The 3 - April 24, 2022

The 3 offers three stories of relevance to the Christian community, and in this week's edition, there is news from Florida regarding new guidelines on attempts to change a person's gender. Also, a Federal appeals court has sided with the challengers of speech codes on the University of Central Florida campus. Plus, a man preaching God's Word in public in the U.K. has been acquitted of charges that he broke the law.

Florida health department takes steps to protect children from gender change treatments and surgeries

The pushback to the real-life harmful consequences of pushing the LGBTQ agenda on children continues in Florida.  Just weeks after Alabama passed a bill criminalizing the use of so-called "gender change" treatments and surgeries, which proponents are now calling, "gender-affirming," the Department of Health of the state of Florida, which is certainly on a mission to stop the advance of this agenda, issued a set of guidelines regarding attempts to change one's gender.

Liberty Counsel reported that:

In a press release from the DOH, Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo stated, “The federal government's medical establishment releasing guidance failing at the most basic level of academic rigor shows that this was never about health care. It was about injecting political ideology into the health of our children. Children experiencing gender dysphoria should be supported by family and seek counseling, not pushed into an irreversible decision before they reach 18.”

The article goes on to say:

Florida’s DOH further stated that “current evidence does not support the use of puberty blockers, hormone treatments or surgical procedures for children and adolescents experiencing gender dysphoria considering:

• 80% of those seeking clinical care will lose their desire to identify with the non-birth sex,
• the importance of puberty to brain development, with the pre-frontal cortex (which is responsible for executive functions, such as decision making) continuing to develop until approximately 25 years of age,
• and the potentially irreversible consequences such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, infertility, increased cancer risk, and thrombosis.”

But there are Biblical answers to gender dysphoria, answers that some policymakers want to ban.  Liberty Counsel points out that it...

...represents licensed therapists who provide life-saving counseling to minors who desperately desire to conform their attractions, behaviors, and gender identities to their sincerely held religious beliefs. In Otto v. City of Boca Raton, FL, a three-judge panel of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a city and county ordinance that banned counselors from providing minor clients with help to reduce or eliminate unwanted same-sex attractions, behaviors, or gender confusion. The appeals court found that the laws were both content and viewpoint based and violate the First Amendment right to free speech.

Federal appeals court sides with challengers on speech codes

We have seen instances in which colleges and universities have attempted to limit the speech of individuals and groups, including Christians, by implementing stiff regulations, including speech codes and small "speech zones," where free speech is permissible. The Christian Post has reported that at the University of Central Florida, a speech code had been put in place, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has recently found it to be unconstitutional.

The article notes:

In February 2021, Speech First filed a lawsuit against university officials on behalf of students seeking to engage in debates over hot-button issues.

According to the complaint, the university policy was “overbroad” because it punished students who engaged in “verbal acts, name-calling, [or] graphic or written statements (via the use of cell phone or the internet)” that other students may find “humiliating” or offensive.

The lawsuit expressed concern over UCF’s bias response team, which according to the lawsuit, could discipline behavior done on or off campus “without regard to whether the act is legal, illegal, intentional, or unintentional.”

The article says that a three-judge panel ruled unanimously against the university, overturning a lower court decision.  The case has been sent back to the lower court. 

Alliance Defending Freedom had filed a "friend-of-the-court" brief in the case; Vice President of Appellate Advocacy and Senior Counsel John Bursch said, in part:

“...We are pleased the 11th Circuit continues to protect this fundamental right and has affirmed freedom for all students at the University of Central Florida. Universities ought to encourage a diverse set of viewpoints and perspectives, not stifle those opinions with which they disagree. As the 11th Circuit rightly pointed out, some regulations that appear well-meaning—like the university’s anti-harassment, anti-discrimination policy in question—can be so vague and broadly applied, that students simply wishing to share their religious or ideological views are chilled into silence. That is a violation of the freedoms protected by the First Amendment for every American.”

British street preacher accused of "hate speech" acquitted

A man in the United Kingdom who was exercising his free speech rights by preaching in public has been acquitted. Christian Headlines reported that:

According to the website Conservative Woman, Pastor John Sherwood of the Penn Free Methodist Church of Penn, England, was acquitted of the charges by the Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on April 7.

As Christian Headlines previously reported, Sherwood was arrested in April 2021 at the center of Uxbridge, London, for preaching on the biblical definition of marriage as outlined in the book of Genesis.

The article goes on to say:

According to CBN News, Sherwood's trial was filled with Scripture to drive home the point that his preaching is grounded in the Word of God. "Pastor Sherwood was determined to impress upon the prosecution that everything that he ever preaches upon is grounded in the final authority of God's word, the Bible," his colleague, Pastor Peter Simpson, wrote in the Conservative Woman article.

Christian Headlines also notes: "Sherwood, who asked to be sworn in with his own Bible, argued in his defense that he has a right to freedom of expression as outlined in Article 10 of the U.K.'s 1998 Human Rights Act."

The 3 - April 17, 2022

This week's edition of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes two veto overrides in the state of Kentucky, including pro-life bill and a bill that prevents biological males from participating in girls' sports.  Also, DC police said that five babies whose bodies were among waste removed from an abortion clinic were not viable, but pro-lifers are telling a different story.  Plus, a well-known sports commentator and former NFL coach has responded forcefully to criticism for supporting a Florida law that is designed to promote fatherhood. 

Bluegrass state lawmakers override gubernatorial vetoes on pro-life, trans sports bills

It's no secret - the (blue) grass roots for religious freedom are strong in the Bluegrass state, but between the limitations placed on a county clerk who did not wish to grant same-sex marriage licenses to the oppression of churches during the pandemic, some higher authorities have not been respectful of the freedom to practice one's faith.

And, Governor Andy Beshear was caught recently pushing progressive causes, such as the participation of biological males in female sports and the advocacy for abortion - the Legislature, however, said "no."

Alliance Defending Freedom reports that the Legislature voted to override the veto of a bill that is "designed to protect athletic opportunities for the state’s female athletes." ADF Senior Counsel and Vice President of Advocacy Strategy Emilie Kao said that "Kentucky now joins a strong coalition of states that have acted to preserve fair competition for all female athletes, whether in grade school or in college, ensuring they will not face the losses that come with allowing males to compete in women’s sports. We are grateful for the Kentucky legislators who took a strong stand for female athletes by overriding the governor’s veto.”

Susan B. Anthony List reported on another veto override on strong pro-life legislation, which "protects unborn children from painful late abortions, stops dangerous mail-order abortion drugs, and more. Science shows unborn children can feel pain by 15 weeks and that chemical abortion poses a growing public health threat."

SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said that “Beshear is an extremist who regularly sides with the abortion lobby against constituents and must be held accountable. Like most Americans, Kentuckians want commonsense safeguards for unborn babies and their mothers and reject abortion on demand. We thank all our allies who fought to get this legislation across the finish line, and we hope the U.S. Supreme Court will soon allow the people and their legislators nationwide to enact laws that save lives.”

Bodies of over one hundred babies who were aborted found, five could have lived outside the womb, pro-lifers claim

A convoluted series of events in Washington, DC involving pro-life advocates and an abortion clinic has resulted in a groundswell of concern for the lives of unborn babies. The Standing for Freedom Center reports that according to the activists, the bodies of 115 aborted children "including the five third-trimester children, were provided to them by a truck driver who had come to pick up 'biomedical waste' from the Washington Surgi-Clinic...," which is a local abortion clinic.

The website says that the activists "alerted the D.C. Metropolitan Police to the fact that they had recovered the remains of five late-term fetuses who may have been illegally killed at the Washington Surgi-Clinic." But, there were nine members of the group, the Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising, who were "arrested on federal charges, not for having possession of the fetal remains but for having allegedly illegally entered the Washington Surgi-Clinic in violation of federal law in October 2020." And, as the Center relates, "The D.C. police have not investigated the case of the five fetuses, but they say the children died as a result of abortion 'in accordance with D.C. law.'"

The abortionist at this clinic is Dr. Cesare Santangelo, who has been likened by pro-life advocates to the well-known abortionist Dr. Kermit Gosnell, who is serving a prison sentence of life without parole.

Standing for Freedom says that "PAAU and other activists are calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to take over the investigation from the D.C. police and to prosecute Santangelo for violating the aforementioned federal laws."  The Center notes that "Nearly 70 members of Congress...are calling on the Justice Department to investigate and determine if any federal laws were violated. Prior to that, another 23...sent a letter to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. Chief of Police Robert J. Contee III, demanding that the D.C. police conduct an investigation, compete [sic] with autopsies. They also sent a copy of the letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland."

A Twitter hashtag has been launched: #JusticeForTheFive. The article notes that March for Life tweeted: “These five children, like all children, have inherent value and deserved better than abortion – they deserved life. But at a minimum, they deserve to have their deaths investigated to ensure that no D.C. or federal laws were broken.”  The article also notes that:

Allie Beth Stuckey responded to the tragic find by writing a lengthy feature article for World. She stated, “While there are lingering unknowns surrounding this story, the heartbreaking images remind us of this incontrovertible truth: Abortion is a horrifying, grotesque, and evil tragedy. There is no nuance here. No caveats. It is not possible to be ‘personally pro-life’ but politically pro-abortion. There is no ‘pro-life ethic’ that does not include legal opposition to abortion.”

Lila Rose of Live Action tweeted: "The abortionist, the industry he works in, and the government of D.C. think that if they can just ignore this scandal long enough, it will go away. I can promise them that they are wrong. We will not stop demanding justice for these children until true justice is achieved.”

Legendary coach responds to critics over support of Florida fatherhood bill

Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida has continued to receive hostility for his actions - for instance, he has come under fire for his support of the commonsense bill protecting the rights of parents and the hearts and minds of young children regarding teaching about gender and sexuality.  He has been a leading voice for freedom during the coronavirus pandemic. The New York Post reports that DeSantis "signed a 15-week abortion ban into law," and noted that Florida had joined other states "that have imposed similar restrictions on the procedure."  The Post states:

The new law — which will go into effect July 1 — would prohibit abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, a dramatic cut from the current limit of 24 weeks.

It does not allow for exemptions for pregnancies causes by rape, incest or human trafficking. However, it does permit the procedure when an abortion is deemed necessary to save the mother’s life, prevent serious injury or if the fetus has a fatal abnormality.

The article noted that Oklahoma and Kentucky recently implemented pro-life legislation. 

And,Gov. DeSantis just signed a bill that allots public dollars to support the institution of fatherhood in the state.

At the bill-signing ceremony, there was an appearance by former Super Bowl-winning coach Tony Dungy. ChristianHeadlines.com reports that, "Social media was filled with criticism of Dungy for appearing alongside DeSantis.  The article reported that Dungy tweeted out, “2 days ago, I spoke on behalf of a Florida bill that supports dads & families, and it offended some people,” adding “14 yrs ago, Pres Obama said the same things almost verbatim. I’m assuming people were outraged at him too. I am serving the Lord, so I’ll keep supporting dads and families.” The article says that:

Dungy, in the tweet, referenced a quote by Obama where the former president said, “children who grow up without a father are five times more likely to live in poverty and commit crime, nine times more likely to drop out of schools and 20 times more likely to end up in prison.”

As Fox 13 Tampa Bay noted, the organization that Dungy founded, All Pro Dad, will benefit from this new program. 

The 3 - April 10, 2022

This week's edition of The 3 highlights good news out of the Alabama Legislature and the Governor's Office concerning legislation that protects children in the state from potentially harmful ideas and procedures concerning sexuality.  Also, there's good pro-life news out of Oklahoma, where a strong pro-life bill has cleared the state Legislature.  But, a New York City Christian leader appointed to a special education panel has been swiftly removed after reports that she told the truth about the sinfulness of homosexuality.

Alabama governor signs bills to protect children from harmful LGBTQ ideology and actions

Last week, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed two bills related to stemming the tide of the advance of LGTBQ ideology in the state.  As the Alabama Citizens Action Program, or ALCAP, reported it, the VCAP bill, "...prevents parents from allowing hormone blockers and/or surgical procedures to be used on their children under the age of 19." The report notes that the bill continues to allow hormone blockers, but not for changing the "sexual appearance of a child."

The Daily Citizen of Focus on the Family noted that the bill passed in the Senate by a vote of 24-6 and in the House by a 66-28 margin - it says that the bill "recognizes the research that the substantial majority of minors 'experiencing discordance between their sex and their sense of identity' will outgrow it by the end of puberty and their discordance will be resolved in favor of an identity that aligns with their sex."

The other bill, which has been described as a "transgender bathroom bill," according to ALCAP, "requires school children to use the bathroom that matches their sex at birth. An amendment was added that prevents sexual orientation from being taught in grades K-5."  Yellowhammer News reported that "The final bill passed the Senate by a vote of 26-5 and was concurred in the House by a vote of 70-26."

Oklahoma passes strong pro-life legislation penalizing abortionists

Several years ago, Alabama legislators passed the Human Life Protection Act, which banned most abortions in the state. It was set aside in the Federal courts.  According to The Federalist, the bill "defines all unborn children as persons..." and "defines most abortions as class A felonies and attempted abortions as class C felonies." 

Now Oklahoma, in the face of the possibility of Roe v. Wade being overturned, has passed a strong pro-life bill with similar provisions.

CBN News reported that: "Oklahoma lawmakers passed a measure...that would make performing an abortion a felony except during a medical emergency that calls for saving the life of the mother."  It goes on to say, "Under the bill known as SB 612, a person convicted of performing an abortion would face up to 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine."  The bill passed the House 70-14 and was sent on to Governor Kevin Stitt. 

The article notes:

Word of the Oklahoma bill's passage came a day after Colorado's Democratic Governor Jared Polis signed a measure putting the right to abortion into state statute.

It permits abortion for any reason and bans local governments from imposing their own restrictions.

NYC education leader fired for views on LGBTQ

It was only a matter of hours after Kathlyn Barrett-Layne had been appointed to New York City's Panel for Education Policy when new Mayor Eric Adams removed her.

The Washington Examiner reported that Barrett-Layne "was forced to resign from her position hours after being appointed following reports she had previously labeled homosexuality as a sinful behavior alongside adultery, pedophilia, and fornication."  The article states:

In an interview with the New York Times, Barrett-Layne claimed her comments were taken out of context.

"I feel bullied. I believe that the city is being bullied,” she said. "I feel as though my character, my name, my church have been defamed with lies and that everything was taken out of context."

The new appointee "had previously written a book titled Challenging Your Disappointments as Appointments With Destiny that said Christian leaders dealt with the same temptations their congregations did, including homosexuality." She wrote: "Leaders struggle with the same temptations of drugs, alcohol, homosexuality, fornication, adultery, pedophilia, stealing, lying, envy, covetousness, and every other sin that the congregation struggle with..." The article relates, "The writings were first reported by the New York Daily News and resulted in Barrett-Layne's resignation hours after Adams announced her appointment to the panel."

The 3 - April 3, 2022

This week's edition of The 3 includes good news out of Finland, where a high-ranking public official and religious leader have been exonerated in a religious freedom case.  Also, governors in two more states have signed legislation that would prevent biological males from participating on female sports teams.  And, the White House's new budget recommends waiving a provision that prevents taxpayer funding of abortion.

Finnish official triumphs in free speech case

A Member of Parliament in Finland, Päivi Räsänen, as well as Bishop Juhana Pohjola, faced punishment for publicly sharing their religious beliefs regarding sexuality.  The Helsinki District Court has dismissed the charges against both of them, according to Alliance Defending Freedom International, which reports that Räsänen...

...had been charged with “hate speech” for sharing her faith-based views on marriage and sexual ethics, in a 2019 tweet, a 2019 radio debate, and a 2004 pamphlet. The bishop faced charges for publishing Räsänen’s pamphlet for his congregation over 17 years ago. Their case has garnered global media attention this year, as human rights experts voiced concern over the threat this case posed to free speech in Finland.

The ADF International website also stated that:

Räsänen’s defence, supported by the legal advocacy organization ADF International, argued that finding Räsänen guilty would significantly damage free speech in Finland. What Räsänen said, they argued, was an expression of Christian teaching.

The Court recognized that while some may object to Räsänen’s statements, “there must be an overriding social reason for interfering with and restricting freedom of expression.” The Court concluded there was no such justification.

More governors sign bills limiting male participation in female sports

The number of states who now have laws preventing biological males from participating in girls' or women's sports continues to grow. Last week, the Governor of Oklahoma, Kevin Stitt, according to The Daily Citizen of Focus on the Family, signed such a bill into law, saying that the bill was “common sense," adding, “When it comes to sports and athletics, girls should compete against girls. Boys should compete against boys. And let’s be very clear: That’s all this bill says."

In Arizona, Governor Doug Ducey signed three significant bills into law, according to a report on the ABC15 website, which stated that the governor "signed a number of bills Wednesday, including banning abortions after 15 weeks, gender reassignment surgery for minors, and banning transgender athletes from playing on girls' sports teams."

The report said that one bill...

...delays irreversible gender reassignment surgery until the age of 18. The bill does not prohibit puberty-blocking hormones or any other hormone therapy and will not require any child to go off any prescriptions they may be taking.

The sports bill, according to the article, "requires all Arizona public schools, and any private schools that compete against them, to expressly designate their interscholastic athletics teams based on the biological sex of the participating students."

Ducey said, regarding the two gender-related bills, "...This legislation is common-sense and narrowly targeted to address these two specific issues ⁠— while ensuring that transgender individuals continue to receive the same dignity, respect and kindness as every individual in our society..."

No Hyde Amendment in President's latest budget

The pro-life advocacy organization, the Susan B. Anthony List praised the actions of Governor Ducey, as well as the Arizona Legislature: SBA List State Policy Director Sue Liebel said:

“We thank Governor Ducey for delivering a swift victory for women and children. The new law signed today will save approximately 900 lives a year by stopping barbaric late abortions. In Arizona and across America, life is winning, with hundreds of pro-life measures introduced in legislatures nationwide this year. Ahead of a decision in the Dobbs Supreme Court case, momentum is growing to modernize our laws and remove the United States from the tiny club of nations – including China and North Korea – that allow abortion on demand well after unborn children feel pain, even up to birth...

Susan B. Anthony List also criticized President Biden for proposing a budget for the upcoming fiscal year that includes taxpayer funding of abortion. The organization's website says that:

The FY 2023 budget proposal calls for:

• Eliminating the Hyde Amendment, longstanding bipartisan policy that prevents taxpayer funding of abortion on demand, as well as the Dornan Amendment (“D.C. Hyde”).
• A 40% funding increase to Title X, the second largest source of taxpayer funds for abortion giant Planned Parenthood, while the Biden administration previously rolled back the Protect Life Rule.
• A 72% funding increase to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA),which has actively partnered with some of the worst human rights abusers in the world, like China and North Korea.

SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser stated, “For more than four decades, the Hyde family of pro-life policies has kept American taxpayers out of the abortion business, with the Hyde Amendment itself saving 2.5 million lives."