The 3 - August 6, 2017

On this week's edition of The 3, featuring three stories of relevance to the Christian community, there is information about a court victory for a photographer who did not wish to use her creative talents to promote activities that violate her beliefs.  Also, after some concern was expressed, Secretary of State Tillerson has reportedly called the actions of ISIS toward Christians and other religious minorities "genocide."  And, there is encouraging news about a Bible study in the White House that some Cabinet officials attend, as well as news of access to the White House for evangelical leaders.

3 - WI photographer wins accommodation in court case

There is an encouraging development out of Madison, Wisconsin, regarding a new local ordinance which, according to the Alliance Defending Freedom, combined with a state law, would "force commissioned creative professionals to promote messages that violate their beliefs."

The ADF website also says that under these laws, "...Amy Lawson and her company, Amy Lynn Photography Studio, are required to create photographs and blog posts promoting pro-abortion groups and same-sex marriages if she creates content that promotes pro-life organizations or that celebrates the marriage of one man and one woman."

This was unacceptable to Amy, and a court agreed with her contention.  Dane County Circuit Court announced at a hearing Tuesday in the case "that it will issue an order declaring that Amy Lawson and her business are not subject to city and state laws that would otherwise control her artistic freedom because she does not have a physical storefront..."

Jonathan Scruggs of ADF says, "The court’s announcement has important implications for everyone in Wisconsin who values artistic freedom. It means that government officials must allow creative professionals without storefronts anywhere in the city and state the freedom to make their own decisions about which ideas they will use their artistic expression to promote. "

2 - International religious freedom developments: new ambassador, State Department affirms genocide by ISIS

In the wake of the appointment of Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, who has long been known for his commitment to uphold Christian values, to the position of Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, which is under the authority of the State Department, the department has announced its commitment to continue to label the activities of ISIS toward Christians and other persecuted groups as "genocide."

According to a CBN News report:

Late last week, reports surfaced that some lawyers at the State Department had ordered that all genocide references describing the Islamic State's mass extermination of Christians, Yazidis and other religious minorities be removed from official government documents.

That caused an uproar from human rights advocates and some Trump supporters who thought the president was a friend of persecuted Christians and Yazidis in the Middle East.

Shortly afterwards, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to maintaining the genocide determination.

1 - White House Bible study attracts attention, Administration holds "listening sessions" with evangelicals

Now, on the heels of the meeting last month featuring a number of Christian leaders who chatted with President Trump and prayed for him, there are reports of a weekly Bible study that is being held in the White House.  USA Today reported on the study:

CBN News reported that once a week, about a dozen members of the Cabinet gather to study scripture. Among those who regularly attend: Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Agriculture Secretary Sunny Perdue, Energy Secretary Rick Perry, CIA Director Mike Pompeo and Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

"It's the best Bible study that I've ever taught in my life," Ralph Drollinger of Capitol ministries told CBN News. "They are so teachable, they're so noble, they're so learned."According to Capitol Ministries' website, the sponsors of the White House ministry includes the regular attendees, as well as Vice President Pence, House and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.

The USA Today story also mentions that, "Pence plans to join the study as his scheduled permits. Additionally, President Trump is invited to the weekly studies and receives Drollinger's teachings."

The Christian Post also reports that the White House has recently held "listening sessions" with some 100 evangelical leaders.  Johnnie Moore, who operates a public relations company, is quoted as saying that "the listening sessions included quick briefings on various issues from officials in White House's legislative and judicial affairs departments."  He said that, "It's a listening session. It's not about these leaders coming so they can be lectured to," adding, "It's about actually making an opportunity to come to the White House as citizens and faith leaders and talking about what was on their mind."