The 3 - October 6, 2019

This week in The 3, featuring three stories of relevance to the Christian community, there was an amazing expression of Christ's love and forgiveness in a Dallas courtroom, which was lauded by many, but opposed by some, including an atheist organization which took issue with the judge's actions in sharing Scripture.  Also, the University of Iowa and some of its leaders are in trouble for violating the First Amendment rights of a campus student group.  And, the U.S. Supreme Court has announced it will be placing an abortion case on its agenda.

Beautiful picture of forgiveness in Dallas courtroom

It was the culmination of a tense season in Dallas - a white police officer shoots an African-American man in his apartment; she claimed she was mistaken and thought it was her apartment.  26-year-old Botham Jean was dead, and the former officer, Amber Guyger, was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Following the sentencing, Botham's 18-year-old brother Brandt took the stand.  According to the Family Research Council website, he said: "I know if you go to God and ask him, he will forgive you." He added, "I want the best for you, because I know that's exactly what Botham would want you to do. And the best would be to give your life to Christ." Brandt then asked if he could give Guyger a hug; the presiding judge, Tammy Kemp granted permission, and even, as the article relates, "can be seen wiping away tears in the background." It goes on to say:

In fact, Kemp was so moved by the younger brother's actions that after official proceedings had ended, she stepped off the bench and retrieved her personal Bible from her chambers. Handing the Bible to Guyger, Kemp said, "You haven't done so much that you can't be forgiven." She then read John 3:16, and said, "You haven't done as much as you think you have, and you can be forgiven. You did something bad in one moment in time. What you do now matters."

The FRC piece notes:

Dallas Police Chief U. Reneé Hall spoke for many after the trial when she said, "Botham Jean's brother's request to hug Amber Guyger and Judge Kemp's gift of her Bible to Amber represents a spirit of forgiveness, faith and trust. In this same spirit, we want to move forward in a positive direction with the community."

But not all were happy with this series of events.  In addition to those who felt the sentence for Guyger was too light and those that chose to analyze the occurrence through the lens of identity politics, the atheist organization, the Freedom from Religion Foundation, as FRC reports...

...poured cold water on the judge's display of kindness by filing a formal complaint with the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct, alleging Judge Kemp "overstepped" her judicial authority by giving Guyer [sic] a Bible. According to the atheist group, by reading the Bible with the newly convicted defendant, Judge Kemp engaged in "inappropriate" and "unconstitutional" behavior.

As the Family Research Council points out: "because of the courageous and gracious response of the Jean family and Judge Kemp, the community in Dallas has begun to heal...In fact, through their faithful testimony, the world was able to see a beautiful display of Christ-centered compassion and forgiveness. Unfortunately, FFRF is trying to drown out this life-giving, positive message."

Judge issues ruling against University of Iowa for actions against Christian student groups

Earlier this year, according to Christianity Today, a Federal judge, Stephanie Rose, ruled that the University of Iowa has violated the First Amendment right of the student group, Business Leaders in Christ, when the school decided that the group could no longer have "registered status" because it would not allow a homosexual to serve in leadership.

Lightning has actually struck twice - the same Federal judge found the university violated the rights of another student group, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, when it took the same action.  The Christianity Today article states:

...federal judge Stephanie M. Rose determined that the university inconsistently applied its Human Rights Policy by exempting campus groups like fraternities, sororities, and some affirming faith-based groups while penalizing certain religious groups—including InterVarsity—that require its leaders to agree to its statement of faith.

And, university administrators will feel it in their wallets - they will have to pay the costs incurred in InterVarsity's defense in a trial that is set to start in January.  The article notes:

The University of Iowa issued a statement Monday saying it had revised its student organization policy to allow organizations to require their leaders “to agree to and support” the organization’s beliefs.

U.S. Supreme Court to hear Louisiana abortion case involving admitting privileges for abortionists

The U.S. Supreme Court will be hearing oral arguments this week in a collection of cases involving the employment of transgender individuals and whether or not issues of "gender" discrimination apply to such individuals.  And, late last week, the high court announced it will be considering a case from Louisiana regarding whether or not state law can require abortion "doctors" to have local hospital admitting privileges.

WORLD Magazine reports:

Opponents of the law say it could result in the closure of one or two of Louisiana’s three abortion facilities. The state argues abortionists haven’t tried hard enough to establish relationships with local hospitals and the law is necessary to protect women. The Supreme Court struck down a similar law in 2016, which was before Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh joined the court.

An earlier WORLD analysis related that a stay in the implementation of the law had been granted back in February, as "Chief Justice John Roberts joined the more liberal judges in halting the law, while Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Clarence Thomas voted to allow it."

Samantha Gobba of WORLD wrote:

Benjamin Clapper, director of Louisiana Right to Life, told me the court could align with its 2016 decision in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, which overturned a Texas law requiring abortionists to have hospital admitting privileges, or it could allow the Louisiana law to stand. Supporters of the law and others like it say requiring abortionists to have hospital admitting privileges ensures women can get speedy medical care if a complication arises from an abortion. Critics argue it only serves to limit abortion access.

Keep your eyes on Chief Justice Roberts on this one - although he sided with the liberal bloc of justices to put the Louisiana law on hold, according to SCOTUS Blog, he voted with the dissenters in the Texas case; it was then-justice Kennedy who sided with the 4 liberal justices for a 5-3 decision, in which there was an open seat due to the death of Justice Scalia.  If Roberts is consistent with the previous decision, he could side with Alito, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Thomas to uphold the Louisiana law.