The 3 - October 2, 2022

This week's edition of The 3, featuring three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes actions taken by the governor of California to promote abortion in the state, as well as the response by a high-profile pastor.  Also, a pro-life advocate in Philadelphia was recently arrested in a case involving his involvement in a conflict in front of an abortion clinic.  Plus, a drag show at a Tennessee university has raised concerns.

CA governor signs 13 abortion-related bills into law, major pastor in state calls for his repentance

The Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, is intent on making his state a tourist destination - for women seeking an abortion, and he has launched a cross-country campaign in states with strong pro-life laws in order to attract women to come, offending Christians by using a Scripture reference. He's also been intent on signing legislation to liberalize abortion laws, signing 13 bills into law last week.

CBNNews.com reports that: 

The raft of new abortion laws essentially codifies key parts of the governor's campaign to make California a national abortion hub, but pro-life advocates are condemning the move calling it "horrendous."

"All year we have been fighting these bills to make people understand what is coming down the pike," Greg Burt with the California Family Council (CFC) said on Facebook. "Governor News really wants to make California a sanctuary for the nation's abortions."

The article adds:

The newly signed laws would not only remove all civil and criminal penalties in the deaths of newborn babies, but they set the stage for voters to add additional abortion protections directly into California's Constitution under Proposition 1, come November.

"It protects all abortion, for any reason, up until the moment of birth," Burt explained.

And, like the federal government, the state of California has invested money to establish a website that helps provide information for women on how to get an abortion.

Meanwhile, also this week, Dr. John MacArthur, who pastors Grace Community Church in southern California, who is hear on Grace to You weekday afternoon at 1:30 on Faith Radio, wrote an open letter to the governor, calling out his unbiblical actions, warning him about the consequences of his unbiblical policies, and urging him to repent and surrender to Christ. 

The text of the letter is found on the Grace to You website; the pastor declares:

My concern, Governor Newsom, is that your own soul lies in grave, eternal peril. “Each one of us will give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). One day, not very long from now, you will face that reality. Nothing is more certain. “It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). You will stand in the presence of the Holy God who created you, who is your Judge, and He will demand that you give an account for how you have flouted His authority in your governing, and how you have twisted His own Holy Word to rationalize it. As you look over the precipice of eternity, what will your answer be?

Toward the end of the letter, he states: 

Our church, and countless Christians nationwide, are praying for your full repentance. Please respond to the gospel, forsake the path of wickedness you have pursued all your life, turn to Christ, ask for forgiveness, and use your office to advance the cause of righteousness (as is your duty) instead of undermining it (as has been your pattern).

Pro-life advocate arrested in raid at home

A Philadelphia pro-life advocate was at home with his family recently when reportedly numerous FBI agents visited his home and arrested him. Live Action News reported:

Mark Houck — a husband, father of seven young children, founder of a men’s ministry, and regular sidewalk counselor at Planned Parenthood in downtown Philadelphia, PA — was arrested Friday morning around 7:00 a.m. when approximately 20+ FBI agents reportedly arrived in 15 units with sirens and lights, fully equipped in SWAT gear with firearms. “He opened the door with hands up, and had AR-15s in his face” with his children present, who were “crying and screaming” and “traumatized,” according to family friend and media spokesperson Brian Middleton.

The FBI has denied that a SWAT team was on the scene and that the number of agents was around 15 or 20.

The article says that:

Middleton told Live Action News that this shocking incident had originally stemmed from an altercation outside Planned Parenthood nearly a year ago on October 13, 2021, in which a regular abortion facility escort is said to have verbally accosted Houck’s 12-year-old son, who was present with his father that day on the public sidewalk. When Houck stepped between the escort (who was not escorting any abortion clients at the time) and Houck’s young son, Houck reportedly had to physically push the escort away to stop the verbal assault on his child.

This "escort" failed to show on numerous occasions for court appearances, and ultimately the case was dismissed.  However, a few days later, Houck was notified he was the subject of a grand jury investigation - his attorneys cooperated, but there was no word from officials until the raid on September 23.  According to Live Action News, "He has been charged with violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act and could be sentenced to as many as 11 years in prison with fines up to $350,000."  Again, this is for a case that was dismissed on the local level. 

And, Live Action News also reports:

A pro-life sidewalk advocate who spends hours praying before a Minnesota Planned Parenthood was recently questioned by two FBI agents, further contributing to fears that the Biden Department of Justice is targeting pro-life organizations.

The article says:

The incident that brought the FBI agents to question the man, known only as Henry, took place several months ago. At that time, it is alleged that a Planned Parenthood client attacked pro-life advocates with a box cutter, attempting to tear and slash at their signs while verbally threatening them. The client eventually fell down, but called police. Henry was charged with assault, but all charges were dismissed.

Drag shows on university campus cancelled

At some point, leadership has to say, "enough is enough."  And, that is what the President of Tennessee Teach University has said and done regarding future drag shows on campus after a recent incident. A CBN News story reported that:

According to the DailyWire, a man dressed as a sad monk comes out onto the stage to a song that mocks faith. The music changes and a drag performer strips down to a bodysuit. Minors with cash in their hand are seen running to the stage and an audience cheers.

The CBN story stated that:

President Phil Oldham of Tennessee Tech University (TTU) issued a statement after a video of a drag show held on campus went viral on Twitter.

"I am disturbed and dismayed about the activities in a video circulating on social media from a recent event on Tennessee Tech's campus," he wrote.

"I do not feel the activities in the video represent Tech's values, and I do not condone explicit activity where minors are present," he added. "I also am offended by disparaging mockery toward any religious group."

The President noted that the event was not sponsored by the university and that there would be an investigation. 

The story related:

TTU frequently hosted drag shows at Backdoor Playhouse theater and advertised them to all ages.

But a video posted on Twitter by child protection advocate Landon Starbuck went viral and caught the attention of the school's president.

The events have not been sponsored by the university: the sponsors are Upper Cumberland Pride, TTU's Lambda Gender and Sexuality Alliance, and TTU's drama club Tech Players.  The Daily Wire reported that future "drag" events by two organizations have been cancelled.