White House demands, cover a cross during a Presidential speech

Group Rejects White House 'Explanation' for Banning Faith at Georgetown Speech
WASHINGTON, April 17 /Christian Newswire/ -- Calling the Obama administration the most anti-religion administration in American history, the national advocacy group, In God We Trust, today rejected a public explanation from the White House about its demand that Georgetown University cover a cross and the Roman Catholic abbreviation for Jesus during a Presidential speech this week.

"The White House's claim that officials did not mean to cover up these important symbols during the speech at Georgetown is typical political baloney aimed at defusing a firestorm of criticism from Americans who are fed up with the President's hostility towards faith," says Bishop Council Nedd, In God We Trust's Chairman. "Barack Obama is the most anti-religious President in our nation's history."

Earlier this week White House officials demanded that a cross and the religious abbreviation "IHS" in Georgetown's Gaston Hall be covered up before the President delivered a speech on the economy. When questioned about the order, a White House spokesman yesterday said, "Decisions made about the backdrop for the speech were made to have a consistent background of American flags, which is standard for many presidential events. "

"This excuse is ridiculous," adds Nedd. "This administration didn't want to offend its left-wing base by having the President appear and be photographed in front religious icons. President Obama is again pandering to anti-religious activists within his own party."

The scandal at Georgetown is just the latest attack on faith in American public life. The administration is the first in American history to include atheist activists in policy planning meetings. In January, the President picked Virginia Governor Tim Kaine to head the Democratic National Committee despite Kaine's policy of banning state police chaplains from invoking the name of Jesus in their prayers. More recently, the President nominated Judge David Hamilton to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. Hamilton is a steadfast opponent of prayer in public. Additionally the President appointed professional political activist and Catholic- basher Harry Knox, to his Advisory Council on Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

In God We Trust has launched a $1 million grass- roots campaign to fight back against the Obama administration anti-religious policies and appointments.

In God We Trust is a national advocacy organization with over 70,000 supporters of various faiths. Council Nedd is a traditional Episcopal priest and serves as the Bishop of the Chesapeake and Northeast for the Episcopal Missionary Church. In God We Trust can be found on the Internet at www.InGodWeTrustUSA.org.

Christian Newswire