The 3 - July 29, 2018

In this week's edition of The 3, highlighting three stories of relevance to the Christian community, there is a development at a Wyoming Air Force Base involving a POW/MIA table, in which a Bible is being replaced.  Also, a group of pro-life sidewalk counselors received a court victory recently.  And, world leaders gathered in Washington in a meeting centered around the topic of worldwide religious freedom.

3 - Bible replaced at table of honor at Air Force Base

A Bible that been displayed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming as part of a ceremonial remembrance table has been replaced, according to Todd Starnes' website.  Starnes writes:

The ceremonial remembrance table is a tradition that was started after the Vietnam War, according to the Naval History and Heritage Command Communication and Outreach Division.

The table traditionally includes a Holy Bible to represent “faith in a higher power and the pledge to our country, founded as one nation under God.”

Ultimately, it seems another "book of faith" will be used.  Starnes quoted from base commander Col. Stacy Huser, who, in a statement, said:

"One of our focus areas … is increasing the sense of belonging for all our Airmen; a large part of that effort is ensuring the religious and non-religious feel included and cared for. This concern being brought to our attention only helps us work toward meeting the needs of all Airmen. The 90th Missile Wing is scheduled to replace the Bible on the POW/MIA table with a ‘book of faith’ containing spiritual writings and prayers from the five DoD (Department of Defense) Chaplain appointed faith groups and a sixth set of blank pages to represent those who find solace by other means.”

Starnes reports that Bibles have been removed from POW/MIA tables at "Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals from Ohio to Texas to New York." Leading the charge, as he points out, is the so-called Military Religious Freedom Foundation, which Starnes says is a "militant organization that has fought against Nativity scenes, Bible studies and any outward expressions of the Christian faith on U.S. military installations."

2 - Sidewalk counselors in New York win court victory

Throughout America, there are courageous individuals who stand in front of abortion clinics and offer Christ-centered viewpoints on the decision that those who enter are about to make. A group of such counselors in New York, according to the Thomas More Law Center, were the targets of a Federal lawsuit filed by then-Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

The Law Center's website reports on the AG's press conference, at which he announced the suit against 13 sidewalk counselors and stated that this is “not a nation where you can choose your point of view.”

On Monday (July 23), the TMLC announced a victory in court for the counselors, stating:

In a 103-page opinion issued last Friday evening, U.S. District Judge Carol Bagley Amon rebuked the efforts of the New York Attorney General’s Office to silence sidewalk counselors who regularly assembled outside of Choices Women’s Medical Center (“Choices”), a Queens abortion clinic, to plead for the lives of the unborn.

Attorney Tyler Brooks made these comments: “A radical state attorney general abandoned his duty to enforce the law fairly in favor of pursuing an ideological campaign intended to silence pro-life Christians. The federal court, however, has seen through the State of New York’s efforts and made clear that the free speech of Christians will not be censored simply because some people on the left do not like it.”

The article said that the Attorney General's office...

...alleged that the thirteen sidewalk counselors violated federal, state and New York City laws prohibiting the obstruction of abortion facilities, and harassment and intimidation of women who were seeking abortions. It petitioned the federal court to create a sixteen-foot buffer zone around Choices abortion premises and levy fines, attorney fees and compensatory damages against the Defendants.

1 - State Department hosts event on religious freedom

A special event occurred this past week in the nation's capital - it was called the Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, convened by the U.S. State Department and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.  The National Religious Broadcasters website stated that "more than 80 foreign delegations, as well as NRB and other religious and civil society leaders from around the world, gathered in Washington, D.C., at the invitation of U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for a Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom."

The story pointed to an op-ed in USA Today, in which he wrote: “Countries that champion individual freedoms are often the most secure, economically vibrant, and prosperous in the world. Religious freedom is an indispensable building block of free societies.”  According to the NRB website, Pompeo also said in his speech on Thursday: “When religious freedom flourishes, a country flourishes.”

The NRB story also reported:

The Secretary of State also announced new funding and programs to advance the cause of religious freedom around the world. In particular, he highlighted a new Potomac Declaration and Potomac Plan of Action. “These documents reassert the United States’ unwavering commitment to promoting and defending religious freedom. They recommend concrete ways the international community and governments can do more to protect religious freedom and vulnerable religious communities,” Pompeo said.

Other speakers included Vice President Mike Pence and U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback.

In a letter, Dr. Jerry A. Johnson, president & CEO of NRB, told Secretary Pompeo: “Religious liberty is a source of strength and stability for societies, and the focus that President Donald Trump and his administration have placed on this core principle sends a powerful message within our nation and to governments abroad.”

CBN News reported that documents emerging from the Ministerial state:

• People ought to be able to change their beliefs, to convert to a new religion.
• Religious communities ought to be able to do things like print, import and distribute literature. 
• Religious speech should not be suppressed under the guise of national security.
• Nations have no right to pick and choose which religions will be tolerated in their countries.
• Blasphemy laws should be repealed.
• Nations should not require people to register their religious beliefs with the state.

The 3 - July 22, 2018

In this week's edition of The 3, highlighting three stories of relevance to the Christian community, there is news of a guide released by the gay advocacy group, the Human Rights Campaign, which is designed to make accommodation for LGBT individuals and their identity and behavior in local churches.  Also, an American pastor continues to languish in a Turkish prison after his third court hearing.  And, a Federal judge has ruled against Planned Parenthood in its bid to receive funding from Title X grants.

3 - Gay advocacy group releases guide for integration into evangelical Church

Recently, the pro-LGBT advocacy group, the Human Rights Campaign released a "guide" that purports to accept gay practice and identity in the Church.  According to the Christian Post:

Last week, the Washington-based Human Rights Campaign released "Coming Home to Evangelicalism and to Self," a 32-page guide containing resources, advice, and testimonials for evangelical Christians who are "on the journey toward living fully in their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and in their faith and its traditions," according to its website.

The guide features personal stories and practical suggestions from what they call a "wide variety of evangelical voices" in order "to spark new ideas, new dialogue and new courage," citing recent surveys and polling data showing rising support for same-sex marriage among younger generations.

The voices featured all favor more liberal LGBT iterations of the Christian faith, among them Brandan Robertson, Mercer University ethicist David Gushee, and author Matthew Vines.

The article referenced Robert Gagnon's Facebook page, in which he said:

"If 'Coming Home to Evangelicalism and Self' means denying Jesus' teaching on a marital binary and destroying what Scripture treats everywhere as the foundation of God's standard for sexual ethics, then, yes, 'come home' Evangelicals to a world and self-made in your own image rather than God's."

Gagnon, according to his Facebook page, was recently removed from Facebook temporarily due to a post on the upcoming Revoice conference, which attempts to blend affirmation of LGBT identity with Biblical teaching.  He was reinstated.  In that post, he stated seven "consequential concerns."  One of which is:

2. The adoption of terminology for self-identity that cannot be sanctified and inevitably brings in the whole "LGBTQ" baggage ("sexual minority," "gay," "transgender"). This terminology is normally associated with self-affirmation rather than sin and switches the obligation of the church from a call for repentance and restoration to a call for inclusion and diversity that celebrates what should be mortified. The fact that evangelical proponents of the "sexual minority" language are unwilling to use it of those with a pedophilic or polyamorist orientation should tell us all something.

In a piece on the PJ Media website, Tyler O'Neil, an Assistant Editor for the website, who has written for the Christian Post, Breakpoint, and others, in commenting on the HRC guide, says:

Christians must be careful to preserve the teachings of Jesus while extending His grace to those who struggle with these issues. God calls Christians to love LGBT people, but not to affirm LGBT identity, and HRC's "guidance" undermines that crucial mission.

O'Neil also states:

The HRC guide is peddling a falsehood in saying LGBT people can "remain faithful both to God and to their understanding of themselves." No true disciple of Jesus can remain true to his or her psyche — that must go. This is part of what Paul meant when he said, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Repentance from all sin is a fundamental aspect of this transformation. Jesus constantly calls on His followers to repent. Even in the famous John 8 passage where Jesus offers forgiveness to a woman caught in adultery, he urges her to "go, and from now on sin no more" (John 8:11).

Not only does the HRC report conveniently leave out the call to repent, but it also peddles the idea that people are somehow "worthy" in their own right to receive God's grace.

2 - American pastor will stay in prison in Turkey after hearing

American pastor Andrew Brunson, who has been in a Turkish prison charged with terrorism and espionage, has now faced three hearings in front of a court there, and will face another in October, according to WORLD Magazine. WORLD reports:

Brunson lived in Turkey for 23 years and pastored Izmir Resurrection Church. He faces up to 35 years in prison if found guilty. The case was adjourned until Oct. 12.

Turkish judges previously denied his requests for release on April 16 and May 7. In the courtroom, Brunson said the court had no concrete evidence as he denied the testimony of two witnesses who claimed he supported Kurdish militants. “The disciples of Jesus suffered in his name, now it is my turn,” he said, Reuters reported. “I am an innocent man on all these charges.”

The report states that outside the courtroom, a U.S. official said, “Our government remains deeply concerned about his status," and denied that there was any evidence that Brunson had "committed any offense," according to the article.

The day of the latest hearing, President Trump tweeted out: "A total disgrace that Turkey will not release a respected U.S. Pastor, Andrew Brunson, from prison. He has been held hostage far too long."  he President stated that President Erdogan, "should do something to free this wonderful Christian husband & father. He has done nothing wrong, and his family needs him!"

1 - Judge rules in favor of Administration's attempt to cut off one of Planned Parenthood's funding streams

Earlier this year, the Trump Administration had issued new rules governing Title X grants, which, according to LifeNews.com, "fund family planning programs across the country." The article stated, "In February, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services introduced a new grant application that prioritizes sexual risk avoidance strategies, including abstinence. That decision would leave abortion businesses like Planned Parenthood out of the funding equation."

The report said that Planned Parenthood had filed a lawsuit against the new rules, even though no funding has been denied as of yet.  Life News states:

A federal judge has ruled in favor of the Trump Administration and its impending decision to defund the Planned Parenthood abortion business from the Nations Title X family planning program. The Planned Parenthood abortion company has multiple federal funding streams, but cutting off the taxpayer dollars it gets from Title X would zap its second largest source of federal funding.

The article quotes from Students for Life of America President Kristan Hawkins, who said: "Planned Parenthood and abortion vendors seem terrified that people will discover just how easy it will be to live a healthy life without them,” and added, “People make many medical choices that don’t include Planned Parenthood, and the Trump Administration is to be commended for attempting to redirect Title X dollars away from abortion vendors. … The greed of the abortion lobby is on display as once again they go to court to force taxpayers to fund their enterprise.”

The 3 - July 15, 2018

In my weekly post, highlighting three stories of relevance to the Christian community, I will be sharing information about some opposition in the United Kingdom to an upcoming Franklin Graham evangelistic event.  Also, a number of church groups were adversely affected by recent unrest in Haiti.  And, Christians are weighing in on the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.

3 - Franklin Graham's upcoming event in U.K. dealt promotional blow

Franklin Graham is scheduled to visit the United Kingdom for a Festival of Hope in September in the city of Blackpool.  The task of spreading the word about the evangelistic event just got a bit tougher, according to the Faithwire website, which reports that:

As a result of increasing pressure from LGBT groups, the local governing authorities have decided to remove promotions for the event, which were placed on the side of the town’s buses.

Managing director of Blackpool Transport, Jane Cole, is quoted as saying, "Blackpool Transport is a proud ongoing supporter of the Pride and LGBT+ communities and in no way did we intend to cause any distress or upset,” adding, “All buses carrying the advert will remain off the road until they have been removed.”

The article reported on a radio interview with Franklin Graham on Premier UK, during which he said, “I’m not coming to preach hate, I’m here to preach about a savior, Jesus Christ who can make a difference in our lives if we put our faith and trust in Him,” adding, “We’re not here to preach against anyone, we’re here to talk about God.”  Franklin Graham noted that his father, the late Billy Graham, had received opposition when he went to preach the gospel in the UK.

2 - Church missions groups return from Haiti in wake of protests 

Recently, sections of the island nation of Haiti were plunged into protest as the result of a government proposal to raise the gasoline tax.  This adversely affected individuals and organizations intent on doing ministry there, according to WORLD Magazine, which stated: "A number of U.S. church mission groups stranded in Haiti amid violent protests have returned home as the capital city slowly returns to normalcy."

Groups affected include:

- Cornerstone United Methodist Church in Bear, DE, which had a group of 15 teenagers and five adults return home last Wednesday night.

Also...

- Kensington Church in Troy, MI., posted on its Facebook page Thursday morning that all its missions teams, including a group of high school students, had come back.

- Vermontville Baptist Church in Michigan, according to the story, "canceled a planned mission trip for its members after the U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory for Haiti." The church's pastor, Joseph Benedict, told Grand Rapids TV station WOOD-TV: "We decided that it would be in our best interest to maybe try and find a different place to go or at least keep ourselves out of harm’s way,” adding, “We know that God has a special plan for us. That is secure. But how are we going to get to that point? And that’s why we daily walk with Christ: to figure that out.”

- Plus, on its Facebook page, Montgomery's Frazer Church stated: "...Our missionary families are safe back home and Beryl has been downgraded to a tropical storm...Continue always to pray for Haiti and its many challenges as well as the missionaries there." The post expressed appreciation for prayers.

1 - Christian groups embrace Trump Supreme Court nominee

On Monday night, President Trump announced his nomination of Brett Kavanaugh of the D.C. Circuit Court to replace retiring justice Anthony Kennedy on the U.S. Supreme Court.  According to Bruce Hausknecht, Judicial Analyst for Focus on the Family, writing on the ministry's website, Kavanaugh has "...An originalist and textualist judicial philosophy. He does not believe – and his judicial record backs this up - in legislating from the bench." Hausknecht went on to say, "What we know so far about his 12-year judicial record appears to back up his White House nomination speech. On issues of religious freedom and life and free speech, among others, his court opinions and dissents portray a judge who deeply values our God-given rights guaranteed by the Constitution."

Hausknecht was a recent guest on The Meeting House on Faith Radio.  So was Rachel Alexander, Senior Editor of The Stream.  She visited with me prior to the announcement.  Here's what she wrote about Kavanaugh before he was nominated:

He served in several positions under George W. Bush, including legal counsel. He played a lead role under Kenneth Starr drafting the 1998 Starr Report, which recommended impeaching President Bill Clinton.

In Priests for Life v. HHS, Kavanagh opined that Obamacare’s requirement that Catholic religious organizations provide free contraceptives violated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Kavanagh dissented from an opinion that required the government to obtain an abortion for an illegal immigrant teen in U.S. custody. He clerked for Anthony Kennedy.

A number of evangelical leaders and organizations have expressed support of Kavanaugh. The National Religious Broadcasters website reported that in an e-mail to the NRB membership, President and CEO Jerry Johnson stated, "As I said in my statement, filling this vacancy may be a generational opportunity to secure a strong majority on the Supreme Court committed to the Constitution, especially our First Amendment liberties..."

The NRB article added:

In light of the importance of the seat, Johnson urged NRB members to do the following:

1. Pray. “Scripture repeatedly teaches us that we are obligated to pray for governing authorities,” Johnson noted. “Please pray for the Senate as it considers this nomination, and pray for God to strengthen Judge Kavanaugh in the midst of the confirmation process, which is likely to be very difficult.”

2. Personally engage their two Senators, urging support for the confirmation of Judge Kavanaugh. “Write letters, send emails, and call their offices to make your voice heard,” Johnson said.

3. Use their platforms — broadcasting, print, digital, social, etc. — to urge their audiences to become engaged in this confirmation battle. “The involvement of your audiences could make the difference in the confirmation of Judge Kavanaugh,” Johnson stated.

The 3 - July 8, 2018

This week's edition of The 3, featuring three stories of relevance to the Christian community, the clock continues to tick on the bill in California that could chill free speech for those who want to speak truth regarding God's will for sexuality; lawmakers are now in their month-long summer vacation.  Also, there has been a court ruling from Canada in favor of a three people in a polyamorous relationship who have been allowed to legally adopt a child.  And, laws emphasizing our national motto have taken root in a half dozen states.

3 - More time to oppose California speech bill

The California State Senate is now in its summer vacation; that means it will be just about another month before that bill, AB2943, which has already passed the lower chamber, could come up for a vote.  According to the advocacy group, SaveCalifornia.com, on its website: "...On July 2, this unconstitutional bill was sent to the Senate floor without a hearing and without any amendments...On June 12, this anti-freedom, anti-choice bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee ..."

The website states that: "...AB 2943 would, for all practical purposes, prohibit California adults from choosing to obtain professional, expert counseling to help them overcome their unwanted homosexual desires or gender confusion."

The site also says:

As Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) explains:

At its core, AB 2943 outlaws speech, whether offered by a licensed counselor, a best-selling author, or even a minister or religious leader. It targets a specific message—that an adult who is experiencing unwanted same-sex attraction or gender identity confusion can find help to address those issues—for censorship.

SaveCalifornia.com, the Campaign for Children and Families, has published action steps regarding communication with legislators in the state.  The recess ends on August 6.

2 - Canada recognizes three parents in polyamorous relationship

The potential effect of the redefinition of marriage on child adoption can be clearly seen in a court ruling from Canada.  According to Christian Headlines.com:

Three adults living in a polyamorous relationship can be the legal parents of a child, according to a ruling by a Canadian judge in what is believed to be the first ruling of its kind in the nation.

The case involves two men living with a woman, who is the mother of the child born in 2017, according to the CBC. It was a Newfoundland and Labrador court.

The judge is quoted as saying, "Society is continuously changing and family structures are changing along with it,” adding, “This must be recognized as a reality and not as a detriment to the best interests of the child.”

The piece quotes from ChristianNews.net, which includes comments from Answers in Genesis founder Ken Ham, who said: “Yes, it’s a detriment to the child because there’s only one definition of a true family when God created this institution with one man one woman (Genesis 1&2)..."  He went on to say, “The ‘best interests of the child’ are when they’re taught the truth God created them, they’re made in God’s image and very special, and they have a sin nature so God provided a free gift of salvation for them in God’s Son Jesus who died and rose from the dead.”

1 - Multiple states pass laws to display "In God We Trust"

In 1956, Congress approved a resolution designating, "In God We Trust," as our national motto.  And, there is a move throughout the country for state legislatures to affirm that motto by having it prominently displayed in public schools.  According to the ReligionNews.com website, that move is being led by the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation, an "offshoot" of the Congressional Prayer Caucus.  The site says:

This year, five state legislatures passed laws mandating that every public school prominently display the U.S. motto, “In God We Trust.” The addition of Arkansas, which passed such a law in 2017, brings to six the number of states with public school mandates, including Alabama, Florida, Arizona, Louisiana and Tennessee.

Those laws, mostly sponsored by legislative prayer caucuses in about 30 states, were inspired by the foundation’s 2017 manual known as Project Blitz, a 116-page guide for state legislators listing 20 model bills of which “In God We Trust” is the first.

The story quoted Tennessee state Rep. Susan Lynn, who, according to the article, "sponsored the bill that passed in that state in March..." She said, in a quote from the newspaper, the Tennesseean, included in the Religion News article: "Our national motto and founding documents are the cornerstone of freedom and we should teach our children about these things..."  The Religion News story also says:

Project Blitz writers acknowledge that “In God We Trust” bills may seem symbolic, but they serve a larger purpose, which is to lay the foundation for future efforts.

The 3 - July 1, 2018

In this week's edition of The 3, highlighting three stories of relevance to the Christian community, there is news out of Iowa, where the state Supreme Court has voided a pro-life law.  Also, hundreds are dead in an attack on Christians in Nigeria.  And, the U.S. Supreme Court had a flurry of activity during its final days - some highlights ahead, including rulings impacting religious liberty.

3 - Iowa Supreme Court strikes down abortion law

Last year, legislators in Iowa passed a 72-hour waiting period before a woman could have an abortion.  The state's Supreme Court struck that down in the past week, according to the Des Moines Register, which reports that:

The landmark 5-2 decision tossed out a 72-hour waiting period requirement, which legislators passed in 2017. Experts said the justices' decision could dim the chances for a 2018 "fetal heartbeat" law, which would ban most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady, writing the majority opinion, stated, "We conclude the statute enacted by our legislature, while intended as a reasonable regulation, violates both the due process and equal protection clauses of the Iowa Constitution because its restrictions on women are not narrowly tailored to serve a compelling interest of the state..."

The Register article also said:

Chuck Hurley, vice president of the conservative group the Family Leader, told reporters he was shocked to read the majority opinion in the case. He said that despite the setback, conservatives would push forward with defending the 2018 fetal heartbeat law. “This makes the heartbeat bill — the heartbeat law — and litigation even more important,” he said.

2 - 200 dead in Nigerian attack

The persecution of Christians continues to be pronounced in the African nation of Nigeria, and a Morning Star News article appearing at ChristianHeadlines.com reinforces this notion, reporting that:

Muslim Fulani herdsmen with machetes and firearms slaughtered more than 200 people in 10 predominantly Christian communities near Jos, Nigeria on Saturday and Sunday (June 23-24) in what a cattlemen’s spokesman admitted was likely retaliation for stealing cows.

The article says that:

Istifanus Gyang, a member of Nigeria’s National Assembly, on Monday (June 25) issued a statement in Jos decrying the attacks, which took place in the areas he represents in Plateau state, describing it as “…painful holocaust, ethnic cleansing and genocidal killing of my people under the watch of a government that has abdicated its primary constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives of law-abiding citizens.”

It appears as if the Christians in particular areas are being blamed for the theft of cattle.  The article quotes a cattle breeders' organization spokesman:

“Fulani herdsmen have lost about 300 cows in the last few weeks – 94 cows were rustled by armed Berom youths in Fan village, another 36 cows were killed by Berom youths. In addition to that, 174 cattle were rustled.”

The story continues:

Area Christians question how villagers untrained to handle cattle could have “rustled” the high number of cows that Ciroma claims, especially with military check-points mounted throughout the state that would make it difficult to move such a quantity of livestock.

1 - High court rules on free speech, religious freedom

There was plenty of news out of the U.S. Supreme Court during the preceding week, including the announcement that Justice Anthony Kennedy would be retiring at the end of July.  President Trump has already said that he would be making the choice of a replacement soon, indicating he would be announcing that new prospective justice on July 9.

In addition, the high court upheld the President's so-called "travel ban" on accepting potential refugees from countries that research indicates are most likely to have terror connections.

And, the Christian Educators Association International is celebrating a ruling that said, according to its website: "that unionized public sector workers do not have to join, or pay agency fees, to unions. This ruling has significant implications for many public school teachers from faith backgrounds who have long struggled with the legal requirement to support unions that often contribute money to causes to which they object."

David Schmus, CEAI Executive Director, is quoted as saying, “Justice delayed was not justice denied for our teachers, who are now free to direct their hard-earned pay according to the dictates of conscience,” adding, “For years many teachers, including me, have been legally required to financially support unions as a condition of their employment, knowing that their money was going to Planned Parenthood or similar causes—no more.”

There was also a ruling concerning California's law that would have forced pro-life pregnancy resource centers to direct clients where they could get an abortion - the high court overturned that law.  Alliance Defending Freedom represented National Institute of Family and Life Advocates. ADF President, CEO, and General Counsel Michael Farris, stated: “In this case, the government used its power to force pro-life pregnancy centers to provide free advertising for abortion. The Supreme Court said that the government can’t do that, and that it must respect pro-life beliefs.”

And, at the end of the session, there was a ruling on prayer in the home: First Liberty represented a client, Mary Ann Sause, who had been ordered not to pray in her own home.  The organization's website stated:

Attorneys for Sause had asked the Supreme Court to reverse the appellate court’s ruling that the police officers, who in 2013 entered Sause’s home to investigate an alleged minor noise complaint, harassed her, and ordered Sause, a devout Catholic, to stop praying in her home were entitled to qualified immunity. The Supreme Court’s decision sends a clear signal that citizens are entitled to religious liberty in their own home.

The court ruled in Sause's favor.  In another prayer case out of North Carolina, the high court decided not to hear a case out of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in which the full court held that the commissioners in Rowan County were in error when they allowed prayer at public meetings.  Alliance Defending Freedom said on its website that it was involved in the North Carolina case as well as "the 2014 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Town of Greece v. Galloway that upheld prayer at public meetings, which both a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit in the Rowan County case and a recent decision by the 6th Circuit in a different case cited as critical precedent for their decisions in favor of legislator-led prayer policies. The full 4th Circuit, however, later reversed the 4th Circuit panel’s decision, creating a split between the circuits."

So, now the focus about the Supreme Court for the next few months will be on the replacement for Anthony Kennedy, who was not a reliable vote on abortion and gay marriage, but who was fairly strong on religious liberty issues.  He was regarded a "swing" vote on the court, and it is speculated that whoever is nominated as his replacement will be a solid conservative, a "strict constructionist" regarding the Constitution.  The Hill reports that the President has indicated that he has narrowed his list to "about five," including two women, from a list of 25 potential nominees he had released during the campaign.