The 3 - May 6, 2018

This week's edition of The 3 contains information regarding the rebranding of the Boy Scouts of America to omit the word, "Boy."  Also, two more states have passed legislation to protect faith-based adoption agencies from being forced to violate their religious beliefs concerning the types of homes in which children are placed.  And, another National Day of Prayer executive order was issued by the President; this time, to establish an office to guarantee a level playing field for faith-based organizations in their provision of services.

3 - "Boy" removed from Boy Scouts of America

This week, it was reported that the Boy Scouts of America would drop the use of the word, "Boy," according to USA Today, opting to use the name, Scouts BSA, come next February.

Florida Family Policy Council issued a press release, which stated:

The decision comes after the BSA decided to admit openly gay identified boys and adults, transgendered boys and most recently girls into the historically male organization. The new name will be “Scouts BSA.” New logos now include images of both a boy and a girl.

In 2013, immediately after the BSA voted to admit boys acting out as homosexual, the Florida Family Policy Council was instrumental in leading the launch of Trail Life USA, a national Christian scouting movement.

John Stemberger is President of the Florida Family Policy Council and Chairman of the Board of Trail Life USA.  In a statement, he said:

“It’s simply stunning that a leading youth organization which parents have entrusted the protection of their children with for over a century has now opted to again appease LGBT activists rather than follow clear, common-sense best practices for child protection and do what’s truly in the best interest of the boys..."

He added, "...Having fully joined the sexual revolution, the BSA has become a merely a youth group with neckerchiefs further promoting moral and gender confusion in society.”

2 - 2 states vote to protect faith-based adoption agencies

Because of those people and groups that would want to force faith-based adoption agencies to place children in households that would reflect opposition to their deeply-held beliefs, legal protection is needed.  States such as Alabama have already passed legislation that would allow such agencies to set their own policies for the types of homes in which they would place children.

Family Policy Alliance reported that in one day, two more states have passed similar legislation.  Its website states:

Late last night, the Kansas Legislature passed the Adoption Protection Act, making Kansas the ninth state to protect the right of faith-based adoption agencies to continue their good work. Kansas followed Oklahoma, which also passed a similar measure yesterday.

The story continued: "...unlike states such as Massachusetts and Illinois that have already actively pushed out faith-based adoption providers, Kansas and Oklahoma joined the growing trend to protect faith-based agencies and the children they serve."

Eric Teetsel, President of Family Policy Alliance of Kansas, is quoted as saying, "While other states shut down faith-based providers by establishing a radical, left-wing sexual litmus test, Kansas has made clear: everyone is welcome here.”

1 - New executive order issued on National Day of Prayer establishes new faith-based initiative

Again, the occasion of the National Day of Prayer brought faith leaders to the White House Rose Garden to witness the signing of another executive order to protect religious freedom; this time, the President announced a new initiative, an office. The White House website quoted President Trump:

The faith initiative will help design new policies that recognize the vital role of faith in our families, our communities, and our great country. This office will also help ensure that faith-based organizations have equal access to government funding and the equal right to exercise their deeply held beliefs.

We take this step because we know that, in solving the many, many problems and our great challenges, faith is more powerful than government, and nothing is more powerful than God.

CBN News provided a look into the language of the order.  It reported:

The order calls for the executive branch to ensure "conscience protections" that grants people and institutions free reign "to practice their faith without fear of discrimination or retaliation by the federal government."

And, "It also directs the Treasury Department not to target churches or religious groups for speaking about political issues..."

One of the President's evangelical advisory board members, Johnnie Moore, is quoted as saying, "Ordering every department of the federal government to work on faith-based partnerships - not just those with faith offices - represents a widespread expansion of a program that has historically done very effective work and now can do even greater work..."  The story relates that, "He says he'd like to see the White House faith-based effort focus on issues like prison reform, mental health issues, strengthening families, promoting education and meeting humanitarian needs."

Evangelist Greg Laurie stated, "I've always believed that America is better when it's faithful, together. Anything any administration can do to demonstrate a positive partnership between our faith communities and government, the better off our country will be and so I herald this important initiative that empowers people of faith in America..."