The 3 - April 25, 2021

This week's edition of The 3 features action in state legislatures on two very important subjects: the sanctity of life and preventing biological males who identity as women from competing against women in school sports.  And, two religious organizations have been prevented from using a venue in Scotland, reportedly due to their opposition to so-called same-sex marriage.

Pro-life bills clear state legislatures

It has been difficult to pass federal legislation protecting the lives of unborn children.  But, states across America have been successful in passing abortion restrictions.  Add two states to the list whose legislatures have passed pro-life legislation - in just the past week or so, Oklahoma and Arizona lawmakers have sent their respective governors bills that protect life.

In Oklahoma, according to Liberty Counsel's website, the Senate joined the House in passing what is known as a "heartbeat bill," that "prohibits an abortion if the unborn baby’s heartbeat is detected, typically about six weeks of pregnancy."  

There were two more bills passed by the state Senate: one "requiring that abortions be done by doctors who are certified OB-GYNs and another bill that would add abortions to a list of unprofessional conduct actions by doctors."  Governor Stitt is expected to sign these three pieces of legislation.

And, in Arizona, in the past week, lawmakers there have also passed a strong pro-life bill, according to The Center Square, which reports:

The bill, which cleared the Arizona Legislature on Tuesday, makes numerous changes to the state’s legal code regarding abortive procedures, including granting state and federal rights to the unborn at any stage of development. Should the bill become law, performing an abortion because of a genetic abnormality of the child would constitute a class 6 felony, which carries a one-year prison sentence.

The article goes on to say that, "The measure gives the married father and grandparents of the unborn child the ability to bring a civil lawsuit on the child’s behalf...,: and it "gives exemptions to medical professionals and the mother of the child, including the abolition of a pre-Roe v. Wade law that criminalized abortions."

Alabama governor signs transgender sports bill, North Dakota and Kansas governors veto

The Alabama Legislature passed a bill that would prevent biological males from competing on female sports teams and sent it on Governor Kay Ivey, and it was reported by WSFA Television and other sources that the governor indeed did sign that legislation, with WSFA reporting that, "Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill requiring students to play on the sports team that aligns with the gender on their birth certificates unless it is a co-ed sport in K-12 public schools." The story also notes, "Supporters of this bill have said it would protect the integrity of women’s sports.

Newsweek points out that "31 states have introduced bills banning transgender athletes from participating on sports teams consistent with their gender identities," and reported that within the past week, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum "vetoed similar bills."  It also noted that, "South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem also vetoed a similar bill in her state near mid-March, worried that such a ban wouldn't hold up in court." She did issue two executive orders on the issue.

Graham Association back in court

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and a Scottish church had a partnership in which they rented a facility to do conferences.  CBN.com reports that:

Stirling Free Church and BGEA sued the Robertson Trust after it canceled a contract with the evangelical organizations for use of its Barracks Conference Centre for Sunday worship services and training events, The Christian Institute reports.

The article states that, "Trust chairwoman Shonaig Macpherson reportedly objected to the church's biblical belief that marriage is only between man and woman and terminated their contract."

ChristianHeadlines.com reports that:

BGEA spokesman Roger Chilvers said in a statement, "We made it clear to the venue at the time of booking that we are a Christian organisation. It was only later that they came back and said they were cancelling our booking because of our religion. It is a neutral space, offered to the public at large. You can't have a situation where religious groups are banned from hiring neutral spaces. That is not a free society. This is anti-religious discrimination, plain and simple, and we are hopeful the court will uphold our claim and recognize the inequities present in this case."