This week's edition of "The 3", my week-in-review feature, includes some coverage of the announcement of a new character-based, outdoor-oriented boys' organization, formed in response to the recent Boy Scouts' vote on admitting openly gay members. Also, a popular Bible app has reached another milestone. And, the top story - news out of Texas, where pro-life legislation has passed, banning late-term abortions and enacting new standards for abortion clinics.
3 - New boys' organization launches
In the aftermath of a meeting that took place in late June in Louisville to discuss the formation of a new organization for boys similar to the Boy Scouts, whose leadership had voted to allow openly gay members within its ranks, it was announced this week that an organization had in fact been established. While it is yet unnamed, it has appointed an interim executive director, 20-year Scouting leadership veteran Rob Green.
According to Religion News Service, Green stated, “It’s our vision to be the premiere national character development organization for young men which produces godly and responsible husbands, fathers and citizens...The organization’s membership policy will focus on sexual purity rather than sexual orientation."
John Stemberger, founder of OnMyHonor.net, which opposed the BSA policy change, differentiated between the inclusiveness of the BSA and the new organization.
“The issue with Scouting is just that when you’re going to allow a young man to be in the program to be openly flaunting sexuality, that’s just inappropriate and parents do not think that’s a clean and safe environment for their kids,” he said.
A group of around 50 people reportedly met in Louisville to lay the foundation for the new organization. There will be a convention in Nashville within the next few months. The OnMyHonor.net website has more information.
2 - Bible app goes over 100 million downloads
It was just 5 years ago when the Apple App Store launched and one of the early products available was YouVersion, developed by LifeChurch.tv. And, on Sunday, July 7th, the Bible app rolled over 100 million downloads.
It actually started as a website, and then became one of just 200 free apps in the App Store. After being launched solely for iPhone, the team at YouVersion made the app for other platforms, such as Android, BlackBerry, and more. According to their blog, as word spread about what God was up to, Bible publishers and societies, churches, and other partners joined in, generously sharing resources. As those collaborations began to bear fruit, the YouVersion community became a worldwide movement.
YouVersion now offers the Bible in more than 500 versions in more than 300 languages. There have been over 345 million verses highlighted and over 212 million bookmarks created. YouVersion offers the ability to share verses over different social media sites, and as of June of this year, there are over 200,000 verses shared daily, with over 31 million shared last year alone. Every second, some 66,000 people worldwide are accessing the YouVersion Bible app.
And, the team is continuing to develop new features and uses. Just this week, a new Android tablet version of YouVersion was announced. Bible reading plans and access to streaming video are just some of the ways that the app can help increase Bible engagement. For more information or to download the app, go to www.bible.com.
1 - Texas Legislature passes new pro-life measure
It wasn't unexpected, but there was probably a rockier road to passage of strong pro-life legislation in Texas than I would imagine the sponsors had originally envisioned. After enduring a filibuster during the closing moments of the 2013 regular Legislative session in Austin and the bill passing 3 minutes after the official close of the session, Governor Perry called lawmakers back into session to try to craft legislation that would bar abortions in the state after 20 weeks, the point at which research shows that an unborn child feels pain, as well as to provide that abortion clinics meet certain health and safety standards, including having a physician with hospital admitting privileges within a reasonable distance from the clinic.
LifeNews.com has this comprehensive report.
It was a tough week for pro-life people who came to the Capitol to show their support for this commonsense legislation. While some of them sang "Amazing Grace", those on the other side chanted, "Hail Satan". Pro-lifers were treated to expletives being hurled at them. Some reportedly sought out a safe place in the capitol building. And, some protesters showed up with jars of feces and urine. There were reports of other activities that were planned by those on the pro-abortion side. How sad! Why are there people that hold to certain points of view that feel they have to insult, demean, and ridicule those with whom they disagree?
So, Texas is now the latest state to enact solid, commonsense pro-life legislation. Opponents have already threatened court action.
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