Sunday, June 27, 2021

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."

No comments: