The 3 - December 29, 2019

This week's edition of The 3, featuring three stories of relevance to the Christian community, offers information about a large United Methodist church that has voted to leave the denomination as the result its fight over homosexuality.  Also, a video of Christians being killed by Islamic State in Nigeria has been released.  And, an editorial by the editor of a noted Christian publication calling for a new President for the nation has generated quite a bit of response.

Large Texas church decides to leave United Methodist denomination

The United Methodist Church is facing a huge division in the next few years, as the result of a vote taken earlier this year, in which delegates approved a plan that would continue to uphold Biblical teaching on homosexuality; there are many within the denomination who wish for congregations with differing views to be allowed to leave without penalty.

In an interesting development, a church with close to 3,000 members in Texas has said it has had enough, according to The Christian Post, which reported that Grace United Methodist in Katy, Texas has announced that it has voted to leave the UMC and perhaps associate with the Free Methodist Church.  Pastor Jim Leggett is quoted in the article, and said that congregation members desired “to remove ourselves from the dysfunctional fighting going on in the United Methodist Church so that we can fully devote our energies to fulfilling the mission and vision that God has given to us.”

He went on to say: “At one point, we looked up and noticed that we were spending easily 30 percent of our leadership meeting time discussing the issues of the UMC, and we realized that this was not good stewardship of our time and resources for the Kingdom of God," adding, “In the last year, it has become clear to us that despite having biblical standards of morality on paper in the denomination’s Book of Discipline, the leadership of the United Methodist Church is unable or unwilling to live by those standards.”

Meanwhile, the Capstone Report has been reporting on churches that are leaving the Southern Baptist Convention over the infiltration of LGBTQ acceptance in that denomination. It reports, "Pastor James Pittman of New Hope Community Church of Palatine, Illinois announced on YouTube his intention to leave the Southern Baptist Convention over the leadership of J.D. Greear on issues of LGBTQ rights."  The story goes on to say:

...Pittman examined some of the shocking and controversial statements made by J.D. Greear. Pittman expressed concern over the direction of the SBC on important theological issues during Greear’s tenure.

Pittman played video excerpts of Southern Baptist Convention president J.D. Greear apologizing to the gay community on behalf of Southern Baptists.

You may be aware that lately, Greear has stated his intent to extend what is called, "pronoun hospitality," according to The Christian Post, which quoted the SBC President in a recent article: "If a transgender person came into our church, came into my life, I think my disposition would be to refer to them by their preferred pronoun when we want to talk about gender...I will be clear with him on the truth. The question is: Is that the battlefront that you want to choose?”

Meanwhile, the denomination is facing turmoil not only over the LGBT issue, but also the role of women in leadership and the application of philosophies of Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality. The Capstone Report also reported in October about four SBC churches who left due to their perception of increasing liberalism within the denomination.  And, as the Disrn website reported later that month, a large Alabama church has announced its intent to leave over matters circling around female authority in the church.

Islamic State releases video of beheadings of Christians in Nigeria

There is disturbing news out of Nigeria, where Islamic State released a video the day after Christmas, in which 11 Christians were murdered, 10 of them by beheading, according to The Daily Caller, which reported that:

As part of a campaign to avenge the death of former IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Islamic State released a video that they say shows the killing of 11 unidentified Christian men who IS “captured in the past weeks” in the north-eastern Borno State in Nigeria, according to the BBC.

The story said that analysts related to the BBC that the release was designed to coincide with Christmas Day. The article states: "The beheadings are probably the work of ISWAP or the 'Islamic State West Africa Province,' the BBC notes, a faction of the Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram that broke away in 2016.

Christianity Today ignites new wave of evangelical reaction for, against Trump

First it was an editorial by the outgoing editor-in-chief of Christianity Today.  Then, it was the pushback over that editorial, followed by the publication's President and CEO standing in solidarity with his editor.  For the past two weeks, Christians have been writing lengthy articles, blog posts, and social media posts regarding the President of the United States and those who "support" him, whatever that means.

Disrn reported on the editorial written by Mark Galli, editor-in-chief of Christianity Today, calling for the removal of the President.  Galli wrote, "The facts in this instance are unambiguous: The president of the United States attempted to use his political power to coerce a foreign leader to harass and discredit one of the president's political opponents. That is not only a violation of the Constitution; more importantly, it is profoundly immoral."  Galli also stated:

"Trump's evangelical supporters have pointed to his Supreme Court nominees, his defense of religious liberty, and his stewardship of the economy, among other things, as achievements that justify their support of the president . . . None of the president's positives can balance the moral and political danger we face under a leader of such grossly immoral character."

Some of the swiftest reaction came from evangelist Franklin Graham, who wrote on Facebook, according to the article:

"Yes, my father Billy Graham founded Christianity Today; but no, he would not agree with their opinion piece. In fact, he would be very disappointed. I have not previously shared who my father voted for in the past election, but because of this article, I feel it is necessary to share it now. My father knew Donald Trump, he believed in Donald Trump, and he voted for Donald Trump. He believed that Donald J. Trump was the man for this hour in history for our nation."

CBN News and other news outlets reported on a letter to Galli and Christianity Today President and CEO Timothy Darylmple, signed by around 200 evangelical leaders, which stated, in part:

...We are, in fact, not ‘far-right’ evangelicals as characterized by the author.

Rather, we are Bible-believing Christians and patriotic Americans who are simply grateful that our President has sought our advice as his administration has advanced policies that protect the unborn, promote religious freedom…and ensure that our foreign policy aligns with our values while making our world safer, including through our support of the State of Israel.

The Christian Post posted the entirety of the letter. Signers included Faith Radio programmers Jim Garlow, Robert Jeffress, Greg Laurie, Barry Meguiar, Tony Perkins, and Mat Staver, as well as James Dobson, who posted on Facebook, according to CBN, "While Christianity Today is making its case for impeachment, I hope the editors will now tell us who they support for president among the Democrat field." 

Other notable signers, according to the Post, included Mike Huckabee, Harry Jackson, Alveda King, Eric Metaxas, Penny Nance of Concerned Women for America; pastors of large Southern Baptist churches Jack Graham (Prestonwood Baptist) and Gregg Matte (Pastor of First Baptist Houston), as well as denominational leaders Tim Hill of the Church of God and George Wood of the Assemblies of God. 

Jim Daly of Focus on the Family wrote at FoxNews.com:

We are in an age of upside-downism, where right is wrong and wrong is right. Values many of us were taught by the wisdom of ancient texts, in our churches and in our schools are now condemned as bigotry. 

When we cast our votes as citizens, we vote not for a pastor or priest. We vote for a fighter who understands the moment we are in and is willing to preserve those basic rights that made America the shining example that it is. Yes, even with the imperfections.

Dalrymple wrote his own piece in support of Galli at Christianity Today, as well.  There's more, and I will offer some commentary on this whole developing story tomorrow on The Meeting House on Faith Radio.

The 3 - December 22, 2019

This week in The 3, there are news items concerning the displays of Nativity scenes in two locations in America.  Also, a Texas judge is fighting back after being cited by a state agency for not performing same-sex weddings.  And, a U.K. doctor who is a Christian has survived a challenge to his ability to live out his faith.

Nativity scenes facing challenges

It's an annual occurrence throughout our nation, when religious expressions of Christmas in the public square are removed, including this year, in the cases of Nativity scenes in Delaware and Iowa.  Faithwire.com reports on the attempt to remove a Nativity display from the town circle in Rehobeth Beach, Delaware, which had been "tradition...for nine decades," according to the article.

But, this year, once a church had erected the scene, the city called for its removal.  The Nativity was also not allowed to be displayed on the public boardwalk. A city official stated, according to the words of the article, that "the Boardwalk is public property, and reiterated that city policy prohibits nativity scene from placement on the Boardwalk or any other public property because of its religious nature."  But, as Faithwire points out:

According to the First Liberty Institute, a religious rights law firm, the City of Rehoboth Beach’s policy goes against long-standing US Supreme Court opinions that even government-sponsored nativity displays are lawful in holiday displays when accompanied by secular and religious components, and that religious discrimination is unlawful.

First Liberty has written a letter urging the city to reconsider.

Meanwhile, in Centerville, Iowa, according to Christian Headlines.com, the City Council rejected a Nativity scene that "was placed on the Appanoose County Courthouse lawn in Centerville Nov. 18 but was moved to a private lot Dec. 9 following a complaint, according to KCCI."  The article reports on a recent Council meeting, in which, "Most of the residents who were present wanted the Nativity placed back on the courthouse lawn..."

A petition drive was launched by Tony Angran, pastor of the Solid Rock Church of God, to request that the Nativity be returned to the courthouse property. On the church's Facebook page, the pastor said, "I am personally appalled that the very reason for the season be taken out of the very heart of this city and moved elsewhere..."  According to Christian Headlines, the television station reported that over a thousand people had signed the petition.

Texas judge who declined to sanction same-sex marriage sues state agency

Dianne Hensley is a judge in Waco, Texas who has taken a strong stand for traditional marriage, according to an article at the Texas Tribune website, which reports that after the Obergefell ruling...

...Hensley refused to officiate any weddings. But in August 2016, she decided to resume officiating weddings between men and women, and said she would “politely refer” same-sex couples who sought her services to others in the area.

In November, Hensley received a warning from the State Commission on Judicial Conduct regarding her practice. She has retaliated by suing the commission; the article says that, "Hensley claims the investigation and warning 'substantially burdened the free exercise of her religion, with no compelling justification.' She seeks damages of $10,000."

The article also reports that:

Hensley, who claims the state violated the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act, is seeking a declaratory judgment from the court decreeing that any justice of the peace may refuse to officiate a same-sex wedding “if the commands of their religious faith forbid them to participate in same-sex marriage ceremonies.”

First Liberty is representing Judge Hensley, and her attorney is a former state solicitor general.

U.K. doctor can continue to pray, discuss faith

A Christian doctor in the United Kingdom who was facing the possibility of being reprimanded for expressing his faith has been "vindicated," according to the LifeSiteNews.com website.  The site traces the actions of the General Medical Council against Dr. Richard Scott, beginning in June 2019, when "the GMC wrote to [Scott]...that it had received 'some information' from the National Secular Society (NSS) and would begin a fitness to practise investigation into him."  The article continues:

The NSS, targeting Dr Scott to get him de-registered, had lodged a complaint expressing “concern” that he was “continuing to pray and promote Christianity during consultations in an attempt to convert patients”, and cited an anonymous complainant.

The GMC investigated for three months, and recently announced that the doctor had done nothing improper.  In its statement, it said: "there is no convincing evidence that Dr Scott imposes his personal religious beliefs upon potentially vulnerable patients," adding:

There is no evidence that [Dr Scott] discusses faith in situations where the patient has stated that they do not wish to discuss these matters or that he has continued to discuss faith after a patient has indicated that they do not welcome such a discussion.

The article did say that, "For the future, the GMC has advised Dr Scott to document any discussions of faith that he has with his patients and that prayer must only be offered within the guidelines of the GMC’s explanatory guidance on personal beliefs and medical practice."

The 3 - December 15, 2019

This week's edition of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes a non-ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court allowing a pro-life Kentucky law to remain in place.  Also, a California school district has announced a new partnership with Planned Parenthood.  Plus, a charter school student in that same state was told she could not play a familiar Christmas carol in an off-site performance; an action later reversed.

U.S. Supreme Court allows KY pro-life law to stand

A Kentucky pro-life law that had been challenged, was allowed to stand by the U.S. Supreme Court, this past week, according to the Washington Free Beacon, which reported that the law "requires doctors to display and describe an ultrasound of the child to his or her mother before conducting an abortion...."

The appeals court had found that the law did not violate the First Amendment, as the plaintiffs had contended, and the high court declined to take up the case.

The article notes that the Supreme Court...

...is expected to hear one major abortion case, June Medical Services v. Gee, in the coming months. That case, which concerns a Louisiana state law requiring abortionists to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital, may serve as an opportunity for the Court's conservatives to begin rolling back the "undue burden" standard imposed nearly three decades ago.

The Susan B. Anthony List had linked to the Free Beacon article in a press release, that included a statement from its President, Marjorie Dannenfelser, who said: “We are encouraged by today’s Supreme Court decision that lets Kentucky’s pro-life ultrasound law stand,” adding, “Modern ultrasound technology opens an unprecedented window into the womb, providing undisputable evidence of the humanity of the unborn child. The abortion industry has proven incapable of policing itself and will stop at nothing to keep vulnerable women in the dark for the sake of profit, which is why state laws protecting women’s right to informed consent are so important..."

California school district announces partnership with Planned Parenthood

The school district in Los Angeles County, California, has announced a new partnership with the nation's largest abortion provider, according to LifeSiteNews.com, which reported:

Planned Parenthood announced this week a new program in which so-called “Wellbeing Centers” will be placed within 50 Los Angeles public schools, the Washington Post reports. The program is funded for the next three years with Planned Parenthood putting up $6 million and Los Angeles County spending $10 million.

While the provider will not be performing abortions on-site, it will offer a range of "birth control options," and content of the appointments with the students will be kept secret from parents and school officials.

In the article, Kristan Hawkins, President of Students for Life of America, is quoted; she said: “Planned Parenthood has been targeting younger and younger girls, through their version of sex education, beginning as early as elementary school, which encourages people to make bad choices,” adding, “That’s how they make money as they profit from creating crisis through bad choices and then selling abortions to those same students.”

Rebecca Friedrichs of For Kids and Country, in a press release, is quoted as saying: “Our schools have NO business inviting Planned Parenthood to sell its perverted views on life and sex on school campuses — period." She added, "District officials are quick to point out these clinics won’t technically offer abortions on-premises, but no one is fooled that abortion won’t be heavily pushed on our daughters and sons by an organization that has made billions off the macabre practice.”

School reverses course on Christmas carol

There is more controversy out of California, in this case, you have a student who wished to include the Christmas carol, Joy to the World, in a piano performance, according to the website for Pacific Justice Institute, which represented the family of the 13-year-old charter school student, Brooklyn Benzel, who had chosen to play the piece at a retirement home.

An education specialist, who, according to PJI, "oversees independent-study charter school students, said the classic carol was not acceptable because of its religious content. It was suggested that Jingle Bells should be performed instead because it is more secular."

An attorney for PJI reached out to an attorney for the school.  The press release about this set of circumstances, released by the Institute, said:

Shortly after McReynolds spoke to their attorney, the school abruptly reversed course, telling the Benzels they had changed their position after determining that “Joy to the World” is “non-sectarian.”

“We’re thrilled that Brooklyn will now be able to bring joy to this retirement home with a timeless carol,” McReynolds commented. “No student should be made to feel that their choice of a musical performance is unacceptable just because it has both religious and cultural significance.”

The 3 - December 8, 2019

On this week's edition of The 3, highlighting three relevant stories potentially impacting the Christian community, there is good news out of the U.K., where a street preacher has received a settlement from a local police department, which had arrested him, presumably for preaching.  Also, a pastor who went to observe a Drag Queen Story Hour in Spokane and was arrested at the site has had his case dismissed.  And, an organization that has been distributing Scripture-based dog tags in the military is fighting back after the Army has halted the practice.

British street preacher settles with police department after arrest

Dale McAlpine has been preaching the gospel on the streets of the United Kingdom for 15 years, according to the website of Great Britain's The Christian Institute.  In July of last year, according to the site:

The preacher, from Workington, Cumbria, was approached by three police officers in Kendal town centre in July 2018.

They arrested Dale and he was taken to Kendal Police Station, where he was held for questioning.

After being released without bail he was left in limbo for six months until the police eventually notified him that he would not be prosecuted.

McAlpine, after his release, filed a lawsuit against the police in Cumbria, saying, "I took this legal action to help the police realise you cannot arrest people just for preaching the Gospel."  The Christian Institute website reported that McAlpine "has been paid £4,000 plus costs from Cumbria Police in settlement after pursuing a claim for being wrongfully arrested and detained for six hours."

The website goes on to say:

Simon Calvert, Deputy Director for Public Affairs at The Christian Institute, welcomed the news. 

“This is a positive outcome, not just for Dale, but for Christians across the country. 

“It’s a reminder that there is no law against preaching the Gospel. 

“Our country has a rich heritage of free speech, for preachers and for everybody else.”

Dale has said he would be donating the 4,000 pounds to further the work of The Christian Institute.

Spokane pastor gets court victory after arrest at Drag Queen event

Meanwhile, a pastor in Washington State who showed up at a Drag Queen Story Hour event and was arrested, has had his case dismissed.  Christian Headlines reports that Pastor Afshin Yaghtin had gone to a public library in Spokane, WA earlier this year where the drag queen event was being held. Because he chose not to stand in a designated area for protesters or counter-protesters, he was arrested.

The article says that: "Judge Tracy A. Stabb ruled...the police’s orders were not “narrowly tailored” to protect constitutionally protected speech, and that, “While the City’s interest in protecting public safety is significant, there is no evidence that Mr. Yaghtin’s mere presence on public property was in any way jeopardizing the City’s interest,” adding, “Mr. Yaghtin had every right to be standing on public property. He was not blocking traffic and was not conveying any kind of message that might incite a response. He was not being disorderly, disruptive, or aggressive.”

Pacific Justice Institute represented Pastor Yaghtin, and PJI attorney Jorge Ramos is quoted as saying: “The prosecution refused to acknowledge law enforcement’s overreach by separating and even barring people from entry into the library based on their views. We are thankful justice prevailed and Pastor Yaghtin can continue to shepherd his community with confidence.”

Dog tags with Scripture no longer allowed by U.S. Army

Shields of Strength, which are dog tags that contain Scripture, have been distributed to members of the military for over 20 years.  According to First Liberty, that may be coming to a close.  Its website states that:

Since 1997, Kenny Vaughan and his wife have donated millions of inspirational Shields of Strength dog tags to grateful military members. They’ve never given one to anybody who didn’t request it, and never had one complaint.

But now, an outside anti-faith group is trying to have these beloved symbols of hope and encouragement for our men and women in uniform removed—simply because they are inscribed with religious messages.

Fox News relates that after it reported earlier this year on "Shields of Strength," the head of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation "demanded the military branches stop allowing the group to use the military emblem, saying it 'poisons the constitutionally-mandated separation of Church and State...'"  Fox states:

Soon after, each military branch then pulled or threatened to pull the trademark licenses that had been issued to Kenny Vaughan from Shields of Strength. The Army emailed him with the subject line, "Negative Press," suggesting they were motivated by MRFF's press release.

The article says, "Vaughan told 'Fox & Friends' he was 'speechless' especially after the military initially approached him with the idea."  First Liberty claims that the Army's actions violate the Constitution and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and sent a letter to that effect this past week.

The 3 - December 1, 2019

This week's edition of The 3, highlighting three stories of interest to the Christian community, includes coverage of a law in New York state that places requirements on pro-life employers to set aside their beliefs on the sanctity of life.  Also, a printing company in Alabama has declined to publish a magazine issues that contains material it regards as objectionable.  And, a pastor in India who was nearly beaten to death represents millions of Christians facing persecution in that nation.

NY hiring law punishes pro-life employers

The state of New York, already having shown its hostility to unborn babies when its Legislature passed a law allowing abortion throughout pregnancy, has passed a law, and Governor Cuomo has signed it, that shows its hostility for those who stand with life, according to a CBN.com article, which reports that the state's new law...

...requires all employers—including churches, religious schools, faith-based pregnancy care centers, and religious nonprofits—to disavow their beliefs about abortion, contraception, and sexual morality by forcing them to hire and employ those who refuse to abide by the organizations' statements of faith.

In response, the Alliance Defending Freedom has filed a lawsuit against the state, representing CompassCare, a pregnancy care center in Rochester, as well as First Bible Baptist Church, the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates, which is a network of pregnancy centers, and other groups.

ADF Legal Counsel Denise Harle is quoted in the article: "Every woman deserves the support she needs to make the healthiest choice for everyone involved in her pregnancy. But New York's new law forces CompassCare to contradict its own beliefs and to employ staff who endorse abortion—a decision that harms women and ends innocent lives. No one would force PETA to hire employees that hunt on the weekends. CompassCare deserves that same courtesy and equal freedom under law."

AL printer says "no" to printing pro-LGBTQ magazine edition

The situation in New York is yet another front in a cultural trend where people who hold to certain beliefs about life and marriage are facing attempts to force them to act in a manner that contradicts those beliefs.  Another organization standing strong is Interstate Printing, based in Mobile, Alabama.

The Christian Post reported on this company's dilemma after the magazine, Due South, was planning an issue that was distinctively pro-LGBTQ.  The Post article said the issue "featured stories about LGBT students and drag queens, AL.com reported."

Editor-in-Chief Sara Boone was quoted as saying: "They emailed me back and said they would be exercising their right to decline printing this issue because it does not adhere to their Christian values and they hope to print with us in the future, adding: “It’s very ironic for me because this particular issue of Due South is a special topics issue on diversity and inclusion. And it’s the very first special topics issue that we have ever produced. For them to decline printing it because it’s so diverse and the content is incredibly ironic..."

The printer had no comment to The Christian Post.  Due South is affiliated with the University of South Alabama. According to the Post article, "The “About Us” page on Interstate Printing’s website states that 'We are a Christian company that will serve the Lord God Almighty in any way we can.'"  The story notes that Bob Lowery, the school’s director of communications and media, wrote in an email to NBC News, “We respect our students for having the courage of their convictions...At the same time, we also respect the rights of individuals and private businesses to make decisions that are consistent with their values. It is our hope that healthy and constructive dialogue can emerge from differing perspectives.”

Indian pastor who was beaten representative of increased persecution in country

Basant Kumar Paul is a pastor who was attacked at his house church in eastern India.  He is quoted on the Baptist Press website as saying:

"My physical body might be weak, but my spirit is very strong, it will not break with persecution," Morning Star News quoted Paul Friday (Nov. 22). "They tried to kill me twice, I was almost dead, but I still did not die. I will not die until the Lord calls me back home. This assurance drives away all my fears."

The story points out that Paul is still recovering, and that, "In the attack on his family, eight extremists entered his home and beat Paul until they thought he was dead, beating his family members as each tried to help. Among injuries, attackers broke Paul's son's leg and hit his mother and brother in the head with axes, Paul said."

The Baptist Press story relates that "Paul is among an estimated 65 million Christians facing increased persecution in the nation of 1.4 billion people. Persecution is spiking under extreme rightwing Hindu nationalism encouraged by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), according to reports from across the Asian nation."  The article relates that:

Christians in the former state of Jammu and Kashmir in northern India have suffered increased persecution since the BJP-led government revoked a 1949 law that allowed Jammu and Kashmir to form its own constitution, reported Morning Star and religious persecution watchdog groups including Open Doors and Voice of the Martyrs.

New security measures issued as recently as Nov. 6 make it "nearly impossible" for Christian congregations to meet, Morning Star reported.

And, the pastor is having legal troubles; the article says that Paul "and other family members are being investigated for holding church services in his home where about 35 gather for worship, Morning Star reported."