The 3 - April 23, 2023

In this week's edition of The 3, featuring three stories of relevance to the Christian community, the U.S. Supreme Court has continued to allow the sale of the abortion pill until the appeal of a lower court ruling against the FDA's original approval of the pill winds its way through the courts.  Also, a new law in Washington state would allow parents to lose custody of their children if they don't allow their children to try to change their sex.  And, in Kentucky, three church members who were ordered to quarantine after attending an Easter Sunday church service, have received a financial award from the state of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

U.S. Supreme Court allows abortion pill to be sold, for now

After a federal judge in Texas ruled that the abortion pill should never have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, the case went on to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which put a hold on a portion of the ruling, but prevented the broader provisions of FDA approval implemented during the pandemic and even earlier, such as mail order abortions, from going back into place.

So, after an emergency appeal by the Administration and the manufacturer of the pill, the case ended up at the U.S. Supreme Court, which late Friday ruled that the distribution of the abortion pill could continue for now as the case works its way through the Fifth Circuit.

The SCOTUS Blog reported:

The battle over medication abortions, which account for over half of all abortions performed in the United States each year, now returns to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, which is scheduled to hear oral argument in the case next month. The order means that the drug will remain widely available while litigation continues.

Two justices indicated that they would have denied the requests. Justice Clarence Thomas did not elaborate on his reasoning, but Justice Samuel Alito penned a four-page dissent in which he questioned the need for the court to act now.

Alito had issued the original stay of the lower court decision on April 14, which remained in effect until last Wednesday; the Court then extended its self-imposed deadline until last Friday. 

Alliance Defending Freedom, which filed the suit on behalf of a group of pro-life organizations and physicians, posted a quote from its Senior Counsel, Erik Baptist, on its website; he said:

“As is common practice, the Supreme Court has decided to maintain the status quo that existed prior to our lawsuit while our challenge to the FDA’s illegal approval of chemical abortion drugs and its removal of critical safeguards for those drugs moves forward...

He added, "The FDA must answer for the damage it has caused to the health of countless women and girls and the rule of law by failing to study how dangerous the chemical abortion drug regimen is and unlawfully removing every meaningful safeguard, even allowing for mail-order abortions. We look forward to a final outcome in this case that will hold the FDA accountable.”

Washington state allows children to be removed from parents who do not affirm gender identity

There are people in power in government who are so dedicated to furthering the LGBTQ+ agenda that they actually want to supersede parental rights.  That is the case in Washington, where, according to an article at Townhall.com:

Washington state passed a bill allowing children to legally be taken away from their parents for not consenting to gender transition procedures on their child.

According to Senate Bill 5599, shelters could contact the Department of Children, Youth, and Families instead of parents for minors seeking reproductive health services or gender-affirming care.

That phrase, "gender-affirming care," is, of course, a misnomer - it does not "affirm" a child's gender, but erroneously seeks to change it. And, it certainly cannot be consider "care." The article refers to the comments of Senator John Braun, who "said the troubling legislation 'clears the way' for kids to 'game the system' by taking away parent's God-given rights.  He said, "The only thing SB 5599 would do is cause harm by driving a wedge between vulnerable kids and their parents, at a time when a teen lacks the perception and judgment to make critical life-altering decisions."

Kentucky congregants receive positive outcome in COVID restriction case

During the COVID pandemic, you saw governors across America abuse the executive power of their office to enact a variety of restrictions.  Using an "emergency" as an excuse, governors bypassed their own legislatures, violated the separation of powers and placed impractical restrictions on their citizens.

And, very few governors in America were less restrictive than the governor of Kentucky, Andy Beshear.  In case after case, churches found themselves slapped with draconian restrictions, while businesses were able to remain open.  

One such example was Maryville Baptist Church, where congregation members were actually contacted and told to quarantine after attending church on Easter Sunday.  Three attendees sued the state, and earlier this month, according to CNSNews.com, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit upheld a lower court ruling granting the trio a reward of in excess of $272,000 in attorneys' fees. 

The article states:

The fees were initially awarded after the plaintiffs successfully sued on the grounds that the governor violated their constitutional rights, The Daily Caller explains:

“Randall Daniel, Theodore Roberts, and Sally O’Boyle sued in August 2020 after they received notices logging their attendance at Maryville Baptist Church’s Easter Service and informing them they must quarantine or face “further enforcement measures.”

The Daily Caller article said that, "The group alleged...Beshear’s bans on religious gatherings and interstate travel violated their constitutional rights, which the Sixth Circuit affirmed in May 2020, according to court documents.”

CNS News notes: that in the "ruling, the appeals court notes that the initial decision reasoned that Gov. Beshear’s ban 'likely violated the Free Exercise Clause because it treated religious gatherings less favorably than comparable secular gatherings.'”

The 3 - April 16, 2023

This week's edition of The 3, highlighting three stories of relevance to the Christian community includes two stories dealing with the life issue: a new bill has been passed in Florida that would ban abortion when a heartbeat can be determined and the U.S. Supreme Court has put on hold a lower court ruling on the distribution of the abortion pill.  Also, an Oregon mother who wishes to adopt two children has challenged the state's policy that would force her to affirm a child's so-called "gender identity."

Florida "heartbeat" bill signed into law

A bill banning abortion "once a preborn baby's heartbeat is detected" has passed the Florida Legislature and has been signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, according to the CBN News website, which adds that "The measure will take effect only if Florida's current 15-week ban is upheld in an ongoing legal challenge before the state Supreme Court."

The article says that:

...Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, who carried the bill in the Florida House, pointed out that real lives are stake in the abortion fight. “We have the opportunity to lead the national debate about the importance of protecting life and giving every child the opportunity to be born and find his or her purpose," she said.

CBN adds that:

The Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America group also celebrated the development, tweeting, "This enormous triumph in the battle for human rights means tens of thousands of precious boys and girls will live and have the opportunity to pursue their dreams, bless the lives of others, and enhance Florida's communities."

Liberty Counsel does point out that the bill "provides exception if the 'woman obtaining the abortion is doing so because she is a victim of rape, incest, or human trafficking' or if the life of the mother is threatened. In cases of fatal fetal abnormalities, abortion is allowed until the third trimester."  It also notes other elements of the bill, including a prohibition on taxpayer funding for transportation out-of-state for abortions, a ban on mail order abortions, and funding for pro-life pregnancy resource centers.

Mat Staver, the Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel said, “We commend Governor DeSantis for signing the ‘Heartbeat Protection Act’ yesterday as well as the 15-week ban last year. Tragically, after the Roe and Casey abortion decisions were overturned, Florida has become a sanctuary for abortion. Now the Florida Supreme Court must establish this as a state that values unborn life according to the State Constitution.”   

Abortion pill case goes to high court, lower court rulings put on hold

The week began with pro-life celebration that a federal judge in Texas had ruled the Food and Drug Administration was incorrect when it approved the "abortion pill," known as mifepristone. An appeals court, the Fifth Circuit, essentially trimmed the ruling, but allowed some restrictions on the sale of mifepristone to remain in place, such as the current trend of mail order abortions. 

But, on Friday, after the Administration appealed the lower court action, the U.S. Supreme Court has put the lower court rulings on the abortion pill on hold.  Alliance Defending Freedom, which filed the original lawsuit on behalf of four pro-life organizations said, well, "business as usual," with Senior Counsel Erin Hawley stating:

“The entry of a brief administrative stay is standard operating procedure whenever the Supreme Court is asked to consider an emergency request like this one. It gives the court sufficient time to consider the parties’ arguments before ruling. We look forward to explaining why the FDA has not met its heavy burden to pause the parts of the district court’s decision that restore the critical safeguards for women and girls that were unlawfully removed by the FDA.”

Oregon mother not allowed to adopt because of refusal to acknowledge a child's "gender identity"

Jessica Bates is the mother of five children and, because she is a widow, is now a single mom, according to a Christian Post article that reports on Bates' attempt to adopt two more siblings from foster care. 

But, the state has placed restrictions on Jessica's ambition and Alliance Defending Freedom has filed a lawsuit on her behalf.  The article says:

The lawsuit follows the Oregon Department of Human Services’ refusal to grant Bates the certification required to become an adoptive parent after she informed the state that her religious beliefs prevented her from complying with a state law requiring prospective adoptive parents to “respect, accept and support” the “sexual orientation, gender identity, [and] gender expression” of the children they seek to adopt.

Furthermore, according to The Christian Post:

The lawsuit contends that the Oregon Department of Human Services is violating Bates’ First Amendment rights to Freedom of Speech, Association and Assembly as well as the Free Exercise Clause. It also cites the state and local officials’ behavior as violations of Bates’ right to “equal protection of the laws” under the Fourteenth Amendment. The complaint is seeking an order declaring the Oregon state law unconstitutional, preventing the state from enforcing it and awarding Bates attorney’s fees.

The 3 - April 9, 2023

This week's edition of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes news of a significant ruling by a federal court judge who has rejected the FDA's approval of the abortion bill, mifepristone.  Also, there are several developments regarding individuals and groups committed to forcefully furthering the transgender agenda.  And, an Alabama university will be revising its speech codes that have been inhibiting free speech, according to a lawsuit; meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court will not be hearing the case of an evangelist wishing to speak publicly on another state campus.

Federal judge halts FDA approval of abortion pill

Chemical abortion now accounts for over half of abortions in America, according to reported statistics, and the use of abortion pills, which not only take the life of a pre-born child, but also present danger to the mothers, has increased since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration relaxed restrictions on chemical abortion during the COVID pandemic.

But, a federal judge contends the FDA should have never approved the abortion pill, and a huge ruling was handed down on Friday; Live Action News reported:

District Court Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk ruled today to overturn the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of mifepristone, the abortion drug that was approved for use in the United States in 2000. The FDA is likely to appeal the decision. Kacsmaryk gave a week for the order to take effect, giving the Biden administration that time to file an appeal.

The article says that, "The ruling means that mifepristone, the first drug of the abortion pill regimen, no longer has FDA approval and could result in a new FDA review of mifepristone. In anticipation of this ruling, the abortion industry has been planning to move to a misoprostol-only abortion method that carries a high failure rate."

Alliance Defending Freedom filed a lawsuit challenging the approval of mifepristone last November, and on its website, it states:

Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys argued for this result on behalf of four medical groups and four doctors experienced in caring for pregnant and post-abortive women: the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Pediatricians, the Christian Medical & Dental Associations, and doctors Shaun Jester, Regina Frost-Clark, Tyler Johnson, and George Delgado.

ADF Senior Counsel Erik Baptist stated, “By illegally approving dangerous chemical abortion drugs, the FDA put women and girls in harm’s way, and it’s high time the agency is held accountable for its reckless actions..." He added: “Pregnancy is not an illness, and chemical abortion drugs don’t provide a therapeutic benefit—they can pose serious and life-threatening complications to the mother, in addition to ending a baby’s life. The FDA never had the authority to approve these hazardous drugs or to remove important safeguards. This is a significant victory for the doctors and medical associations we represent and, more importantly, the health and safety of women and girls.”

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America reported on its website:

In a separate case, State of Washington v. United States Food and Drug Administration, a federal court granted a preliminary injunction blocking any change in the status quo on mifepristone only in the plaintiff states, but declined to issue a nationwide order.

Katie Glenn, State Policy Director for SBA Pro-Life America, stated, "Finally the FDA is being held accountable for its egregious violation of its own rules to fast-track dangerous abortion drugs to market,” adding, “The abortion drug regimen rubber-stamped by the FDA has proven disastrous for women as well as unborn children, with the FDA’s own data showing women have died."

Trans activists seek to shut down dissent

Accept us - or else...that seems to be the rallying cry of transgender activists who have resorted to violence or at least unruly, non-peaceful protest, in order to silence those that disagree with their abhorrent lifestyle. Case in point: according to FoxNews.com, former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines was attacked at an event in which she spoke at San Francisco State University. The article says that, "Gaines posted a video to social media showing her being escorted by police after protesters seemingly surrounded her and followed her through a building's hallways while shouting at her."

The article pointed out that, "The incident involving Gaines followed a Supreme Court’s decision to allow a 12-year-old transgender girl in West Virginia to continue competing on her middle school’s girls sports teams while a lawsuit over a state ban continues."

Recently, according to FoxNews.com, on the so-called Transgender Day of Visibility, the Florida House approved legislation that "would restrict the way teachers and students can use preferred pronouns in schools. The legislation also bolsters the ability of concerned parents, students and others to object to instructional materials and school library books." LGBTQ individuals "marched on the Florida Capitol" that day, as activists had done in Kentucky two days prior, when, according to Fox, "state police confirmed 19 people were arrested at the Capitol as large crowds gathered to protest...lawmakers overriding Gov. Andy Beshear's veto of legislation that bans puberty blockers, hormones and gender transition surgeries for children under 18."

 

And...according to the Fox News website:

Two days earlier in Texas, swaths of trans activists stormed the Capitol as the state House was debating a similar bill banning gender transition procedures for children. Protesters chanted "protect trans kids" and lay on the floor in an apparent effort to obstruct those trying to walk by.

Fox pointed out that "The protests came the same week police identified a transgender individual as the shooter responsible for murdering six people, including three 9-year-old children, in Monday's shooting at a private Christian school in Nashville."  Could it be deflection?  Certainly the actions of the Nashville shooter, Audrey Hale, do not paint the LGBTQ cause in a positive light. 

It is curious that protests occurred in numerous state capitols during the same time period.  In Tennessee, a pro-gun control rally that turned unruly, a series of events that contained transgender support elements that were included in original accounts.  Two of the three lawmakers were actually expelled from the Legislature last Friday.  But, consider the intensity of these rallies just after the Nashville shooting - all contribute to what seems to be an effort to direct attention away from the victims and their families in Nashville. 

Plus, the Daily Mail website reports on the troubling case of William Whitworth, who is reportedly "transitioning" from male to female and uses the name, "Lilly." The article says that, "A transgender teen is in custody after authorities say they recovered a manifesto detailing" the teenager's "plan to attack three schools and churches in Colorado just four days after Audrey Hale murdered six people at the Covenant School in Nashville."

Free speech developments at two Alabama universities

The University of Alabama in Huntsville has agreed to abolish its "speech zones" and craft new policies, according to a settlement agreement reached last week. The Alliance Defending Freedom website says that, "the Circuit Court of Madison County entered a consent order Monday stating that the case will be dismissed once the university amends its policy. In addition to abolishing 'speech zones' and the prior permission requirement, the university’s amended policy also eliminates provisions that granted administrators discretion to deny permission to speak based on the viewpoint of the speaker."

Last November, the Alabama Supreme Court had ruled, according to the wording on the website, "that the university’s speech zones as alleged 'plainly' violate Alabama’s law and that 'serious doubt' existed about the legality of the university’s requirement that even a single student seek permission in advance before speaking in the outdoor areas of campus."

There's also the free speech quest involving an evangelist named Rodney Keister of a ministry called Evangelism Mission. The Christian Post reported that:

Keister attempted to preach on a sidewalk at the Tuscaloosa campus of the University of Alabama, but was told by campus police that he needed to have a permit.

Keister filed suit against the university, with a district court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit siding with the school. From there, Keister filed his first appeal with the Supreme Court in 2018, only to have the highest court in the land declined to hear arguments.

In 2019, Keister filed an amended civil rights suit against the university, only to have a federal judge rule against him in 2020 and a three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit unanimously ruled against him last year.

“As state-funded entities, universities like the University of Alabama are subject to the First Amendment,” ruled the appeals court panel in March 2022.

“Nevertheless, the First Amendment does not guarantee a private speaker's right to speak publicly on all government property.”

The Christian Post article noted that, "The panel concluded that the sidewalk was a 'limited public forum,' which meant an area 'where only particular subjects may be discussed or that only certain groups may use.'”

The U.S. Supreme Court announced last week that it would not hear the case, so the lower court ruling stands. 

The 3 - April 2, 2023

In this week's edition of The 3, there is a brief review of the tragic shooting at a Christian school in Nashville and its possible implications - there is also an update on what several states are doing to protect children from permanent physical and emotional damage through surgeries and treatments designed to change their biological sex. Also, a negative attitude toward a Christian event at a local library in Tennessee has resulted in a librarian losing his job.  Plus, the governor of Virginia has signed a bill that protects churches from discrimination in the event of an emergency, which happened in the state during COVID.

Nashville Christian school endures shooting, state momentum on protecting children continues

There are six victims at the hands of a shooter who broke into the school she once attended and began to take lives until she herself was cornered by police and quickly lost her own life.  Because the tragedy occurred at a Christian school and because of the gender identity of the shooter, based on police comments, there has been speculation that the shooter's sexuality may have contributed to what occurred, especially in light of heightened rhetoric and threats within the transgender community.

CBN News reported that following the tragic event...

...investigators found more guns and evidence at Hale's home, including detailed maps, surveillance of the school, and a manifesto, all revealing a planned, targeted attack.

The Washington Stand quoted from Tennessee state representative Tim Burchett, who told Family Research Council President Tony Perkins: "Obviously, it’s a mental health issue, and it’s just a complete and total tragedy,” adding, "I honestly feel like this is some sort of demonic possession that has gotten into our world today. And it’s become accepted."

The article went on to say:

Perkins said the shooting shows that Christian school students are “not beyond the reach of” the “corrupting and chaotic influence of [U.S.] culture.”

Hale’s former classmate at the Nossi College of Art and Design confirmed that the shooter identified as male, using the name “Aiden Hale.” Reporters pressed Drake for additional details about what role Hale’s transgender identity played in the mass murder inside a church-run school.

“Do you have any reason to believe that how she identifies has any motive for targeting the school?" asked one journalist.

“We can give you that at a later time. There is some theory to that,” Drake answered.

Tennessee had just passed strong legislation preventing experimenting on minors by attempting to change their sex through surgeries and treatments.  The state also passed legislation preventing drag performances in front of children.  But, according to the Washington Examiner:

A federal judge in Tennessee temporarily blocked a new state law on Friday that would criminalize drag performances in public or in front of children. The ruling came just hours before the law was set to take effect at midnight.

Judge Thomas Parker issued a temporary restraining order, citing the law as a "vague and overly-broad" restriction to the constitutional protections of freedom of speech.

A number of states have passed legislation to protect children from the "gender identity" agenda, according to The Washington Stand, which reported:

In the first two months of 2023, four state legislatures passed bills offering some degree of protection to minors from health care professionals who would perform gender transition procedures on them. Utah’sSB 16 was signed into law on January 28. South Dakota’sHB 1080 was signed into law on February 14. Mississippi’sHB 1125 was signed into law on February 28. And Tennessee’sSB 1 was signed into law on March 2 (though passed in February).

This legislative progress accelerated in late March, as four state legislatures passed bills in rapid succession.

Those legislatures were in Iowa, Georgia, West Virginia, and Kentucky; about the Bluegrass State, the article said...

...on March 29, the Kentucky General Assembly voted (29-8 in the Senate and 76-23 in the House) to override a veto of SB 150 by Governor Andy Beshear (D). The measure protects children from gender transition procedures, as well as securing school locker rooms and bathrooms from members of the opposite sex and guaranteeing parental rights in education.

Actor's reading event results in librarian being fired

Also, in the Nashville area, actor Kirk Cameron was featured in an event in a library in suburban Hendersonville, Tennessee, reading his children's book, As You Grow. The Christian Post reported that the librarian there was generally unsupportive of the event. 

The article says:

The Sumner County Library Board voted 4-3 to fire Hendersonville Library Director Allan Morales, reported The Tennessean on Thursday, with Mayor John Isbell stating that the termination was "related to the Kirk Cameron event."

Missy Robertson of Duck Dynasty, who was featured at the event, along with former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines, had "...claimed that the library staff was talking loudly, playing music and banging cabinets when she and Cameron attempted to film a promotional video on the day of the event." The Post article also stated:

According to Robertson, a Brave Books team member then asked someone in charge if they could ask their staff to keep it down for a few minutes. While Robertson didn't mention Morales by name, that person allegedly told the Brave Books team member something to the extent of, "You're not even supposed to be here anyway."

According to the reality star, there had been "tension" leading up to the event, as some unnamed individual had attempted to lead a campaign against the library event.

The article goes on to say:

In a series of email messages between the library and a Brave Books representative obtained by CP, the former library director appeared concerned about the event's size and that it would be political.

The former library director noted that a recent Fox News article had created a "stir" and that the activities and guest appearances described by the outlet were not part of an original agreement.

County Commissioner Tim Jones made comments on the incident on Facebook. The article notes that Jones indicated that "Brave Books had a contract with the library stipulating that they could use the facility's community room for the event and that Morales 'reluctantly agreed' to let the group use the foyer to film promotional videos." It went on to say: "Jones believes that Morales did not intervene when his staff became disruptive, and he maintained a negative attitude despite the mayor expressing support for the event."

Virginia bill protects churches during emergencies

In state after state during the coronavirus pandemic, you saw governments that treated churches as second-class citizens, determining that churches were "non-essential" and had to remain closed, while businesses of different types, including liquor stores and abortion clinics, were allowed to stay open.

The state of Virginia had stringent regulations in effect, and a different governor, Glenn Youngkin has been elected.  Alliance Defending Freedom reported on its website that Youngkin signed "a bill that ensures churches are allowed to remain open during a state of emergency on the same or better terms as other businesses and services.

ADF Legal Counsel Greg Chafuen commented by saying:

While public officials have the authority and responsibility to protect public health and safety, the First Amendment prohibits the government from treating churches worse than shopping centers, restaurants, or gyms. This bill takes the modest step of ensuring that officials cannot use a public crisis to discriminate against religious services in churches and other houses of worship.

The 3 - March 26, 2023

This week's edition of The 3, highlighting three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes on update on concerns by pro-life organizations about what seems to be a slow-walk on arrest and prosecution of people responsible for attacks on pro-life organizations and churches, including a recently-filed lawsuit.  Also, a British Bible college professor tweeted out a strong statement on homosexuality and lost his position for it.  Plus, another state can be added to the growing list who have prevented doctors from performing gender change surgeries on minors. 

Attacks on pro-life centers provoke requests for information, lawsuit

Violence against pro-life pregnancy resource centers and churches continues to be an issue of concern; even over the last few weeks.  And, there is concern that federal law enforcement is turning a blind eye toward the attacks.

CompassCare, which operates three centers in New York state, reports on its website that its Buffalo center was attacked for the second time earlier this month; the site notes: "On March 16, CompassCare’s pro-life medical office in Buffalo was attacked again by pro-abortion, Maoist Antifa. The first time was on June 7th, 2022, with the catastrophic firebombing, injuring two firefighters."

The story notes that on February 20, CEO of Compass Care, James Harden, "...was concerned that another wave of pro-abortion Antifa violence was coming and asked if the FBI was planning on issuing a threat alert to Christian pro-life people and organizations similar to what they did for the Jewish community in New Jersey on November 3, 2022. They did not respond and issued no warnings."

The story noted, "The Washington Post leaked that the judge hearing the controversial abortion pill case was facing death threats along with his family and court staff while violent rhetoric continued to increase..."

The CompassCare website noted:

On Saturday, March 25, a suspect was arrested pursuant to the most recent attack on March 16 on CompassCare’s pro-life medical office in Buffalo. According to a press release issued by the Amherst Police Department (APD), 39-year-old Hannah Kamke was arrested for one count of criminal mischief, a Class E felony carrying a mandatory 1-5 year prison sentence if convicted. This would be on top of any potential punishment precipitated by federal charges brought by the Department of Justice for a violation of the FACE Act.

The Christian Post reported that in September of last year, a number of pro-life organizations filed a Freedom of Information Act request about the Department of Justice response, or lack of response, to concerns that had been expressed.  The article states:

On Feb. 27, nearly five months after the plaintiffs and the other organizations submitted the FOIA request, the FBI informed them that it had closed the request because it did not "contain enough descriptive information to permit a search of our records." The complaint characterized the defendants' failure to respond to the FOIA request as a violation of federal law and DOJ regulations.

In light of this rebuff, the Heritage Foundation and Advancing American Freedom filed a lawsuit in federal court last week; the Christian Post reports, "The complaint maintains that the federal law enforcement agency has taken insufficient action to address violence directed at churches and pro-life pregnancy centers in recent years, including some that have been firebombed."  It goes on to say:

The plaintiffs are asking the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to "order defendant to conduct a search or searches reasonably calculated to uncover all records responsive to Plaintiffs' FOIA Request" and produce all relevant documents within 20 days of the court order.

The article noted that Attorney General Merrick Garland had testified before a U.S. Senate committee earlier this month, stating:

"You are quite right, there are many more prosecutions with respect to the blocking of the abortion centers, but that is generally because those actions are taken with photography at the time, during the daylight," Garland said. "Seeing the person who did it is quite easy."

"Those who are attacking the pregnancy resource centers, which is a horrid thing to do, are doing this at night, in the dark," he added.

James Harden of CompassCare, according to its website, contends that the Attorney General is "covering for" Kristen Clarke, whom he describes as "a known Antifa sympathizer and public hater of pro-life pregnancy centers," who leads the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, under whose authority investigations of these instances would fall.

Bible college professor in UK loses job over tweet on homosexuality

Aaron Edwards was a professor at Cliff College, which is described as a "Bible college" by CBN News, which reported on why Edwards is no longer employed at the school, which is located in the U.K.

His tweet was embedded in the story at CBN.com; it said:

Homosexuality is invading the Church. 

Evangelicals no longer see the severity of this b/c they're busy apologising for their apparently barbaric homophobia, whether or not it's true. 

This *is* a "Gospel issue", by the way. If sin is no longer sin, we no longer need a Saviour.

CBN reports that "College administrators fired Edwards for 'bringing the college into disrepute' with his tweet addressing homosexuality."

The article goes on to say:

The professor’s counsel at the Christian Legal Centre accused a senior staff member of saying his client’s words “could be extremely damaging” and “impact the college’s core work” and “business plan,” Fox News reported.

In a statement to Fox, Edwards said: “The reaction to my tweet and the unjust treatment I have experienced by Cliff College and the Methodist Church in Britain completely illustrates the problem my tweet addressed,” adding:

“The tweet was not defamatory; it was not an attack on any colleague or individual; it was not abusive; and it was not an extremist religious view. It was addressed to evangelicals as a point of doctrine, and it has been misunderstood by many who wish to cause personal and institutional trouble for those who express that view.”

And, the article reports that in a disciplinary hearing, school officials had discussed reporting Edwards to a British organization that monitors terrorism.

Another state bans surgeries and treatments that claim to change children's sex

The Georgia Assembly, its Legislature, voted last week to prevent surgeries on minors that are designed to change their sex and to ban the usage of cross-sex hormones. The Post Millennial reported last week that:

Georgia has become the latest state to pass a bill banning doctors from prescribing cross-sex hormones or conducting surgeries related to a gender dysphoria diagnosis on minors.

On March 17, 2023, SB 140 passed the state house with an amendment that allows for doctors to be sued civilly and criminally for violating the law. On Tuesday, the bill passed with the amendment in the State Senate and is heading to Governor Brian Kemp's desk, where he is expected to sign.

There was concern expressed that the bill did not ban puberty blockers.

Fox5Atlanta reported that Governor Kemp signed the bill on Thursday and said, in a statement, "...as elected leaders, it is our highest responsibility to safeguard the bright, promising, futures of our kids - and SB 140 takes an important step in fulfilling that mission."

The 3 - March 19, 2023

This week's edition of The 3 features several developments regarding the distribution of the abortion pill, including a new law in Wyoming and a hearing before a federal judge.  Also, an Iranian pastor and two other Christians have been released from captivity in Iran.  And, a Vermont Christian school that forfeited a girls' basketball game that included a biological male has now been punished by a state board. 

Pharmacy chain refuses to sell abortion pill in over 20 states, one state governor balks

There has been quite a bit of news recently about the sale of the so-called abortion pill, which is now reportedly the most popular method of terminating a baby's life - and has been proven to be quite dangerous.

SBA Pro-Life America reported last week that in Wyoming, "Gov. Mark Gordon signed a bill to prohibit dangerous chemical abortion drugs." In a press release found at the organization's website, its Western Regional Director Adam Schwend is quoted as saying:

“We thank Gov. Gordon for signing SF 109 to prohibit dangerous abortion drugs that can cause hemorrhaging, the need for surgery and even death. According to Medicaid data, the rate of chemical abortion-related ER visits have increased 500% since mifepristone was approved. Wyoming’s new law will limit the abortion industry’s ability to jeopardize the health and safety of women and girls.

“The new chemical abortion law, along with the Human Life Protection Act and extending postpartum Medicaid coverage, make Wyoming one of the most pro-life states in the country.”

Meanwhile, last week, a Federal judge held a hearing on the FDA's approval of the abortion pill, in a lawsuit brought by several pro-life organizations. Live Action News reported:

The lawsuit was initially filed in November of 2022 on behalf of the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine (AHM), a nonprofit membership organization representing nearly 30,000 health-care professionals including major medical groups such as the American College of Pediatricians, the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Christian Medical & Dental Associations. The group sued the federal government for “illegally approving chemical abortion drugs that harm women and girls.”

At a press conference following arguments before the court, Alliance Defending Freedom senior counsel Erik Baptist and Dr. Donna Harrison (Chair of AHM), reiterated their case against the FDA.

Baptist said, "As time has gone on, the FDA has ignored the warnings from our clients about these drugs and has rolled back safeguards that make these drugs even more dangerous to take," adding, "The FDA never studied the safety of the drug regimen and disregarded clear evidence that the pills cause life threatening complications. As a result of ignoring the science, women and girls became victims of the FDA’s reckless, agenda-driven approval.”

Harrison is quoted as saying: “As the FDA has removed safeguards around the drugs, women and girls have been left more vulnerable than ever. These women most often have to face the trauma of passing a dead child and risk bleeding out and dealing with deadly infections alone, with no doctor either present or even involved to get her the attention she needs.”

Meanwhile, Baptist said, "After years of evading responsibility, it’s time for the government to do what it’s legally required to do: protect the health and safety of vulnerable women and girls. We hope the court will agree the FDA never had the authority to approve these dangerous drugs and reject the rolled-back protections and distribution of them.”

And, in related news, The Washington Stand had reported that week before last, "Walgreens announced...it would not sell the abortion pill mifepristone in the 20 states where pro-life attorneys general say distribution would violate state and federal law."  This prompted California governor Gavin Newsom to attempt to punish Walgreens for its decision.  The article, published March 8, related:

“California won’t be doing business with @walgreens — or any company that cowers to the extremists and puts women’s lives at risk,” declared Newsom on Twitter Monday afternoon. “We’re done.” California, which has 13 million people on its Medicaid program alone, “is reviewing all relationships between Walgreens and the state,” said Newsom spokesman Brandon Richards.

Pastor, other Christians released in Iran

An Iranian pastor, Yousef Nadarkhani, who, according to ChristianNews.net, was "once sentenced to death in Iran for apostasy," has become the "third Christian convert recently released from prison as part of the government’s annual amnesty marking the anniversary of the 1979 revolution."

He has been in and out of prison since that original death sentence in 2010, after which he was declared not guilty for apostasy.  But, he had been arrested for other so-called "crimes," including involvement in establishing house churches, and in 2018, had been serving a 10-year sentence at Iran's notorious Evin Prison. 

The Christian News article, from Morning Star News, said that the pastor was released in late February, "following the pardon and release earlier in the month of Hadi Rahimi and Zaman Fadaei, religious freedom advocates said. While welcoming the releases, they noted that those released had already served significant portions of their sentences in cases marred by legal irregularities even by Iranian standards." A representative of Middle East Concern stated, "Their pardon hardly addresses the injustice of the original sentencing and suffering that the men and their families endured,” adding, “But we are glad for their sakes that they are free and with their families again.”

The article notes: 

The February pardons were part of a larger game of musical chairs the Iranian state plays with prisoners of conscience, including religious conscience. On Jan. 28, authorities released Anahita Khademi, a Christian convert, on a bail bond of 180 million toman (about US$4,000) in connection with various charges, including distributing “propaganda against the system” and “disturbing public opinion.”

VT Christian school faces tournament ban for forfeiting game with transgender player

Not only is it unfair for biological males claiming to be female to compete in female sports, but it presents a threat to player safety, according to a Vermont Christian school team that forfeited a game recently, according to The Daily Citizen, which quoted from a statement from Mid Vermont Christian School to Fox News, published at National Review: “We believe playing against an opponent with a biological male jeopardizes the fairness of the game and the safety of our players. Allowing biological males to participate in women’s sports sets a bad precedent for the future of women’s sports in general.”

But, as The Daily Citizen reports, "Yet, in response to MVCS’ decision, their entire school is now being punished, excluded, and caste [sic] aside in the name of 'inclusion' and 'fairness.'"  The Vermont Principals Association, in a statement, said: "The VPA’s Executive Council met today, March 13th, 2023 to discuss the relevant forfeiture. The result was a determination that policies have been violated at the school level, thus there is an immediate determination of ineligibility for Mid-Vermont Christian in VPA sanctioned activities and tournaments going forward."

The article states, "All Christians should be calling foul at that decision."

The article points out that in events sponsored by the Association, a statement is read, and the article states that VPA "tells attendees and athletes to maintain respect for everyone’s religion,' but then punishes Christians for living up to their deeply held religious convictions – not to mention basic biological facts."

The 3 - March 12, 2023

This week's edition of The 3, spotlighting three stories of relevance to the Christian community, including a story out of UK about a pro-life advocate who has now been arrested twice for praying outside an abortion clinic against the backdrop of a new law, which has been extended throughout the UK.  Also, a controversial nominee to the Federal Communications Commission has withdrawn her name from consideration.  Plus, the issue of biological males competing in girls' sports has had some developments recently, including proposed federal legislation. 

Pro-life lady in UK arrested for silent prayer at abortion clinic arrested again; new law passed

Perhaps you're familiar with the case of a British lady named Isabel Vaughn-Spruce.  In December, she was arrested in front of an abortion clinic engaging in silent prayer.  According to Liberty University's Standing for Freedom Center:

Vaughn-Spruce was initially arrested on December 6 for violating the Public Space Protection Order after police received a complaint that she might be praying silently in her head. Police searched and arrested her and she was charged with protesting and engaging in an act that is intimidating to service users, even though she was praying outside of operational hours. The charges were later dropped, but when police said she could be re-arrested in the future, Vaughn-Spruce sought an official ruling and a judge found her not guilty.

Just days ago, according to the article, Vaughn-Spruce was arrested again for silent prayer outside the clinic. The story goes on to say that the day that she was arrested again, "Parliament voted to expand censorial buffer zones around all abortion clinics across the U.K., banning anyone from attempting to influence — through thought, word, or deed — a woman’s decision to have an abortion."  The website, in the article published last Wednesday, said: 

Yesterday’s vote effectively expands the Public Spaces Protection Order across the entirety of England and Wales. That law, first implemented in October in five local councils, made it illegal to engage in various forms of “protest” in areas surrounding abortion clinics. Since then, multiple pro-lifers have been arrested for praying silently, including Isabel Vaughn-Spruce, who was charged by police in December and again this past Monday for the crime of “praying in her mind.”

Member of Parliament Danny Kruger said: “We are making a momentous step, we are crossing an enormous river. When we criminalize prayer… or indeed consensual conversations… we are doing something of enormous significance.”  Jeremiah Igunnubole of Alliance Defending Freedom UK, stated, "...it is extremely regrettable that Parliament, which exists to protect and champion the rights of the electorate, has taken a clear stance against fundamental freedoms, opening the door for nationwide thought-crime prosecution.”

FCC nominee withdraws from nomination

After three Senate hearings, hours of testimony, and opposition stated by advocacy groups like National Religious Broadcasters, Gigi Sohn, nominated to serve on the Federal Communications Commission, withdrew her nomination. The Washington Post quoted from the ex-nominee, who said, "The unrelenting, dishonest and cruel attacks on my character and my career as an advocate for the public interest have taken an enormous toll on me and my family." 

But, as Troy Miller, the CEO of NRB had stated, “Ms. Sohn is an activist lawyer who has made no secret of her contempt for conservative media,” adding, “As a professional association that exists to keep platforms open for Christian communicators, we have serious concern about Ms. Sohn’s demonstrated hostility to broadcasters and her apparent openness to the use of FCC regulatory action to censor ideas with which she personally disagrees.”  Miller noted that Sohn could possibly act by "jeopardizing broadcast licenses to limit what kinds of political perspectives can be expressed on-air."  

Developments occur on the issue of biological males in women's sports 

Across the nation, the allowing of biological males to compete against girls in female sports is facing challenges.  One of the most recent developments has to do with an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to become involved in a case out of West Virginia, in which a law was passed to prevent male participation in female sports, which was upheld by a federal district court and placed on hold by an appeals court.  An article at FoxNews.com states that a soccer player from the state, Lainey Armistead "...and her lawyers from the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to weigh in on her case against the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). That group is trying to strike down West Virginia's Save Women's Sports Act, which bans male student athletes who identify and present themselves as female from playing on girls' school sports teams."

18 states have passed legislation to prevent boys from competing in girls' sports. And, there is activity on the Federal level; ADF, on its website, reported on the introduction into the U.S. Senate of the "Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, a bill that protects women’s sports by clarifying that allowing males to compete on women’s teams violates Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 for federally funded schools and colleges..."

Similar legislation has been introduced into the House, according to Alliance Defending Freedom's website, which also reported that a three-judge panel of the Second Circuit had upheld a policy in Connecticut allowing male participation in female sports, but that decision will be reviewed by the entire court; ADF's Christiana Kiefer stated: "We’re pleased the 2nd Circuit has decided to rehear this important case, and we urge the court to protect women’s athletic opportunities. Eighteen states have enacted laws that protect women and girls from having to compete against males, and polls show that a majority of Americans agree that the competition is no longer fair when males are permitted to compete in women’s sports. Every woman deserves the respect and dignity that comes with having an equal opportunity to excel and win in athletics, and ADF remains committed to protecting the future of women’s sports.”

The 3 - March 5, 2023

This week's edition of The 3, highlighting three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes developments on the gender identity front, with two states recently approving laws to protect children from damaging treatments and surgeries that falsely claim to help a child change his or her biological sex.  Also, a pro-life reality TV star's miscarriage has been mischaracterized by those who want to make her look as if she is being hypocritical.  And, a California teacher has lost her job because she would not be dishonest regarding disclosing information about a child's declaration of "gender identity" and the use of pronouns that do not represent a child's biological sex. 

MS, TN governors sign laws to protect children from gender treatments and surgeries

Liberty Counsel began a piece on its website in this way:

As the gender ideology assault on America’s children continues, state legislators are pushing back with legislation to protect minors from harmful puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and mutilating surgeries.

Approximately 100 bills have been proposed in 27 states aimed at protecting children from accessing hormone blocking drugs, surgeries and other types of “gender-affirming care.” Other draft laws being debated in state legislatures entail pronoun use in schools and biological boys in girls’ sports teams and bathrooms.

It noted that...

...Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves signed into law HB 1125, known as the “Regulate Experimental Adolescent Procedures Act,” which prohibits puberty blockers and any “gender transition” medical procedures on minors.

The Clarion-Ledger quoted the governor:

"There is a dangerous movement that's spreading across America today. It's advancing under the guise of a false ideology, and pseudoscience is being pushed onto our children through radical activists, social media and online influencers, and it's trying to convince our children that they are in the wrong body," Reeves said. "This dangerous movement attempts to convince these children that they're just a surgery away from happiness. It threatens our children's innocence, and it threatens their health."

Meanwhile, just a few days afterward, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed a bill that would ban these types of treatments and surgeries for minors and protected children in another way.

Regarding the first bill, The Tennessean says that House Majority Leader William Lamberth, who sponsored the legislation, "said minors lack the maturity to make 'life-altering' medical decisions before they become adults." He added, "These treatments and procedures have a lifetime of negative consequences that are irreversible..." The article also reported that the governor signed a bill that would prevent drag shows from being performed in the presence of children:

Lee also signed off on a new law to prohibit "adult-oriented" entertainment, including "male and female impersonators," from public property and limit it to age-restricted venues.

Pro-life organizations respond to distortion of Christian reality star's miscarriage

Since the Dobbs decision returning abortion laws to the states, there has been a significant amount of misrepresentation from the pro-abortion side about the effects of overturning Roe v. Wade. 

Live Action reported on a recent instance, in which reality star Jessa Duggar Seewald's miscarriage was characterized in an irresponsible way. The article stated:

Seewald shared a video about her miscarriage on YouTube, expressing her heartbreak after the loss of her fifth child. After she began bleeding, she visited the doctor, who told her the outcome didn’t look good. “Nothing could have prepared me for the weight of those words in that moment,” she said in the video. “At that moment I was just in complete shock. I didn’t have words. I just immediately started crying.”

Because she had health risks preventing her from passing the body of her preborn child at home, she had to have a post-miscarriage dilation and curettage, or D&C. “I was able to thank God in that moment for giving us this life, even if we wouldn’t be able to hold this baby in our arms,” she said, adding, “Those 10 to 15 minutes before I was taken back to the room where Ben and my mom were waiting were probably some of the hardest in my life, just laying there feeling so alone.”

But some with a pro-abortion bent claimed she had had an abortion. Lila Rose of Live Action did not mince words; she tweeted out, “This is at best ignorance, at worst a cruel lie. Jessa miscarried. Her baby passed away & she needed a surgery to remove her little one’s body. An abortion intentionally kills a living baby. Abortion is an intentional act of homicide, a miscarriage is a tragic natural death.”

Charlotte Lozier Institute issued a statement regarding the coverage of the incident by Parade Magazine; saying: "Lozier Institute today called on Parade Magazine to apologize to Jessa Duggar Seewald and the millions of women who have walked through the valley of miscarriage, which the magazine chose to conflate with the intentional killing of an unborn child."

Dr. Ingrid Skop of the Institute, a practicing OB/GYN doctor, stated:

Parade chose to misrepresent Jessa Duggar Seewald’s tragic pregnancy loss and in doing so rekindled the hurt, sadness and grief experienced by thousands of women, their partners, and their families every year. Parade’s decision places the online media outlet’s pro-abortion ideology over basic human empathy. There is nothing pro-woman about their coverage.

California teacher loses job for not using gender pronouns

When students demand that teacher call them by pronouns corresponding to their so-called "gender identity," essentially, the teacher is being asked not to tell the truth about their biological sex. It is also unethical and unbiblical for a teacher to hide students' declaration of their gender identity from their parents. A California teacher is no longer employed by her school district because of her refusal to comply with the district's LGBTQ-friendly policies.

An article at The Washington Stand stated:

Jurupa Unified School District served physical education teacher Jessica Tapia, mother of three, with a Notice of Unprofessional Conduct for not embracing the district’s new polices promoting transgender identities and, on January 31, fired her after determining it could not accommodate her religious beliefs.

District administrators directed Tapia “to refrain from disclosing the gender identity of a student who is transgender to a parent who does not know the student’s gender identity” and “to address students by their preferred name and preferred gender pronouns.” But she told them that her religious beliefs made her “unable to comply” with the two directives.

Article writer Joshua Arnold said that in a meeting with school district officials last fall, according to Tapia, "I made sure to clarify..., too, with [the] district personnel that were sitting across from me. I looked them in the eye, and I said, ‘Are you asking me to lie to parents?’ and they said, ‘Yes. It’s the law.’”  

Arnold notes: 

This is false, of course. California law stipulates that “parents … have an absolute right to access to any and all pupil records related to their children.” In fact, accessing student records requires parental consent most cases. But if a school district is simply following the direction of the California Department of Education (CDE), they wouldn’t know that.

The article concludes by saying:

Tapia said she doesn’t believe God is “calling us to love by affirming those lies and confusion. I believe firmly that God created man and woman, and you are who he made you to be. And when someone has confusion about that, I believe that’s lies and confusion from the devil.”

The 3 - February 26, 2023

This week's edition of The 3, featuring three stories of relevance to the Christian community, has more developments regarding the issue of malpractice in the area of gender treatments and surgeries, with the AG of one state looking into events at a hospital and lawmakers in another trying to prevent these incidences from occurring. Also, a Jacksonville, FL ordinance is being challenged because of the possibility of silencing a faith-based bookstore owner from sharing her faith with customers.  And, the leadership board of the Southern Baptist Convention has made some decisions in areas of abuse and women in church leadership.

MO officials to look into operation of gender clinic, TN legislators vote on bill to ban gender treatments and surgeries

Not only are state legislators attempting to restrict harmful surgeries and treatments that claim to alter a minor child's biological sex, but the activity and irresponsibility of gender clinics are being exposed.

Liberty Counsel reports on its website that:

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced that his office has launched a multi-agency investigation into the Washington University Pediatric Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital after a former employee went public and accused the hospital of lying to parents and harming hundreds of children with puberty blockers and mutilating surgeries.

Bailey is quoted as saying, “We have received disturbing allegations that individuals at the Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital have been harming hundreds of children each year, including by using experimental drugs on them. We take this evidence seriously and are thoroughly investigating to make sure children are not harmed by individuals who may be more concerned with a radical social agenda than the health of children..."

Meanwhile, another state has taken up the cause of minor children who are in harm's way through treatments and surgeries that claim to help a child change his or her gender.  The Tennessean that the Tennessee House of Representatives has voted to pass a bill to that effect, stating:

The bill prohibits children from receiving puberty blockers, hormone therapies or surgical procedures.

People who received the treatments as minors would also be able to sue parents, guardians and physicians for authorizing the care under a statute of limitations under the legislation.

The article also notes, "If it becomes law, the bill would officially take effect this summer and give existing patients until March 31, 2024, to cease treatment..." The bill now goes to Governor Bill Lee, who has indicated, according to the article, "he is 'supportive' of the bill's content."

FL SOGI law forces Christian bookstore owner to stay silent about faith

Over the past few years, municipalities have passed ordinances that would offer special status to individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity, or SOGI.  Opponents of these laws have expressed concern that they could pose a threat to people of faith who do not agree with the gay lifestyle.

Case in point has occurred in Jacksonville, FL, which has a Human Rights Ordinance on the books. The Alliance Defending Freedom website reports that the ordinance "forbids communications that could lead someone to feel “unwelcome” based on various protected traits."

That would include a Catholic who runs a Catholic bookstore, and ADF has gone to court to protect the owner's right to discuss faith principles in the store she owns, the Queen of Angels Catholic Bookstore. The owner is Christine DeTrude, and the ADF website states that...

...The bookstore serves all customers and gladly sells its products to anybody but DeTrude and her bookstore staff cannot speak messages that violate their faith. Thus, they affirm that men and women are different and cannot use pronouns or titles that don’t align with a customer’s sex. DeTrude also wants to explain this policy and her Catholic beliefs about gender and sexuality in her store and on the store’s website.

But, this would violate the HRO and result in punishment for the store, so ADF has filed a lawsuit against that ordinance in federal court. ADF Legal Counsel Rachel Csutoros is quoted as saying, “Christie, owner of Queen of Angels Catholic Bookstore, gladly serves everyone, but she can’t speak messages that go against her religious beliefs. Yet Jacksonville is illegally mandating Queen of Angels abandon its religious beliefs—the very faith that motivates the store to open its doors to customers every day.”

SBC governing body partners with gay-affirming organization to run abuse response, questions loss of operating dollars

There are a significant number of members of the Southern Baptist Convention who believe that the denomination as a whole has drifted from its Biblical foundations.  There are also leaders of the SBC that believe that everything is OK, except for one area - sexual abuse.  And, efforts to combat the heinous activity of sexual abuse on a national level, rather than at the local church level have led to some unfortunate consequences.  

Some of those consequences emerged from the latest 2-day meeting of the SBC Executive Committee.  According to The Baptist Paper: 

“The (investment funds) have been cut in half,” said EC member Monte Shinkle of Missouri. “We dropped $6 million this past year. We have $6 million left … it doesn’t look good.”

Mike Bianchi, interim chief financial officer, noted the EC received an unqualified opinion (which is good) on its 2022 audit report, but the auditors emphasized “the sexual abuse issues, the DOJ investigation and the deteriorating liability of the EC” as concerns.

The current pace is “unsustainable,” Bianchi said, noting options such as liquidating assets (including the EC building), changing financial arrangements, obtaining other financing, etc., were discussed with the auditors.

Furthermore, the organization hired by the original Sexual Abuse Task Force, which was empaneled almost two years ago, Guidepost Solutions, has been facing it own share of criticism.  Its support of the LGBTQ agenda, tweeted out last June and reinforced now as details are emerging about causes to which it has contributed, has been facing criticism. Georgia's Christian Index states:

The SBC’s Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force recommended using New York-based Guidepost Solutions to establish and maintain a database of pastors who have been “credibly accused” of sexual abuse at an estimated cost of between $1.5 million and $2 million.

"Credibly accused" is a term that has raised some concerns.  Writing last year for The Federalist, attorneys Jon Whitehead and Joshua Abbatoy wrote, regarding the original task force's recommendations: "...there was...widespread criticism of the recommendations as not biblical, not Baptist, and not just." They wrote:

Guidepost proposed that the SBC should maintain an “offender information system,” a public list of those “credibly accused” of sexual abuse and those who “aided and abetted” them. As Matthew Schmitz noted in the Wall Street Journal, this standard “trample[s] the rights of the accused.”

And, those seeking to expose the SBC as rife with abuse have now exposed it to an investigation by the Department of Justice.  Ideally, the national organization should be empowering local churches to deal with unfortunate charges of abuse in their congregations, not accepting liability for what may have transpired.  

And, the attempt to paint the entire denomination of millions as being insensitive and misogynistic due to the sins of less than a thousand men across the country has been characterized as being unfair, and is being used to divide believers and to undermine the Baptist Faith and Message position, based on 1st Timothy chapter 2, about women in leadership. The EC this past week determined that five churches were "not in friendly cooperation with the Convention," according to The Christian Index. 

Saddleback Church was one of the five; until recently, it has been pastored by Rick Warren...the article says:

The Executive Committee said the action was taken becasue Stacie Wood, wife of Saddleback’s current lead pastor Andy Wood, is “functioning in the office of pastor.”

But the controversy began in 2021, when Warren ordained three women as associate pastors, prompting discussions within the denomination about possibly expelling the megachurch.

Warren retired last year after 42 years at Saddleback. He made an emotional speech in June 2022 at the Southern Baptists’ annual convention in Anaheim, Calif., standing by his ordination of women. He told delegates who debated the issue, “We have to decide if we will treat each other as allies or adversaries.”

These churches can appeal the decision.  Saddleback was being considered for this distinction last year, but the Credentials Committee had said that the BF&M was not clear on women in pastoral leadership.  

The 3 - February 19, 2023

In this week's edition of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, there is news out of yet another U.S. state preventing surgeries and treatments that claim to help a minor child change his or her sex.  Also, in Oklahoma, transgender activists protested inside the State Capitol there against legislation in that state that has similar goals.  And, the FCA in a school district in California has temporarily been banned from that district pending a hearing before a federal appeals court. 

Another state takes a step to protect children from gender malpractice

One by one, states across America are seeing the light regarding the harm to minor children that is being perpetrated in the name of so-called "gender-affirming care," which actually is just the opposite. Manipulative treatments, mutilation of bodies, and more are being exposed now - and the governor of another state has signed a bill into law that is designed to provide protection. 

Liberty Counsel reports this on its website:

...South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem signed a bill into law that bans harmful and experimental puberty blockers and mutilating irreversible surgeries for children and teens who struggle with gender confusion.

Gov. Noem signed HB 1080, also known as the “Help Not Harm” bill, after the state legislature overwhelmingly passed it 30-4.

South Dakota is now the seventh state to enact legislation to protect children from these procedures, joining Utah, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Texas.

The article goes on to say: 

According to the new law, “a healthcare professional may not, for the purpose of attempting to alter the appearance of, or to validate a minor's perception of, the minor’s sex, if that appearance or perception is inconsistent with the minor's sex.”

This would included puberty blockers, hormone treatments, and surgeries.  

OK trans activists invade State Capitol building

But there are some who are supportive of transgenderism who will not take "no" for an answer.  We have seen that there are those in the LGBTQ+ movement that do not allow for an alternative view on sexuality and are willing to punish Christians and other people of faith for opposing homosexuality and transgenderism.

Some of them were on display recently in Oklahoma, as the New York Post reported earlier this month: "Transgender rights activists occupied the Oklahoma state Capitol’s rotunda...to protest a push...to limit so-called gender-affirming care in the state."

The article reported that, according to the Oklahoma Daily, some 150 people, chanting and holding signs and banners, entered the rotunda to protest these bills.  The article says:

One of the new proposals, Senate Bill 129, would ban health care professionals in the Sooner State from referring anyone under 26 for gender-affirming care, including both surgical and non-surgical interventions.

The second bill, Senate Bill 252, aims to prevent anyone under 18 from undergoing a sex change operation.

The Post article said, referring to Gov. Kevin Stitt: "In his State of the State address...Stitt called for a statewide ban on gender affirmation surgeries and other treatments for minors, the Oklahoma Daily said.

One protestor said: "Lawmakers fear the trans community as if trans people are coming for their kids, but in reality, trans people just want to live and mind their business..."  But, we see in instance after instance that there is a significant effort to do force the trans agenda on children, and those that protested inside the Capitol building were certainly not minding their business. 

Ruling in favor of FCA under court scrutiny

At Faith Radio, we are so appreciative of the ministry of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, that provides young people with Christian teaching and fellowship, and provides an avenue for students to come to Christ. WORLD Magazine reported recently on a court case, in which FCA was sued and received a positive ruling, that is now in danger of being reversed.

The article notes that the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals had ruled that, "the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at San Jose’s Pioneer High School had a right to follow its statement of Biblical beliefs about marriage and sexuality."  But, recently, the 9th Circuit had set that ruling aside, meaning that, as WORLD puts it, "For the time being, the school district may ban the group unless it opens its leadership to students who do not adhere to its statement of faith."

Article writer Steve West says: 

Even though the appeals court directed the school to recognize FCA and allow students to meet, the controversy did not end, Becket counsel Daniel Blomberg told me. School officials complied, approved FCA’s request for official recognition but then refused to recognize any other student clubs throughout the district. Rather than meet and be subject to harassment by other students and some teachers, FCA students decided to meet privately for prayer.

The article goes on to say:

At this point, there is nothing to prevent the school district from ejecting FCA from campus once again, said Blomberg. “The students are no longer protected from the same school district that has been attacking them for years,” he said. Becket attorneys are evaluating whether to seek protection from the appeals court while the case is reconsidered.

The full 11-member appeals court will be hearing the case on March 20 in California. 

The 3 - February 12, 2023

This week's edition of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes some background on what is being termed a "revival" at a Kentucky university that went non-stop after a chapel meeting last Wednesday.  Also, a Jacksonville church is calling on members to affirm the Biblical viewpoint of sexuality and the sanctity of marriage.  And, a former Georgia police officer who affirmed the Biblical definition of marriage on his personal Facebook page has resigned after receiving opposition.

Asbury students gather non-stop for revival meetings

For some on the campus of Asbury University in Wilmore, KY, it may have seemed to be a normal Wednesday morning.  But, when God shows up - in His own way, according to His timing, He begins to do what He does - loving people and changing lives.  MinistryWatch reported:

On the morning of February 8, a seemingly normal chapel service took place at the campus’s Hughes Auditorium. It included a message about confession and repentance, according to reports. After the service was over, a group of students stayed behind to continue worshiping. Then more joined them.

The article quoted from Asbury Theological Seminary Vice President of Formation Matt Barnes, who stated this on Facebook: “God began pouring out his love among the students in a profound way. The students continued praying and worshiping even though chapel had concluded..." The MinistryWatch article said:

Asbury December graduate Elle Hooper told the Asbury Collegian, “I am one of many who have been praying for this since my freshman year. To be here and witness to this is life-giving.”

The Christian Post reported on what God has been doing on the campus; its report included comments from Alexandra Presta, the Executive Editor of the Collegian; it stated:

“I had left for a few minutes but then felt called to return. Since then, it hasn't stopped. It's been a mix of worship, testimony, prayer, confession, silence,” she explained, calling it “a full experience of the Holy Spirit.”

Presta estimated that as many as 1,000 people have come to the revival gathering since it started, noting that while “some have come and gone,” there are others who “have slept on the floor and continued to praise God nonstop.”

Jacksonville church issues statement on Biblical sexuality, requires members to affirm

The Church should be bold to declare what we believe; there should be no ambiguity regarding salvation, sin, holiness, and other areas where the Bible speaks clearly.

The Blaze website reported on a church in Jacksonville, FL where members, in order to retain membership, are being required to affirm their view on sexuality from a Biblical viewpoint.  The article said:

Last October, leaders of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida, developed a statement that recognizes exclusively traditional Christian beliefs regarding marriage and sexuality.

"As a member of First Baptist Church, I believe that God creates people in his image as either male or female, and that this creation is a fixed matter of human biology, not individual choice," the first half of the statement reads.

"I believe marriage is instituted by God, not government, is between one man and one woman, and is the only context for sexual desire and expression," the statement concludes, citing passages from Genesis, Matthew, Corinthians, and Romans to support that teaching.

The Senior Pastor of the church is Heath Lambert, who conducted a Q&A session about the statement.  The article reported:

Lambert and others hosted a question-and-answer session to address concerns regarding the statement. One woman who attended the meeting with "her partner" claimed that the statement erases the "existence" of "LGBTQ+ people."

But, the pastor rightly believes that sharing about God's standards is the loving thing to do, stating: "It is the ultimate demonstration of hatefulness for Christians to know about sin, to know that sin will separate sinners from God forever, and yet refuse to call sinners to repentance," adding, "On the other hand, it is the love of Christ to point out sin and call people to faith in Jesus."

Police officer in GA resigns after backlash against post on marriage

Jacob Kersey was a new police officer in the city of Port Wentworth, GA, outside of Savannah, according to an article at The Daily Signal, but he ran into trouble when he posted 20 words affirming the Biblical view of marriage on his personal Facebook page.  The article stated:

Kersey’s supervisor asked him to remove the post after someone complained.

When the young officer refused, he was placed on paid administrative leave. Kersey was ultimately given a choice by his command staff: Either agree not to post views that could be seen as controversial or face losing his job. Ultimately, Kersey made the choice to resign, explaining that he refuses to abandon his religious convictions.

In a Daily Signal podcast transcribed on the website, Kersey said:

"...I knew immediately that there’s no way that I could back down. Especially after standing up and encouraging people, saying, “Hey, stand up for what you believe. Don’t be silenced. Don’t let cancel culture cancel you. Share your story.” And I’ve been saying that for years.

And then when it happened to me, at first I was like, “I don’t know if I want to do this or not. There’s going to be a lot of naysayers.” But at the end of the day, I knew what I had to do. And I believe part of that was the Holy Spirit coming in and in the moment letting me know, “Hey, you have to do this.”