The 3 - September 24, 2017

In this installment of the weekly blog post, The 3, I take a look at a release of Christians who had been jailed...for praying for someone who had mental issues.  Also, a number of Memphis-area pastors have signed a letter calling for the moving of a statue of a Civil War general.  Plus, the U.N. Security Council has taken a positive step in opposition to the persecution - and execution - of Christians and members of other religious groups in Iraq.

3 - Christians in Nepal arrested for praying for mentally ill woman released amidst greater persecution of Christians in country

Four Christians in Nepal prayed for a woman described as "mentally troubled" in a ChristianHeadlines.com story - and they went to jail for it.  The woman's name is Seti Pariyar.

The article, citing Morning Star News, says that, according to the Federation of National Christian Nepal (FNCN), in December of last year, "they were convicted of witchcraft, violence and holding Seti Pariyar against her will, though the woman testified that she was not mistreated or captive and had been healed by the prayer."

The four had been sentenced to five years in prison and told to pay a fine. 

Earlier this month, the Higher Court, Surkhet reversed the prison sentence and set the prisoners free.

The article states:

Area church leaders believe the four Christians were set up.

“There is a risk that this type of well-designed plan can happen any time among the Christian community,” an earlier FNCN statement noted, concluding that the Christians were targeted for their faith.

“About the incident, the victims told us face-to-face that what they have done is for the benefit of the sick woman, as she was brought by her relatives for prayer for healing,” the FNCN statement noted.

A little background from the article:

The arrest and conviction of the four Christians came at a time when Nepal’s Hindu majority was increasingly influencing authorities to harass Christians. While Nepal has long outlawed evangelization, a new constitution in 2015 and the release of implementing laws last month reinforced existing prohibitions against evangelizing, and Hindu interests have used them to falsely accuse Christians.

2 - Memphis pastors support relocation of statues

The President of the Southern Baptist Convention has stepped forward to join other pastors in Memphis in advocating for the relocation of a statue of a Confederate Civil War general.  A Baptist Press article reports that Steve Gaines, Pastor of Bellevue Baptist, was one of 169 clergy members representing 95 congregations supporting the move of the statue of Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest "from a public park 'to a more historically appropriate site.'"  "About a dozen" Southern Baptist pastors were part of the consortium.  Participants had signed on to a letter to the Tennessee Historical Commission, supporting the position of Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland.

Gaines told Baptist Press he favors moving that statue, in Memphis Health Sciences Park, as well as a statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, which is in Memphis Park.

According to the article:

Both monuments "are a source of offense to many citizens of Memphis due to Forrest's and Davis' support of the enslavement of African Americans," Gaines said in written comments. "Fair-minded Americans acknowledge that slavery was cruel and unchristian. Indeed, slavery stands as one of the darkest blights of our nation's history. Thus, these statutes should be relocated to less prominent, more appropriate settings."

The article also notes that former SBC president James Merritt, who had spoken in favor of a 2016 resolution "urging messengers to renounce display of the Confederate battle flag," told the SBC This Week podcast that "he supports the legal removal of Confederate monuments from public spaces," adding that, "Christians 'have the responsibility to do everything we can to break down any barrier that we possibly can to the Gospel...'"

As the article points out, that SBC resolution encouraged "fellow Christians to exercise sensitivity so that nothing brings division or hinders the unity of the Body of Christ to be a bold witness to the transforming power of Jesus."

1 - United Nations passes resolution calling for investigation of persecution of Christians, others in Iraq

Recently, the United Nations Security Council approved a resolution, according to the Alliance Defending Freedom website, "supporting Iraq in prosecuting members of ISIS/Daesh for crimes committed against religious minorities in the region. The terrorist organization has been perpetrating acts of genocide against Christians, Yazidis, and other religious minorities."

This resolution, adopted unanimously by the Security Council, sets up "an investigative team," which will "work with the Iraqi government to collect, preserve, and store evidence of crimes committed by ISIS in Iraq." This will aid in the prosecution of terrorists who commit "genocide and other crimes against religious minorities." The website points out that, "For the first time, the Security Council did not shy away from using the term 'genocide.'"

U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley is quoted as saying, "It may have taken a long time to get here, but today’s resolution is a landmark. It is a major first step towards addressing the death, suffering, and injury of the victims of crimes committed by ISIS in Iraq—crimes that include genocide. These victims have been Yazidis, Christians, Shia and Sunni Muslims, and many, many more."

ADF International U.N. Counsel Kelsey Zorzi stated, “It is incredibly encouraging to see the Security Council take such a significant step towards ensuring justice for countless victims and their families. We hope that the passage of this resolution reminds Christians in the Middle East that they have not been forgotten, that there is hope, that we will continue fighting for them, and that accountability is on its way.”

The 3 - September 17, 2017

In this week's edition of The 3, there is some news from Europe that reinforces the rights of churches to set employment policies.  Also, a Michigan farm gets to go back to a local farmers' market after being removed because one of the owners shared a Facebook post supporting traditional marriage, in accordance with his faith beliefs. And, the work of faith-based groups in the aftermath of disasters is a critical component in relief and recovery, although three Texas churches have sued the government because they claim they are not receiving the aid they need.

3 - Favorable European ruling for churches' right to govern internal affairs

There was a major ruling by a European court recently that, according to the Alliance Defending Freedom website, "affirmed the freedom of churches to regulate their own affairs as a basic right deserving protection in all 47 of the Council of Europe’s member states."

This came from the European Court of Human Rights.  Here's the backstory from ADF:

In 2009, Mr. Karoly Nagy filed an application with the ECHR complaining that Hungary’s courts refused to weigh in on a matter of internal church discipline. The dispute dates back to 2005, when an ecclesiastical court removed Nagy from his pastoral post following church disciplinary proceedings that had been brought against him. A second ecclesiastical court upheld this decision and dismissed Nagy’s appeal. The case went to the Hungarian Supreme Court, which refused to accept jurisdiction because ecclesiastical law was applicable in the case.

The Court's Grand Chamber issued the ruling, which "upheld the right of churches to 'ecclesiastical courts and the discipline of ministers,'" according to the site, which related that ADF International was "the only organization to file an expert brief in the case...." The organization contended that, based on international law, "churches and other religious organizations should be able to manage their internal affairs without government interference."

ADF International Deputy Director Paul Coleman stated, “This decision is welcome because it reinforces the rights and freedoms of religious believers in all 47 member states of the Council of Europe to manage their own affairs without unwarranted external interference.”

2 - Michigan farmer who believes in natural marriage allowed to return to market

Back in the United States, Alliance Defending Freedom was involved in a case of Michigan farmers, one of whom had posted his support for traditional marriage on his Facebook page.  They had been participating in the East Lansing Farmer's Market and they were disallowed from being a part of it.

The Daily Signal reports that the owners of Country Mill Farms, Steve and Bridgett Tennes "may resume selling their goods there as early as Sunday while their case proceeds," based on a ruling by a Federal judge on Friday.

The website reported last Friday that:

In May, the Tenneses filed a federal lawsuit against East Lansing over the decision to ban them from selling produce at the city’s farmers market, even though their farm is 22 miles outside the city in a different jurisdiction.

The city countered by filing a motion to dismiss, and the parties were in court this past week. Country Mill Farms had "sought an injunction allowing the Tenneses to return to the market while the case proceeds."

The site reported that the decision by the judge to "grant the Tenneses the temporary injunction is good news for the family, although their legal fight is far from over."  It pointed out that the judge "has yet to rule on the merits of their case."

1 - Group of Texas churches files lawsuit against FEMA 

Even amidst reports about the good working relationship with FEMA and faith-based organizations, there's a story from Baptist Press that can cause concern with respect to the church, state, and disaster relief.

The article states that "Three small churches damaged in Hurricane Harvey's unprecedented Texas deluge are jointly suing a U.S. government agency for access to public recovery funds."

These churches in Texas - Rockport First Assembly of God in Rockport, as well as Harvest Family Church and Hi-Way Tabernacle in the Houston area - are being represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which contended that "FEMA summarily bars churches from seeking emergency aid because churches primarily use their buildings for religious purposes," according to the Baptist Press article, citing a press release from Becket.

The churches claim that the Trinity Lutheran case from the U.S. Supreme Court, "affirming a church's right to participate in generally available programs on equal footing with secular organizations," supports their case.

As the BP article points out:

President Donald Trump supported the Texas churches' case in a Sept. 8 tweet. "Churches in Texas should be entitled to reimbursement from FEMA Relief Funds for helping victims of Hurricane Harvey (just like others)," the president tweeted.

This report was published on September 13th, three days after a USA Today piece which described how faith-based organizations, such as Samaritan's Purse, Convoy of Hope, and other faith-related groups, worked hand-in-hand with FEMA.

Luther Harrison, vice president of North American Ministries for Samaritan’s Purse, is quoted as saying, “FEMA – they have been a big blessing to us, they're an assistance to us," adding, "For Hurricane Irma, the majority of our equipment has already been dispatched to Texas ... so our office in Canada is bringing their equipment across the border and FEMA was instrumental in helping us clear that with customs and getting all the paperwork done."  The story says that Convoy of Hope, in "major disasters," will set up feeding stations, sometimes at FEMA’s request and even using government-provided food and equipment.

Rev. Jamie Johnson, director of the Department of Homeland Security's Center for Faith-Based & Neighborhood Partnerships, stated, "FEMA can not do what it does so well without the cooperation of faith-based non-profit organizaitons [sic] and churches," adding, "It's a beautiful relationship between government and the private sector and it is something to behold."

So, perhaps there is a new understanding between FEMA and faith-based groups, including churches, that can provide an acceptable outcome or even a resolution of the lawsuit, so that churches in distress and people whom they help can get the relief they need.

The 3 - September 10, 2017

This week's edition of The 3, featuring three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes a positive ruling from a Federal appeals court in favor of commissioners in Michigan who have been offering prayers ahead of their meetings.  Also, you have pro-life groups that are calling on Congress to act...now...to defund Planned Parenthood.  And, a nominee to a Federal appeals court faced questioning about her religion in a committee hearing; a Christian legal advocacy group also received negative comments from a senator.

3 - Federal appeals court says prayers are OK before public meetings

Commissioners in Jackson County, Michigan have been opening Commission meetings in prayer - themselves, and that practice had been challenged in court.  This Wednesday, the full (en banc) 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling in favor of the commissioners, according to the First Liberty Institute website.  First Liberty represents those officials.

The website states that:

The Jackson County Commissioners offer invocations on a rotating basis and are free to act according to their own consciences by delivering either an invocation or offering a moment of silence.

The piece goes on to say that a "private citizen had objected to the invocations and filed a lawsuit." According to the site:

A federal district court ruled in favor of the commissioners. The plaintiff appealed to the Sixth Circuit, and a three-judge panel of the court ruled against the commissioners. First Liberty and its volunteer attorney firm appealed to the full court of 15 judges, who reversed the three-judge panel with this week’s ruling.

Ken Klukowski, Senior Counsel at First Liberty, is quoted as saying: “Today’s decision further solidifies what the U.S. Supreme Court has now twice said: Invocations before government meetings are constitutional and an important part of our nation’s history and heritage..."

In this case, a Federal appeals court came down in a different manner from another circuit.  First Liberty points out that a case from the 4th Circuit has "taken a different direction than Jackson County." That case, involving commissioners in Rowan County, North Carolina, who are also represented by First Liberty, was heard en banc in March, and the full panel ruled 10-5 against the commissioners. The difference could mean a Supreme Court showdown is setting up.

2 - Pro-life groups call on Congress to defund Planned Parenthood

A number of pro-life groups have sent a letter to members of Congress, encouraging them to act soon to cease using taxpayer money to fund Planned Parenthood.  The Family Policy Alliance website quotes from the letter:

“This Republican Pro-life Congress made a promise to American voters to stop taxpayer funding for the largest abortion chain in the nation, Planned Parenthood,” the letter explains. “It is now well past time to deliver on that promise.”

Paul Weber, President and CEO of the Alliance, stated that, "Defunding Planned Parenthood is one of the biggest actions Congress can take to show that they’re not out of touch with our families in America. He said, ”As the letter makes clear, this isn’t a piece of pork barrel legislation that doesn’t matter. Ending taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood means ending the taxpayer-funded gravy train that subsidizes the killing of 900 pre-born children every single day.”

Other groups signing on to the letter include: the Susan B. Anthony List, Concerned Women for America LAC, Students for Life of America, March for Life Education and Defense Fund, Live Action, and Americans United for Life.

1 - Judicial nominee criticized for religious beliefs in Senate hearing

In the original Star Wars film, Darth Vader says this about Luke Skywalker: "The force is strong with this one."  Well, that sounds very similar to what California Senator Dianne Feinstein said to President Trump's nominee for the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Amy Comey Barrett, a law professor at Notre Dame, in a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committe this week.  According to the Washington Examiner, she stated: "...the dogma lives loudly within you..."

What does that even mean?  Well, consider the context. Feinstein is quoted in the article as saying: "When you read your speeches, the conclusion one draws is that the dogma lives loudly within you, and that's of concern when you come to big issues that large numbers of people have fought for for
years in this country..."

Like abortion, perhaps? Oh, yes. She said: "You are controversial because many of us that have lived our lives as women really recognize the value of finally being able to control our reproductive systems."

The Family Research Council website said:

Sounds like the dogma lives within Feinstein too -- not just her anti-religious dogma, but one that honors abortion-at-any-price. To her credit, Barrett replied (like Neil Gorsuch before her) that her beliefs would never supersede the law. "It's never appropriate for a judge to impose that judge's personal convictions on the law. I would never impose my own personal convictions on the law."

The Examiner stated:

Barrett repeatedly said her Catholic faith would not have any impact upon her judgment — "beginning to end, in every case, my obligation as a judge would be to apply the rule of law" — but Durbin would have none of it.

And, in the same hearing, Senator Al Franken, chastised Barrett for speaking to (gasp!) the Alliance Defending Freedom.  The Examiner story said:

The conservative Christian advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom came under fire from Democratic Sen. Al Franken this week, as ADF's lawyers are preparing to argue a blockbuster religious liberty controversy before the Supreme Court. ADF will represent a Colorado baker whose refusal to design and make a cake celebrating a same-sex marriage is one of the coming term's highest profile cases, Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission.

During Senate Judiciary Committee hearings this week on Notre Dame law professor Amy Coney Barrett's nomination to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, Franken said Barrett's decision to speak to ADF was irresponsible. The Minnesota Democrat said ADF is "a group that fights against equal treatment of LGBT people" whose "real purpose is to advance an extreme version or vision of society."

Kristen Waggoner, an ADF attorney on the Masterpiece case, called Franken's remarks "shameful" and said the American people "should expect more from our senators."

By the way, the Department of Justice has also come out in support of Jack Phillips, the baker in the Masterpiece case.  Fox News reports that the "The Justice Department on Thursday filed a brief supporting the Colorado baker who refused to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple on faith-based grounds, in the latest religious freedom case to be considered before the nation's highest court."

Acting Solicitor General Jeffrey B. Wall wrote in the brief:  “When Phillips designs and creates a custom wedding cake for a specific couple and a specific wedding, he plays an active role in enabling that ritual, and he associates himself with the celebratory message conveyed,” adding, “Forcing Phillips to create expression for and participate in a ceremony that violates his sincerely held religious beliefs invades his First Amendment rights.”

The 3 - September 3, 2017

Life, prayer, and sexuality are principal topics in the Labor Day weekend edition of The 3, featuring three stories of relevance to the Christian community. Another Planned Parenthood facility in Pennsylvania has closed its doors.  Also, government leaders are encouraging prayer in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.  And, church leaders have signed on to a new document reaffirming central, time-honored truths about sexuality.

3 - Another Planned Parenthood clinic closes in Pennsylvania

What appears to be the sixth Planned Parenthood facility to close in the state of Pennsylvania since last fall did so recently, according to LifeNews.com.  The website reports on this latest closing:

The Planned Parenthood in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania reduced its hours earlier this summer, and then announced plans to close completely several weeks ago, WBRE reports. On Wednesday, the facility closed permanently. The facility in the Poconos did not perform abortions but it did recommend and refer for them.

According to the article, Pennsylvania Family Institute reports that 12 Planned Parenthood facilities have closed in the Keystone State since 2013. The organization states, “That’s a 50% drop of Planned Parenthood Keystone’s facilities in under five years (18 facilities in 2013, now down to just nine)..."

The LifeNews.com article reports that:

Across the country, the abortion chain has closed approximately 20 facilities so far this year.

While abortion supporters blame the closings on pro-life advocates’ efforts to defund the abortion business of millions of tax dollars, Planned Parenthood’s own annual reports point to a bigger reason.

While receiving huge amounts of taxpayer funding under pro-abortion President Barack Obama, Planned Parenthood lost about half a million patients and performed fewer actual health services, such as pap smears and breast exams. The group’s abortion numbers, however, remained steady and its political involvement increased.

The story contends that: "It’s more clear than ever that Americans do not need or want Planned Parenthood for health care."

2 - President, Texas Governor proclaim Day of Prayer after Harvey

In the aftermath of the devastation brought about by Hurricane Harvey, Texas Governor Greg Abbott had proclaimed Sunday, September 3, a “Day of Prayer," according to a report on the Family Policy Alliance website, which quotes from the proclamation:

“It is right and fitting,” he wrote in the proclamation, “that the people of Texas should join with their fellow residents and with others from across the country and around the world to seek God’s wisdom for ourselves and our leaders and ask for His merciful intervention and healing in this time of crisis.”

Then, the day after the governor's proclamation, the White House issued a national proclamation for a National Day of Prayer for the Victims of Hurricane Harvey and for our National Response and Recovery Efforts. As seen on the White House YouTube Channel, the President was surrounded by a number of faith leaders. He signed the proclamation, which included these words, as published on WhiteHouse.gov.

When we look across Texas and Louisiana, we see the American spirit of service embodied by countless men and women. Brave first responders have rescued those stranded in drowning cars and rising water. Families have given food and shelter to those in need. Houses of worship have organized efforts to clean up communities and repair damaged homes. Individuals of every background are striving for the same goal -- to aid and comfort people facing devastating losses. As Americans, we know that no challenge is too great for us to overcome.

As response and recovery efforts continue, and as Americans provide much needed relief to the people of Texas and Louisiana, we are reminded of Scripture's promise that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Melania and I are grateful to everyone devoting time, effort, and resources to the ongoing response, recovery, and rebuilding efforts. We invite all Americans to join us as we continue to pray for those who have lost family members or friends, and for those who are suffering in this time of crisis.

It is encouraging to see our leaders recognize the importance of prayer, and this is especially important in times of disaster and crisis.  The faith community has the opportunity during these difficult times to minister with the love of Christ.

1 - Church leaders release, sign Nashville Statement reaffirming Biblical teaching on marriage and sexuality

In this age in which God's standards with respect to marriage, gender, and sexuality are being compromised, even within the Church, it is important for Christian leaders to reaffirm the central truths of the Scriptures in these matters. Over 100 such leaders signed on to the Nashville Statement, which, according to the National Religious Broadcasters website, is "expressing evangelical convictions about human sexuality." The article says that, "The statement, with 14 affirmations and denials, addresses issues of human sexuality “in the hope of serving Christ’s church...”

NRB President and CEO Jerry Johnson was one of the signatories and commented: “In order to be truly for the world, when the world is going in the wrong way, you must be against the world,” adding, “Athanasius knew this when he positioned himself contra mundi. For the good of our world, we must position ourselves, with The Nashville Statement, against the sexual heresy that is the spirit of our age.”

At least 15 NRB members and a number of Faith Radio programmers signed on to the statement, including James Dobson, Steve Gaines, John MacArthur, James MacDonald, Tony Perkins, Dennis Rainey, and Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth.

People are invited to sign on at NashvilleStatement.com.

The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood oversaw the composition of the statement. President Denny Burk, at the CBMW website stated:

Evangelicals who have been drifting away from biblical fidelity on these issues have often been running under the cover of confusion—confusion about what is essential and what is not essential to the Christian faith. From the very beginning of the Christian faith, sexual morality has always been central. Those who wish to follow Jesus must pursue sexually pure lives. A person may follow Jesus, or he may pursue sexual immorality. But he cannot do both. He must choose. One path leads to eternal life, and the other does not. These are not new teachings. They are the ancient faith.

And yet, there are many “evangelicals” who are trying to convince other evangelicals that homosexual immorality is a special case. They are trying to convince people that same-sex immorality and following Jesus can indeed go together. One of the main reasons for The Nashville Statement is to expose this contradiction.

He shared these statements in a section responding to Article 10, which says in part:

WE DENY that the approval of homosexual immorality or transgenderism is a matter of moral indifference about which otherwise faithful Christians should agree to disagree.

Burk also points out: "...we are not merely reasserting what the Bible says about the moral status of homosexuality. We are also saying that the gospel of Jesus of Christ offers hope for those laboring under the power of this particular temptation."

You can hear a discussion of the Nashville Statement with Stuart Shepard of the Family Policy Alliance (whose President, Paul Weber, was an original signatory) from The Meeting House on Faith Radio as part of the conversation found here.