The 3 - February 16, 2025

This week's edition of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes the exoneration of employees in San Francisco who did not take the COVID shot on religious grounds. Plus, a Christian college has drawn scrutiny for congratulating one of its alums for being confirmed for the President's Cabinet, then withdrawing it.  And, a student movement made another stop, in which thousands of young adults attended and many gave their lives to Christ.

Large California city ordered to make restitution for employees fired for not taking the COVID shot

The path of destruction caused by the attempt to mandate that individuals take the COVID-19 shot has been rather wide.  Already, the Trump Administration has taken steps to take corrective action for military members who were dismissed for their refusal to take the so-called "vaccine," many of whom did so for religious reasons.  An Executive Order states:

The vaccine mandate was an unfair, overbroad, and completely unnecessary burden on our service members. Further, the military unjustly discharged those who refused the vaccine, regardless of the years of service given to our Nation, after failing to grant many of them an exemption that they should have received. Federal Government redress of any wrongful dismissals is overdue.

And, a federal appeals court has ordered the city of San Francisco to right its wrongs concerning its vaccine mandate.  The Christian Post reported recently: "In a unanimous ruling..., a three-judge panel on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that San Francisco must rehire employees who were terminated from their jobs because they declined to comply with a mandate requiring all city employees to take the COVID-19 injection. The appellants in the case, Selina Keene and Melody Fountila, objected to taking the COVID-19 shot on religious grounds."

Keene and Fountila were joined by over 100 other plaintiffs.

The article also noted that the..

...opinion cited the 2020 U.S. Supreme Court ruling Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo, which struck down COVID-19 worship restrictions imposed by the state of New York when asserting that “the Supreme Court has recognized that the loss of protected religious freedoms, ‘for even minimal periods of time, unquestionably constitutes irreparable injury.’”

“Appellants’ coerced decision between their faith and their livelihood imposed emotional damage which cannot now be fully undone,” stated the panel ruling.

Christian college congratulates, then withdraws post on alumnus sworn into Cabinet

Russell Vought, in his confirmation hearings for the post of Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget, or OMB, during the first Trump administration, had to endure a challenge from Sen. Bernie Sanders, who chided the nominee for his written response to a situation at his alma mater, Wheaton College, regarding a professor who had been fired as the result of wearing a hijab to show solidarity with Muslims, a professor who had said Christians and Muslims worship the same God. The Atlantic, back when Emma Green, who was sensitive to religious matters, published a piece she wrote in which she related that Vought had written at The Resurgent, which is Erick Erickson's old website: "Muslims do not simply have a deficient theology. They do not know God because they have rejected Jesus Christ his Son, and they stand condemned."  Sanders railed against Vaught, calling the statement, Isalamaphobic.  Green had stated that Sanders came close to a Constitutional line with his questioning.

Fast forward to 2024: Vought was confirmed as Director of OMB, a position he had eventually held under Trump before. His alma mater posted a statement of congratulations and request for prayer for him, then took it down.  Fox News reported:

Wheaton College apologized for a since-deleted Facebook post calling for prayers for Russ Vought after receiving intense online backlash.

On Friday, the Illinois university posted their congratulations to Vought for being confirmed as the director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) after a 53-47 Senate vote.

In removing the post, Wheaton made a statement:

"On Friday, Wheaton College posted a congratulations and a call to prayer for an alumnus who received confirmation to a White House post. The recognition and prayer is something we would typically do for any graduate who reached that level of government. However, the political situation surrounding the appointment led to a significant concern expressed online. It was not our intention to embroil the College in a political discussion or dispute. Our institutional and theological commitments are clear that the College, as a non-profit institution, does not make political endorsements. Wheaton College’s focus is on Christ and His Kingdom..."

Noted economist David Bahnsen posted on X:

"This is just the absolutely lamest, most embarrassing thing imaginable. First of all, you didn’t make a political endorsement - you congratulated an alumnus for receiving a major appointment and said you would PRAY for him. Second, when you say your focus is on Christ and His Kingdom and go on to define that as something which politics are excluded from, you WRONGLY diminish the Biblical definition of Kingdom. Third, admitting you took down a ‘call to prayer’ because people online were mad at you is rank cowardice. Parents should take note of @WheatonCollege boldness and courage when considering your school for their young adult children, because this is seriously pathetic."

Thousands gather, accept Christ at the latest UNITE event 

Meanwhile, at secular universities all across the country, thousands of students have been gathering in arenas to hear the message of the gospel and thousands have been responding.  From its beginnings at Auburn's Neville Arena, to Coleman Coliseum at the University of Alabama, through such SEC strongholds as Athens and Knoxville, even ACC city Tallahassee, the UNITE events are emblematic of what God is doing in the hearts of young people. 

The next one occurs Tuesday night in Columbus, Ohio, the site of a fall meeting that had members of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team in leadership, a team marked by multiple players sharing their devotion to Christ throughout the weeks of the College Football Playoff, which culminated in the Buckeyes winning the national championship. 

The previous UNITE event occurred at the massive Rupp Arena at the University of Kentucky.  Kentucky Today reported:

With more than 7,000 in attendance and 2,000 going to the altar, the Unite Kentucky event in Rupp Arena on Wednesday has continued a growing move among college students and young adults.

It was all part of the larger UniteUS movement that has been to 11 other college campuses since starting at Auburn University’s Neville Arena in September 2023. It has attracted more than 70,000 college students from around the country in the past 17 months.

The article related:

Daniel Johnson, the director of the Baptist Campus Ministry in Lexington on the University of Kentucky campus, was among those gathering. Several in the BCM came with him if they were not already attending with their local church.

“We’re seeing these pop up around a ton of different campuses,” he said. “The spirt is ripe for moving. We are praying that heart change is happening and we will see a ripple effect. It can lead to a different culture on campus. That there would be spiritual fruit from this, and lives are so changed that Kentucky is not seen as a place of darkness as a campus but a place of light."

The report included the statement: "Johnson said the gospel presentation was clear."

UNITE's Instagram page stated: 

We’ve been praying for this night for months, and God met us here again. Over two thousand students flooded the altar to surrender their lives to Jesus, and we know it’s just the beginning of all He has in store.

We ended the night celebrating life change with the coldest water baptisms we’ve ever experienced.

The 3 - February 9, 2025

This week's edition of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes proclamation and action by President Trump protecting religious liberty, and specifically the rights of Christians.  Also, a Louisiana law has been used to bring criminal charges against a New York abortionist, her company, and the mother of a pregnant minor in a case involving the distribution of the abortion pill.  And, the President signed an Executive Order intended to prevent males from participating in female sports sponsored by organizations receiving federal funding.

Trump demonstrates support for Christians

Last week, the National Prayer Breakfast was held in Washington, DC, and President Trump addressed that crowd, as well as another gathering later that morning.   The Washington Times quoted the President as saying, regarding the assassination attempt in Butler, PA: “I feel even stronger,” adding, “I believed in God, but I feel​ much more strongly about it. Something happened.”

He told the gathering: “Today we join our hearts and prayers, recommitting to putting our country first, we have to put country first, making America stronger and greater and more exceptional than ever before, and we have to make religion a much more important factor now,” Mr. Trump said. “If we do that our job is just going to be much easier.”

Later, at another gathering the Washington Hilton, according to The Washington Times, the President made comments about the establishing of a task force, saying: “The mission of this task force will be to immediately halt all forms of anti-Christian targeting and discrimination within the federal government, including at the DOJ — which was absolutely terrible — the IRS, the FBI and other agencies..."

The article also related:

He also said work will be done to “fully prosecute anti-Christian violence and vandalism in our society and to move heaven and earth to defend the rights of Christians and religious believers nationwide.”

Mr. Trump added, “If we don’t have religious liberty, then we don’t have a free country.”

The task force will work under the authority of new Attorney General Pam Bondi, according to the article, which noted, "The president said he’s reinstating from his first term the White House Faith Office..."

Trump said, "While I’m in the White House, we will protect Christians in our schools and our military and our government, workplaces, hospitals and in our public squares,” he said. “We will bring our country back together as one nation under God with liberty and justice for all.”

Louisiana's abortion law used to charge New York abortionist in abortion pill case

Across America, women are obtaining abortion pills and using them to take the lives of their unborn children, and recently, a New York abortionist has found herself charged with criminal behavior under Louisiana's strong abortion laws.  CBN.com reported:

Louisiana prohibits the killing of preborn children by abortion, and recent law was passed to reclassify abortion pills as controlled substances. Under the measure, if someone knowingly possesses mifepristone or misoprostol without a valid prescription, they could be fined up to $5,000 and sent to jail for one to five years. The law, however, carves out protections for pregnant women who obtain the drug without a prescription to take on their own.

The case involves a minor who obtained the pills. The article notes: "...Margaret Carpenter, Nightingale Medical, Carpenter's company, and the child's mother, who ordered the pills, were indicted Friday with charges of criminal abortion for allegedly prescribing an abortion pill online in Louisiana, which has some of the strongest pro-life laws in the country."

CBN goes on to say:

"She was a minor and ... she was excited," Prosecutor Tony Clayton told WBRZ-TV. "She had planned a reveal party. She had wanted to have this baby."

The girl was reportedly coerced to take the drug and later "suffered complications while alone," Clayton said, adding, "She called 911 and an ambulance rushed her to the hospital and they were able to save her life."

The article says:

Grand jurors at the District Court for the Parish of West Baton Rouge indicted the abortion doctor, her medical clinic, and the girl's mother.

All three were charged with criminal abortion using abortion-inducing drugs – a felony.

While Louisiana goes after this doctor, her company, and the grandmother of the baby, the abortionist has found a friend in a high place: the Governor of New York, Kathy Hochul.  CBN reports:

In a video statement, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called the charges "outrageous" and vowed to defend the abortionist.

"I am proud to say that I would never, under any circumstances, turn this doctor over to the state of Louisiana under any extradition request," she said.

CBN also says, "Carpenter was also sued by the Texas attorney general in December for prescribing abortion-inducing drugs to a Texas resident via telemedicine, but the case did not involve criminal charges."

President signs order protecting women's sports from male intrusion, NCAA acts

Also, last week, President Trump signed an Executive Order, entitled, "Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports," as reported by the website for Alliance Defending Freedom, which quoted ADF CEO, President, and General Counsel Kristen Waggoner, who said: “Schools, activist groups, so-called experts, and politicians demanded that women either celebrate the ’victories’ of males in their sports or stay silent. Those in power told girls that their discomfort with males in their locker rooms amounted to bigotry..." She added: "Trump told our daughters the truth: that men and women are physically different, those differences matter, and women deserve their own sports and spaces. Rather than standing alone in these truths, female athletes now have the U.S. government on their side..."

The Executive Order stated, in part, according to the White House website:

...it is the policy of the United States to rescind all funds from educational programs that deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities, which results in the endangerment, humiliation, and silencing of women and girls and deprives them of privacy. It shall also be the policy of the United States to oppose male competitive participation in women’s sports more broadly, as a matter of safety, fairness, dignity, and truth.

Following the issuance of this order, it didn't take long before the NCAA, a large governing body over collegiate sports, weighed in. The Christian Post reported:

National Collegiate Athletics Association has unveiled a new policy prohibiting trans-identified male athletes from competing in women's sports amid the Trump administration's crackdown on gender ideology.

NCAA, a major organization that oversees collegiate athletics in the United States, announced in a statement Thursday that it is changing its participation policy for trans-identified student-athletes. The move follows President Donald Trump's new executive order vowing to cut off federal funds to schools that allow males who identify as female to participate on women's sports teams.

NCAA President Charlie Baker is quoted as saying: "...We strongly believe that clear, consistent, and uniform eligibility standards would best serve today's student-athletes instead of a patchwork of conflicting state laws and court decisions," adding, "To that end, President Trump's order provides a clear, national standard."

The 3 - February 2, 2025

This week's edition of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes news of an Executive Order signed by President Trump that would serve to restrict surgeries and treatments for young people with the purpose of changing a person's "gender."  Also, an Ohio pastor who opened his church doors to help the homeless has been convicted of criminal activity and sentenced to probation.  And, the President has issued a number of executive actions dealing with issues relative to the sanctity of life. 

President signs order to restrict trans surgeries

The topic has gained steam since the first states, including Alabama, began to pass laws prohibiting gender-change treatments and surgeries, deceptively called "gender-affirming care."  Now, over half of all states have passed some sort of law that would prevent doctors from attempting to change a young person's "gender."

The Christian Post reported last Wednesday:

President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order that seeks to crack down on government funding, coverage and promotion of sex-change procedures on minors as concerns persist about their long-term impacts.

Through the order signed Tuesday, Trump commits to "protecting children from chemical and surgical mutilation," referring to body-mutilating procedures performed on minors under the age of 18 as well as the prescription of puberty-blocking and cross-sex hormone drugs.

"It is the policy of the United States that it will not fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support the so-called 'transition' of a child from one sex to another, and it will rigorously enforce all laws that prohibit these destructive and life-altering procedures," the order declared.

The order included instruction to a variety of federal agencies, and The Christian Post noted: 

The order directs the heads of executive branch agencies to "take appropriate steps to ensure that institutions receiving Federal research or education grants end the chemical and surgical mutilation of children" and "rescind or amend all policies" that rely on guidance from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, which encouraged the performance of gender transition procedures on minors.

Ohio pastor who opened church to homeless convicted, sentenced to probation

Chris Avell is the Pastor of a church in Bryan, Ohio, called Dad's Place.  Over a year ago, the pastor made the decision to minister to the homeless in his city by opening his church doors to accommodate them.  First Liberty has defended the pastor in court, and on its website, posted a press release, which said:

Pastor Chris Avell of Dad’s Place Church in Bryan, Ohio was found guilty of a criminal charge regarding a fire code violation filed against him by city officials. The year-long battle with the City of Bryan that has continuously attempted to shut down the church, Dad’s Place, resulted in a conviction for the caring pastor. Pastor Avell was fined $200 and given a 60-day suspended jail sentence. The judge stayed his decision for 30-days to allow the Avell’s attorneys to appeal.

The Christian legal organization noted:

For over a year, the City of Bryan, Ohio has been aggressively attacking the church in court, including alleged zoning violations, middle-of-the-night fire inspections, police antagonism, and even criminal charges filed against the church’s pastor. And while city officials demand the church install an expensive fire suppression system, the city does not require all of its motels, most of its apartment complexes, and even a senior living facility to install fire suppression systems in their buildings.

Furthermore, as the website stated: "The Court of Appeals of Ohio, Sixth Appellate District, recently issued a stay against the city in their lawsuit against Dad’s Place, allowing the church to continue operating."

Presidential executive orders protect the unborn

Even though President Trump, in his most recent campaign, was perhaps not as forthright in his support for life as he had been in his winning 2016 campaign, his recent executive actions have demonstrated a commitment to protecting unborn life.

In a piece at the Newsweek website by Erin Hawley of Alliance Defending Freedom, the attorney made mention of "23 men and women prosecuted under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act that Trump pardoned on January 23. Among those released: grandparents, mothers of young children, pastors, a Holocaust survivor, and a Catholic priest—all prosecuted and convicted by the Biden administration for their nonviolent protests at abortion facilities."

Hawley also noted that...

...In a subsequent memo issued on January 24, the Trump administration made sure that the FACE Act would no longer be weaponized against pro-life viewpoints. The memo—written by Chad Mizelle, chief of staff to Pam Bondi, Trump's pick for attorney general—limits future FACE Act prosecutions to incidents involving "extraordinary circumstances" or "significant aggravating factors."

The article referred to three cases dismissed by the Department of Justice regarding prosecutions under the FACE Act. 

And, the op-ed piece related:

What's more, Trump revived two additional crucial pro-life policies designed to curtail taxpayer-supported abortions. First, he signed an executive order directing his administration to enforce the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal taxpayer funding for abortion. He also reinstated the "Mexico City policy," which blocks international organizations that provide and promote abortion from receiving U.S. government funding.

But, that's not all; Hawley mentioned: "...the Trump administration has also sent word via the U.S. Mission to the United Nations that the U.S. is rejoining the Geneva Consensus Declaration, of which the U.S. was a founding member. A coalition of 40 governments united around a pro-life policy stance are signatories to the declaration."

Late last week, Life Site News reported: 

Taxpayer dollars will no longer be used to pay for travel expenses of military members heading out of state to obtain abortions, thanks to an executive order issued by President Donald Trump.

It went on to say: "On Wednesday, the Pentagon’s Defense Travel Management Office released a memo announcing it scrapped a policy that had been put into place..." by the former Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin.

The article quoted U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, representing Alabama, who said on X: “I took a lot of heat when I held senior military promotions for nearly a year over the Pentagon’s illegal and immoral taxpayer-funded abortion travel policy. But as of today, it was all worth it..."

The 3 - January 26, 2025

This week's edition of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes a look at action taken by President Trump during the first few days of his new Administration, including the issuing of an Executive Order restoring the traditional understanding of gender to federal entities and the pardoning of almost two dozen pro-life protestors who were jailed by the previous Administration. And, the attempt to reduce the distribution channels for the abortion pill took a positive step forward with a judge's decision.

President issues Executive Order on gender identity

Within his first three days after taking the oath of office last Monday, President Trump wasted no time in issuing a variety of executive orders.  According to Liberty University's Standing for Freedom Center, topics of actions the President took included...

...religious liberty; free speech; the pro-life movement; border security and national defense; increasing public safety; restoring biological reality; protecting women and girls; eliminating woke ideologies like critical race theory (CRT), diversity, equity, and inclusion policies (DEI), and LGBTQ pride from federal policies; reining in government abuse and weaponization; and unleashing the power of energy and the free markets.

The President followed through on his inaugural declaration that only two genders would be reflected in federal law.  The website notes:

On Monday, Trump signed an executive order called, “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism And Restoring Biological Truth To The Federal Government,” which states that the federal government will only recognize two sexes, male and female, and that these sexes are unchangeable.

The order mandates that government-issued identification accurately reflects a person’s sex, not gender. It will also correct the Biden administration’s application of Bostock v. Clayton County to Title IX and protect sex-based distinctions; assess grant funding to ensure taxpayer funds are not used to promote gender ideology; ensure that males are not housed in women’s prisons or detention facilities; enact a policy protecting women seeking safety at a women’s rape shelter; ensure that intimate spaces are designated by sex and not identity; protects the right to express the binary nature of sex and right to single-sex spaces; and ensures that federal funds are not used to perform gender transitions on prisoners.

Trump announces pardons for 23 pro-life protestors

Actions taken by government against pro-life protestors were reversed by an Executive Order by the President, according to The Daily Wire, "pardoning 23 of the pro-life activists targeted by President Joe Biden’s Justice Department." The piece quotes the President saying, in the process of signing that order, “They should not have been prosecuted...Many of them are elderly people. They should not have been prosecuted. This is a great honor to sign this.”

The article noted that these individuals "...were prosecuted under the FACE Act and a Reconstruction-era felony conspiracy charge first used for the first time against pro-life activists by the Biden administration."  FACE stands for Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances, and legislation has been introduced into Congress to eliminate it. 

The Thomas More Society represented 21 of the 23, and the article quotes Senior Counsel Steve Crampton, who said, “Today, freedom rings in our great nation,” adding, “The heroic peaceful pro-lifers unjustly imprisoned by Biden’s Justice Department will now be freed and able to return home to their families, eat a family meal, and enjoy the freedom that should have never been taken from them in the first place.”

Challenge to abortion pill distribution moves forward

The area of chemical abortion has become a leading way in which women take the lives of their unborn children.  Thanks to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, ladies can order abortion pills in the mail and administer them in their home without a doctor present.  A lawsuit filed against the FDA was turned back last year by the U.S. Supreme Court, noting that the pro-life doctors and organizations bringing the suit were not eligible to sue. 

But, three states claim that they themselves do have this eligibility, or "standing."  As Liberty Counsel reports:

... a federal judge ruled that Missouri, Kansas, and Idaho can move forward with their lawsuit against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that could restrict future access to the abortion drug Mifepristone. The states argue that the FDA’s deregulation of Mifepristone allows the drug to cross their borders and undermine their abortion laws. The ruling denied the FDA’s request to dismiss the case and granted the states more time to amend and strengthen their complaint.

Liberty Counsel notes that the lawsuit represents a "transition" from that previous suit that was dismissed by the high court. It notes: "The new lawsuit, which continues to be amended, could end up back at the Supreme Court in the future. The states assert they have the legal standing to sue the FDA because its relaxed restrictions involving a dangerous drug like Mifepristone puts lives and health at risk and undermines state pro-life laws protecting women, girls, and unborn children."

The judge issuing this decision is U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, who in 2023, according to Liberty Counsel...

...presided over the original abortion pill case from the pro-life doctors and determined that the FDA shouldn’t have approved Mifepristone for public use in 2000 and voided its approval. He noted the agency approved the abortion pill under political pressure, its safety studies were improperly conducted, and that the FDA’s regulatory decisions allowing them to be prescribed via telemedicine, sent by mail, and dispensed at retail pharmacies were unlawful. While the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals largely upheld his ruling, the Supreme Court vacated the injunction allowing all of the FDA’s deregulation actions to stay in effect.

The 3 - January 19, 2025

On this edition of The 3, highlighting three stories of relevance to the Christian community, there is a report on how ministries have been involved in providing help and support for victims of the fires in the Los Angeles area and how some ministries have been affected.  Also, a bill that would prevent biological males from competing in female sports has passed the U.S. House of Representatives.  And, a Christian employers' group has sued the EEOC regarding its attempts to force Christian employers to violate their faith convictions by requiring accommodations for employees who are LGBT.

L.A. fires continue to wreak havoc, Christian ministries affected

While a variety of Christian ministries are involved in helping the victims of the fires that have been affecting the greater Los Angeles area, some ministries find themselves in or close to harm's way.  Recently, Tom Thompson, Senior Vice President of World Help was on The Meeting House on Faith Radio, discussing how his ministry was working in partnership with the Dream Center, which is located in L.A., to provide relief for fire victims.  A recent National Religious Broadcasters article highlighted the work of Operation Blessing, as well as Samaritan's Purse, which is working in tandem with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team.

Joni Eareckson Tada, CEO and Founder of Joni and Friends, who is heard regularly on Faith Radio, according to the article...

...released two special episodes of her radio broadcast, Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope, to address the devasting fires in Los Angeles. She shared about her own experience evacuating, as well as the unique challenges of people with disabilities in emergency situations. Tada and her husband Ken are safely back home, but so many have lost everything. Tada encouraged listeners to continue praying...

Jay Flowers, COO of Grace to You, the media ministry of John MacArthur said that while the ministry's headquarters were safe, the church which Dr. MacArthur pastors, Grace Community Church, had experienced an effect; he said: “Sadly, multiple members of Grace Community Church, where Grace to You Bible teacher John MacArthur serves as pastor, with its campus located closer to the fires, lost their homes,” adding, “Our congregation has been activated to help meet immediate needs related to the fires.”

And, the article quotes Pastor Jack Hibbs from a press conference that was presented on the Real Life Network: “We need to pray for salvation and the church’s opportunity to love on Los Angeles like never before..."

Bill to prevent males from competing in female sports passes U.S. House

Another step forward in preventing males from competing in female sports occurred in the U.S. House last week - as CBN News reports:

The House passed a bill on Tuesday requiring all federally-funded schools to defend the safety and the rights of women and girls.

The measure, also known as the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, would restrict women's sports to those who are born female.

The bill makes it a violation of Title IX rules to allow transgender females – those who are born male – to take part in women's athletics. It covers most middle schools, high schools, and colleges.

House Speaker Mike Johnson commented: "This comports with commonsense," adding, "It's biology. And biology is not bigotry as we say. Anyone who would accuse the supporters of this legislation otherwise is ill-informed. This is to protect women and girls. It's very clear."

On the Alliance Defending Freedom website, ADF CEO, President, and General Counsel Kristen Waggoner is quoted - she said, in part: "The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act reaffirms the vital protections for women’s sports guaranteed by Title IX, ensuring that women and girls truly have equal athletic opportunities. As we continue to witness increasing incidents nationwide of males dominating girls’ athletic competitions, it is imperative to affirm that biology, not identity, is what matters in athletics."

Christian employers' group pushes back on attempts to force companies to favor LGBT

A new rule issued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission would force religious groups to adopt practices favorable to LGBT individuals, and the Christian Employers Alliance has teamed up with Alliance Defending Freedom to file a lawsuit challenging the rule.  According to a Center Square article published at Worthy News, the lawsuit states:

“This mandate, published in agency ‘guidance’ and on its website, threatens employers with large penalties if they do not use employees’ self selected pronouns based on gender identity, and if they do not allow males to access female single-sex restrooms, locker rooms, and lactation rooms..."

ADF Senior Counsel Matt Bowman is quoted as saying: “The employers we represent believe that God purposefully created humans as either male or female, and so it would violate their religious beliefs and free speech to force them to affirm an identity that is not aligned with a person’s sex." He went on to say: “They also believe in the sanctity of human life, and forcing them to promote abortions adds insult to injury. We are urging the court to, once again, uphold the religious freedom of these employers from attacks by the outgoing Biden administration..."

The article also points out:

The same lawsuit argues that recent changes to the interpretation of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act “prevents employers from speaking their pro-life beliefs, requires employers to knowingly give employees special leave, including paid leave, to obtain abortions, and precludes employers from enforcing life-affirming workplace policies against employees who engage in conduct contrary to those policies.”

The 3 - January 12, 2025

In this most recent edition of The 3, featuring three stories of relevance to the Christian community, there is a report on a judge's decision that, in essence, stops the advance of the Biden administration attempts to force a Title IX rewrite to offer protection not just on biological sex for females, but for "gender identity," i.e., males who present as female.  Also, in Florida, it has been found that abortion proponents involved in the petition drive to get a pro-abortion amendment on the November ballot actually, well, cheated, and will pay the price in the form of fines and possible prison time. And, in a reversal, a Georgia college and seminary will now be allowed to participate in a state financial aid program 

Federal judge obliterates Title IX rewrite

It was the #8 topic of 2024 from The Meeting House program - it was relevant to the Christian community because the action itself was a violation of God's created order: an attempt to expand federal protections under Title IX, meant to provide greater opportunities for women, as in biology, to also include gender identity. 

Multiple courts have placed enforcement of new regulations by the U.S. Department of Education on hold, and just recently, the official in charge of the department had already announced that the government would no longer try to expand the rules to allow males to participate in female sports. So, Title IX was in trouble, and a federal judge has dealt the death blow shortly before a new administration takes office.

FoxNews.com reports that:

A federal judge in Kentucky blocked the Biden administration’s attempt to redefine sex in Title IX as "gender identity," striking down the change nationwide.

The U.S. District Court Eastern District of Kentucky Northern Division made the ruling in Cardona v. Tennessee on Thursday.

The article notes:

The ruling came months after the Supreme Court rejected the Biden administration’s emergency request to enforce portions of a new rule that would have included protections from discrimination for transgender students under Title IX.

The sweeping rule was issued in April and clarified that Title IX’s ban on "sex" discrimination in schools covers discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation and "pregnancy or related conditions."

According to the Fox report, the court stated, "When Title IX is viewed in its entirety, it is abundantly clear that discrimination on the basis of sex means discrimination on the basis of being a male or female...As this Court and others have explained, expanding the meaning of ‘on the basis of sex’ to include ‘gender identity’ turns Title IX on its head."

Group attempting to place pro-abortion amendment on Florida ballot ordered to pay fine

Not only did the attempt by pro-abortion advocates to secure a three-fifths vote of Florida voters in order to amend the state's constitution to contain language allowing abortion throughout a woman's pregnancy, but it will be a costly effort - monetarily and perhaps legally. 

The Christian Post reported:

The group behind the unsuccessful effort to enshrine a right to abortion in the Florida Constitution has paid more than $186,000 in fines in connection with fraudulent signature-gathering activity as investigations into alleged wrongdoing continue.

In a Dec. 20, 2024, memo, Florida Deputy Secretary of State for Legal Affairs and Election Integrity Brad McVay informed state leaders about ongoing investigations into "initiative petition fraud."

Furthermore, regarding this group, called, Floridians Protecting Freedom, the article notes, "Several paid circulators who submitted petitions on behalf of FPF were arrested in early 2024, and at least three were convicted and sentenced to prison terms. The report added that a much larger number of individuals have been referred for criminal investigation for fraudulent activity."

Christian college/seminary in Atlanta can participate in state financial aid program

We have seen cases in which religious entities - for instance, Christian schools - have been prevented from participating in state programs just because they are religious in nature.  The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of religious institutions in the past facing this type of discrimination.

Ministry Watch reports:

Luther Rice College and Seminary has reached a settlement agreement with the State of Georgia that allows its students to participate in the state’s financial aid programs.

Georgia offers a financial aid program to help cover the cost of tuition for undergraduate programs at colleges and universities in the state, including at private and religious institutions.

However, it had a provision that excluded schools of theology and divinity.

A lawsuit was filed by Alliance Defending Freedom in October, and in December, it was announced that the school would be allowed to participate in the program.  The article relates:

According to a news release by ADF, the state has now agreed to let Luther Rice students participate in the financial aid program.

“Georgia officials did the right thing by allowing Luther Rice to participate in student aid programs while still adhering to its religious beliefs, character, and exercise,” ADF Senior Counsel Ryan Tucker said in the press release.

Tucker also stated: “We’re pleased that Georgia high school students can now receive dual credit by taking classes at Luther Rice and that college students who choose Luther Rice can apply for much-needed financial aid. The state should never limit educational opportunities for students based on their faith..."

The 3 - January 5, 2025

This edition of The 3, highlighting three stories impacting the Christian community, includes the response of Christian leaders to the devastating events in New Orleans the morning of January 1st.  Also there is a continued opportunity an Ohio church has to serve the homeless in its community, thanks to a state appeals court. And, a federal appeals court has rendered a positive ruling on behalf of Christian organizations challenging a New York law that threatens their ability to hire people with beliefs consistent with their Christian faith.

National, local Christian leaders respond to New Orleans tragedy

The day following the tragic events of the morning of New Year's Day in New Orleans, church leaders were on the streets of the city in prayer.  Baptist Press reported:

Southern Baptist pastors and chaplaincy leaders were among clergy who joined city elected officials in the 10-block procession at noon Jan. 2.

The article mentioned that "Vieux Carre’ Baptist Church Pastor Alex Brian, who participated in the prayerwalk, was awaiting the opportunity to check on his church’s meeting location" on Thursday - the church is located a block from a portion of Bourbon Street closed to pedestrians.

Baptist Press went on to say:

Brian is praying for and supporting chaplains in the locked-down area, including those under the command of Col. Page Brooks, state command chaplain for the Louisiana National Guard and pastor of Canal Street Mosaic Community Church, a Southern Baptist congregation that collaborates with Brian on various ministry outreaches.

The National Guard deployed 100 soldiers and two chaplains in response to the attack, said Brian, who was walking the streets of the French Quarter to provide counseling and check on soldiers and first responders when he spoke with Baptist Press.

Former Southern Baptist Convention President Fred Luter, Senior Pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, was also part of the prayerwalk, noted, "...our entire city has been impacted because of this terrorist attack." He added that, "...prayers for our city and the families who lost loved ones are truly needed."

On Saturday, Family Research Council announced that Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, who is a resident of Louisiana and former state representative, would be hosting a one-hour broadcast called, "Pray for the Nation"  

Christian leaders due to participate included: Pastor Carter Conlon, Pastor Jack Hibbs, Michele Bachmann, Dr. David Goza, Troy Miller, and Pastor Art Reyes. Mike Clark, who is a chaplain with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and has been doing ministry in New Orleans was also part of the lineup. That event was scheduled for Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. Central Time. Perkins, Conlon, and Hibbs are Faith Radio programmers.  Goza is President of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, Miller is President and CEO of National Religious Broadcasters, and Reyes is Pastor of Calvary Chapel in Downey, California. 

OH church devoted to serving the homeless allowed to remain open

Dad's Place, a church in Bryan, Ohio pastored by Chris Avell, has been in and out of court as the result of its desire to serve the homeless of its area, remaining open so that people will have a warm, safe place to rest.  For this, Pastor Avell has been arrested and the church has run the risk of having to cease these services.

A key decision has been handed down by an Ohio appeals court, according to the website of First Liberty, which is representing the church in court action. 

The Court of Appeals of Ohio, Sixth Appellate District, stayed an injunction against the church "pending appeal." Jeremy Dys, Senior Counsel for First Liberty, stated: “We are grateful to the court for recognizing the weighty issues of Constitutional law and temporarily pausing the city’s aggressive campaign against Dad’s Place. Without this decision by the Court of Appeals, as the judges explained, the city would ‘prohibit Dad’s Place from practicing what it maintains is an important part of its religious beliefs for several months.’ America is better with people like Pastor Chris Avell and Dad’s Place, who compassionately open their doors to people who have nowhere else to go, keeping them from freezing on the snowy sidewalks.”

The appeals court wrote, according to First Liberty, "[G]ranting a stay of the preliminary injunction would preserve the status quo and permit Dad’s Place to continue to exercise its professed religious beliefs during the pendency of its appeal..."

Federal appeals court uphold right of faith-based organizations to hire people who embrace their ideals

The state of New York has a law that, according to the Alliance Defending Freedom website, "...required employers—including churches, religious schools, faith-based pregnancy care centers, and religious nonprofits—to undermine their own beliefs about abortion, contraception, and sexual morality by forcing them to employ those who cannot effectively convey the groups’ message because they refuse to abide by the organizations’ statements of faith and core principles about such issues."

ADF challenged the law on behalf of three Christian ministries: " CompassCare, a faith-based pregnancy center in Rochester; First Bible Baptist Church; and the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates, an association of pro-life pregnancy centers."

In 2023, ADF reported: "ADF attorneys asked a federal district court to rule that New York’s SB 660 violates the groups’ freedom of speech, religion, and association. The court declined to do so in full, which led to the appeal, though the court did rule that a requirement that the law be communicated to employees in employee handbooks was unconstitutional."

Last week, according to the ADF website, the "U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit ruled...to reinstate an expressive association claim seeking to affirm the freedom of faith-based pregnancy centers and churches to employ individuals who agree with their fundamental beliefs and missions."