The 3 - July 25, 2021

This week's edition of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes a court ruling against a law in California that imposes punishment for "misgendering" a person, i.e., calling that person by a pronoun other than his or her preferred one.  Plus, a man fined for preaching on the streets of London has been exonerated.  And, a Texas judge has had his religious freedom affirmed by a federal appeals court.

California "misgendering" court decision a mixed bag

At first glance, a ruling by a California court struck down a law that prevented someone from calling another person by a pronoun other than his, or her, or whatever, so-called "preferred gender" might have seemed to be a positive one.  But, as The Daily Citizen from Focus on the Family points out, look again.

But first some history - its article on the ruling says that:

In 2017, the California legislature passed SB 219, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Long-Term Care Facility Residents’ Bill of Rights. This “misgendering” law criminalized the speech of employees of such facilities who on more than one occasion use a pronoun not in keeping with a patient’s “preferred pronouns.”

A group called Taking Offense sued, and the state appeals court said that, as the Daily Citizen puts it: "...once the government starts regulating the content of speech, only the most compelling government interests will survive, and even then, only if the law is narrowly tailored to achieve those interests." That law didn't meet that standard, according to the article.

But, as the court stated, "...we recognize the State has a compelling interest in eliminating discrimination against residents of long-term care facilities. However, we conclude the pronoun provision is not narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling government objective because it burdens speech more than is required to achieve the State’s compelling objective."

So far, so good - the law is out, but...

The bottom line, according to the Daily Citizen analysis by Bruce Hausknecht: "This decision, which could still be appealed to the California Supreme Court by either side, merely faults the state legislature for going too far in criminalizing someone who violates the law. The legislature has other, less severe, options for punishing people who 'misgender' someone, the justices wrote."

British street preacher exonerated

Joshua Sutcliffe is a 31-year-old man who proclaimed the gospel on the streets of London during the COVID lockdowns. According to The Christian Post:

Sutcliffe was detained and surrounded by four police officers as he was preaching and handing out leaflets in North London’s Camden area on Good Friday last April. He was told he was in breach of COVID-19 lockdown regulations by being outdoors without a reasonable excuse.

Sutcliffe explained to the officers that he was a pastor and worship leader and was outdoors to provide charitable services. However, he was cautioned and received a fixed penalty notice of $80 (£60), according to Premier Christian News.

For $80, one could say he could pay the fine and head home. But, he challenged the ruling, and, according to the Post, the London Magistrate Court determined he was: "'not guilty' as he 'was outside and that he had a reasonable excuse as he was traveling to his place of work, as a worship leader,' said Christian Legal Centre, which supported the preacher, in a statement released Friday." The article quotes Andrea Williams, the chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre:

Christians in the U.K. have been “easy targets” for the police during the pandemic “while other groups gathering in significant numbers have been favored by the police..."

Prayers still allowed in Texas courtroom

A judge in Montgomery County, Texas, Justice of the Peace Wayne Mack, can continue to have a volunteer chaplain offer prayers in his courtroom to open sessions, according to a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which is allowing the practice while a lawsuit filed against the judge by the so-called Freedom from Religion Foundation progresses, according to a story at CBNNews.com.

The article says:

The legal battle over Mack's tradition of prayers in the courtroom, which has been fought for years, reached a high watermark last month when U.S. Southern District Judge Kenneth Hoyt ruled prayers before court proceedings were unconstitutional, saying they violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

But the Fifth Circuit wrote Judge Mack "has made a strong showing that the district court erred" in siding with Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) in its lawsuit against the Montgomery County judge.

CBN News adds: "In his role as Justice of the Peace, Mack, a Christian, allows the multi-faith, volunteer chaplains to open his courtroom ceremonies with a brief invocation and the pledge of allegiance in order to honor their service. Mack allows those in attendance to leave the courtroom if they do not want to participate in the prayer."

The 3 - July 18, 2021

This week's edition of The 3 includes appeals court action that was favorable to Christian student groups on a university campus who wanted to make sure their leaders affirmed the Christian faith. And, a full appeals court upheld the "ministerial exemption," giving a religious organization the right to determine its own employment policies. And, a well-known evangelistic organization has received positive action in the case of a UK city that banned signage promoting one of its events.

Appeals court finds university was wrong to prevent Christian group from selecting leaders based on faith

Christian groups at the University of Iowa have encountered a double standard at the school, and courts are attempting to straighten out the mess. The Christian Post reported that a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled in favor of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and InterVarsity Graduate Christian Fellowship, which were not permitted by the university to choose their leaders because of Christian faith standards.

This is the second similar ruling by the appeals court - a three-judge panel had ruled earlier this year that the school unfairly discriminated against Business Leaders in Christ, "which turned away a student because the student, who was openly homosexual, did not want to adhere to the group’s statement of faith."  Interestingly enough, as the Christian Post points out, the gay student then formed a group that "requires its members and leaders to sign a ‘gay-affirming statement of Christian faith,’” according to the judge who heard the InterVarsity case.  The university did not take action against that group.

In the InterVarsity case, according to the Post:

Circuit Judge Jonathan A. Kobes authored the panel opinion, concluding that he was “hard-pressed to find a clearer example of viewpoint discrimination.”

“Of course, the University has a compelling interest in preventing discrimination. But it served that compelling interest by picking and choosing what kind of discrimination was okay,” wrote Kobes.

“Basically, some [registered student organizations] at the University of Iowa may discriminate in selecting their leaders and members, but others, mostly religious, may not. If the University honestly wanted a campus free of discrimination, it could have adopted an ‘all-comers’ policy …”

Church autonomy in hiring and firing upheld in appeals court ruling

The ability of a church or ministry organization to determine its employment criteria and practices was the key issue in a recent case before the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit recently, the totality of which reviewed a ruling by a three-judge panel of the court in the case, Demkovich v. St. Andrew the Apostle Parish. The panel had ruled against the Archdiocese, which was the defendent in the case.

Liberty Counsel reported that the court "ruled in favor of a Roman Catholic church in Chicago after a former music director sued the church when he was fired for violating Catholic doctrine and his employment agreement by entering a same-sex union. The court ruled that the First Amendment protected the church’s freedom to hire and fire the music director under the 'ministerial exemption,' and that the court had no business adjudicating claims regarding a 'hostile environment.'”

The website states:

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, “This court decision upholds First Amendment ‘ministerial exception’ that prevents the government from interfering with churches and religious organizations with respect to certain employment decisions. The Supreme Court also has held that these decisions regarding employment are protected under the ‘ministerial exception’ in order to safeguard the autonomy of religious organizations."

Violating religious freedom may cost the government - UK case rewards Franklin Graham and his organization

We have seen governmental entities who have been directed to pay churches for violating their religious freedom for their overreach in COVID-19 regulations. Now, in a story out of the UK, a city has admitted its wrongdoing in the promotion of an event involving evangelist Franklin Graham.

The BillyGraham.org website reported that:

The case centers on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s Lancashire Festival of Hope, which took place in Blackpool, England, in 2018. Simple bus ads that read “Time for Hope” were taken down because of Franklin Graham’s religious beliefs on traditional marriage.

In April, a U.K. judge ruled that Blackpool Borough Council and Blackpool Transport Services Limited were wrong in their decision to remove the advertisements, which she determined violated the Equality Act and the Human Rights Act.

In addition to a public apology, the city agreed to pay 70,000 pounds, or over $96,000, plus "(plus an amount to cover applicable tax) to cover legal costs incurred by the Festival, and, as the BGEA says, "most significantly," 25,000 pounds, or over $34,000, in "'just satisfaction' damages," which the Association says is "a clear message that this type of treatment to Christians will not be tolerated."

Franklin Graham said, “This is an important moment for religious freedom in the U.K.,” adding, “We’re grateful to God for the final outcome of this case, and for what it will mean for churches and Christians across the U.K. in the years ahead.”

The 3 - July 11, 2021

Non-profit organizations have been making headlines, and in this edition of The 3, I share information about a Christian group that had initially been denied non-profit status, but had that denial reversed. And, a U.S. Supreme Court decision has stated that non-profits do not have to release names of their donors.  Plus, 20 state attorneys general have reached out to the Biden administration, challenging policies announced by two federal agencies regarding special considerations based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

IRS changes course, grants non-profit status to Christian group

The Internal Revenue Service a number of years ago was chastised for punishing Christian and conservative groups.  One group was the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.  A 2012 USA Today article stated:

In a blistering letter to President Barack Obama, the Rev. Franklin Graham said the IRS targeted the two non-profits he heads with an audit last year after the organizations took out ads urging people to support biblical principles on marriage and in choosing political candidates.

In the letter, dated Tuesday, Graham said in light of recent revelations that the Internal Revenue Service targeted conservative groups with "tea party" or "patriot" in their names, he does not believe the audit was "a coincidence — or justifiable."

Does it sound like history may be repeating itself?  The BGEA publication Decision Magazine reported recently on the case of a Christian organization that had applied for 501(c)(3) non-profit status.  According to the magazine's website: 

In May, IRS Exempt Organizations Director Stephen A. Martin rejected Christian Engaged’s application to become tax-exempt, saying the group’s “Bible teachings” on abortion, marriage and other issues were primarily affiliated with the Republican Party, and therefore disqualified the organization from receiving nonprofit status.

But, there is good news - the IRS reversed that decision. Decision reported that, "Religious freedom law firm First Liberty Institute represented Christians Engaged in its appeal, and on July 7, announced that the IRS had done an about-face and had granted the organization tax-exempt status." The organization's President, Bunni Pounds, is quoted as saying, “I am incredibly thankful to the IRS for doing the right thing, and we look forward to continuing our mission of educating more followers of Jesus to pray for our nation and to be civically engaged. When we stand up, our republic works for all Americans.”

High court says non-profit organizations should not be forced to disclose donor information

And, at least at this point, based on a U.S. Supreme Court decision, Christians Engaged and other non-profit organizations will not have to disclose sensitive donor information. 

Alliance Defending Freedom reported on its website about a Michigan-based organization, the Thomas More Law Center, which has roughly 5% of its donors in California. Back in 2012, "the Attorney General’s Office began to harass the center, demanding the names and addresses of its largest financial supporters."

ADF notes that "A district court trial showed that the office leaked such information like a sieve and created a perfect target for hackers by storing confidential donor information on the internet, where the data could be easily discovered."

The case went all the way to the high court, which said, according to the Alliance, "The court determined that state governments cannot impose blanket donor-disclosure requirements forcing charities and other nonprofit organizations to disclose their donors, which would thereby subject them to the possibility of adverse treatment simply for supporting causes with which some people may disagree."

ADF Senior Counsel and Vice President of Appellate Advocacy John Bursch stated, “Potential givers to charities have good reason to fear being doxed—that is, having their public information spread for malicious purposes...Too many are quick to ostracize, lambast, and threaten those with whom they disagree. Everyone should condemn this behavior—often described as ‘cancel culture’—and we’re pleased the Supreme Court did so today.”

Over 20 state attorneys general call out Administration's LGBTQ policies

In the U.S. Supreme Court's Bostock decision, according to a ChristianHeadlines.com article, "the justices ruled that federal law prohibits discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation and gender identity."  Now, Federal agencies are apparently rushing headlong to broaden the narrow decision.

The article relates that 21 state attorneys general are pushing back against Administration attempts to apply the ruling in areas that the high court may have not intended and have sent a letter to that effect.  For instance, the AG's highlight recently released guidance in response to Bostock.  The article states:

The attorneys general letter charges that the EEOC guidance “appears to ignore” two of three “protections provided to religious employers.” Those two are Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which has “express statutory exception for religious organizations” and the First Amendment’s protections of “the employment relationship between a religious institution and its ministers,” the letter says.

The letter also notes that, according to Christian Headlines: "A Q&A on the EEOC website says that 

'use of pronouns or names that are inconsistent with an individual’s gender identity' can be 'considered harassment' in 'certain circumstances.'"

And the article notes that: "The letter also accuses the Department of Education of violating federal law related to sports and the usage of locker rooms and restrooms."  

The letter was issued on letterhead from the Tennessee Attorney General's office and included signatures from the AG's of Alabama and Georgia.  

The 3 - July 4, 2021

This week's edition of The 3 includes news from the U.S. Supreme Court, including the rejection of two cases involving a violation of God's view of sexuality, as stated in His Word: a floral designer in Washington state who would not provide creative products for a same-sex wedding ceremony has found her case rejected by the high court and the high court also rejected the case of a Virginia biological female identifying as a male who demanded that her school district accommodate her in private spaces, such as restrooms.  And, the U.S. State Department has invented a "third" gender option on passport applications. 

Floral designer's case will not be heard by high court

After around eight years of bouncing up and down the Washington state and federal court systems, Barronelle Stutzman, described as a "floral artist" on the Alliance Defending Freedom website is no closer to finding relief in the courts after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear her case.

As the ADF website states, a longtime customer of Stutzman's shop, Arlene's Flowers, came to the store one day with a request to provide flowers for a same-sex wedding ceremony.  The site says:

...when Rob asked her to design floral arrangements to celebrate his same-sex wedding, Barronelle knew that because of her Christian beliefs about marriage, she couldn’t agree.

So, she walked Rob to a quiet part of her shop, took his hand in her own, and gently told him why she couldn’t do what he asked. Barronelle then referred Rob to three local floral artists who she knew would do a good job. They chatted a few more minutes about Rob’s wedding plans, hugged, and then Rob left the shop.

Unfortunately, Rob's partner wrote about the encounter on social media, the Washington Attorney General got involved, and filed a lawsuit.  The Washington Supreme Court ruled against her in 2017, and that year, "Barronelle appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. It then sent her case back to the Washington Supreme Court in June 2018 after the decision in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case."  The Washington high court against ruled against her, prompting the appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, which refused to hear the case. 

High court also sides with biological female identifying as male in case involving use of private spaces

Another repeat performance at the Supreme Court occurred within the past week.  A case the high court had heard several years ago, in which it had offered a stay on a lower court action, came before the justices again, and this time, the case of a biological female identifying as male was rejected.

The Christian Post reports that:

In 2015, Grimm, born female but identifies as male, filed a lawsuit against Gloucester County Public Schools. The student claimed that policies preventing trans-identified students from using bathrooms and sex-specific changing areas that correspond with their gender identity violated Title IX civil rights law.

At issue was the preference of Grimm to use the boy’s restrooms and locker rooms, despite being biologically female.

Later that year, a federal district court judge ruled against Grimm, but a three-judge panel of the Fourth Circuit ruled in favor of the student the next year.  The Supreme Court put that ruling on hold and sent it back down to the appeals court, it went back to the district level, then to the Fourth Circuit, which ruled against the school district yet again last year; the case was turned back by the Supreme Court this past week. It is worth noting that the high school Grimm attended had actually constructed single-use restrooms in order to accommodate Grimm. 

State Department to issue "third-gender" option

More gender-related confusion is on the way, this time from the U.S. State Department, which has announced it will offer a third option on passport applications in the future.

ChristianHeadlines.com reports that:

Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the announcement in a statement, saying the change is part of the Biden administration’s commitment “to promoting the freedom, dignity, and equality of all people – including LGBTQI+ persons.”

“We will be updating our procedures to allow applicants to self-select their gender as ‘M’ or ‘F’ and will no longer require medical certification if an applicant’s self-selected gender does not match the gender on their other citizenship or identity documents,” Blinken said.

The State Department, Blinken said, has begun moving toward “adding a gender marker for non-binary, intersex, and gender non-conforming” persons applying for a passport or Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA).

This prompted Franklin Graham to post on Twitter, according to the article:

This administration seems to have declared war on common sense, & they want everyone to go along w/a lie. This is another reminder of the desperate need for Christians to PRAY for our nation & all those in leadership—whether we agree with them or not. We need God’s mercy & help.

The 3 - June 27, 2021

In this week's edition of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, a Louisville police officer who prayed at an abortion clinic has been reinstated after initially being suspended. And, an Army chaplain facing a suspension will not be facing punishment.  Plus, a Colorado mayor stirred up a controversy when he announced a ban on the Pledge of Allegiance at government meetings.

Louisville police officer back on the job after suspension for praying at abortion clinic

In Louisville, KY back in February, an off-duty police officer and his father prayed in front of an abortion clinic in the city; according to Kentucky Today, this resulted in disciplinary action against the officer.  The article states:

Shortly after starting his regular patrol duty later that morning, the officer was ordered to return to his division’s office, where he was placed on administrative leave with pay, pending an investigation. The decorated 13-year veteran had no prior disciplinary violations.

The Thomas More Society went to work on behalf of the officer, and he was reinstated after it was pointed out that he did not violate any department rules and that officers who had participated in protests related to other causes had not been disciplined. Attorney Matt Heffron said, “We are happy for the officer that the Louisville Police Department finally did the right thing and put a good policeman back on the streets,” adding, “But it is astounding to those of us defending him – shocking actually – that the police department would treat a hardworking, loyal officer this way. They left him twisting in the wind for four months because of off-duty prayer.”

Army chaplain who shared beliefs re: LGBTQ will not be punished

And, there's more good news about someone who perhaps would be facing a reprimand or dismissal because of speaking out consistent with his Christian views. In this case, it's an Army chaplain named (Major) Andrew Calvert.  

CBN.com related:

As CBN News reported in May, the Army harshly reprimanded a Calvert for an old post on his personal Facebook page supporting the Department of Defense's (DOD) exclusion of transgender service members, which was DOD policy at the time the post was made.

Calvert was punished after expressing his religious beliefs in a news article in support of the DOD policy.

Calvert was suspended, but it was announced last week that the chaplain, with 16 years of service, would not be reprimanded, which, as CBN notes, "clears the way for Chaplain Calvert's record to be cleared, resulting in the possibility of future promotions and assignments." First Liberty represented the chaplain.

Colorado mayor bans Pledge of Allegiance at public government meetings

The mayor of a small Colorado city with a population of less than 600, Shane Fuhrman of Silverton, made the announcement recently that the Pledge of Allegiance would no longer be said before government meetings. The Christian Post related that the mayor said, “Due to direct and indirect threats, inappropriate comments in and out of public meetings, and the general divisiveness this is creating in our community, we will not be doing the Pledge of Allegiance during town of Silverton Board of Trustees meetings, and it’s removed from agendas and or protocols until such time that we can discuss this at a board retreat or workshop..."

At the meeting, one of the city's residents who was there for the public comment period said: “I would like to make one comment. I would like to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance..." The Post reported, "A few of the board members and those attending the public meeting defied the mayor's order and recited the pledge anyway."

Even Franklin Graham spoke out against the mayor's actions. He said on Facebook, “When they were finished, Mayor Fuhrman said they were out of order and that they would be asked to leave if they did it again,” adding, “I think this mayor is the one who is out of order! It’s a shame that an elected official would feel this way about the Pledge of Allegiance. It’s important that we take time to recognize and honor our country’s flag — a flag that represents the freedom that so many fought and died for. I’m proud of these citizens and trustees for standing up for that. Silverton may need to re-think who they select for mayor."

The 3 - June 20, 2021

This week's edition of The 3, highlighting three stories of relevance to the Christian community, spotlights developments from the recent Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Nashville, the country's high court has issued a ruling in favor of a foster care agency that would not place children in the homes of LGBTQ couples, and a Colorado cake baker who won a victory several years ago before the high court received a negative ruling from a federal court in another case.

SBC annual meeting takes unexpected turns

The annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention occurred last week in Nashville, and over 15,000 messengers were registered for the event, the first since the Birmingham convention in 2019 - there was not a meeting last year due to COVID-19.

Prior to the convention, there was an expectation that the issue of critical race theory would be a major flashpoint.  And, the influence of the new organization calling Southern Baptists to adherence to Scripture on that and other issues, would be tested.

Coming out of the convention, a number of major issues had emerged, based on media reports from a variety of sources, including The Tennessean and The Baptist Paper.

The Conservative Baptist Network endorsed candidates for President, 1st Vice-President, and 2nd Vice-President of the Convention.  Of those three, African-American Lee Brand won the 1st VP slot.  Presidential candidate Mike Stone lost narrowly to Ed Litton.  While some hailed these as well as other policy matters as defeats for the CBN, members on social media seemed to be positive about the strength of the organization.

The CRT situation was handled by a combined resolution by the Resolutions Committee that did not mention critical race theory by name, but supported racial reconciliation, decried racism, and rejected views in this area that did not line up with Scripture.  The resolution passed, but those who would have liked CRT to be named were not pleased with it.  

The SBC is a collection of autonomous churches who have decided to affiliate ideally because Convention membership can produce greater fruit for the gospel.  The Convention rejected elements "top-down" leadership in the Nashville meeting, approving a resolution to override a decision by the Executive Committee to appoint a third-party organization to investigate the Committee's actions on sexual abuse and taking that appointment out of the hands of the EC.  A recommendation of greater financial oversight of the Committee was rejected by convention messengers.  And, Stone, the most recent EC President was rejected in his bid for Convention President.

Litton, who has participated in racial reconciliation efforts in Mobile, Alabama, but who has spoken dismissively of the impact of critical race theory, according to Newsweek, was elected Convention President in a runoff.  He is thought by some to be the less theologically conservative of the two remaining candidates, but insists that he is someone who can build bridges in an admittedly fractured Convention.

Those fractures were apparent at the Convention and on social media leading up to the annual meeting. Now, Southern Baptists have a chance to refocus on missions and evangelism, maximizing adherence to Scripture while minimizing divisiveness.  While media like to focus on the national organization, which is important for a number of reasons, including accountability and allocation of resources to do Kingdom work, there is tremendous potential for impact through each local church - and that is applicable regardless of denomination.

U.S. Supreme Court favors adoption agency in LGBTQ-related challenge

In a unanimous ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Catholic Social Services in Philadelphia, in a case that was spurred on by the city's termination of its contract with the agency because CSS would not place foster children in the homes of same-sex couples.

CBN.com reported that the court stated: "The refusal of Philadelphia to contract with CSS for the provision of foster care services unless CSS agrees to certify same-sex couples as foster parents violates the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment."

The report quotes Jeff Medefind, President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans, who said: "This Fulton ruling means that people of diverse convictions can still serve side by side for the good of vulnerable children in our communities..."

As CBN pointed out:

The city of Philadelphia created an issue where there wasn't one because Catholic Social Services says no same-sex couples ever asked to work with them. CSS says if that did happen they would refer the couple to another group. Due to its biblical beliefs, the Catholic agency also does not certify unmarried couples.

Colorado cake baker faces fine for refusal to bake gender transition cake

Yet again, Colorado baker Jack Phillips of Masterpiece Cakeshop went before the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, the group that was charged with religious hostility by a Supreme Court justice in the Masterpiece case before the high court. 

The Daily Citizen reports on a recent decision by a federal judge, resulting from a request from a transgender individual, Autumn Scardina, to bake a cake celebrating his gender transition. Phillips refused, the individual filed a complaint, but the Commission chose not to go after Jack again. So, Scardina filed a federal lawsuit.  According to the website: "The court’s decision, dated June 15, rejects Jack’s defense that Scardina’s request would prompt him to have to violate his conscience and create a cake with a message he disagreed with."

The article stated, "Jack’s lawyers at Alliance Defending Freedom have already announced their intent to appeal Judge Jones’ decision to the Colorado Court of Appeals. Jones imposed the maximum fine allowable under the Colorado statute: $500."

The 3 - June 13, 2021

This week's edition of The 3, featuring three new stories relevant to the Christian community, includes more state-level pro-life legislation, this week with a North Carolina bill prohibiting abortion "based on race or a disability," and a Louisiana bill that provides for women who have taken the the first dose of an abortion bill to be informed about reversing the process.  Also, the suspension of a Virginia teacher who spoke up against school board policy regarding the use of gender identity pronouns has been temporarily halted.  And a Nevada church has received thousands of dollars from a state agency due to the state governor's overreach in unfairly placing COVID restrictions on churches that we stricter than comparable secular venues.

More pro-life legislation on the state level: NC, LA

Last week, the Susan B. Anthony List reported that 89 pro-life bills had become law during the year 2021 alone.  And, that was before North Carolina passed a piece of legislation that would, according to the organization's website, prevent abortion "based on race or a disability such as Down syndrome."

The article quotes Tami Fitzgerald, Executive Director of NC Values Coalition, who said:

“The North Carolina Values Coalition backs this bill because every child should have the chance to live a full, happy life. We look forward to North Carolina joining the leading edge of states enacting protections against the discrimination of unborn children.”

Tara Sander Lee of the Charlotte Lozier Institute, the research arm of the SBA List, and Katie Shaw, described as an "anti-discrimination advocate," testified before the state Senate, saying:

Sixteen states have enacted bans on one or more types of discrimination abortion – including 12 states that protect unborn children diagnosed with Down syndrome. Polling shows that 70% of oppose abortion based on the expectation that an unborn child may have Down syndrome.

National Right to Life reported on a recent bill out of Louisiana that "...informs women who have taken the first pill in a chemical abortion that, if they regret their decision, there may be options available to sustain their pregnancy and they should contact their physician immediately."

Court reverses suspension of teacher speaking out against gender pronouns in VA

The PE teacher in Loudoun County, Virginia who was suspended because he spoke out against school board policy forcing teachers to use pronouns corresponding to a student's so-called "gender identity" has been reinstated, at least temporarily. Alliance Defending Freedom announced this past week that  the "retaliation" against teacher Tanner Cross has been put on hold while his legal action against the board continues.

Cross was suspended, according to the ADF website, "for speaking against two proposed policies during the public comment period of a school board meeting." The Christian legal advocacy group was pleased that Loudoun County Circuit Court had ruled in favor of Cross, with President and CEO Michael Farris saying: "Educators are just like everybody else—they have ideas and opinions that they should be free to express. Advocating for solutions they believe in should not cost them their jobs. School officials singled out his speech, offered in his private capacity at a public meeting, as ‘disruptive’ and then suspended him for speaking his mind. That’s neither legal nor constitutional."

NV church to receive payment as a result of COVID restriction overreach

It has now become costly for states to have clamped down on church gatherings during the height of the COVID crisis while allow secular gatherings to have fewer restrictions.  In Nevada, according to an article at The Christian Post, the Nevada Board of Examiners agreed to pay $175,000 to Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley. The church had sued the state in May of last year, claiming that the Governor, as the article notes, was "treating churches worse than secular institutions in the state's COVID-19 rules."

For instance, as the Post states, "while churches could only have 50 people in attendance regardless of the size of the building, secular businesses like casinos and gyms could operate at 50% capacity."  A lower court judge had ruled against the church and the U.S. Supreme Court had allowed that ruling to stand.

However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit had ruled in favor of the church in December. The Post says that, "Judge Milan D. Smith Jr. wrote in the panel opinion that the church 'has demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits of its Free Exercise claim.'” 

The Board of Examiners awarded $175k to the church in order to provide for legal fees in accordance with court requirements. 

The 3 - June 6, 2021

This week's edition of The 3 includes controversy over the content of high school graduation speeches, including two in Michigan, where seniors were allowed to deliver messages with religious content, and an unfortunate pro-abortion message in a ceremony in Texas.  Also, a pro-life ad centered around the U.S. Supreme Court's acceptance of a pro-life law out of Mississippi has been rejected by several networks.  And, Florida now has a bill that bans biological males from participating in female sports, which the NCAA has seemingly backed down from punishing states that pass these types of laws.

Schools attempt to ban religious speech in graduation messages, pro-abortion message sails through

It is that time of year in which we routinely hear about attempts to limit religious content in graduation speeches, and this year, there have been two failed attempts to curtail that type of speech.  CBN.com reports that Elizabeth Turner, a high school valedictorian in Hillsdale, Michigan, had been initially prevented from delivering Christian content in her speech, but the administration has relented; First Liberty Institute represented Turner. The article said that "Turner...said she is 'grateful I will be able to share my faith with my classmates, and I pray that God uses this situation to advance His kingdom.'"

And, another Michigan principal attempted to prevent Savannah Lefler, a high school senior in Westland, from including Christian content in a graduation speech, but First Liberty sent a letter to the administration.  CBN reports:

In response, the school said it would make a "one-time non-negotiable relinquishment of control" and permit Savannah to recite her speech freely. A disclaimer would be included, indicating that the speech was not endorsed by the school.

Savannah said, "May God be glorified in the situation...I'm thankful I will be able to share my faith in Christ with my classmates and pray that this never happens to another student in the future."

Meanwhile, an article at The Christian Post website highlights a Texas senior who abandoned her approved speech and launched criticism of a new pro-life bill in the state and attempted to defend a woman's right to terminate the life of her unborn baby. 

Dallas high school valedictorian Paxton Smith said, "I cannot give up this platform to promote complacency and peace when there is a war on my body and a war on my rights, a war on the rights of your mothers, a war on the rights of your sisters, and a war on the rights of your daughters,” adding, “We cannot stay silent.”  Smith received acclaim from some high-profile politicians and entertainers.

Pro-life ad rejected by networks

Yet several media networks have decided that a pro-life ad does not meet their criteria, according to an article at ChurchLeaders.com, which said that a 30-second announcement produced by the Susan B. Anthony List and highlighting the case that the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear regarding Mississippi's 15-week abortion ban, was rejected by a number of networks. 

CBS, Country Music Television, and Hallmark Channel have refused to run the ad, but as the article points out: "CBS, Hallmark Channel, and CMT have aired controversial LGBTQ commercials, Planned Parenthood commercials, and sexual enhancement commercials."

The text of the ad?

Five decades of medical breakthroughs. Every age group has more opportunity to live, except one. The unborn still fall victim to outdated laws. Science tells us that at 15 weeks these babies have formed faces. They smile, they yawn, they feel pain. It’s why European countries ban late term abortions. In five decades we’ve learned they are just like us. Isn’t time the law reflects the science?

Trans sports bill signed by FL governor on first day of Pride month, NCAA backs away from tournament sanctions

While it seems that culture is being bombarded by the June celebration of so-called Pride Month, emphasizing the LGBTQ agenda, Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, the day before the month began offered a contrary message.

ChristianHeadlines.com reported that:

The legislation, titled the Fairness in Women's Sports Act, orders athletes to compete in sports correlating to their biological sex, Faithwire reports.

"I can tell you this in Florida," DeSantis said during a press conference Monday. "Girls are going to play girls' sports and boys are going to play boys' sports. That's what we're doing."

The governor denied that the timing intentionally coincided with Pride Month, but he did say: ""We believe that it's important to have integrity in the competition and we think it's important that they're able to compete on a level playing field," adding, "You've seen what's happened when you don't have that."

Meanwhile, as more states, including Florida and Alabama, have passed legislation that requires biological males to compete according to their biological gender, not supposed gender identity, the NCAA, which had signaled that it might punish states which pass such legislation by refusing to present tournaments in those locations, has apparently backed down from its threats, since so many ideal venues might no longer have been in play. Family Research Council reported:

For each state that joins the ranks of those defending sane, science-based policies, the potential firepower of corporations and the media is diluted. Three states passed laws protecting women's sports this year. All three are hosting NCAA softball regionals, despite the league's threats to the contrary.

Those states were Arkansas, Tennessee, and Alabama.

The 3 - May 30, 2021

This week's edition of The 3 includes the story out of Virginia, where a teacher has been suspended because of his public stand against a new policy requiring teachers to use students' so-called "preferred pronouns" based on gender identity.  Also, a Christian realtor in Minnesota has decided to let his license expire rather than comply with new policies that could cause ramifications if he were to speak out against the LGBTQ agenda.  And, a theft ring that was stealing money from churches in Florida has apparently been halted by law enforcement there.

Virginia teacher suspended for refusal to uphold pronoun policy for transgender students

A PE teacher in Loudoun County, Virginia, has been suspended because of his opposition to new school district policy regarding using pronouns referring to a student's gender identity, not his or her biology. According to Faithwire, teacher Byron "Tanner" Cross spoke at a recent school board meeting regarding the policy "requiring all staff to use students’ preferred pronouns and to allow transgender students to participate in sports activities however they identify, regardless of their biological sex."

Cross said that "I love all of my students, but I will never lie to them regardless of the consequences,” adding, “I’m a teacher but I serve God first and I will not affirm that a biological boy can be a girl, and vice versa, because it’s against my religion. It’s lying to a child. It’s abuse to a child. And it’s sinning against our God.”  He said his comments were shared out of love for those struggling with gender dysphoria.  He referred to a recent 60 Minutes report that, according to the article, saying:

“’60 Minutes’ this past Sunday interviewed over 30 young people who transitioned,” Cross said, “but they felt led astray because of lack of pushback or how easy it was to make physical changes to their bodies in just three months. They are now de-transitioning.”

Christian realtor gives up license in light of position on LGBTQ

CBN.com reports on a Christian real estate agent who has decided to let his license lapse rather than to comply with his supervisor's demands that he not speak out in opposition to "LGBTQ+ issues."  That's what agent Matt Moore said to Faithwire.

According to CBN, Moore had "published an open letter to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), which had recently updated the language in its code of ethics in a way he argued could spark 'discrimination against Christian realtors.'” He went on to say that, “As public awareness of the fact that realtors can be reported for things said and done outside of real estate increases,...realtors who express a historic Christian view on homosexual and transsexual behavior could become regular targets for undeserved allegations of hate speech.”

Hundreds of thousands of dollars stolen from churches in Florida and other states

$740,000 has been stolen from churches throughout the state of Florida and beyond by a group based in Romania and operating out of Orlando; it is reported by ChristianHeadlines.com that this was accomplished "by stealing contribution checks from their mailboxes and cashing them."  The article states:

Authorities said the money was spent on automobiles, food, clothing and high-value wire transfers to Romania, Fox News reports. In what officials are dubbing "Operation Thou Shalt Not Steal," four people have been detained, and two more are wanted.

636 churches total were victimized, with over 350 in Florida. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued a press release in which Commissioner Rick Swearingen is quoted, saying, "This low-tech yet well-organized effort to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of mailed-in charitable donations — at a time when donations may have been most needed — has been stopped."

The 3 - May 23, 2021

This week's edition of The 3, featuring three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes the announcement that the U.S. Supreme Court will take the case of a pro-life law out of Mississippi.  Also, pro-life legislation has continued to advance, with at least two bills moving forward this past week. And, a federal judge has turned back a request by a Christian college which may be forced to allow biological males and females to share areas that previously have been separated by gender.

U.S. Supreme Court to hear Mississippi pro-life law

There has been anticipation for quite some time that the U.S. Supreme Court would accept a case that would weaken or overturn the drastic decision, Roe v. Wade, resulting in legalized abortion in America. There is speculation that a case out of Mississippi could affect the scope of that ruling.

Live Action News reports that:

The Supreme Court of the United States announced on Monday that it will hear the case surrounding Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban known as the “Gestational Age Act,” HB 1510. The case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, gives SCOTUS the opportunity to reconsider Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion in the United States in 1973, as well as Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the 1992 Supreme Court case that affirmed Roe v. Wade and set viability as the standard for when abortion can and cannot be restricted.

But what was considered "viability" even in 1992 is not how the term should necessarily be regarded today. Lila Rose, Founder and President of Live Action, stated: "The Supreme Court must acknowledge what science has long revealed: that a unique and individual human life beings at the moment of fertilization. They must recognize that the arbitrary line of viability is an ever-changing goalpost as science and technology advance, and a child’s ability to survive outside the womb should not determine his or her humanity or right not be murdered in a violent abortion.”

A federal district court and appeals court had ruled against the law, according to the article, which says that the justices could hear the case this fall, paving the way for a decision next year.

(More) pro-life victories in the states

The Supreme Court decision to accept the Mississippi law comes as the result of a set of lawmakers in one state to pass solid pro-life legislation.  That has been occurring in states all across the union.  Alabama, in addition to passing a strong pro-life bill in 2019, preceded by a constitutional amendment affirming life in 2018, completed the passage of another pro-life bill in the waning hours of the recent regular session.

Yellowhammer News reported that last Monday night, "Alabama Senate on Monday unanimously gave final passage to HB 237, which now heads to Governor Kay Ivey’s desk after passing the House earlier in the session." The article said that the bill would "... purport to safeguard against infanticide by requiring a doctor to administer the same level of medical care to a child born alive after an abortion attempt as they would any other child.

The Susan B. Anthony List reported that there have been over 530 pro-life bills proposed to state legislatures this year alone. Over 60 have become law, including a Texas bill, the Heartbeat Bill, that SBA List describes as "legislation to ban abortion in the state as early as a fetal heartbeat can be detected." The article on the organization's website points out, "A growing body of literature and emerging science continually affirms the humanity of unborn children."

Judge allows Administration to force college to force restrooms and locker rooms to be open to members of opposite sex

The federal government is intent on forcing schools to adopt radical policies that force biological men and women to share what has traditionally been gender-specific, such as a restroom or locker room. And, it's even more insidious when Christian schools are being forced to violate their principles in order to comply.

ChristianHeadlines.com reports that a federal district judge has denied a petition by College of the Ozarks in Missouri " to block enforcement of a new Biden administration rule that the school says will force it to open dorms and showers to students who identify as the opposite sex."

The article stated:

At issue is a new directive by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in entities covered by the Fair Housing Act.

It added, "The directive was issued in accordance with an LGBT-themed executive order by President Biden."

The 3 - May 16, 2021

On The 3 this week, there are new developments out of Canada involving a pastor who had been visited by law enforcement around Easter regarding alleged violations of COVID regulations - he has now been arrested.  And, under new guidelines from the government, there may be attempts to force health professionals to perform surgeries designed to alter someone's gender. Also, there are Christian leaders who are speaking out regarding a tense situation in Israel.

Another Canadian pastor arrested for alleged COVID violations

In the Canadian province of Alberta, another pastor has been arrested due to his church's decision to gather in worship in violation of COVID-19 restrictions. The Christian Post reports that:

Canadian Pastor Artur Pawlowski, who kicked police out of his church after they tried to shut down a worship service during Holy Week, and his brother, Dawid Pawlowski, have been arrested for holding an “illegal” in-person gathering as per COVID-19 limits set by a new court order.

The story refers to a YouTube video that shows five police vehicles were sent in order to arrest the brothers, who were confronted by the road after the church service. The Calgary Police Force said that the Pawlowskis “have both been arrested and charged with organizing an illegal in-person gathering, including requesting, inciting or inviting others to attend an illegal public gathering, promoting and attending an illegal public gathering..."

Meanwhile, the trial of Edmonton, Alberta pastor James Coates occurred earlier this month.  According to the Justice Center for Constitutional Freedoms, the trial has been adjourned until June 7. The judge will announce if the pastor's constitutional rights were violated. Also, as the website points out, the provincial government will be "forced to produce their evidence for lockdowns."

Also, just this past weekend, another Canadian pastor was arrested due to his violation of public health restrictions due to COVID.  CBC.ca reports that Tim Stephens, a pastor in Calgary, "was arrested for organizing a church service on Sunday at Fairview Baptist Church in southeast Calgary, in violation of a Court of Queen's Bench Order that requires organizers of events to comply with public health restrictions."  The article reports:

Churches are currently limited to a maximum occupancy of 15 people, in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Alberta. The province has the highest active case rate in the country, with more than 22,000 active cases.

Stephens had written in a blog post, according to the article: "Restricting the church to 15 people — which essentially restricts the church from gathering — is against the will of Christ and against the conscience of many who desire to worship the Lord of glory according to his word..."

U.S. government department announces changes that could result in attempt to force medical pros to participate in gender change surgeries

Health professionals who wish to object to being involved in surgeries to help someone "change" their gender could face a backlash under new regulations from the Department of Health and Human Services, according to the Family Research Council, which reported on its website this past Monday:

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra announced today an "update" regarding the enforcement and interpretation of Obamacare Section 1557, indicating that it will now interpret discrimination "on the basis of sex" to include "sexual orientation" and "gender identity."

FRC President Tony Perkins said, "Sex is not subjective; it is an objective biological reality. Now, the Biden administration wants to punish medical professionals for recognizing this fact. Gender transition procedures are not fully embraced within the medical community because of their severe, negative, psychological, and physical impacts."

Christian groups had warned against putting Becerra in a Cabinet position over health, and this is one example. The Secretary appeared on Capitol Hill this week and denied the existence of a law that he, in fact, voted against. The Federalist reported:

When asked whether he would uphold a law banning partial-birth abortions during the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Health Subcommittee hearing, Becerra denied there was a law against it.

“There is no law that deals specifically with the term partial-birth abortions,” Becerra told Republican Rep. Gus Bilirakis.

The article states:

Despite Becerra’s assertion, there are laws that define partial-birth abortions. Not only does the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 characterize it, but the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the law and its definition in Gonzales v. Carhart.

In his confirmation hearings, Sen. Mitt Romney asked Becerra why he voted against "a ban on partial-birth abortion." Becerra, a former U.S. House member, stated, "I understand that people have different deeply held beliefs on this issue. … We may not always agree on where to go, but I think we can find some common ground..."

Christian leaders call for prayer amidst unrest in Middle East

Israel is continuing to defend itself against unprovoked attacks from Hamas in the Gaza Strip, with missiles being fired by the Gaza Strip and other areas and violence occurring on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.  And, Christian leaders are speaking out and calling for peace, according to ChristianHeadlines.com.

Franklin Graham posted on Facebook, according to the article: "I have many friends who live in Israel, both Arab and Jew, so we are very concerned about the situation there. People have been killed, families are cowering in fear in bomb shelters, and they need our prayers. As we are commanded in the Scriptures, let us "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (Psalm 122:6)."

Tony Evans tweeted, "My heart goes out to the people impacted through the heightened Middle East conflict. Having recently visited that region, I'm reminded of the many wonderful people I met, and request us all to pray for those who are suffering."

The article also mentions a post from Ed Young, who pastors Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas, stating that he "also called for prayer in a Facebook post, writing, 'Pray with me. For protection of the innocent. For peace. For loved ones lost. For our leaders. In Jesus name. #PrayForIsrael.'"

The 3 - May 9, 2021

This week's edition of The 3 includes a ruling out of a federal appeals court saying that a juror who admitted he received divine guidance should not have been removed from a jury.  Also, a pastor in the UK was arrested for speaking publicly about his belief in the traditional, Biblical definition of marriage.  And, a large city in Texas has become the largest city in the country to declare itself a "sanctuary city" for the unborn.

Federal appeals court finds that juror who sought counsel from God should not have been removed

In 2017, a former member of Congress, Corinne Brown, stood trial for fraud. One of the jurors, during the process of deliberation, said that he had received guidance from another source - the Holy Spirit.  First Liberty, which contended that the juror should not have been removed, reports on its website:

Despite the juror’s repeated assurances that he was basing his opinion about the case on the evidence, the trial judge determined that the juror had illegally “received guidance” from outside the trial because the juror was relying on prayer to guide his decision.

An en banc panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit found that the juror had been improperly removed from the jury, stating, "Corrine Brown was entitled to the unanimous verdict of a jury of ordinary citizens. The removal of Juror No. 13—a juror who listened for God’s guidance as he sat in judgment of Brown and deliberated over the evidence against her—deprived her of one.”

British pastor arrested for advocating Biblical definition of marriage

John Sherwood is a 71-year-old pastor in London who was arrested recently. His crime: supporting the definition of marriage as one man and one woman.  The Christianity Daily website related:

Pastor John Sherwood was accused of making "homophobic" comments when he preached outside Uxbridge Station. His arrest was handled unpleasantly that the elderly man complained he was bruised and treated "shamefully," The Daily Mail reported.

The preacher is quoted as saying, "I wasn't making any homophobic comments, I was just defining marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman. I was only saying what the Bible says - I wasn't wanting to hurt anyone or cause offence..."

The article at Christianity Daily stated: "In the video clip taken during his arrest, the pastor was shown pulled forcibly down a stepladder by officers. He was then handcuffed and taken to the police car."

Texas city of over a quarter million residents votes to become "sanctuary city" for the unborn

Lubbock, Texas has over 250,000 residents, and is now the largest city in America, population-wise that has declared itself to be a "sanctuary city" for the unborn, according to The Christian Post.  Over 60% of voters voted to approve an ordinance that said it would be “unlawful for any person to procure or perform an abortion of any type and at any stage of pregnancy in the City of Lubbock, Texas.”

The Post article states:

In an interview with The Christian Post, Mark Lee Dickson, the founder of the Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn movement that lobbies nationwide to pass ordinances banning abortion at the local level, cheered Saturday’s “landslide” victory for the pro-life movement.

“I think it says a lot because Lubbock is the 11th-most populated city in the state of Texas and the 83rd most populated city in the United States of America,” he said.

Just a few weeks ago, Planned Parenthood had located a clinic performing abortion in the west Texas city. Dickson says, " ...since this was a landslide election, it’s very obvious that the people of Lubbock have spoken. I am expecting that Planned Parenthood will obey … the laws of the city and … not perform abortions within the city limits of Lubbock, Texas.”

The 3 - May 2, 2021

This week's edition of The 3 includes news related to the allowing of biological males who identity as female to compete in female sports, with developments over the past week in two more states. Also, two faithful Christians in governments in other countries have found themselves being punished.  And, there is more movement in the United Methodist Church, with the recent announcements of two congregations representing different ideologies leaving the denomination.

More states pass legislation to prevent biological males from competing in girls' sports

It's a matter of biology - even if a biological male identifies as a different gender or has attempted to alter his gender surgically or through therapy, is it fair or right for that individual to compete against biological females?  The Christian Post reports that according to the Alliance Defending Freedom regarding four athletes from Connecticut...

Selina Soule, Chelsea Mitchell, Alanna Smith and Ashley Nicoletti have been “deprived” of “honors and opportunities to compete at elite levels.” Mitchell would have won the 2019 state championship in the women’s 55-meter indoor track competition, ADF reports. However, two biological male competitors took first and second place. Meanwhile, Soule, Smith and Nicoletti “have been denied medals and/or advancement opportunities.”

The Post ran a story recently that said a Federal district judge, Robert Chatigny, "threw out" a lawsuit filed against two governing bodies of high school sports in the state. And, ADF said it will be appealing the ruling. Chatigny said that “courts across the country have consistently held that Title IX requires schools to treat transgender students consistent with their gender identity.” However, as The Christian Post states, "The plaintiffs, who were all high school students when the lawsuit was filed, contend that allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports violates Title IX, which was designed to provide equal opportunities for females in education."

Meanwhile, two states recently have passed bills mandating that athletes in grades K-12 compete according to their gender on their birth certificate.  The Tampa Bay Times reports that Florida governor Ron DeSantis will sign a bill that bans biological males from competing in girls' sports - the story says:

“We’re going to protect our girls,” DeSantis said at a town hall of red state governors hosted by Fox’ Laura Ingraham. “I have a four-year-old daughter and a one-year old daughter. They’re both very athletic. We want to have opportunities for our girls. They deserve an even playing field, and that’s what we’re doing.”

And, Alliance Defending Freedom reports that West Virginia governor Jim Justice signed similar legislation.

Christian governmental leaders punished

Christians who are living out their faith in positions of authority in a couple of other countries have found themselves being punished.  The website of Well Versed, the ministry headed by Jim Garlow, tells the story of the former Interim President of Bolivia, Jeanine Anez, described as a "most delightful and godly woman." The site says:

At the end of January 2020, only 15 months ago, I posted a story about her remarkable rise to power. Massive prayer meetings had set the country free from an extended Communist regime. The tyrannical leader - Evo Morales - had ignored term limits, and was supposedly reelected under a cloud of election fraud.

Morales was eventually removed, but after that change in government, the site says, "Since that time, another election was held and the Communists have seized control again. In coming back into power, in typical dictatorial Communist ways, they promptly arrested the legitimate government leaders who led before them. On Saturday, March 13, Jeanine Anez was arrested. She is (based on what we have last heard) in prison. While in prison, she became ill and an ambulance was called to the prison, but the ambulance was sent away without taking Anez to the hospital. Her children are hurting badly without their mother." The ministry is asking for prayer for Ms. Anez.

Also, The Christian Post has published a story about a Member of Parliament in Finland who is facing the possibility of six years in prison.  The article says:

The country’s chief prosecutor has brought three criminal charges against Finnish Member of Parliament and former Minister of the Interior, Päivi Räsänen, according to the Austria-based Christian legal group ADF International.

The politician, who is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and former chair of the Christian Democrats, has been under police investigation since June 2019 for publicly voicing her opinion on marriage and human sexuality in a 2004 pamphlet, for comments made on a 2018 TV show, and a tweet directed at her church leadership.

She has said, according to the article, that "she will 'defend my right to confess my faith so that no one else would be deprived of their right to freedom of religion and speech.'"

Churches - progressive and conservative - leaving United Methodist Church

Progessive and conservative congregations in the United Methodist Church are evaluating their future in light of an impending vote scheduled for next year that will split the denomination in a controversy that is centered on Church teaching on homosexuality. As Religion News Service reported recently, the Bishop of the North Georgia conference reassigned a popular pastor at a large church in the metro Atlanta area, Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church, setting off a chain reaction, which resulted in the pastor, Jody Ray, "surrendering his credentials." The article quotes the pastor as saying: “Unfortunately, my options were to accept the move, take a leave of absence or surrender my credentials,” adding,“That’s not consultation. It’s just notification, and it violates both the spirit and letter of the covenants that bind us together.” It goes on to say:

Along with Ray’s announcement, Rustin Parsons, co-lay leader of the congregation, said that the congregation has decided it will not accept a new pastor and that its administrative council had unanimously approved a resolution directing church leadership of the church to proceed with the disaffiliation process.

The article says: "The church made clear in a FAQ on its website, however, that the root of its conflict with the bishop is not over differing stances on LGBTQ inclusion. Rather, it said, church leadership feels Haupert-Johnson did not properly consult with the church or its pastor before reassigning Ray." But, it seems clear that the church and the bishop would be on different sides of that debate.

And, Religion News Service reports on a so-called "progressive" congregation that has announced it will leave the UMC, as well. Bering Memorial United Methodist Church in Houston, whose pastor is Diane McGehee, is also leaving.  The article says: 

With the denomination gridlocked over the inclusion of LGBTQ people, who make up a significant part of Bering’s congregation, McGehee said, “It’s time to stop the harm.”

As the article points out, the disaffiliation will come with a pricetag, as the exit of Mt. Bethel will, also.

The 3 - April 25, 2021

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

Pro-life bills clear state legislatures

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Graham Association back in court

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

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

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

ChristianHeadlines.com reports that:

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

The 3 - April 18, 2021

This week's edition of The 3, with three stories impacting the Christian community, is back in court, with a positive federal appeals court ruling in favor of an Ohio law that prevents abortion in the case of a Down Syndrome diagnosis, and a lawsuit filed by a New York photographer who could penalized for declining to be involved in a same-sex wedding.  Also, California's governor has announced the removal of bans on indoor worship in the state.

CA removes restrictions on indoor worship

Following five U.S. Supreme Court decisions striking down various forms of worship restrictions in California, Governor Gavin Newsom lifted mandatory bans on indoor worship throughout the state.

Liberty Counsel, which has been involved in litigation against the state for COVID-19 restrictions, shared the news, stating on its website:

Governor Gavin Newsom wrote yesterday that “mandatory limits on attendance are no longer imposed on houses of worship.” That means that after five reprimands from the U.S. Supreme Court, Gov. Newsom decided to make the percentage-capacity restrictions on houses of worship in all Tiers voluntary.

But, as Liberty Counsel points out, "Unless and until there is a judicial declaration that Governor Newsom has acted unconstitutionally, there is nothing keeping him from changing his mind again, whether in this crisis or any future crisis."

Federal appeals court rules in favor of ban on abortion of Down Syndrome babies in OH

In 2017, lawmakers in Ohio passed a bill that, according to LifeNews.com, "bans abortionists from doing discriminatory abortions on unborn babies with Down syndrome. It also bans sex-selection abortions and abortions because of the baby’s race."  Not unexpectedly, the law was challenged in court, a Federal district judge blocked it and a three-judge panel of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the lower court's decision.

However, the court granted an en banc hearing, and the full court issued a 9-7 ruling last week in favor of the law. Mike Gonidakis, President of Ohio Right to Life, is quoted as saying, “Ohio Right to Life is elated that the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has sided with life and ruled against the fatal discrimination of babies with Down syndrome,” adding, “The eugenic practice of singling out human lives for death because of a Down syndrome diagnosis has no place in our society. This court ruling brings us one step closer to ensuring that vulnerable babies with special needs are not marked for death because of who they are. Every life is worth living and every precious and unique human being is worthy of complete protection under law.”

Photographer challenges NY law that could force her to photograph same-sex weddings 

Multiple states have passed laws that would prevent people in service industries from declining to be involved in an event that violates their conscience, and a photographer in New York state has challenged a law there before it could be enforced against her.

ChristianHeadlines.com reports that Emilee Carpenter could be "jailed for up to a year and fined $100,000 if she does not work same-sex weddings," so she, with the assistance of Alliance Defending Freedom, filed a federal lawsuit against the state.

The suit states:

"Emilee celebrates engagements and marriages between one man and one woman through what she photographs, participates in, and posts about in order to share God's design for marriage with her clients and the public consistent with her beliefs."

Alliance Defending Freedom filed suit on her behalf, alleging the law violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments, including her freedom of speech and free exercise of religion.

"Just as the government cannot compel a lesbian baker to create a cake condemning same-sex marriage or an atheist playwright to wax positively about God, New York cannot force Emilee to convey messages she objects to," the suit says.

Christian Headlines points out that, "In 2019, the U.S. Eighth Court of Appeals and the Arizona Supreme Court each sided with artists in similar cases."

The 3 - April 11, 2021

This week's edition of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, featured a positive court ruling for a student group at a Michigan university, which had faced banishment because of its policy that chapter leaders be Christian.  Also, access to a Canadian church has been blocked due to its stand against COVID-19 restrictions.  And, Franklin Graham had bus ads removed prior to his speaking in the U.K. 2-1/2 years ago, and recently, a court said that should not have occurred.

Federal court rules in favor of campus group at Michigan university

The chapter of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Wayne State University in Michigan, as a Christian organization, did not allow those who were not Christians to serve in leadership.  For that, it was removed from the campus.

Recently, as CBN.com reports, a Federal court affirmed that was wrong.  The website stated:

"Student groups were permitted to restrict leadership based on sex, gender identity, political partisanship, ideology, creed, ethnicity, and even GPA and physical attractiveness," the court said about the university located in Detroit, Michigan. However, religious groups were not allowed to require that leaders share any of a group's religious beliefs, and at Wayne State, it was a "small group of Christians, who were denied student organization benefits because they require their Christian leaders to be...Christian."

The article points out that:

In 2018, Becket sued Wayne State on InterVarsity's behalf, since the group had been excluded. The university relented and let InterVarsity back onto its campus but argued that it still had the right to remove the group later. Monday's ruling safeguards InterVarsity and sends a clear message that accommodation, not discrimination, is the best policy.

Canadian church entry blocked

COVID-19 restrictions and religious freedom have sometimes been in conflict during this time of the pandemic. Faithwire reported recently on the ongoing saga of a church in Edmonton, Alberta, Grace Life Church, which experienced the imprisonment of its pastor James Coates, and, stunningly, the barricading of its church property.

The article said that:

John Carpay, president of the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, the law firm representing the church, released a statement Wednesday afternoon, rebuking the government not only for placing a barrier around the church but also for seeking to delay its trial against Coates.

Faithwire also reported:

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed to CBC News officers were on the scene at GraceLife Church on Wednesday morning to assist the Alberta Health Services in closing the church.

AHS said in its own statement that it “physically closed” the place of worship and will work to prevent access to the church until it “can demonstrate the ability to comply with Alberta’s chief medical officer of health’s restrictions.”

Tweets included within the article indicated that fencing had been placed at the property. The Edmonton Journal reported Sunday morning that "hundreds of supporters" were present "outside the property." An adjoining road was reportedly closed.  An update of that article said that church members were not part of those gathered at the site - it was reported that they were meeting underground.  There was also video circulating yesterday about 200 armed police at the church, but I was unable to confirm that video.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its fifth ruling against COVID-19 restrictions in California; the Alliance Defending Freedom website reported that Tandon v. Newsom ended "California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s COVID-19 order that limits religious gatherings to three households inside of personal residences while allowing more than three households to gather in other comparable venues..." ADF Senior Counsel and Vice President of U.S. Litigation David Cortman is quoted as saying, "With this fifth rejection of California’s COVID-19 restrictions on religious exercise, the Supreme Court has made abundantly clear that the government has a duty to respect the First Amendment in this context and many others. As the court explained, the government can’t single out religious activities for harsher treatment than non-religious ones..."

Franklin Graham Festival ads on UK busses were OK, according to court ruling

In the aftermath of the Franklin Graham Festival of Hope in the United Kingdom in Lancashire in 2018, a recent court ruling shows that local officials erred in disallowing certain type of promotion of these events. Religion News reports that:

The ads, which were briefly placed on public buses prior to Graham’s 2018 Lancashire Festival of Hope, were taken down after LGBTQ groups mounted a social media campaign that convinced the Blackpool Borough Council that Graham’s beliefs opposing same-sex marriage were offensive.

The article goes on to say:

In her ruling, Manchester County Court Judge Claire Evans said the borough council’s actions “discriminated on the ground of religion” and showed “wholesale disregard for the right to freedom of expression.”

“We thank God for this ruling because it is a win for every Christian in the UK,” Graham said in response.

The 3-day Blackpool event drew 9,000 people in September of 2018.