The 3 - October 27, 2019

This week's edition of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes developments in a case involving a 7-year-boy whose mother wishes for him to "transition" into a girl, a move opposed by his father.  Also, there is chilling news from China, where a megachurch building was destroyed, with the process beginning while worshippers were still inside.  And, Northern Ireland now has legal abortion and same-sex marriage, as the result of the government's inability to form an assembly.

Judge overrules jury decision in case involving 7-year-old whose mother is pushing gender transition

The jury issued a much-criticized decision in the case, and the judge altered the ruling.  It's the unfortunate and troubling case of a 7-year-old boy whose mother wants him to transition into a girl, against the father's wishes.  According to LifeSiteNews.com, a Texas jury granted custody to the mother, who is dedicated to gender transition and placing him on hormone therapy.  The mother is Dr. Anne Georgulas; the father is Jeffrey Younger - the article relates:

Since kindergarten, Dr. Georgulas has enrolled James in school as a girl under the name “Luna.” She began telling him he’s a girl when he was just three, and testified in court that she began to believe that when he liked a McDonald’s toy meant for girls. James’ pediatrician records also indicate Dr. Georgulas has met with GENECIS, a medical “transition” clinic in Dallas and is considering “hormone suppression” when James is closer to eight or nine years old.

The story states:

Dr. Georgulas wants to continue to “transition” James “into” a girl called “Luna.” Mr. Younger wanted to take a “wait and see” approach rather than start the child on puberty blockers.

The presiding judge, Kim Cooks, has ruled that, according to the article, "the parents will have joint conservatorship over James, which includes making joint medical decisions for the child." It goes on to say:

Judge Kim Cooks of the 255th district also put a gag order on both parents so that they cannot speak to the press about the case and decided that the father is not required to pay attorney fees. The judge’s decision means that the Save James website will have to be shut down.

China church building destruction begins with congregation inside

Imagine attending a worship service and having demolition crews and equipment show up to tear the building down. That's apparently the scenario of a church in China, Fuyang Christian Church, which was described by Faithwire.com; it reports:

According to persecution watchdog, ChinaAid, the church could seat some 3,000 people and was part of the country’s official church network. The organization also noted that the demolition was undertaken as congregants worshipped, and that the action was carried out with no supporting legal documentation.

It is still unclear why the church was flattened, though the pastors, Geng Yimin and Sun Yongyao, were subsequently arrested on suspicion of “gathering a crowd to disturb social order.”

The story reports that "the demolition comes just a week after a church in Henan province was leveled as more than 200 congregants gathered to worship."

Northern Ireland government failure results in legalization of abortion and same-sex marriage

For 158 years, Northern Ireland has had a law against abortion. Same-sex marriage has also been banned there...until this past Tuesday, according to a report on the FoxNews.com website, which states:

The Northern Ireland Assembly had been able to control their abortion and marriage restrictions as a devolved region of the UK, meaning they control certain legislative rights that the British Parliament did not.

However, its government has been suspended for more than 2.5 years amid a dispute between the major Protestant and Catholic parties, leaving Britain's Parliament in Westminster to make some key decisions.

A bill had placed a deadline of October 21 for Northern Ireland to form a government; if not, as Fox reports: "the bill’s abortion and same-sex marriage amendments would take effect."  There was a failed attempt to re-convene the assembly, but there was opposition and the body did not name a new speaker.

In an e-mail, Keith and Kristyn Getty, who are from Northern Ireland, expressed sadness over these changes, saying:

A law will be passed on Tuesday in Northern Ireland that will represent a genocide of human beings that exceeds by far even the horror of the Northern Ireland ‘Troubles’ (civil war).

Until now, Northern Ireland has successfully blocked legislation to legalise abortion, and since the UK Abortion Act in the Seventies, 100,000 lives have been saved in Northern Ireland because of our laws. On Tuesday, all this changes.

The sentiment of the e-mail is summed up in the phrase repeated in it: "Lord have mercy."  The Gettys state:

Please pray for the leaders of Northern Ireland. There are many working hard for life. The ugliness of it all is hard to describe and a fair place to speak nearly non-existent. Please pray for the local church there. For compassion, innovation, courage and boldness in conviction. Please pray for those groups tirelessly advocating for the protection of mothers and their babies.