It's the Fourth of July, you've got the day off and you want to hit a Delaware beach for some fun in the sun. If so, be prepared to hear more than the sounds of happy beachgoers and ocean waves. Hopefully, you have an I-Pod because otherwise, you might be subjected to the righteous Christian indignation over the denial, by the town of Rehoboth, of a Christian pastor's request to hold weekly summer services on the beach. Rev. Robert Dekker thinks that he has the right to preach on a public beach and is upset that his religious freedom is being denied because of church/state issues. So today's beachgoers will be treated to a protest, "in defiance of tyranny," by pastor and his pals. Helping pastor to get the word out, yesterday, was Jesus BFF' Gretchen Carlson who is always willing to validate those Christians who believe that they not only have a right to religious freedom - but a right to an audience! And who better than Fox & Friends to help him out with that!

Yesterday, as part of "The Fight for Faith" (Fox does love battle metaphors when it comes to their parade of persecuted Christians) Gretch reported that poor Pastor was denied the opportunity to spread the word - a story that seems to have been broken by Glenn Beck and is now hot in the right wing Christian blogworld. As she spoke, the word "Denied," in big, red letters, was superimposed on beach footage. She explained that the town did this because they felt that prayer, on a public beach, might violate separation of church and state which all good Christians know is just a myth perpetrated by atheists and other Jesus haters like the ACLU. She didn't mention that the town's mayor supports the decision. Gretch's frown changed into a big grin as she informed us that the pastor "has drawn a line in the sand" (hardeharhar) and will be highlighting a "Freedom Rally" on the Fourth.

Gretch looked pleased as punch as pastor said how excited he was about doing weekly services at the beach's bandstand which is not exactly an isolated location. He cited how he was denied this awesome opportunity to bring in the sheaves or sheep or whatever because, according to pastor, his "calling" is to "communicate the gospel." (So if you heathens don't want to hear it you can get your tan elsewhere!) The chyron made use of one of Getch's favorite memes: "P.C. Police Vs. Pastor, City: No Church Sermons on Public Property." He referenced how the local community was established as a "permanent Christian camp." (Meanwhile, it's not the Christians, but the town, that is maintaining the beach). The poster for the tyranny defiance rally was displayed front and center on the screen. More beach puns with this chyron: "Sermons Sandbagged."

After Gretch read a quote from the City Manager about not mixing church and state, she claimed that this is "interesting" because in other states and in her CT, church services are held on beaches. She didn't identify any of these beaches which could be private or have permission for one shot services, such as Easter sunrise. She wanted to know why some cities require it but not Rehoboth. Oh, Gretch, can I answer? Obviously the town manager is a Jesus hating secularist!

Pastor didn't know but he added that "it's not a good policy." The chyron read *"Independence Day Defiance." He cited a Christian movie that Fox & Friends had discussed earlier, "Last ounce of Courage," a movie that, according to a review is about patriotic Christians who defy the evil ACLU who are trying to eradicate Christianity in a small town. (Wonder if the writers got their idea from Fox News?) He announced his upcoming "Freedom Rally." A smiling Gretch looked like she was almost in tears as he talked about how they want to celebrate the country's birthday and how he "understands freedom" because his father was an immigrant.

So not letting an evangelical pastor subject beachgoers to his theological musings is "tyranny?" Who knew! And as far as that freedom thing that we celebrate? Freedom from government established religion was established by those who didn't appreciate government ramming their version of Christianity down the throats of those who didn't tow the party line. Too bad Fox & Friends doesn't understand that!

* He received permission to hold the rally.