The 3 - August 4, 2024

This week's edition of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes a court decision regarding so-called "gender pronouns."  Also, a new pro-life law in Iowa has taken effect. Plus, a Colorado church has received positive court action regarding its attempts to minister to the homeless.

Virginia court OK's ability of student to sue school district over gender pronouns

The Daily Signal reports that, "Fairfax County Public Schools in Northern Virginia requires all students to refer to “students who identify as gender-expansive or transgender by their chosen name and pronoun, regardless of the name and gender recorded in the student’s permanent pupil record.”

However, a student, based on her religious beliefs, does not think she should be compelled by school officials to act in this manner. The article says, "The student believes God made only two genders—male and female—and that to reject one’s biological sex is to reject the image of God within that person."  So, America First Legal has sued the school district.

A county Superior Court judge has ruled that the student, in fact, could challenge the district's policies, even though the district had contended the student did not have "standing."  A parent, Stephanie Lundquist-Arora, is quoted by The Daily Signal as saying: “I’m joining other parents across Fairfax County today as we collectively inhale the fresh scent of common sense with the court’s verdict," adding, “We knew all along that it was tyrannical and completely wrong to try to compel our children’s speech with forced pronoun usage in their public schools. It is such a relief that justice has prevailed this time to preserve our children’s constitutional rights.”

Iowa "heartbeat" law takes effect

A new law intended to reduce the number of abortion in Iowa took effect recently - last Monday, the Des Moines Register reported:

Iowa's so-called "fetal heartbeat ban" officially went into effect at 8 a.m. Monday, prohibiting most abortions once the first signs of cardiac activity can be detected through an ultrasound, typically at about six weeks. The law has narrow exceptions for cases of rape, incest, fetal abnormalities incompatible with life or if the life of the pregnant woman is in danger.

Senate President Amy Sinclair is quoted as saying, "Today, the support for protection of life becomes a reality. Lives will be saved starting today," adding, "Many Iowans have voted, volunteered and prayed to see this day finally happen."

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser stated, “We thank Gov. Kim Reynolds, Attorney General Brenna Bird and legislators for persisting in the fight for life and representing the people’s will to protect babies with a heartbeat..."

Helping the homeless requires court action in CO

While an Ohio church and its pastor continue to labor through the courts to serve the homeless in their community, despite challenges from local officials, a Colorado church is continuing to pursue litigation to protect its outreach to the homeless.

CBN.com reports:

A Colorado church is suing the town of Castle Rock to maintain its homeless ministry after local officials tried to shut it down. The church recently won a preliminary victory with a federal judge ruling the town must allow the humanitarian outreach to continue while the case proceeds in court.

It's called The Rock Church, which, according to the article, "has provided shelter to those without homes by using an R.V. and a trailer that sit behind its building."  

The article goes on to say:

Last year, the town council ordered the church to stop its activities, claiming it violates zoning regulations.

The church responded with a lawsuit citing the Bible's commands to help those in need and calling it a religious freedom issue.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Domenico, in his ruling in favor of the Church, stated, "As the Church has emphasized, and the Town has not disputed, 'the Church has never experienced any public-safety or other related issues while carrying out this ministry, even as it has temporarily house(d) numerous individuals and small families,'" Judge Domenico explained. "Instead, the Town appears concerned about the precedent that would be set, which it suggests might allow either much larger housing projects on the Church's own property or other institutions or individuals to try to use mobile homes in a similar manner."