The 3 - April 21, 2024

This week's edition of The 3, highlighting three stories of relevance to the Christian community, included the redefinition of the word "sex" in the Title IX law to include sexual orientation and gender identity. Also, the U.S. Supreme Court has entered the fray regarding treatments and surgeries that are intended, falsely so, to "change" the gender of a minor child. And, a new Florida law will enable school districts who wish to do so to have chaplains available for struggling students. 

Revision of Title IX rules includes redefinition of the word, "sex"

As The Daily Citizen website from Focus on the Family notes, "Title IX, a 1972 law that banned discrimination based on sex for school programs that receive federal funding, has been targeted by radical revolutionaries determined to redefine what the word 'sex' even means."  Well, those who wanted to see change in that definition got their wish as the Department of Education released its revised Title IX guidelines. The article says that these new regulations "redefine 'sex' when it comes to the sexual harassment and discrimination portions of Title IX."  It adds:

Under the rules, athletes will be able to claim discrimination and harassment based on their “sexual orientation/gender identity.”

In other words, they’ll be allowed to claim fake discrimination over a made-up identity.

The Alliance Defending Freedom says that the new policy "illegitimately redefines 'sex' in federal law, threatening women’s advancements in education and athletics and violating the rights of parents, students, and teachers..."  ADF Legal Counsel Rachel Rouleau is quoted as saying:

"...The administration continues to ignore biological reality, science, and commonsense, and women are suffering as a result. The administration’s new regulation will have devastating consequences on the future of women’s sports, student privacy, and parental rights, which is why Alliance Defending Freedom plans to take action to defend female athletes, as well as school districts, teachers, and students who will be gravely harmed by this unlawful government overreach.”

The announcement came just days after a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, according to The Daily Signal, "overturned a lower court decision and struck down West Virginia’s Save Women’s Sports Act, a law that keeps scholastic sports in the state separated by biological sex."

SCOTUS allows Idaho to begin enforcement of law protecting children against harmful gender procedures

The U.S. Supreme Court took a major step forward in another area concerning gender by allowing the state of Idaho to start enforcing its law that bans the use of treatments and surgeries that are intended - falsely - to be used to change a minor's so-called "gender." The SCOTUS Blog reported:

The Supreme Court on Monday cleared the way for Idaho to temporarily enforce a state law criminalizing gender-transition care for minors against anyone who is not part of a lawsuit currently challenging that ban. In a brief order, the justices granted the state’s request to limit the scope of an earlier order entered by a federal district court in Idaho, which had barred the state from enforcing the law at all while a challenge to its constitutionality continues.

The blog post noted:

The law, which was slated to go into effect on Jan. 1, makes it a crime for medical providers in the state to provide gender-transition surgeries, puberty blockers, or hormone therapy to transgender youths under the age of 18. The same treatments can be provided, however, for other purposes.

The blog report also stated, 

Represented by Idaho Solicitor General Alan Hurst and (among others) by lawyers from the conservative Christian legal group Alliance Defending Freedom, the state told the justices that as long as the law remains on hold, the state’s “vulnerable children” are exposed “to risky and dangerous medical procedures,” and “Idaho’s sovereign power to enforce its democratically enacted law” is infringed.

Florida governor signs bill allowing chaplains in public schools

In the wake of mental health challenges currently faced by children and teens, spiritual care based on the principles of Scripture can be highly effective in addressing those challenges. And, the state of Florida will now make it possible for chaplains, including Christian chaplains, to be available to students. 

Fox 35 Orlando reported that Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that "establishes a statewide school chaplain program. This initiative permits districts to enlist chaplains to offer additional counseling and support to students."

The TV station's website noted:

DeSantis acknowledged encountering criticism when introducing the chaplain bill, as it allows chaplains of various faiths and religions, sparking concerns about controversial groups, such as those who practice satanism gaining access to schools. he, however, made it clear there would not be problems of that nature.

"We're not playing those games in Florida. That's not a religion. We're going to be using common sense while handling this," he said.

Similar legislation has been making its way through the Alabama Legislature, with 1819 News reporting last week: "The House Education Policy Committee approved legislation on Wednesday allowing public schools to employ or accept volunteer chaplains upon approval from a board of education or charter school governing body."  The Alabama Reflector reported that a companion bill passed the Alabama Senate unanimously.

The 3 - April 14, 2024

This week's edition of The 3, featuring three stories of relevance to the Christian community, spotlights a new State Department proposal that could adversely affect Christian relief organizations in their hiring decisions. Also, a sports organization representing smaller colleges has announced that it will not allow men to compete in women's sports.  Plus, the Arizona Supreme Court had upheld a pro-life law in the state dating back to the 19th Century that had been challenged.

New State Department proposed policy could hamper work of relief groups

The U.S. State Department, according to an article appearing at Ministry Watch, has issued a proposal that "...expressly states that recipients and subrecipients receiving Department-funded foreign assistance funds must not discriminate on specified bases against end users of supplies or services (also referred to in this rule as beneficiaries and potential beneficiaries) or in certain employment decisions.”

Christian organizations including Samaritan's Purse and Christian Legal Society have "filed an official comment" to the State Department.  Ministry Watch stated, "The Christian ministries agree that they should not discriminate against beneficiaries, but have serious 'concerns' about the rules governing employment decisions."

The article quotes from Franklin Graham, President of Samaritan’s Purse, who said, "These proposed State Department regulations could be used to force faith-based organizations like Samaritan’s Purse to hire staff who disagree with our core biblical beliefs about God’s design for marriage, sexuality, and gender in order to be eligible for government grants.” He added, “Samaritan’s Purse is a Christian organization and we will not compromise on the fundamental principle of hiring like-minded Christians who share our calling, our stand on the authority of God’s Word, and our statement of faith..."  

The Ministry Watch story noted: "Faith-based ministries play a key role in the foreign assistance work of the United States. Religious groups make up 50 of the largest foreign assistance grant recipients and received $613 million in funding in Fiscal Year 2023."  The article reported:

Christian Legal Society shared an email asking supporters to sign an open letter to the State Department opposing the regulatory changes.

It reads in part, “I strongly oppose the U.S. State Department’s consideration of new regulations that will cut off grants and contracts to Christian—and all faith-based—relief organizations that require their employees to share their faith and their religious values.”

Large college sports organization announces new policy on males playing in female sports

Sarah Parshall Perry of the Heritage Foundation tweeted it out, saying:

@NAIA, a small colleges association representing 239 schools-bans male athletes from women's sports competitions in a unanimous vote. Thank you for standing with female athletes & prioritizing their safety & equal opportunity. 

Yo, @NCAA--your move. #SaveWomensSports

FoxNews.com reported:

The NAIA said its decision was rooted in "fair and safe competition for all student-athletes" and that "Title IX ensures there are separate and equal opportunities for female athletes." The organization said only athletes whose biological sex is female may participate in "NAIA-sponsored female sports." The policy goes into effect on Aug. 1.

This comes as the National Collegiate Athletic Association - the NCAA - is "currently facing a lawsuit from former athletes over its policy."  Fox summarized its policy this way:

The NCAA said it would follow the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and each sport would follow the national governing body for each sport. If there was no national governing body, then each sport would abide by the international policy. The NCAA updated its transgender policy starting on Jan. 19, 2022, and the final implementation begins on Aug. 1.

Higher Ground Times explored the issue in an article following the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship Game, stating, regarding a response by South Carolina Head Coach Dawn Staley:

More eyeballs on women’s basketball have led to tougher questions for the sport’s top coaches. Ahead of Sunday’s national championship game against Iowa, OutKick’s Dan Zaksheske asked Staley if transgender athletes should be allowed to play with cisgender women.

“If you consider yourself a woman and you want to play sports … you should be able to play,” the two-time national champion said Saturday. “So now the barnstormer people are going to flood my timeline and be a distraction to me on one of the biggest days of our game, and I’m OK with that.”

Iowa coach Lisa Bluder dodged the same question on the hot-button issue during her media availability.

“I understand it’s a topic that people are interested in,” Bluder said. “But today my focus is on the game tomorrow … But I know it’s an important issue for another time.”

Current NCAA guidelines allow transgender athletes to participate in women’s sports as long as their testosterone level falls below prescribed limits that can vary from sport to sport.

Arizona's high court issues strong pro-life ruling

Dr. Eric Hazelrigg is an Arizona obstetrician and serves as Medical Director of Choices Pregnancy Center in Arizona. As Alliance Defending Freedom reported on its website, he "filed a petition last March asking the state’s high court to review an Arizona Court of Appeals ruling."

ADF noted:

The appellate court’s ruling misinterpreted state law, against its plain meaning, to allow abortion in circumstances where the Arizona Legislature prohibited it. It also enjoined officials from fully enforcing the state’s pro-life law to protect unborn children. The Arizona Supreme Court reversed this ruling, allowing the law to be enforced as written.

As Live Action News reported last Tuesday:

In a 4-2 decision on Tuesday, the Arizona Supreme Court upheld an 1864 law that protects most preborn children from abortion throughout pregnancy unless the life of the mother is in danger. There are no other exceptions.

According to NBC News, the Court said it will put its decision on hold for 14 days, and send the case back to a lower court to consider “additional constitutional challenges.” The law would make an induced abortion a felony punishable by two to five years in prison for anyone who commits one or helps a woman obtain one.

However, Attorney General Kris Mayes said that she will not enforce the law.

ADF Senior Counsel Jake Warner stated: "Arizona’s pro-life law has protected unborn children for over 100 years, and the people of Arizona, through their elected representatives, have repeatedly affirmed that law, including as recently as 2022. We celebrate the Arizona Supreme Court’s decision that allows the state’s pro-life law to again protect the lives of countless, innocent unborn children.”

The 3 - April 7, 2024

This week's edition of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, has news out of the Florida Supreme Court, which recently handed down two seemingly conflicted issues relative to abortion. Also, there were two incidents surrounding Easter and the White House that proved to be offensive to Christians.  Plus, a couple who has been foster children has filed suit against a state agency because the couple can no longer be foster parents due to new regulations that require the affirming of "gender identity."

FL Supreme Court declares no constitutional right to abortion, but allows voters to decide the issue

There were mixed decisions out of the Florida Supreme Court last week, with the high court ruling that the state Constitution does not contain a right to abortion, but also allowed a ballot initiative to go to Florida voters in November.

Liberty Counsel reported that "...the Florida Supreme Court issued a groundbreaking opinion that upholds the 15-week abortion ban and overrules the prior abortion opinions going back to the first abortion opinion in 1989," adding that "...the Court ruled there is no right to abortion in the Florida Constitution. Now that the 15-week ban has been upheld, the six-week ban will soon go into effect.

The website noted last Monday:

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, “Today, the Florida Supreme Court rejected the dreadful history of abortion that began with an activist bench in 1989. Even before Liberty Counsel was founded in 1989, I have worked to overturn the In re T.W. decision because it did not have any basis in the Florida Constitution and has caused incalculable damage. Today, the wrongly decided abortion opinions are no more. The Constitution wins. Life wins.”

However, that could be short-lived, because the same court allowed another of those abortion amendments which have utilized deceptive language and heavy spending by the abortion industry in other states to be placed on the Florida ballot. Liberty Counsel also reported that the court " deceptive ballot initiative that proposes to codify unrestricted abortion in the state’s constitution may appear on the November ballot." Staver contended: “This proposed abortion amendment is the most extreme because it will wipe out every law regulating abortion. Other than parental notification, no law will survive, not even health and safety regulations. We must mobilize Floridians to vote ‘No’ on this deceptive amendment.”

Liberty Counsel's website stated:

Staver and Florida Senior Deputy Solicitor for the Attorney General Nathan Forrester argued before the court’s seven justices that the amendment’s language was misleading, deceptive, and violated the single subject rule. Staver argued on behalf of Liberty Counsel and presented written argument to the Court that the amendment would also conflict with many existing laws which affirm that an “unborn child” or an “unborn person” has legal rights.

Trans Day of Visibility becomes more visible this year because it fell on Easter Sunday; White House event bans religious imagery for Easter Egg Roll

It was perceived by Christians as a double case of religious discrimination: the proclamation by the President of the United States of a Transgender Day of Visibility on Easter Sunday and the restriction placed on an Easter Egg decorating contest at the White House that banned religious imagery.

At The Washington Stand, Ben Johnson wrote:

The Biden administration’s revolution began where all revolutions begin: with children. The 2024 “Celebrating National Guard Families” art contest, which is part of the White House Easter Egg Roll, asks children of servicemembers to submit designs for Easter eggs ?" but not any that highlight the actual content of Easter. The contest’s flyer instructs children they “must not include any questionable content, religious symbols, overtly religious themes, or partisan political statements.” The Biden administration banned religious imagery alongside “bigotry, racism, hatred or harm against any group or individual or promotes discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age.”

Johnson made the case, using this and other examples, that "Christian children are second-class citizens in Biden’s America."  He added:

That makes it all the more revealing when Biden issued an official statement on Friday declaring Easter Sunday, March 31, as the “Transgender Day of Visibility.” (Biden finally got around to issuing a statement on Easter ?" on Sunday.) Biden actually previewed the shift to America’s new religion in the first of his two statements celebrating the 2023 “Transgender Day of Visibility,” in which Biden declared: “Transgender Americans shape our [n]ation’s soul.”

Biden’s wording was less effusive this year, but the content remained the same. “Transgender Americans are part of the fabric of our [n]ation,” Biden wrote. Since people who identify as transgender “help America thrive,” they deserve the “fundamental freedom to be their true selves,” Biden’s 2024 statement states.

Johnson, in his Washington Stand piece, took the President to task for "replacing Christianity with a new holiday celebrating transgender ideology (which, one must concede, relies entirely on faith)..."

The Stand article included a disclaimer regarding claims by the White House that these rules have been in place for many years; however, as it stated, its "...position is that it is irrelevant to the veracity of this article, which notes that this policy is still within the purview of the Biden administration."

General Counsel for National Religious Broadcasters Michael Farris agreed in a WORLD Magazine article. He wrote that the co-sponsor, the American Egg Board...

...explained that it has followed this same policy for decades—banning religious art in a contest to celebrate Easter—so to place blame on the Biden administration is unfair. The contest, so the Egg Board says, had the same rules under the Trump administration.

Apparently, this has never surfaced in public discussion until now. Consequently, no blame can be placed on any presidency for this discriminatory rule—until now.

The Biden White House continued the policy of banning religious symbols from Easter eggs. There was an opportunity not only to point out how silly such a policy is, but to clarify how government interacts with religion—as though religious symbols on eggs constitute some nefarious “establishment” of religion.

Farris notes: 

If a student enters a religious egg in the art contest, the egg is the work of the student and not the work of the government. This creation is fully protected by the Free Speech Clause, and discrimination against the student is forbidden by both the Free Exercise Clause and the Equal Protection Clause.

This is not a close call. The act of banning religiously decorated eggs is blatantly unconstitutional.

Foster care parents banned from continuing in that capacity due to gender identity flap file lawsuit

A couple in Washington state that has been fostering children for over a decade has found themselves unable to do so any longer because of a new law in the state that mandates that a foster parent has to affirm a child's so-called "gender identity."  Just the News ran an article from The Center Square that said:

After nine years serving as foster parents in Washington state, Shane and Jennifer DeGross say they have lost their foster care license because of their religious beliefs concerning gender identity policies.

The article notes that Johannes Widmalm-Delphonse, legal counsel with the Alliance Defending Freedom, told The Center Square, “The DeGrosses were told that based on new regulations passed in Washington as of 2022, they would be required to disavow their religious beliefs if they wanted to continue being foster parents.” The article goes on to say, "Widmalm-Delphonse explained that foster parents in Washington must now accommodate gender-affirming and sexual identity language and care for any child in their custody."

So, the DeGrosses have filed a lawsuit in federal court against the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families.

The Department responded through a statement, which said, in part: "We cannot and do not disqualify people from becoming foster parents on the basis of sincerely held religious beliefs. However, the permanent injunction does permit DCYF to take an applicant’s views on LGBTQ+ issues into account when reviewing foster family home license applications.”  But the couple's attorney said that the DCYF is only taking a portion of that court ruling into consideration, saying: "The ruling made clear you can’t disqualify a family simply because of their religious beliefs, and you can’t say this one aspect of gender or sexuality beliefs is the paramount factor over everything else, because every child is unique and has all these factors that the state is supposed to take into consideration..."

The 3 - March 31, 2024

This week's edition of The 3, featuring three stories of relevance to the Christian community, provides an update on a severe case of religious persecution of a Christian ministry in Nicaragua.  Plus, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments recently on FDA regulations in the abortion pill case.  And, Virginia religious organizations can hire people who embrace their beliefs and do not have to endorse so-called "gender-affirming care" in their insurance plans, based on a settlement of a lawsuit brought on behalf of religious organizations.

Pastors arrested on charges stemming from successful evangelistic campaigns receive stiff sentences

In the fall of last year, the evangelistic organization, Mountain Gateway, conducted a series of meetings, in which thousands came into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  A few months ago, it was reported that 11 individuals associated with the ministry had been arrested.  In a statement, the ministry said:

In 2023, Mountain Gateway held eight mass evangelistic gospel campaigns in the country, with the support and assistance of the Nicaraguan government. Mountain Gateway fiscally operated under strict accounting from Mountain Gateway staff and budget reviews by the Nicaraguan government to account for every dollar associated with the events. No members of Mountain Gateway have personally profited from funds sent to Nicaragua for ministry functions.

Yet, the Nicaraguan government pursued charges against those 11 people from Nicaragua, as well as three Americans in leadership with the ministry.  

Last week, the ministry announced that the 11 had been found guilty of money laundering. The website stated: "The pastors were not allowed to be physically present during the proceedings; they were only allowed to attend over a video livestream. At the time of the sentencing, all 11 pastors received sentences ranging between 12 and 15 years. In addition, the pastors were each fined over 80 million USD. Between the 11 pastors, they were fined almost 1 billion USD."

Jon Britton Hancock, Founder and President of Mountain Gateway, stated: “This is not the outcome we hoped for, and it is heartbreaking to know that people who we consider family are sitting in prison for sharing the Gospel. We trust that God is in control of this situation and have faith that He will have the final say on this all..." The organization noted:​

Mountain Gateway has always strived to operate under the laws and policies of Nicaragua while maintaining a respectful relationship with the Nicaraguan government. The charges and convictions of the Nicaraguan pastors are baseless, and the appeal process has begun in the Nicaraguan judicial system. Mountain Gateway will do everything in its power to resolve this through all available legal and diplomatic channels in the U.S., Nicaragua, and internationally.

Recently, 1819 News reported that Alabama Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville, in addition to Senators Ted Cruz and Kevin Cramer had introduced a resolution into the U.S. Senate, expressing support for those who were imprisoned and calling for sanctions against the Nicaraguan government.

SCOTUS hears case of FDA approval of abortion pill

Some 20 years ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of mifepristone, which is one pill of a two-pill regimen designed to terminate the life of an unborn child.  Over the past decade, the FDA has expanded the availability of the pill, including the ability to order the pill via mail. A federal judge had ruled the FDA was wrong to approve mifepristone in the first place, and an appeals court narrowed that decision to only include more recent expansion of the pill's availability.

So, the case ended up at the U.S. Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments last week. It does appear, though, that the high court spenymore time considering whether or not the group of pro-life doctors who filed suit, the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, had standing to bring the lawsuit - in other words, whether or not the doctors had been damaged by the approval of the pill.  The SCOTUS Blog stated:

During roughly 90 minutes of oral arguments, a majority of the justices appeared ready to throw out the dispute over the FDA’s expansion of access to the drug in 2016 and 2021 because the challengers in the case – several individual doctors and groups of doctors who are opposed to abortion on religious or moral grounds – do not have a legal right to sue, known as standing.

Liberty Counsel, which had filed a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of two pro-life clients, related this on its website:

U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued on behalf of the Biden administration that the FDA deregulated Mifepristone based on its scientific judgment that the drug was safe. She also argued that the AHM did not have standing to bring the case because the doctors do not prescribe Mifepristone and therefore are not “regulated in any relevant way under FDA’s decisions here” and “stand at a far distance from the upstream regulatory action they are challenging.”

However, attorney Erin Hawley argued on behalf of AHM that by its own admission the FDA made regulatory changes to Mifepristone with inadequate data, which violates the Administrative Procedure Act. On the issue of standing, in which the Justices questioned throughout the 90-minute hearing, Hawley stated the evidence satisfies Article III requirements.

Hawley is an attorney with Alliance Defending Freedom.  Liberty Counsel, on its website, stated:

While Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett seemed skeptical that AHM had satisfied standing under Article III, both Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito were skeptical of the government’s argument that people not regulated by the FDA have no standing at all.

Justice Alito stated, “Your argument here is that even if the FDA acted unlawfully, nobody can challenge that in court?”

Prelogar essentially said “no,” while noting there are too many intervening events and independent decisions for a third-party to raise a case and that AHM had not “come within 100 miles” or proving “cognizable” harm that justifies an injunction against the FDA’s decisions.

To this Hawley stated in her opening argument, “Doctors will be forced to manage abortion drug harm is not a bug in the FDA system, but part of its very design. Ruling against respondents standing here would allow federal agencies to conscript non-regulated parties into violating their consciences and suffering other harm without judicial recourse.”

Religious groups in Virginia receive relief in settlement regarding ability to be governed according to their principles

Following the passage of the so-called Virginia Values Act, which was hostile to freedom of religious expression, Christian legal organization Alliance Defending Freedom filed a lawsuit on behalf of " two churches, three Christian schools and a network of pregnancy centers...,"  according to the Higher Ground Times, an extension of The Washington Times.  The article said: "The law directed religious institutions to hire employees who did not share their beliefs or face fines of up to $100,000 per violation, according to the lawsuit. A companion measure required ministries to include gender-affirming surgeries and sex reassignment care in their employee health plans."

Virginia's Supreme Court issued a ruling in 2022 that affected the case.  According to the Higher Ground Times:

The Supreme Court of Virginia last year changed the dynamics of the case, ADF attorneys said. The court ruled that the state “may not substantially burden the exercise of religion” in the case of a high school teacher who was fired for refusing to use the preferred pronouns of a transgender student, citing religious freedom.

That decision paved the way for a settlement, the attorneys said.

ADF Senior Counsel Kevin Theriot stated, through a spokesperson, that, "the settlement reflects the [attorney general’s] interpretation of the statutes as applied to all ministries that are similar to the plaintiffs..." Victoria LaCivita, spokesperson for AG Jason Mirayes, sent an e-mail to The Washington Times and said: “The Attorney General is pleased that we were able to reach a settlement agreement that preserves the constitutional enforcement authority of the Attorney General and provides justice for the plaintiffs.”

The 3 - March 24, 2024

This week's edition of The 3, featuring three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes a bold move by government officials in the United Kingdom, announcing a ban on puberty blockers for minor children.  Also, a Texas church, after initially being refused twice, has been allowed to run ads for a church service on a major streaming platform.  And, a group of former college swimmers have sued the NCAA on Title IX violations as the result of allowing a male athlete to compete against females. 

Puberty blockers for minors banned by UK officials

While U.S. lawmakers are waking up to the danger of treatments and surgeries that proponents claim will enable someone to change his or her gender, authorities in the United Kingdom seem to be a few steps ahead.  Worthy News reports that:

England’s National Health Service (NHS) has announced that children suffering from gender dysphoria will no longer be prescribed puberty blockers at gender identity clinics, Sky News reports. Puberty blockers will now only be available to children as part of clinical research trials.

The article notes that, "The decision to halt the prescription of puberty blockers follows a massive surge in the number of referrals of children to the Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS): more than 5,000 in 2021/22 compared to just under 250 ten years earlier, Sky News said."

Lead reviewer Dr. Hillary Cass is quoted as saying, that it was “not possible to accurately track the outcomes and pathways that children and young people take through the service,” due to lack of "consistent data" from GIDS, based on that Sky News report.

The Washington Stand reported that, "Dr. Jennifer Bauwens, director of the Center for Family Studies at Family Research Council, said on “Washington Watch” ...that while 'we wish [it] would be a full ban,' this decision 'is a huge step towards seeing these terrible practices no longer be available at least in one country.'"  The article said:

Jody Hice, senior vice president at FRC, added, “[W]e have all watched globally as the push for these transgender puberty blockers and surgeries” have been pushed into the limelight, “And now we’re watching … some European countries beginning to pull back on this.” Hice posed the question, “Why the reversed course?”

TX church ad initially banned by Hulu allowed to run

A church in Texas, Hulen Street Church in Fort Worth, in order to announce a new Thursday night service, placed a 22-second ad on multiple streaming platforms, including Facebook, Google, and Instagram, according to First Liberty Institute.  But, when attempting to put the ad on Hulu, the service rejected the church's request - twice.

The website says that Pastor Wes Hamilton "...asked for the reason behind Hulu’s rejection of the ad..." Hulu "...said that the ad violated policies against 'Religious Indoctrination due to asking viewer to attend Thursday services.'" The site notes, "The words 'Religious Indoctrination" appear nowhere in Hulu’s published ad policy."

First Liberty sent a "demand letter" to Hulu and it reconsidered, allowing the ad. Senior Counsel for First Liberty, Jeremy Dys, said, "“We are grateful to Hulu for its quick response to our demand letter and for accepting Hulen Street Church’s ad,” adding, “In the future, Hulu—and others in Big Tech—could avoid these kinds of conflicts by adopting advertising policies that do not discriminate against religious organizations, being transparent about its advertising policy, and applying it fairly.”

Former college swimmers join lawsuit against the NCAA

Even though you are seeing some sporting organizations allowing male athletes to compete in female sports, there is pushback that is occurring.  On the legislative level, numerous states have passed legislation that would protect the integrity and privacy of females. 

And, now comes the news that a group of female athletes has filed suit against the supervisory body, the NCAA, according to The Free Press which reports:

Over a dozen female athletes are suing the National Collegiate Athletics Association for letting transgender athletes compete against them and use female locker rooms in college sports.

At the center of the class-action lawsuit is Lia Thomas, the trans athlete who dominated the 2022 NCAA Swimming Championships while a student at the University of Pennsylvania. The suit states that both the NCAA and Georgia Tech, which hosted the event, knowingly violated Title IX, the federal statute that guarantees equal opportunity for men and women in college education and sports.

One of the plaintiffs is former North Carolina State swimmer Kylee Alons.  The Concerned Women for America website states:

In 2022 at the NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championship, Kylee was forced to share a locker room with University of Pennsylvania swimmer and biological male Lia Thomas. After feeling tense and exposed in the locker room, she discovered a utility closet behind the bleachers where she would change in for the remainder of the competition in order to avoid having to undress in front of a male.

FoxNews.com reports:

The NCAA, University System of Georgia, Georgia Tech University, University of Georgia, University of North Georgia and members of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia were named as defendants in the lawsuit.

The athletes alleged the NCAA and those involved in the University System of Georgia of denying them the promises of Title IX and pointed to the NCAA’s transgender participation policy as the catalyst. The lawsuit accuses the defendants of multiple Title IX violations and the right to bodily privacy.

The 3 - March 17, 2024

This week's edition of The 3, highlighting three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes developments out of France, which became the first nation on earth to place a right to an abortion in its constitution. In Nigeria, hundreds have been abducted in a country where terror groups are especially brutal toward Christians.  And, in Alabama, it has been discovered that a man identifying as a woman has been allowed to chaperone female attendees at Space Camp in Huntsville.

France becomes first country to include right to abortion in country's constitution

USA Today stated it very plainly: "France made history on Monday as the first country in the world to enshrine the right to abortion in its constitution."

The Christian Institute website noted:

Amending the 1958 Constitution, lawmakers voted by 780 to 72 in favour of guaranteeing “the freedom of women to voluntarily terminate a pregnancy”.

Activists have been pushing for pro-abortion protections to be included in France’s constitution since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade in 2022.

The article goes on to say:

In a statement last week, the Council of Evangelical Christians in France expressed fear that such a change would weaken “the right of healthcare workers to conscientious objection” and erode “freedom of expression”.

It also notes: 

Abortion was legalised in France in 1975. It is permitted on demand in the first fourteen weeks of pregnancy, and up to birth for some reasons.

Figures compiled by Worldometer indicate that abortion claimed more than 44 million lives worldwide in 2023 and is the leading cause of death for the fifth year in a row.

Hundreds of people, including students at a school, abducted in Nigeria

Close to 700 people, including almost 300 students at a school, have been abducted since the first of March in the nation of Nigeria, according to International Christian Concern.  The organization, that supports the persecuted Church, reported:

On Sunday, March 3, gunmen from the Boko Haram terrorist group kidnapped at least 400 people from multiple IDP (Internally Displaced Person) camps in the northern state of Borno. On Thursday, March 7, unidentified armed herders attacked a school in Kuriga, Kaduna State, kidnapping at least 287 students and teachers.

These horrific accounts come just seven days before the 10th anniversary of the Chibok schoolgirl kidnapping, which sparked the international campaign #bringbackourgirls. Boko Haram kidnapped 276 schoolgirls from Chibok in 2014, 98 of whom are still in custody.

The article says that: "Boko Haram, as well as other militant groups in Nigeria, contribute to the continued recommendation for Nigeria to be designated as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by the U.S. Dept. of State." That has only occurred one out of the last 15 years.

Decision Magazine reported:

Boko Haram and the Islamic State are Muslim extremist groups that operate freely in parts of Nigeria. The name Boko Haram translates to “Western education is a sin,” and the militant group is hostile to Western ideals. Additionally, some nomadic Fulani herdsmen, also known as the Fulani militia, often ruthlessly target Christians and attack villages. Armed gangs known as bandits occupy remote forests where there is little to no government presence, and they terrorize villagers with kidnappings, raids and killings.

The article notes that:

Open Doors South Africa calls Nigeria the most violent place in the world for Christians and posted on X that on average, 11 Christians are killed in Nigeria daily. “Pray for your Nigerian family who live in the most world’s most violent place for Christians!” they posted.

Space Camp controversy over male supervising female attendees grows

This past week, there was much discussion over the discovery that a biological male presenting as a female was being allowed to supervise girls attending Space Camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville.  1819 News reported:

On Monday, Alabama lawmakers and thousands of others responded to reports from Huntsville-based Clay Yarbrough, who learned that Molly Bowman, a biological male who identifies as a female, would be working in the overnight camp he planned to send his daughter.

Yarbrough included several screenshots from Bowman's social media, which was filled with hyper-sexual commentary.

The responses varied, with many showing disgust for the Space Camp and others supporting Bowman, saying he did nothing wrong.

FoxNews.com reported: 

The transgender individual "is a team lead and a hall monitor in the girls dorms and at times could be allowed to be alone in the halls at night," according to Yarbrough's post Facebook. In the comments, he included some of the social media posts by the transgender employee, which included graphic, violent and sexual comments about sexuality and gender. 

That article notes that U.S. Rep. Dale Strong said, "I call on the Center to immediately remove the individual and open a safety review to consider the potential harm and damages they have inadvertently caused children..."

 

The 1819 article notes that "...the Alabama House of Representatives is poised to consider a bill by State Rep. Susan DuBose...that would codify definitions of man, woman, boy, girl, father, mother, male, female, and sex in Alabama law and allow local public entities to establish separate single-sex spaces or environments in certain circumstances. The bill allows for alternative gender identity while still allowing certain female-only spaces." The sponsor notes: "When I saw that, It made me realize immediately that we need to define male, female and sex into Alabama code because, in a situation like this, the Space Camp needs to have consistent information to go by..."

WAAY Television in Huntsville notes that State Rep. Mack Butler "...says he plans to amend HB130, the bill prohibiting the instruction or discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools, and extend these prohibitions to Space Camp." The article goes on to say:

The current state law prohibits this discussion through fifth grade.

Butler's bill plans to extend this through 12th grade and apply to all programs and space activities at Space Camp.

The 3 - March 10, 2024

In this version of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, there is an update about this bill in the Alabama Legislature that protects IVF providers, but, as pro-life groups have pointed out, does not protect the life of embryos. Also, there is news out of the Southern Baptist Convention regarding a federal probe into its leadership concerning allegations of sexual abuse.  And, a court has upheld a school district policy in California that protects parents' rights and prevent the teaching of an ideology that promote division.

Pro-life groups respond to new Alabama IVF bill on the grounds that it fails to protect life of embryos

After the Alabama Supreme Court's ruling that embryos produced in the process of in vitro fertilization are human life, some in vitro fertilization clinics halted their procedures and the Alabama Legislature believed it was forced to act.  By the way, the ruling did not ban IVF.

So, after an initial draft indicated that lawmakers were going to try to counter that ruling by declaring that these embryos were not to be considered "life," a more acceptable version emerged. Initial legislation provided limited, but not absolute protection for IVF clinics, and had a deadline for the Legislature to act to protect life.  The final version approved by the Legislature and signed by the Governor provide blanket immunity and no sunset provision.  

Pro-life groups were warning against the language of the bill that was being considered and called for the Governor to veto the legislation, which she did not.  Live Action News reported:

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill into law on Wednesday that gives civil and criminal immunity to in vitro fertilization doctors should they damage or destroy embryos, even without parental consent.

The story relates:

Interestingly, the law admits that the destruction of embryos is equivalent to the “death” of those embryos, which means, that legislators admit human embryos are alive before they are destroyed.

State Sen. Larry Stutts, the only senator who voted against the new law, criticized the language of the bill, arguing it is “not an IVF protection bill, it’s an IVF provider and supplier protection bill” that is “limiting the ability of the mothers that are involved in IVF to have recourse.” The Alabama Supreme Court ruling had been in favor of the parents whose embryos were destroyed. This law makes it difficult for other parents to file similar lawsuits.

Stutts, who is a medical doctor, had proposed legislation that attempted to address IVF, which passed the Senate, and that did not allow such blanket protection. Another bill passed at the same time, the version that was eventually passed.

Live Action Founder and President Lila Rose noted in a press release:

This law will have catastrophic consequences and withdraws existing legal protections for Alabama’s most vulnerable persons simply because those persons were created through IVF. This law provides dangerous civil and criminal immunity for “damage to or the death of an embryo” in the course of “providing or receiving services related to in vitro fertilization.” That means complete legal permission to destroy, by accident or intention, embryonic children created through IVF—even against the wishes of the parents.

Rose also said that this new law violates the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, as well as the Alabama Constitution.  She noted:

Live Action led a coalition of pro-life groups representing millions of Americans and thousands of Alabamians who are working both nationally and in Alabama specifically, which urged the veto of this legislation. Unfortunately, Governor Ivey ignored those pro-life voices and signed the bill.

Among the groups with representatives signing a letter issued last Monday urging a gubernatorial veto are: Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Family Research Council, Eagle Forum, Alabama Policy Institute, the Alabama Citizens Action Program, and others. 

The Liberty Counsel website stated:

Despite the Court stating that an IVF embryo is a “minor child” and is no different under the law than an embryo in the womb, the new law will treat frozen IVF children differently and not allow legal consequences for their deaths.

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said that lawmakers "...missed the mark with this knee-jerk reaction. It is too bad legislators are moved more by political winds than in science and in the fundamental issues involving human life.”

Staver provided analysis on The Meeting House regarding the Alabama Supreme Court's recent decision regarding embryos.  Staver is quoted on the Liberty Counsel website:

“Every human life begins as an embryo and has incalculable worth. Yet this law presents a double standard treating IVF embryos differently by removing their legal protections. The Alabama Supreme Court held that every unborn life, no matter their stage or location, is a child. As such, children who are in the frozen IVF embryo phase deserve the exact same dignity and protection as all children. The Alabama legislature should revisit this issue immediately and take a more reasoned and scientific approach that proscribes how human life must be treated in the context of IVF.”

SBC officials announce end of DOJ probe

For some time now, leaders in the Southern Baptist Convention have been attempting to find solutions to reports of sexual abuse among congregants in its churches.  While there are those that believe that each local church should look into allegations and deal with them on that level, reports of abuse published in the Houston Chronicle and the report of an independent agency, Guidepost Solutions, which did not seem to uncover very much new information, have promoted the denomination to set up a task force to deal with such matters, which has given rise to a new third-party entity devoted to addressing issues relative to sex abuse. 

In August 2022, according to Baptist Press, it was announced that the U.S. Department of Justice would be looking into actions of the SBC Executive Committee in its response to reports of sexual abuse. Recently, the website stated:

SBC entity leaders and SBC President Bart Barber first announced the DOJ’s intention to investigate the SBC on Aug. 12, 2022, pledging to fully cooperate with investigators.

“While we continue to grieve and lament past mistakes related to sexual abuse, current leaders across the SBC have demonstrated a firm conviction to address those issues of the past and are implementing measures to ensure they are never repeated in the future,” they said in the 2022 statement. “The fact that the SBC Executive Committee recently completed a fully transparent investigation is evidence of this commitment.”

The story was devoted primarily to announcing that the Department of Justice investigation has ended. It related:

The U.S. Department of Justice has concluded its investigation of the SBC Executive Committee, Southern Baptist leaders learned Feb. 29.

In a statement today, Jonathan Howe, interim SBC EC president/CEO, said the DOJ has told the EC’s legal counsel there is “no further action to be taken.”

However, Religion News Service stated:

That news came as a surprise to abuse survivors and advocates such as Megan Lively and Tiffany Thigpen. They reached out to Department of Justice investigators, who they say told them the investigation was ongoing. Both said they were told the lead DOJ investigator had no more questions for the Executive Committee and but that the investigation remains open.

The writer of the story, Bob Smietana, postulated:

Both sides agree that something has changed with the DOJ’s investigation. They appear to disagree about what that change means. The confusion over the status of the DOJ investigation has strained the already tense relationship between abuse survivors and leaders of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination.

He referred to a subsequent story by Baptist Press, which stated:

Legal counsel for the SBC has since confirmed that the investigation into the SBC as a whole remains open and ongoing, however, the DOJ has never made a public statement about the investigation and BP’s requests for comments were not returned on March 5 and March 7.

In a statement posted on its website Thursday, the Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force (ARITF) said, “Southern Baptists initiated the work of sexual abuse reform not in response to criminal inquiries or threats of lawsuits but due to an increasing burden and awareness that vulnerable people were suffering harm in many of our churches and institutions, which were vastly under resourced to care for and protect them.”

The article goes on to say:

In February, the ARITF announced the coming formation of the Abuse Response Commission – an independent non-profit organization to aid Southern Baptist churches in tracking credibly accused sexual abusers and creating resources to help churches prevent and respond to sexual abuse.

California school district positive upholding parental rights affirmed

In the Temecula Valley Unified School District in California, a policy was put into place that would affirm the rights of parents to be notified by school officials regarding a child's "gender transition," as well as to ban the teaching of Critical Race Theory in the schools, and, according to a press release by Advocates for Faith and Freedom, the policy had been challenged in court, and recently, a court ruled in favor of the district's policy,     

The president of the organization, Robert Tyler, is quoted as saying: "This is a win for commonsense, parents, and the safety of students," adding, "TVUSD is committed to providing a quality education free from political agendas and free from dishonest and divisive curriculum. This ruling allows TVUSD to continue implementing these sound policies."

School Board President Joseph Komrosky stated: "These policies were enacted by the school board to ensure our district puts the needs of students and their parents above all else. Our district remains focused on providing a holistic education for all of our students, free from both discrimination and indoctrination."

The 3 - March 3, 2024

This week's edition of The 3, highlighting three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes the announcement of plans by major pharmacies to sell the abortion pill in selected states. Also, Alabama lawmakers attempted to respond to the Alabama Supreme Court's pro-life ruling on human embryos by providing what is hoped to be temporary legislation to enable IVF clinics to resume services.  And, the ministry of Youth With a Mission faces significant challenges after a bus accident in Tanzania claimed the lives of 11 people associated with the ministry.

Pharmacies announce plans to sell abortion pill in some states

With a March 26 date for arguments in the U.S. Supreme Court over the expanded availability of the abortion pill, mifepristone, two pharmacy chains have announced their plans to sell it. 

LifeNews.com reported:

CVS and Walgreens announced that they will begin selling the abortion pill nationwide, even though it has killed millions of babies and injured countless thousands of women.

The two pharmacy chains recently received certification to dispense the drugs in a small group of states, a process they initiated after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved new regulations last year allowing brick and mortar retailers to offer chemical abortion.

Leading pro-life groups condemned the decision, saying that the pills end the lives of babies before birth and that chemical abortion poses greater risks for women than surgical procedures – even as high as four times the risk.

Chelsey Youman, National Director of Public Policy for Human Coalition is quoted in the article; she stated: “This is a massive scheme of abortion-on-demand where our neighborhood pharmacies have been turned into merchants of death. The FDA has lost all credibility in abandoning its responsibility to protect life, and women and children are paying the cost with their lives..." She added, “Over the years, the FDA has recklessly tossed aside common sense safety regulations to the point where women can now get abortion pills at their neighborhood pharmacy – or through the mail – having not ever seen a doctor throughout the process. They may not have received critical screenings for complications that could save their lives..."

The Life News article pointed out:

On March 26 the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine and Danco v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, petitions in the landmark case in which a group of doctors are challenging the FDA’s reckless rubber-stamping of mail-order abortion pills. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals previously found that the FDA’s actions likely violated the law.

Alabama lawmakers vote to extend protection for IVF clinics

The declaration by the Alabama Supreme Court that embryos produced through in vitro fertilization are, in fact, human, set off a firestorm of activity, driven largely by misinformation, regarding the fertility industry in the state of Alabama.  By week's end, both chambers of the Alabama Legislature had passed bills offering legal protection for IVF clinics, in light of the high court's ruling that a lawsuit involving the destruction of embryos in a clinic in Mobile could move forward. 

Pro-life groups were adamant that lawmakers, who are tasked with crafting legislation speaking to the issue, can protect IVF and do so in a pro-life manner.  Writing on behalf of the Alabama Pro-Life Coalition, President Eric Johnston stated: "Our objective is not to compromise IVF in any material way, but to facilitate and continue its availability."

He noted, "...we agree with the Court opinion. Therefore, the humanity of those unborn children must be protected, while permitting couples to have the option. We believe the unused embryos should be permitted to be adopted. In all events, those not used, must not be destroyed. We must agree on a humane way to resolve this problem."

An earlier version of the legislation passed by the Senate and House had included language that said the embryos were actually not considered to be human life. That language was abandoned. As Johnston related, another version included a deadline by which the bill would expire - that was removed; in response, he wrote: "This raises our concern that the Legislature will not adequately or timely deal with the problem. IVF is not regulated in Alabama. The Court opinion is a wake-up call."  Also, language granting "blanket immunity" to IVF clinics was revised.   

And, pro-life individuals and groups should have seats at the table.  Johnston wrote:

The Alabama Legislature must ignore the demands of special interests and work with all groups to do what is needed to permit IVF, while protecting the unborn. The Alabama Pro Life Coalition must be a part of that process and the Alabama Legislature must act with dispatch, but with care.

The conversation can be found here. 

Bus accident claims lives of almost a dozen people working with YWAM 

The missions organization, Youth with a Mission, has suffered a significant loss and needs our prayers.  An article published this past Thursday on the Mission Network News website about a deadly bus accident in Tanzania states:

On Saturday, February 24, participants in a YWAM leadership course took a field trip in two buses to Maasai land, where they observed a thriving community development program. On the return trip, a truck that reportedly lost its brakes smashed into YWAM’s second bus, crushing it from top to bottom.

The accident involved four vehicles in total and at least 15 fatalities. One of the vehicles involved was carrying students and teachers from New Vision School of Arusha and a public bus.

Eleven Gospel workers were killed, including the local YWAM base leader and training director. Eight believers were severely wounded, and two remain in critical condition today.

The article notes that: 

Those who died were leaders of projects, training centers, and ministries. It is a significant hit for YWAM’s work, especially in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Pray the work that has been happening through those who passed away will not be stopped but be carried on by others. Pray that much fruit will come from these tragic deaths and that Jesus will get all the glory.

The costly procedures to "arrange care for the injured, support families, and get the bodies back to eight different countries for burial..." are underway.

The 3 - February 25, 2024

In this week's edition of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, there is information relative to an Alabama Supreme Court ruling stating that a frozen embryo is protected under the law as a person.  And, the development of an unborn child may be shown in school classrooms in several states soon, which are considering legislation allowing this type of video. Also, a new Tennessee law allows those entrusted with performing wedding ceremonies to opt-out if he or she objects based on conscience. 

Alabama high court rules that frozen embryos are human beings

In a stunning pro-life court decision, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos, produced in the process of in vitro fertilization, are actually human beings.  Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel addressed that decision on last Friday's Meeting House program, and the Liberty Counsel website stated:

In LePage v. The Center for Reproductive Medicine P.C., the Court ruled that “an unborn child is a genetically unique human being whose life begins at fertilization and ends at death.”

The Court continued that “an unborn child” qualifies as a “human life,” “human being,” or “person” ... “throughout all stages of an unborn child’s development, regardless of viability.” (emphasis added)

The case involves a wrongful death lawsuit by three couples regarding the death of their frozen embryos at an IVF clinic. The deaths were caused by a clinic patient who wandered into the cryogenic nursery and tampered with an unsecured freezer resulting in the embryos being dropped on the floor.

However, now there are lawmakers who want to water down this life-affirming decision by the state Supreme Court and declare these embryos are not viable.  This seemingly knee-jerk reaction comes after some IVF clinics in the state have temporarily shut down.  An 1819 News story states: "According to Alabama Daily News, State Sen. Tim Melson...has drafted legislation that says 'any human egg that is fertilized in vitro shall be considered a potential life but shall not be considered for any purposes a human life, a human being, a person, or an unborn life unless and until the fertilized egg is implanted into a woman's uterus and a viable pregnancy can be medically detected.'"

That bill, as well as another that uses similar language, were described by Alabama Pro-Life Coalition President Eric Johnston as "very ill-informed efforts." He stated, "Most significantly, they are proposed 'statutes.' They cannot modify the AL Constitution as interpreted by the court. It will require a CA (constitutional amendment)..."

Live Action News reported that all IVF clinics have not shut down.  It states:

Live Action founder and president Lila Rose applauded the Alabama Supreme Court’s recognition of human life, noting that this will provide more protections for children conceived through ART — many of whom are treated as property, rather than human beings created at the whim of adults.

“This decision made by the Alabama Supreme Court affirms the scientific reality that a new human life begins at the moment of fertilization,” she said. “Each person, from the tiniest embryo to an elder nearing the end of his life, has incalculable value that deserves and is guaranteed legal protection. This ruling, which involved a wrongful-death claim brought by parents against a fertility clinic that negligently caused the death of their children, rightly acknowledged the humanity of unborn children created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and is an important step towards applying equal protection for all.”

An article at the Washington Examiner quoted SBA Pro-Life America State Policy Director Katie Daniel, who said, “The Alabama Court recognized what is obvious and a scientific fact — life begins at conception,” adding, “That does not mean fertility treatment is prohibited. Rather it means fertility treatments need not carelessly or intentionally destroy the new life created.”

Efforts to show life in the womb present in several states

Speaking of Live Action, that ministry has produced a video called, Baby Olivia.  A recent article at The Stream notes:

“Baby Olivia” is an educational animated video illustrating human development from fertilization until the point that a baby is ready to be born. Live Action, a pro-life advocacy group, made the three-minute video. This video, or ones like it, may soon be shown in classrooms in several states.

“The Baby Olivia project provides a medically accurate, animated glimpse of human life from the moment of fertilization. The story details her growth as she progresses from one developmental stage to the next, in preparation for her continued life outside of the womb,” the video webpage says.

But, in a response to a negative news story about the video, Live Action News states:

State legislatures in Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, and West Virginia are debating bills that would require public school students to watch “Baby Olivia” or a similar video during sex ed/health classes. North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum signed a law into effect last year requiring “Baby Olivia” or equivalent video content to be shown in its public schools.

Under HB 1265, both health curriculum and human sexuality instruction in North Dakota schools must show a high-definition video depicting the formation of vital organs in early fetal development. Viewing human growth and development in two separate classes before high school graduation is now the state standard in schools across North Dakota.

The story relates:

The “Baby Olivia” video is medically accurate and was reviewed and endorsed by OB-GYNs and other medical professionals, including Dr. David Bolender, PhD, Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin; Dr. Donna Harrison of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Michelle Cretella, MD, Executive Director of the American College of Pediatricians; and Jeffrey Barrows, DO, MA, Senior VP Bioethics and Public Policy for the Christian Medical & Dental Associations.

TN Governor protects conscience rights regarding performing weddings

In a bill that seems like it could - and should - have been passed many years ago, Governor Bill Lee of Tennessee has signed legislation that would, according to the CBN News website, "...allow public officials to refuse to perform wedding services based on their 'conscience or religious beliefs.'" The article says:

HB 878 states that a person "shall not be required to solemnize a marriage if the person has an objection to solemnizing the marriage based on the person's conscience or religious beliefs."

The article goes on to say:

The bill was introduced by Rep. Monty Fritts last January.

"As societal views change about what constitutes a marriage, officiants must be able to refuse to solemnize marriages that are contrary to their beliefs," Fritts said during a state Subcommittee on Children and Family Affairs meeting. "The government has a responsibility to protect the exercise of religious beliefs. … Those with the authority to perform civil ceremonies would also be permitted to refuse to solemnize marriage for reasons of conscience."

The 3 - February 18, 2024

This week's edition of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, features a story of the advance of gambling legislation in Alabama, now having passed the House of Representatives. Also, there is continued legal action regarding Navy SEALS who were denied religious exemptions from being forced to receive the COVID vaccine.  And, Tim Tebow's prom night for special needs individuals continued to shine the light of Christ recently.

Alabama House approves gambling legislation

On Tuesday, an Alabama House committee held a public hearing on proposed legislation that would amend the Alabama Constitution, if approved by the voters, that would pave the way for expansion of gambling in Alabama, including casino-style gaming, more casinos, legal sports betting, and a state lottery.  It passed the committee in a vote on Wednesday and was approved by the House of Representatives on Thursday - a sweeping expansion that promises much, but will have a high cost to individuals and families in its delivery.   The legislation now goes to the Alabama Senate.

Also last Tuesday, there was a press conference that included a number of organizations, including Christian groups, opposed to this legislation.  Leaders of the Alabama Policy Institute, Alabama Citizens Action Program, Eagle Forum of Alabama, and the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions were on hand.

The bill now heads to the Senate, and you are encouraged to be in prayer and to reach out to your State Senator, asking him or her to vote against any gambling legislation.  You can find information on your senator through the ALCAP and Eagle Forum of Alabama website or by searching for the Alabama Legislature website. 

Litigation involving Navy SEALS challenging COVID vaccine mandate continues 

Even though the government mandate for military members to receive the COVID vaccine is over, there are still legal issues at play.  First Liberty has been involved in addressing the plight of Navy SEALS who applied for, but did not receive, a religious exemption to receiving the shots.

In a recent press release, the Christian legal organization said:

...a federal district court issued an order stating a class action lawsuit initially filed by several Navy SEALs and other Naval Special Warfare personnel against the Navy for punishing servicemembers who had religious objections to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate is not moot and can continue. The court stated that although Congress rescinded the vaccine mandate, the Navy’s “sham” religious accommodation process that it used to punish thousands of sailors is still in place. In other words, the Navy has done nothing to address the source of the problem.

According to the press release, the Court stated, "Without the constitutionally required avenue to seek accommodations for their beliefs, Class Members allege they remain injured. This includes present and future harms due to hesitance to use the accommodations process going forward for any religious accommodation.” The suit is being handled by the U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas Fort Worth Division.

Tebow event shines the light on those with special needs

Hundreds of churches recently participated in the annual "Night to Shine," presented by the Tim Tebow Foundation.  The event is designed to affirm those with special needs in a Christian atmosphere and give them a fun evening.

CBN.com reported on the most recent event, stating:

This year's event was hosted on February 9 by 725 churches across 56 countries including several hundred churches in the U.S.

Tebow and his wife, Demi, were able to surprise volunteers and guests at seven different Night to Shine locations including events in Guatemala, Belize, Colombia, Brazil, and three different churches in Ohio.

Tim Tebow is quoted as saying, "By God's grace, we have seen Night to Shine act as a catalyst, we've seen thousands of people serve with us and help turn Night to Shine into a worldwide movement..." He also noted, "Our hope is that as they walked down the red carpet, or were crowned King or Queen, that they didn't just know love as a concept, but they experienced the love of all the people cheering for them, they experienced the love of Jesus, and walked away knowing full well in their heart they are loved."

The 3 - February 11, 2024

This week's edition of The 3, featuring three stories of relevance to the Christian community, features developments about the potential destruction of the bodies of five aborted babies, which serve as evidence of criminal activity.  Also, an Ohio pastor who opened his church doors to the homeless and was arrested for it has reached a settlement with his city. And, an Arizona church staff member who was shot will preaching on a street was back at church recently and seems to have made a significant recovery.

Officials urged not to destroy bodies of aborted babies in DC

It is certainly a gruesome story - 115 aborted babies in Washington, DC found in a waste disposal truck outside an abortion clinic.  The bodies of five of those babies were handed over to a pro-life advocate.

Now the Department of Justice wants to destroy them which appears to be destroying evidence of a crime.  CBNNews.com relates:

As CBN News reported in April of 2022, the five babies at the center of headlines were among 115 remains from unborn babies rescued on March 25 from a medical waste transport company parked outside the Washington Surgi-Clinic in D.C.

The babies' masticated corpses were handed over to pro-life activist Lauren Handy. Pro-life groups believe the five babies were illegally aborted in violation of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act or the Born-Alive Infant Protection Act.

Attorneys with the Thomas More Society are defending Handy against prosecution by the Biden Department of Justice for her attempts to stop such abortions in the facility, the nonprofit law firm said.

The report says that the medical examiner's office had held the remains for two years, and now the DOJ wants to dispose of them.  Lawmakers are crying foul, with Representatives Chip Roy and Andy Biggs sending a letter to the mayor and police chief in Washington. 

The CBN article cites The Daily Signal, which quoted from the letter:

"Despite this significant claim, both the MPD and DOJ chose to ignore any potential evidence of a crime for two years," they write. "Now, DOJ has reportedly directed the Medical Examiner that 'there is no reason to keep those babies anymore.'"

They also said, "If partial-birth abortions were conducted on these unborn children, that is a violation of federal law and should be investigated as such. However, if the evidence in this case is destroyed, any future investigation will be severely hampered..."

CBN also states, "In addition, 35 pro-life organizations asked Congress this week to intervene and demanded the babies' remains not be discarded before an autopsy is completed, according to the Washington Examiner."

Pastor arrested for housing homeless in OH city reaches agreement

Perhaps you heard my account of an Ohio pastor, in Bryan, Ohio, who had been arrested because he opened up his church to homeless people.  One of the legal organizations representing him made an announcement several days ago; First Liberty announced on its website:

First Liberty Institute and city officials in Bryan, Ohio announced today that the city has agreed to drop all criminal charges against Dad’s Place Pastor Chris Avell. Dad’s Place has in turn agreed to cease residential operations and to seek proper building certifications, and zoning permits for the operations it plans to pursue together with the installation of any necessary safety measures associated with those permits. Negotiations continue as both sides seek to find a final resolution to the matter.

The Christian Post reported: "Avell was...slapped with 18 zoning law violation charges related to keeping his church open, and his alleged zoning ordinance violations included lacking proper kitchen and laundry facilities, having unsafe exits, and using improper ventilation." Pastor Avell said, "I am thankful to God, the city, and for everyone who has been praying for this day to come," adding, "Bryan is my home. I am eager to continue to serve God, my community, and the people I love."

AZ man shot while preaching on street back at church

It was perhaps a life-threatening situation, but an Arizona street preacher is back at church after surviving a gunshot wound. Hans Schmidt was shot in the head, and 10 weeks after that event, was back in church on January 28.  The Stream related about what Hans' wife, Zulya posted:

Sunday, Jan. 28, Zulya posted on Instagram an incredible praise report: her husband Hans attended church with her that Sunday. She included a clip of him playing the drums on stage during worship with this caption:

We serve a miracle working God. He walks, he talks, he even plays the drums [face holding back tears emoji]
God has done an incredible work in Hans’ life and every day he continues to improve. Please continue to pray for a full restoration 💙

Zulya has continued to pray for her husband’s recovery despite hopeless statements. Shortly after the shooting, Hans had seized and gone unconscious. Doctors initially called his brain injury “devastating” and “inoperable” and the detective working on the case told her “we’ll know more after the autopsy,” she told CBN News.

The Stream article says: "As of that CBN interview in late December, Hans was not able to communicate. Now the husband, father of two and former army combat medic can speak and do much more." Vision Christian Media reported:

Victory Chapel First Phoenix Church where Hans is the Outreach Director said he continues to fight and work hard at his recovery, but prayers are still needed and highly valued by him and his family, as the journey is not over.

The article quoted from a statement from the church: “We are rejoicing and thanking God for the miracle we have seen. Hans has been released from the hospital and is home with his family. Please continue to pray for this family as they navigate the road to recovery...” 

The 3 - February 4, 2024

This week's edition of The 3, featuring three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes a verdict against 6 pro-life individuals who participated in a peaceful expression of their free speech outside an abortion clinic. Also, strategies are emerging that would abortion amendments from appearing on ballots in several states.  And, the Ohio Legislature has completed its override the governor's veto of a bill that would prevent harmful gender change procedures on children and keeps boys out of competing in girls' sports.

Pro-life defendants found guilty of FACE and conspiracy charges

You could say that the punishment doesn't fit the crime and contend that there was no crime at all. It happened in the Nashville suburb of Mt. Juliet. The Daily Wire reported on the conviction of six pro-life individuals who decided to make a statement about the sanctity of life.

The pro-life activists were accused by the Department of Justice of violating the FACE Act and civil rights conspiracy for a protest that took place in a hallway outside of a Mount Juliet abortion provider on March 5, 2021. On that day, a group of demonstrators gathered on the second floor of an office building in the hallway outside the Carafem Health Center Clinic. The group prayed, sang hymns, and urged women showing up to the clinic to not get abortions.

The article said: "The conspiracy charge can be punished with up to 10.5 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and fines of up to $260,000 while the FACE Act charge can lead to one year in prison and a $10,000 fine."  "FACE" stands for Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances.

Live Action said that the attorney for one of the defendants, Paul Vaughn, "Thomas More Senior Counsel Steve Crampton, characterized the pro-life action in March 2021 at the Carafem abortion facility in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, as a 'peaceful demonstration' consisting of 'prayer, hymn-singing, and worship.'”  It reported that sentencing would occur on July 2.

The Daily Wire story noted:

Video of the demonstration showed the group singing songs like “Holy, Holy, Holy,” and “Onward Christian Soldiers,” while others showed members of the group talking to police. Another video showed one participant telling another to speak “in love” to a man with his girlfriend who had shown up at Carafem and that someone’s “baby is a gift from God.”

States take steps to block abortion amendments from making it to the ballot

The constitutional amendment passed by Ohio voters in November has been described as "deceptive," and was backed by millions of pro-abortion dollars. It allows abortion throughout a woman's pregnancy, in most cases. 

Unfortunately, it takes money - lots of it - to get these amendments passed; and pro-abortion organizations certainly have a propensity to raise it.  They have passed pro-abortion amendments in some states and defeated pro-life amendments in others.  

This is why the "let the people vote" mantra can be so dangerous regarding ballot reference to constitutional amendments - those crafting the amendments can and will manipulate the public, backed by large amounts of money.  You have an elected Legislature that is tasked with dealing with these types of matters

Some states are attempting to prevent these measures from going on the ballot in the first place. Take, for instance, the state of Mississippi, where, according to the Mississippi Today website, the state House of Representatives recently passed a key resolution; the article says:

House Concurrent Resolution 11, which is still several legislative steps from becoming law, would give citizens the ability to gather signatures to propose new state laws or change existing laws, but it bans them from placing an issue on a statewide ballot about abortion

In Florida, there will be a court hearing this Wednesday regarding a proposed ballot measure there. Liberty Counsel states:

The Florida Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, beginning at 9 a.m. ET regarding a proposed amendment that would codify unrestricted abortion as a right in the state constitution.

Liberty Counsel represents Florida Voters Against Extremism (FLVAE). We filed a petition with the Florida Supreme Court, arguing that the proposed amendment violates the requirement for voter initiatives and should not be permitted on the ballot. Our brief argues that the initiative is misleading and deceptive and violates the single subject rule.

In Nevada, amendment opponents secured a ruling in their favor.  The Hill reported:

A judge in Nevada rejected a proposed 2024 ballot initiative that sought to enshrine reproductive rights, including abortion, in the state’s constitution.

Siding with a newly established PAC — the Coalition for Parents and Children PAC — which filed a lawsuit last month to block the petition, District Judge James T. Russell deemed the proposed ballot initiative to be too broad, embracing a “multitude of subjects that amount to logrolling.”

“This is probably the clearest case I have seen that I think there is a violation of the single subject rule,” Russell said, according to local outlet KOLO News, which first reported the ruling.

Ohio Senate joins House in overriding governor's veto in case of bill protecting children and preventing boys from competing in girls' sports

After Governor Mike DeWine of Ohio vetoed legislation that would protect children from harmful gender-change procedures and keep boys from competing in girls sports, the Ohio Legislature came together and both chambers overrode the veto.

On its website, Alliance Defending Freedom stated the components of the legislation following the successful veto override in the Senate:

...the Saving Ohio Adolescents from Experimentation Act, legislation designed to protect children from the administration of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and identity-driven surgeries. The bill includes the Save Women’s Sports Act, which protects single-sex teams and sports at schools, state institutions of education, and private colleges. The Ohio House of Representatives overrode the governor’s veto earlier this month, so now this bill becomes law...

Matt Sharp, Director of the ADF Center for Legislative Advocacy, is quoted as saying: "Biology is clear: There are only two sexes—male and female—and denying this basic truth only hurts the most vulnerable, our precious children. Now and always, young people deserve the loving embrace of family members who guide them toward this truth rather than be subjected to risky, often irreversible, and life-altering experimentation and drugs..."

ADF Senior Counsel Christiana Kiefer said, "We applaud the Ohio Legislature for overriding the governor’s veto of the SAFE Act and enacting the Save Women’s Sports Act, becoming the twenty-fourth state to protect female athletes. These critical protections ensure that fair athletic competition is preserved. Women and girls must be able to compete in confidence, free of facing unfair biological advantages.”