The 3 - October 22, 2023

This week's edition of The 3 includes news of a letter of faith leaders, including Christian ministry leaders, encouraging support for Israel.  Also, a federal judge has allowed an Oklahoma law to go into effect that protects children from harmful gender-transition surgeries and treatments.  Plus, a federal agencies has notified its employees about a gender pronoun policy. 

Faith leaders, including Christian leaders call on U.S. to support Israel

A number of Christian leaders have voiced their support for Israel after the events that transpired on Saturday, October 7, in which Hamas initiated conflict with that nation, firing rockets, committing brutal atrocities, and taking hostages.  

Last week, there was a letter from Jewish and Christian leaders calling for the U.S. President Joe Biden to demonstrate his support for Israel. The website, Israel 365, stated:

“We need you to take stronger action on behalf of Israel,” faith leaders told President Biden in the letter, while also expressing gratitude for the president’s clear-eyed support for the State of Israel. The diverse group of religious leaders called for the total eradication of Hamas, strongly urging the president not to “pressure Israel into a premature ceasefire.”

The letter also called for the released of all hostages, numbering 199 at the time - a number that was reduced by two with a mother and daughter having been freed late last week.

Included among the signers included Faith Radio programmers, Jim Garlow and Greg Laurie. Others signing the letter included: Michele Bachmann, Jack Graham, O.S. Hawkins, Johnnie Moore, and Samuel Rodriguez.

OK law to protect children allowed to go into effect

Across the country, state legislatures have responsibly been passing legislation that would protect minor children from dangerous gender change treatments and surgeries.  The Washington Stand reports about laws that have faced court challenges, with a federal judge blocking the implementation of that type of legislation in Arkansas and laws in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama allowed to go into effect.  These laws have been implemented while the court cases progress.

And, recently, an Oklahoma law has been allowed to go into effect.  The Washington Stand article says:

An Oklahoma law to protect minors from the harmful effects of gender transition procedures may go into effect, Federal District Judge John Heil, of the Northern District of Oklahoma, ruled on October 5 in Poe v. Drummond.

The state's Attorney General had said he would wait on a court ruling before allowing the law to be implemented, so this allows the law to move forward. Governor Kevin Stitt issued a statement, in which he said that he was “pleased with the court’s decision...Here in Oklahoma, we protect our kids. Plain and simple.” The article notes, "Oklahoma enacted the law to protect minors (SB 613) on May 1, months after approximately 150 pro-trans protestors entered the state capitol and attempted to disrupt legislative deliberations with deafening chants."

Federal agency implements policies to require the use of gender "pronouns"

The Department of Health and Human Services issued an announcement to its employees that, according to CBN News, "that it was imposing a transgender pronoun mandate as part of its new Gender Identity Non-Discrimination and Inclusion Guidance."

The CBN article said:

The HHS announcement to its employees came in an email on what has been called "National Coming Out Day," an annual event to support anyone declaring they are homosexual. It has been observed by the LGBTQ community since 1988.

"All employees should be addressed {by} the names and pronouns they use to describe themselves," the email read.

There was a link to a video by HHS Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm, who said, "We want to make sure that HHS continues to be a welcoming supportive environment where all employees feel safe coming to work." Well, that is, unless you have an objection to using these pronouns.  CBN reported:

Neither the email nor the video explained how the new policy would be enforced or how staff would disciplined if found in violation of the policy. However, HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Rachel Levine, who noted using she/her pronouns "as an out and proud transgender woman" in a senior leadership position at HHS in the video, noted that all supervisors and managers would be responsible for making sure the policy is implemented across the entire department.

In a post on the social media platform X, Roger Severino, the vice president of domestic policy at The Heritage Foundation, posted an image from the email, writing, "HHS today imposed a transgender pronoun mandate on its employees who will now be forced to deny biological realities with their own words or face firing. Those with faith objections should immediately request religious accommodation and prepare to fight for your rights."