article notes:

The lawsuit came after the Naples City Council voted 5-2 in April to move the proposed drag show indoors away from Cambier Park, which is frequented by children, and to restrict the event to adults only. However, Naples Pride, an LGBT advocacy group, and the ACLU sued the city, claiming it violated their First Amendment rights by moving the event.

But, apparently, based on the article, the city of Naples did not offer a particularly strong defense.  A statement from Liberty Counsel was quoted, which said: "The city noted that Cambier Park, which has a children's playground a mere 100 feet away from where Naples Pride wants to hold its drag show, is a limited public forum where permits are subject to reasonable and viewpoint neutral criteria," adding, "While this is true, Liberty Counsel argues this defense leaves out more significant arguments that would require the court to deny the injunction in the interest of protecting children..." The article stated:

They point out that Florida's "Protection of Children Act" of 2023 expressly outlaws public drag shows held in view of minors.

Christian event in Seattle draws protests, ire of mayor

Members of the Christian community in Seattle and the mayor's office are at odds due to a protest at a service event that has been mischaracterized, according to a FoxNews.com article, which reported, about the original event on Saturday, May 24 and a subsequent event at City Hall on Tuesday, the 28th:

Organizers hosted a Mayday USA rally at Cal Anderson Park in Seattle on Saturday, which The Pursuit NW Pastor Russell Johnson helped lead. The event reportedly offered free haircuts, free bike giveaways and free groceries for the community as well as time for prayer and worship.

The event was later "swarmed" by protesters, some of whom reportedly threw urine-filled water balloons at attendees, and more than 20 arrests were made.

The article related:

"[Saturday's] event has, of course, been labeled by the media as some sort of anti-LGBT-type rally, and it wasn't," Johnson said Thursday on "The Ingraham Angle."

"We were swarmed by hundreds of Antifa militants... They were throwing water-balloons filled with urine at Christians who stood in the park and were assaulted for the high crime of worshiping Jesus in a public space," Johnson told Fox News host Laura Ingraham.

FoxNews.com went on to say:

After police reported multiple arrests at Saturday's rally, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell's office released a statement defending the LGBTQ community and protesters while criticizing the "far-right rally" for provoking the violent reaction.

Then the Tuesday skirmish at City Hall occurred - the Fox website said:

In response to the mayor, Johnson helped organize an event at Seattle City Hall on Tuesday, which he said was met with "similar" opposition from protesters.

"Antifa was out in force. They bloodied and beat up good church people who stood in line to try to get into a rally to sing hymns and worship songs and pray for the direction of the city," Johnson said.

The pastor noted that after announcing Tuesday's rally, he was "inundated" with support from people beyond Christian and conservative circles who wanted to "stand with Christians at City Hall because we believe in the First Amendment."

Well, it was announced last week that the FBI has become involved in investigating what has occurred; the article said:

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said Tuesday he had requested an investigation into allegations of "targeted violence" against religious groups after the rally at Seattle City Hall in response to the mayor purportedly blaming Christian activists for igniting a weekend demonstration that turned violent.