The 3 - June 30, 2019

This week's edition of The 3 includes more madness from California, where politicians are attempting to tell church leaders what to do regarding homosexuality.  Also, a Federal appeals court has ruled that a Trump Administration policy barring undocumented teens receiving abortions is unconstitutional.  And, a Spokane pastor's attempt to observe a Drag Queen Story Hour has resulted in his arrest.

California lawmakers pass resolution calling on church leaders to reject Scripture on LGBTQ

The continued advancement of the LGBTQ agenda is quite apparent in the state of California, where the state Assembly attempted to assert its will over community leaders, including church leaders.
WORLD Magazine reports that:

The California State Assembly passed a resolution on Monday calling on religious leaders and others with “moral influence” to affirm homosexuality and transgenderism. The resolution asks counselors, pastors, churches, educators, schools, legislators, and others to avoid supporting traditional and Biblical views of sexuality, which the measure claims can cause suicide and depression.

Over 25 Christian leaders, according to WORLD, "signed a letter condemning the resolution, which they said violates religious freedom." One phrase they wrote stated that: “...politicians have no right to tell clergy what is moral, dictate the content of their sermons, or instruct them in religious counseling.”

One chaplain from a Christian university, however, took the other side, according to California Family Council, whose president, Jonathan Keller, signed the letter.   However, Peter Mannoia of Asuza Pacific University and former head of the National Association of Evangelicals, wrote a letter of support and testified before a committee.  The Council's site stated:

During Mannoia’s testimony in favor of ACR 99, before the judiciary committee, he reiterated his relationship with Jesus Christ as “my friend and guide” and his commitment to live “under the authority of God’s word.” But again Mannoia didn’t explain how he could believe this while supporting a resolution condemning Christian efforts to help those with unwanted same-sex attraction or gender confusion.

Appeals court allows for abortions for undocumented teenagers

The immigration issue and the issue of abortion have met together, and a Federal court has ruled in favor of abortion for undocumented teenagers.  TheHill.com reports that "The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals...ruled against the Trump administration’s policy of blocking undocumented pregnant teenagers in federal custody from obtaining abortions."

The judges stated that they “are unanimous in rejecting the government’s position that its denial of abortion access can be squared with Supreme Court precedent.”  The three-judge panel ruled 2-1 against the Administration.  They stated that the ruling applies to teens in "federal custody," and that those undocumented teenagers who are 18 years of age and up can obtain abortions.

The judges rejected the Administration argument, according to the article, "that the teenagers could have sought to be deported voluntarily in order to obtain an abortion, and that an unaccompanied pregnant minor could be released to a sponsor and then have the procedure."

Pastor arrested during Drag Queen Story Hour in Spokane

These inexplicably popular Drag Queen Story Hours are popping up in cities all across America, and in Spokane, a public library had an increased police presence, complete with snipers, according to ToddStarnes.com, referring to a report in the Spokesman Review.

Onto the scene walked a Baptist preacher, Afshin Yaghtin, who is pastor of New Covenant Baptist Church in Spokane.

Starnes relates that:

Several hundred critics of the drag queen event were protesting outside — frustrated that the taxpayer funded library was being used to indoctrinated [sic] small children.

Pacific Justice Institute says the pastor tried to enter the library to observe the event but was barred by police.

Brad Dacus of PJI stated, “He did not carry signs or preach and he did not consider himself to be a protester..." Yet, after he, as Starnes put it, "asserted his First Amendment rights," he was arrested and taken to jail.

While the protesters were separated, supporters were allowed to stay on public property, according to Dacus, who said: "This arrest in Spokane is one of the clearest examples yet of viewpoint discrimination, and we will be vigorously contesting the charges,” adding, “We must be able to peacefully disagree and voice our concerns in public places without fear of arrest and prosecution based on viewpoint.”