While there are some, even in the Church, who seem to advocate that people who experience gender dysphoria or same-sex attraction should remain in that state, the Bible teaches that victory is possible over temptation and all areas of sin. Interestingly enough, you have those that have been critical of therapy that can help people deal with their attractions, demonizing something that is intended to help a person live in victory.
Now, a Virginia court has ruled in favor of two Christian counselors who challenged a state law that bans this therapeutical practice. At its website, Liberty Counsel noted:
The Virginia state legislature passed HB 386 in 2020 which banned talk therapy defining it as “any practice or treatment that seeks to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.” Under the law, helping children align their identities and desires to their biological sex was regarded as unprofessional conduct whereby licensed professionals could be disciplined.The article goes on to say that, "state officials agreed to a consent decree where the court ordered the Virginia Department of Health Professions not to enforce the law against Christian therapists helping children deal with unwanted same-sex attractions, behaviors, or gender confusion." Liberty Counsel also stated:
In the decree, Chief Judge Randall D. Johnson, Jr. cited the Virginia Supreme Court in that the “constitutional guarantees of religious freedom have no deeper roots than in Virginia, where they originated[.]”Gunman opens fire at KY church, 3 people dead
Chief Judge Johnson noted that speech “uttered by professionals” is protected and that viewpoint discrimination based on content is an “egregious” form of discrimination.
It's always very concerning when violence enters into the church doors, and when we hear about a church shooting, it can produce an emotional response. Near Lexington, Kentucky recently, a man opened fire at a church, shooting four people, leaving two dead at the church. The gunman is also reportedly dead. Todd Starnes, at his website, reported:
Police say the gunman opened fire on parishioners outside Richmond Road Baptist Church. Two women were killed. Two men survived with one in critical condition. Police say the gunman may have had a connection to the church. A state trooper was shot earlier near the Bluegrass Airport. The trooper is in stable condition. The gunman, who has not been identified, was killed by law enforcement at the church.WLWT Television reported just days ago that the shooter was identified as Guy House, and offered this account of events:
...House is alleged to have shot a Kentucky state trooper near the Blue Grass Airport in Lexington during a traffic stop. This led House to subsequently drive 16 miles to the church, where police say he intended to harm his ex-girlfriend.
However, when House discovered she was not present at the church, he is then said to have shot the pastor of the church, Jerry Gumm, as well as his wife, Beverly Gumm, and their daughter, Christina Combs.West Virginia abortion ban upheld by court
All three are related to House's ex-girlfriend.
Beverly Gumm and Combs both died as a result of their injuries. Meanwhile, Jerry Gumm remains in critical condition from the shooting. Combs' husband, Randy Combs, was also injured.
A manufacturer of the abortion pill, mifepristone, had filed a lawsuit against West Virginia's pro-life law. A Federal appeals court has refused to strike down the law. The Hill reported:
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit dismissed mifepristone manufacturer GenBioPro’s effort to strike down West Virginia’s near-total abortion ban in a 2-1 decision. The court ruled FDA’s approval of mifepristone did not preempt West Virginia’s law.
Circuit Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson wrote that a 2007 federal law “leaves the states free to adopt or diverge from West Virginia’s path” and it “falls well short of expressing a clear intention to displace the states’ historic and sovereign right to protect the health and safety of their citizens.”