The 3 - December 1, 2019

This week's edition of The 3, highlighting three stories of interest to the Christian community, includes coverage of a law in New York state that places requirements on pro-life employers to set aside their beliefs on the sanctity of life.  Also, a printing company in Alabama has declined to publish a magazine issues that contains material it regards as objectionable.  And, a pastor in India who was nearly beaten to death represents millions of Christians facing persecution in that nation.

NY hiring law punishes pro-life employers

The state of New York, already having shown its hostility to unborn babies when its Legislature passed a law allowing abortion throughout pregnancy, has passed a law, and Governor Cuomo has signed it, that shows its hostility for those who stand with life, according to a CBN.com article, which reports that the state's new law...

...requires all employers—including churches, religious schools, faith-based pregnancy care centers, and religious nonprofits—to disavow their beliefs about abortion, contraception, and sexual morality by forcing them to hire and employ those who refuse to abide by the organizations' statements of faith.

In response, the Alliance Defending Freedom has filed a lawsuit against the state, representing CompassCare, a pregnancy care center in Rochester, as well as First Bible Baptist Church, the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates, which is a network of pregnancy centers, and other groups.

ADF Legal Counsel Denise Harle is quoted in the article: "Every woman deserves the support she needs to make the healthiest choice for everyone involved in her pregnancy. But New York's new law forces CompassCare to contradict its own beliefs and to employ staff who endorse abortion—a decision that harms women and ends innocent lives. No one would force PETA to hire employees that hunt on the weekends. CompassCare deserves that same courtesy and equal freedom under law."

AL printer says "no" to printing pro-LGBTQ magazine edition

The situation in New York is yet another front in a cultural trend where people who hold to certain beliefs about life and marriage are facing attempts to force them to act in a manner that contradicts those beliefs.  Another organization standing strong is Interstate Printing, based in Mobile, Alabama.

The Christian Post reported on this company's dilemma after the magazine, Due South, was planning an issue that was distinctively pro-LGBTQ.  The Post article said the issue "featured stories about LGBT students and drag queens, AL.com reported."

Editor-in-Chief Sara Boone was quoted as saying: "They emailed me back and said they would be exercising their right to decline printing this issue because it does not adhere to their Christian values and they hope to print with us in the future, adding: “It’s very ironic for me because this particular issue of Due South is a special topics issue on diversity and inclusion. And it’s the very first special topics issue that we have ever produced. For them to decline printing it because it’s so diverse and the content is incredibly ironic..."

The printer had no comment to The Christian Post.  Due South is affiliated with the University of South Alabama. According to the Post article, "The “About Us” page on Interstate Printing’s website states that 'We are a Christian company that will serve the Lord God Almighty in any way we can.'"  The story notes that Bob Lowery, the school’s director of communications and media, wrote in an email to NBC News, “We respect our students for having the courage of their convictions...At the same time, we also respect the rights of individuals and private businesses to make decisions that are consistent with their values. It is our hope that healthy and constructive dialogue can emerge from differing perspectives.”

Indian pastor who was beaten representative of increased persecution in country

Basant Kumar Paul is a pastor who was attacked at his house church in eastern India.  He is quoted on the Baptist Press website as saying:

"My physical body might be weak, but my spirit is very strong, it will not break with persecution," Morning Star News quoted Paul Friday (Nov. 22). "They tried to kill me twice, I was almost dead, but I still did not die. I will not die until the Lord calls me back home. This assurance drives away all my fears."

The story points out that Paul is still recovering, and that, "In the attack on his family, eight extremists entered his home and beat Paul until they thought he was dead, beating his family members as each tried to help. Among injuries, attackers broke Paul's son's leg and hit his mother and brother in the head with axes, Paul said."

The Baptist Press story relates that "Paul is among an estimated 65 million Christians facing increased persecution in the nation of 1.4 billion people. Persecution is spiking under extreme rightwing Hindu nationalism encouraged by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), according to reports from across the Asian nation."  The article relates that:

Christians in the former state of Jammu and Kashmir in northern India have suffered increased persecution since the BJP-led government revoked a 1949 law that allowed Jammu and Kashmir to form its own constitution, reported Morning Star and religious persecution watchdog groups including Open Doors and Voice of the Martyrs.

New security measures issued as recently as Nov. 6 make it "nearly impossible" for Christian congregations to meet, Morning Star reported.

And, the pastor is having legal troubles; the article says that Paul "and other family members are being investigated for holding church services in his home where about 35 gather for worship, Morning Star reported."

The 3 - November 24, 2019

This week's edition of The 3, featuring three stories of relevance to the Christian community, features response to the decision by a large restaurant chain to change its model of charity support.  Also, journalists investigating Planned Parenthood have received a jury verdict against them.  And, a school district in Illinois, under the pressure of a lawsuit filed by a transgender student, has changed its policy to allow boys and girls to use the same locker rooms.

Remnants from week involving Chick-fil-A: definition of Christian organizations as "anti-LGBT" and LGBT advocacy of major funding recipient

There has been a wide assortment of responses to the announcement early in the week about the Chick-fil-A Foundation, the official philanthropic arm of the hugely successful restaurant chain, making a decision to realign its giving priorities.  Gone from the charitable list are traditional recipients such as the Salvation Army and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which were (and continue to be labeled) "anti-LGBT," in the media, presumably because of their Christian stand on matters of traditional marriage and sexuality.

In a Breakpoint commentary, John Stonestreet highlighted this labeling which has been detrimental to the two organizations...

...the Chick-Fil-A Foundation’s decision will only reinforce the slander that the organizations they are no longer giving to are, in fact, anti-LGBT. It will only reinforce that all the good these organizations do is immediately made invalid, if they are Christian groups with historic and biblical Christian convictions. By refusing to offer any clarity on the reasoning behind their decision, Chick-Fil-A allowed the headlines to be re-written in a way that furthers the goals of the LGBT bullies, that ultimately there is only one acceptable position on these controversial issues: full-support and full affirmation.

Jim Daly of Focus on the Family was likewise concerned about the continued stigmatization of these Christian organizations, which Chick-fil-A had also experienced because of the Christian values on which the company was founded.  He wrote:

Fellowship of Christian Athletes played a critical role in my coming to Christ. They continue to serve our nation’s youth in remarkable ways and are on the front lines in schools across the country. Likewise, the Salvation Army ministers in powerful ways, alleviating hunger and suffering on so many levels.

Daly passionately stated:

Sadly, the left-wing mob that has harangued our friends at Chick-fil-A has perfected the art of the shakedown. They’ve come after Focus on the Family, and they’ve come after me. Recently, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees upset the left when he supported our ministry’s Bring Your Bible to School effort. Their antagonism towards Chick-fil-A is just the tip of the spear.

He also warned that attempts to satisfy certain groups will "never satisfy the aggrieved antagonists." He wrote:

Case in point: immediately after Chick-fil-A made their announcement on Monday, GLAAD further chastised them and said they needed to disown all ties to faith-based groups who trade in “hate” like Focus on the Family. My simple question is this: Can anyone point to the “hate”? I cannot.

Daly mentioned attempts to silence people and organizations who stood on their convictions, including cake baker Jack Phillips, florist Barronelle Stutzman, and Hobby Lobby.  He stated: "I grieve for my country when three percent of its population can successfully harass billion-dollar corporations merely because they hold to two millennia-old traditional values."

Now, another piece of information has emerged about a charity that will be receiving increased funding from the Chick-fil-A Foundation, Covenant House International.  Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel, in a piece at The Christian Post, wrote:

The founder of Covenant House, a Catholic priest pedophile, was sued for allegedly sexually abusing the youth who were seeking shelter and food. Covenant House proudly promotes LGBTQ on its website, referring to “LGBTQ Inclusion Initiatives,” and even doing an “inclusion assessment” at every one of its facilities.

Covenant House also proudly supports the New York City Gay Pride parade with its own float, banners, t-shirts, and hastag #CovUnity. Covenant House is recognized as a national funder of LGBTQ causes.

Staver also links to a story that documents that pro-life witnesses in Michigan shared that they saw a Covenant House International van transport someone to an abortion clinic. And, as Staver points out, Covenant House is only in 31 cities, in contrast to the widespread reach of the Salvation Army. 

Jim Daly concludes his piece by saying:

The LGBT community has fought for decades for a place at the table. In recent years they have received a seat and are aggressively advocating for their agenda. But in a pluralistic nation like America, that seat doesn’t give anyone the right to poke others in the eye.

Does anyone else find it odd that those who claim to have been bullied have become the bullies themselves?

Court grants millions to Planned Parenthood in undercover journalists' case

For six weeks, jurors in a San Francisco courtroom have been listening to testimony in a trial against the Center for Medical Progress and its undercover investigators regarding Planned Parenthood and its trafficking in the body parts of aborted babies, according to LifeSiteNews.com, which reported that it took less than two days to award the nation's largest abortion provider over two million dollars in damages.

Defense attorney Peter Breen of the Thomas More Society stated, "This lawsuit is payback for David Daleiden exposing Planned Parenthood’s dirty business of buying and selling fetal parts and organs,” and announced his intent to appeal. The article continued to quote from the lawyer:

“David’s findings revealed practices so abhorrent that the United States Congress issued criminal referrals for Planned Parenthood, and numerous states and elected officials have moved to strip it of funding,” continued Breen. “Rather than face up to its heinous doings, Planned Parenthood chose to persecute the person who exposed it. I am fully confident that when this case has run its course, justice will prevail, and David will be vindicated.”

But, the article contends the judge in the case, Federal District Judge William Orrick III, gave faulty instructions to the jury.  The article quotes from Thomas Brejcha, founder of the Thomas More Society, in an update last week: “Unfortunately, we couldn’t get Judge Orrick to back off from his insistence that the jury be instructed that the First Amendment … does not state any kind of defense to the charges in this case..."  The judge had already declared the investigative journalists "trespassed" in certain events and meetings, and, according to a Archdiocese of San Francisco report:

Orrick “instructed the jury to only concern themselves with the damages that the defendants are liable for that trespass, both punitive and actual,” it stated.

School district mandates boys and girls share locker rooms

A school district in Illinois has changed its policy to allow boys and girls to share locker rooms.  According to CBN.com, this comes as the result of a transgender student, a biological male, filing "a lawsuit for discrimination because he was not allowed access inside the girl's locker room, The Daily Herald reports."  The school district voted 5-2 to change the policy.

The Daily Herald stated:

Nova Maday, a transgender 2018 graduate of Palatine High School with a discrimination lawsuit pending against the district, said she hoped the decision would influence other districts but doesn't accomplish every improvement she's sought for transgender students. One example of what's not included, she said, is easing the process of getting one's named changed on a student ID.

"It's a great first step," said Maday, who was born male but identifies as female. "It's huge, and school districts all across the state and nation are watching."

Student Julia Burco was visibly upset by the board's decision, with CBN reporting that "she felt 'uncomfortable, my privacy's being invaded, as I am a swimmer.'"  Already, parents in the district, District 211, are mobilizing.  A parents' rights group has already begun to circulate a "privacy request form."

The 3 - November 17, 2019

This week's edition of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes a disagreement over a Christmas tree in the state capitol in Wisconsin.  Also, a graphic designer in Colorado is being forced by state law to provide services that violate her convictions.  And, a Christian in Hong Kong has reportedly lost his life in the continuing protests, which have turned intense and violent.

Christmas tree skirmish in WI

Already, here just before the launch of the Christmas season, there is a skirmish regarding the celebration of the holiday.  This time, it involves public officials in the state of Wisconsin.

According to ChristianHeadlines.com, the Democrat Governor, Tony Evers, decided to call the tree in the Capitol rotunda a "holiday tree" and adorned it with "science-themed" ornaments.  The article says that the state's assembly, led by Republicans, passed a resolution, which...

...passed, 64-30, with 60 Republicans and four Democrats joining together to support it. All the “no” votes came from Democrats. It now moves to the Senate, which must pass it for it to have power. It does not require the signature of Gov. Tony Evers, the Journal Sentinel reported.

The article reports that:

The resolution says the state “respects all religious and cultural customs and is desirous of properly naming the publicly-displayed symbols of our state's diverse holiday traditions out of respect for all traditions.”

“The decorated tree has been on display in the Capitol rotunda annually during the Christmas holiday season since 1916 and has been traditionally referred to as a ‘Christmas tree,’” the resolution says. “... The Wisconsin legislature wishes to continue this tradition and join numerous other states and public institutions and millions of American families in celebrating the Christmas holiday season with a Christmas tree.”

The Majority Leader of the Assembly, Jim Steineke, is quoted by the Journal Sentinel as saying, “It is a Christmas tree. Everyone knows it’s a Christmas tree. Changing the name of the Christmas tree to anything else would be a political game,” adding, “And that's what the governor did when he renamed it.”

Graphic designer challenges CO law which requires her to promote messages that conflict with her beliefs

In Colorado, the same state where cake baker Jack Phillips encountered opposition because he chose not to provide a cake for a same-sex ceremony, an event that he did not want to be a part of, based on his faith perspective, a graphic artist is facing similar barriers.

The Alliance Defending Freedom reports that "Lorie Smith and her studio, 303 Creative, filed an appeal...of a federal district court’s order that upheld a state law provision that gags creative professionals from talking about their beliefs when explaining their business decisions."  The website goes on to say: "The September order finalized a May ruling and adds to a previous decision that would allow Colorado officials to force Smith to design and publish websites promoting messages or causes that conflict with her beliefs."

This all stems from the state's Anti-Discrimination Act, which, according to ADF:

...prohibits creative professionals from expressing any views about marriage that could indicate someone is “unwelcome, objectionable, unacceptable, or undesirable” because of their sexual orientation or that suggests that the designer won’t create particular expressive works because of those beliefs.

ADF Senior Counsel Jonathan Scruggs states, "Americans shouldn’t be forced by the government to create and publish websites that promote messages or causes they disagree with. That is a quintessential freedom that the First Amendment protects..."

Hong Kong protests continue, intensify after Christian student's death

There has been a Christian element of the protests in Hong Kong, which started out as opposition to a proposed extradition law; even though the proposal seems to have been withdrawn, there is still hostility toward the perceived overreach of the Chinese government, known for its oppression of Christians, which seems to be intensifying.

The Christian Post reports on a new development:

Last week, 22-year-old Chow Tsz-lok, a second-year computer science undergraduate at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, died from his injuries after he fell from the third floor to the second floor of a car park in Tseung Kwan O on Nov. 4 while police carried out a dispersal operation nearby with rounds of tear gas fire, The South China Morning Post reports.

The article goes on to say:

Friends described Chow as a Christian who was known in his social circle for his passion for sports and mathematics, as well as his willingness to help others in school. Numerous vigils were held across the city in honor of Chow, with a moment of silence to commemorate the late student.

The Post also states:

As violence and unrest continues to escalate, Christians — who make up 11 percent of the population — have been actively engaging with the social movement. In June, the hymn "Sing Hallelujah" to the Lord rang out as an unofficial protest anthem.

According to a report from the Hong Kong Free Press, volunteers from Protect the Children, headed by pastor Roy Chan, have in recent days stood between the police and protesters, shielding young front-line demonstrators with their bodies.

Other churches in the area have opened their doors to offer shelter on demonstration days.

One of those is the Chinese Methodist Church. The pastor, Poon Yuk Kuen, told the Hong Kong Free Press that people come into the church for, as the Post puts it, "refuge during police clearance actions from previous protests." He is quoted as saying, "No matter what kind of person you are, we welcome you, because this is to fulfill our faith. We are willing to love everyone with the love of Jesus Christ.”

The 3 - November 10, 2019

In this week's edition of The 3, offering a look at three stories of relevance to the Christian community, there is a ruling from one Federal judge, taking on the Department of Health and Human Service to remove conscience protection for those in the health care field.  Also, a Federal appeals court has temporarily allowed a faith-based adoption agency to continue to provide services to families and children, even though it will not place children in homes headed by same-sex couples.  Plus, a chilling event in Spokane illustrates the ideological alignment between Planned Parenthood and those promoting events involving drag queens.

Federal judge halts Administration's conscience protection for health care employees

The Trump Administration, through Department of Health and Human Services, had issued a rule that would offer conscience protection for doctors, nurses, and other in the health care field, which means that they would not have to be forced to participate in objectionable procedures, such as abortions.  As WORLD reports:

U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer ruled Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services exceeded its authority in crafting a rule that would have allowed medical workers to claim religious or moral exemptions to performing abortions or other procedures that violate their consciences.

In an e-mail, Christian Medical and Dental Associations responded by saying: "Christian doctors and nurses are on the frontlines serving people in need...But our service is threatened by lawsuits brought in New York, Washington and California, which challenge commonsense conscience protections for healthcare professionals of faith. Religious healthcare professionals of all religions must be free to continue providing compassionate care without being forced to perform procedures, such as abortions, that would require them to violate their most deeply held beliefs."

Faith-based adoption provider protected from NY government by appeals court

In the meantime, the state of New York has been attempting to force faith-based adoption agencies to place children in homes where the situation violates their beliefs.  Alliance Defending Freedom has announced that, "The New York State Office of Children and Family Services has threatened to force faith-based adoption provider New Hope Family Services to immediately phase out its adoption program for the nonprofit’s policy prioritizing the placement of children it serves in homes with a married mother and father."

Recently, a Federal appeals court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, stepped in and, according to ADF, "issued an emergency order Monday that temporarily halts New York officials from targeting a faith-based adoption provider for its religious beliefs and seeking to shut it down on that basis." That provider is New Hope Family Services.  The order from the appeals court puts the state's action on hold "until the court has a chance to consider whether to reverse a federal district court’s decision to dismiss New Hope’s lawsuit sometime after oral arguments are held on Nov. 13."

ADF Senior Counsel Roger Brooks stated: “New Hope’s faith-based services do nothing to interfere with other adoption providers, but banishing it means fewer kids will find permanent homes, fewer adoptive parents will ever welcome their new child, and fewer birth parents will enjoy the exceptional support that New Hope has offered for decades. We hope the court will permanently uphold New Hope’s ability to serve children and families according to the very beliefs that motivate its valuable services.”

Pro-abortion and LGBT agenda coincide in fundraiser

We can certainly see that a variety of organizations are aligned against the principles of Scripture and those who uphold them.  I would dare say that you would find a significant number of people and organizations who are pro-abortion who tend to be ideologically united with those who are pro-gay marriage and supportive of gay marriage, as well as other issues.  This is borne out in an article at The Christian Post about a recent fundraiser for Planned Parenthood in Spokane, Washington.

According to the article:

An activist group organized on Facebook called Spokane United Against Religious Extremism & The Church at Planned Parenthood — in reference to a church that gathers weekly for worship outside a Planned Parenthood clinic in Spokane, Washington, called The Church at Planned Parenthood — organized the Oct. 30 Halloween themed drag show fundraiser that included an auction featuring giant cardboard cutouts of area Christians known to protest Drag Queen Story Hour events.

Those who had their cutouts "for sale" included Anna Bohach, founder of 500 Mom Strong; Afshin Yaghtin, a local pastor who was arrested for attending a Drag Queen Story Hour to, as he claims, observe what was taking place; and Ken Peters, who has organized the Church at Planned Parenthood, in partnership with other local churches, which holds its meeting at the local Planned Parenthood abortion clinic.

The Post article states that Bohach says that, "she's not surprised by Planned Parenthood teaming up with drag queens against Christians who've been especially vocal against their antics." She is quoted as saying:

"Christians are the biggest threat to their agendas. We are the only ones standing in their way and telling them: 'No, you will not abort babies; no, you will not exploit vulnerable women; and no, you will not expose our children to sexual deviancy and gender confusion,'" she said.

And, the article adds:

"Both groups dehumanize, exploit, terrorize and commit violence against women. Abortion is violence against women and their babies, and drag is a misogynistic mockery of women," she said, referencing a video showing a drag queen in a New York gay bar dramatizing a woman aborting her baby and then cannibalizing it.

The 3 - November 3, 2019

This week's edition of The 3, featuring three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes a development regarding Alabama's strong pro-life law passed earlier this year which will keep it from going into effect in less than two weeks.  Also, the Federal government has issues a new regulation that will allow adoption and foster-care agencies to receive Federal money without having to place children in home situations they find objectionable.  And, a Tennessee pastor is being held in India in a case that has religious freedom implications.

Alabama pro-life law placed on hold

It's disappointing, but not unexpected.  A Federal judge has placed Alabama's law banning abortion in almost all circumstances on hold, according to a piece on the CBN.com website, which reported the law was set to take effect on November 15, but Federal judge Myron Thompson issued a preliminary injunction putting the law on hold.

Planned Parenthood and the ACLU had filed suit against the law, and the article quotes the lead sponsor of the bill in the Alabama House, state Representative Terri Collins, who "said the ruling 'is merely the first of many steps on that legal journey.'"

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall intends to take the law all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, saying, "...the state's objective is to advance our case to the US Supreme Court where we intend to submit evidence that supports our argument that Roe and Casey were wrongly decided and that the Constitution does not prohibit states from protecting unborn children from abortion..."

Governor Kay Ivey stated that she supports the "rule of law," and, "This legislation passed with overwhelming support in the Alabama Legislature and was signed into law as a testament to Alabamians' longstanding belief that every human life is sacred. We must continue doing all we can to protect life..."

Trump Administration takes steps to protect faith-based adoption and foster care agencies

One of the flashpoints in our society between religious freedom and the LGBTQ agenda has to do with whether or not faith-based adoption and foster care agencies should be required to place children in homes headed by same-sex couples, which would violate their religious beliefs.  States have passed laws protecting such agencies, and now the Federal government has weighed in on a related matter.

Liberty Counsel, on its website, states:

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will introduce a new federal rule that would allow faith-based adoption and foster care providers to receive federal money without compromising their sincerely held religious beliefs on marriage by forcing them to place foster children with same-sex or unmarried couples.

Some history here:

In 2016, the Obama administration added sexual orientation language to an HHS rule, forcing faith-based groups to choose between their biblical beliefs on marriage or receiving federal money to serve their communities. Currently, if faith-based groups want to apply for federal funds, they must request a waiver from the Obama rule. The Trump administration rule will now make that regulation null and void.

This was another attempt to insert LGBTQ rights into Federal civil rights law, and HHS is now attempting to turn it back.

Tennessee pastor detained in India

A Tennessee pastor who has been involved in training Sunday School teachers in India and Nepal for some 20 years has been detained on his latest trip to those two nations.  The Tennessean reports that:

Bryan Nerren, leader of the International House of Prayer Ministries in Shelbyville has been stuck in Bagdogra for more than three weeks, according to a petition posted online by CeCe Heil, an attorney with the American Center for Law and Justice.

Heil and ACLJ were involved in the case involving pastor Andrew Brunson, who had been arrested and held in Turkey for two years, prior to his release, which was the result of diplomatic pressure.

Nerren was approached in an airport in early October and was in possession of cash to cover the expenses.  He was allowed to fly to the city of Bagdogra, but was detained because he did not have the proper forms to declare the money.  The story says that:

In Bagdogra, he was arrested for traveling without the proper documentation for the funds, Heil said, then jailed for six days until he was allowed to post bail. 

"However, the judge retained Pastor Nerren’s passport and ordered a travel ban, trapping him in Siliguri."

A hearing in his case set Oct. 22 did not take place, Heil said, and another court date is slated for Dec. 12.

This series of events caught the attention of the organization, Open Doors, which issued a statement from President and CEO David Curry of Open Doors USA: "Given the currently hostile climate for Christians in India, it seems apparent that authorities targeted this American pastor because of his faith. Christians in India are regularly treated with this same disregard and denied basic human rights, while extremists are permitted to hunt Christians down and harass or assault them because of their faith. Now, the authorities have brazenly broadened their scope to detain an American whose only real crime is living out his faith in Jesus while on Indian soil..."

Curry called for Nerren to be released and for India to "reform the current conditions for its minority Christian citizens."  He added, "This is why Open Doors has devoted this year's International Day of Prayer, which will be observed on November 3, to a day of prayer for India."

The 3 - October 27, 2019

This week's edition of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes developments in a case involving a 7-year-boy whose mother wishes for him to "transition" into a girl, a move opposed by his father.  Also, there is chilling news from China, where a megachurch building was destroyed, with the process beginning while worshippers were still inside.  And, Northern Ireland now has legal abortion and same-sex marriage, as the result of the government's inability to form an assembly.

Judge overrules jury decision in case involving 7-year-old whose mother is pushing gender transition

The jury issued a much-criticized decision in the case, and the judge altered the ruling.  It's the unfortunate and troubling case of a 7-year-old boy whose mother wants him to transition into a girl, against the father's wishes.  According to LifeSiteNews.com, a Texas jury granted custody to the mother, who is dedicated to gender transition and placing him on hormone therapy.  The mother is Dr. Anne Georgulas; the father is Jeffrey Younger - the article relates:

Since kindergarten, Dr. Georgulas has enrolled James in school as a girl under the name “Luna.” She began telling him he’s a girl when he was just three, and testified in court that she began to believe that when he liked a McDonald’s toy meant for girls. James’ pediatrician records also indicate Dr. Georgulas has met with GENECIS, a medical “transition” clinic in Dallas and is considering “hormone suppression” when James is closer to eight or nine years old.

The story states:

Dr. Georgulas wants to continue to “transition” James “into” a girl called “Luna.” Mr. Younger wanted to take a “wait and see” approach rather than start the child on puberty blockers.

The presiding judge, Kim Cooks, has ruled that, according to the article, "the parents will have joint conservatorship over James, which includes making joint medical decisions for the child." It goes on to say:

Judge Kim Cooks of the 255th district also put a gag order on both parents so that they cannot speak to the press about the case and decided that the father is not required to pay attorney fees. The judge’s decision means that the Save James website will have to be shut down.

China church building destruction begins with congregation inside

Imagine attending a worship service and having demolition crews and equipment show up to tear the building down. That's apparently the scenario of a church in China, Fuyang Christian Church, which was described by Faithwire.com; it reports:

According to persecution watchdog, ChinaAid, the church could seat some 3,000 people and was part of the country’s official church network. The organization also noted that the demolition was undertaken as congregants worshipped, and that the action was carried out with no supporting legal documentation.

It is still unclear why the church was flattened, though the pastors, Geng Yimin and Sun Yongyao, were subsequently arrested on suspicion of “gathering a crowd to disturb social order.”

The story reports that "the demolition comes just a week after a church in Henan province was leveled as more than 200 congregants gathered to worship."

Northern Ireland government failure results in legalization of abortion and same-sex marriage

For 158 years, Northern Ireland has had a law against abortion. Same-sex marriage has also been banned there...until this past Tuesday, according to a report on the FoxNews.com website, which states:

The Northern Ireland Assembly had been able to control their abortion and marriage restrictions as a devolved region of the UK, meaning they control certain legislative rights that the British Parliament did not.

However, its government has been suspended for more than 2.5 years amid a dispute between the major Protestant and Catholic parties, leaving Britain's Parliament in Westminster to make some key decisions.

A bill had placed a deadline of October 21 for Northern Ireland to form a government; if not, as Fox reports: "the bill’s abortion and same-sex marriage amendments would take effect."  There was a failed attempt to re-convene the assembly, but there was opposition and the body did not name a new speaker.

In an e-mail, Keith and Kristyn Getty, who are from Northern Ireland, expressed sadness over these changes, saying:

A law will be passed on Tuesday in Northern Ireland that will represent a genocide of human beings that exceeds by far even the horror of the Northern Ireland ‘Troubles’ (civil war).

Until now, Northern Ireland has successfully blocked legislation to legalise abortion, and since the UK Abortion Act in the Seventies, 100,000 lives have been saved in Northern Ireland because of our laws. On Tuesday, all this changes.

The sentiment of the e-mail is summed up in the phrase repeated in it: "Lord have mercy."  The Gettys state:

Please pray for the leaders of Northern Ireland. There are many working hard for life. The ugliness of it all is hard to describe and a fair place to speak nearly non-existent. Please pray for the local church there. For compassion, innovation, courage and boldness in conviction. Please pray for those groups tirelessly advocating for the protection of mothers and their babies.

The 3 - October 20, 2019

On this latest installment of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, there is positive court action that would prevent doctors and others in the health care field from having to participate in action that violates their conscience rights.  Also, pro-life sidewalk counselors received good news from a Federal appeals court regarding their ability to communicate truth to women who are seeking abortions.  And, the U.S. Attorney General made an important speech on the religious foundation of our nation recently at Notre Dame.

Judge rules to protect conscience rights of health care professionals

Doctors, nurses, and others who have devoted themselves to health care should not have to violate their conscience by participating in activities that they find objectionable, and a Federal court judge has placed himself in agreement with that premise in a recent ruling, according to a report on The Christian Post website.  It reports:

U.S. District Court Judge Reed O’Connor, an appointee of President George W. Bush, vacated a 2016 Obamacare mandate that critics feared could have forced faith-based doctors out of work if they refused to perform gender-transition procedures or abortions on patients referred to them.

As the article relates, O'Connor had ruled against the regulation in 2017 by issuing a "nationwide preliminary injunction." The article states that "O’Connor maintained his opinion that the rule violates the APA but also ruled that the regulation violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act." APA stands for "Administrative Procedures Act."

The article quotes recent Meeting House guest Luke Goodrich of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which represented plaintiffs in the case:

“It is critically important that doctors are able to continue serving patients in keeping with their consciences and their professional medical judgment, especially when it comes to the personal health choices of families and children,” Goodrich said in a statement. “Doctors cannot do their jobs if government bureaucrats are trying to force them to perform potentially harmful procedures that violate their medical and moral judgment.”

Pro-life sidewalk counselors receive positive ruling

The presence of pro-life sidewalk counselors are there strategically in order to share with abortion-minded women the truth about their unborn child.  Unfortunately, there are those who realize the potential effectiveness of this type of ministry and are opposed to it.  Some lawmakers realize that they can intimidate those brave individuals and restrict their ability to function, and they will certainly attempt to do so.

Such was the case in Pittsburgh, where the Alliance Defending Freedom, according to its website, filed a lawsuit against an ordinance there that passed the City Council in order to protect the so-called "right" to abortion by setting up speech zones at the clincs.  The site states:

ADF attorneys filed the lawsuit in 2014 on behalf of pro-life individuals who haven’t been allowed to speak or engage in sidewalk counseling within the zones. Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto has been enforcing the law, which he voted for as a city councilman in 2005.

Under the ordinance, no one may “knowingly congregate, patrol, picket or demonstrate in a zone extending 15 feet from any entrance to the hospital or health care facility” that the city designates. Health care facilities broadly and vaguely include any “establishment providing therapeutic, preventative, corrective, healing and health-building treatment services on an out-patient basis by physicians, dentists and other practitioners.”

The website lauds the recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, which said that, according to ADF, "...this language does not and cannot apply to pro-life sidewalk counselors." The website says:

"In its latest opinion in Bruni v. City of Pittsburgh, the 3rd Circuit wrote, “the Ordinance, as properly interpreted, does not extend to sidewalk counseling—or any other calm and peaceful one-on-one conversations….”

ADF Legal Counsel Elissa Graves is quoted as saying, “Pittsburgh politicians aren’t at liberty to silence speech they dislike. As the U.S. Supreme Court recognized in last year’s NIFLA v. Becerra decision, ‘the people lose when the government is the one deciding which ideas should prevail.’”

Attorney General calls out those who oppose religion

Attorney General William Barr demonstrated his knowledge of American history and his dedication to supporting religious faith in a stirring message delivered at the University of Notre Dame recently.  According to an article at the Washington Times website...

He said the founders, in writing the Constitution, rejected a society with a weak moral character, which would have needed an overbearing coercive government, and instead counted on a people with strong Judeo-Christian beliefs that could govern themselves without a bullying government.

“This is really what was meant by ‘self-government,’” Mr. Barr said. “In short, in the Framers’ view, free government was only suitable and sustainable for a religious people — a people who recognized that there was a transcendent moral order antecedent to both the state and man-made law and who had the discipline to control themselves according to those enduring principles.”

In one of the strongest statements reported by the Times, Barr said: “The fact is that no secular creed has emerged capable of performing the role of religion,” adding, "What we call ‘values’ today are really nothing more than mere sentimentality, still drawing on the vapor trails of Christianity.”

Tony Perkins of Family Research Council took notice, writing at the organization's website:

Harkening back to James Madison, John Adams, and others, he reminded people that "By and large, the Founding generation's view of human nature was drawn from the classical Christian tradition... [F]ree government was only suitable and sustainable for a religious people," Barr explained.

But, modern secularists, he went on, "dismiss this idea... as other-worldly superstition imposed by a kill-joy clergy." They've imposed their own ideas of moral relativism on society and the results have been grim. "First is the force, fervor, and comprehensiveness of the assault on religion we are experiencing today. This is not decay; it is organized destruction," Barr warns. Of course, "One of the ironies, as some have observed, is that the secular project has itself become a religion, pursued with religious fervor. It is taking on all the trappings of a religion, including inquisitions and excommunication."

In a Breakpoint commentary, John Stonestreet of the Colson Center stated:

The Attorney General’s speech reminds us that competing visions for America and its future are rooted in completely different worldviews: One leads to freedom, the other leads to tyranny—because it discards the true source of freedom.

This much is clear: We can no longer assume our friends and neighbors “get” religious freedom. We must make the case for religious freedom as a positive good for all, as a necessary ingredient of human flourishing, for true freedom, and for our life as a nation.

And, as Perkins pointed out, Barr said: "Secularists, and their allies among the 'progressives,' have marshaled all the force of mass communications, popular culture, the entertainment industry, and academia in an unremitting assault on religion and traditional values..."

The FRC President then wrote, "...immediately, liberals set about proving the attorney general right...," adding:

The Washington Post called it "terrifying." Over at the New York Times, Paul Krugman said it smacked of "religious bigotry." Richard Painter's fury burned through his Twitter feed, insisting Barr's heartfelt and passionate address was "the latest episode of 'The Handmaid's Tail." And the rage went on and on. Of course, the Wall Street Journal's William McGurn points out, "This is what we have come to expect when someone in public life mentions religion in a positive light." Or, it turns out, secular activists in a negative one.

The 3 - October 13, 2019

This week's edition of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, highlights the Supreme Court's hearing this week on cases involving the expansion of civil rights law to include protections based on sexual orientation or gender identity.  Also, LGBTQ rights was the subject of a townhall sponsored by a cable news network, which included some statements which present concern to people of faith who are opposed to singling out LGBTQ individuals for certain rights.  And, a Florida city's ordinance against therapy for those who are struggling with same-sex attraction was struck down by a judge.

U.S. Supreme Court hears important case on expansion of civil rights law to gender identity and sexual orientation

The Alliance Defending Freedom calls the case that was heard by the U.S. Supreme Court last week an attempt by the ACLU to "rewrite federal law."  ADF is involved in one of three cases that have been combined before the high court, for which oral arguments were heard.  The summary of the case, according to the ADF website:

It all started when a male funeral director approached Tom in 2013 and explained that the funeral director would begin dressing and presenting as a woman while interacting with grieving families at work.

This funeral director had worked at Harris Funeral Homes for nearly six years and had agreed to follow the dress code since the time of hire. Tom took time to pray and consider the interests of the funeral director, his other employees, and the families that Harris Funeral Homes serves. Ultimately, Tom decided he could not agree to the funeral director’s plan.

The funeral director then filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which launched a lawsuit against Tom and Harris Funeral Homes for sex discrimination – claiming that “sex” includes “gender identity” in federal law.

Another Alliance Defending Freedom article states, "If the Supreme Court rules in favor of Harris Funeral Homes, the court would make it clear that unelected officials cannot redefine the law – only Congress has that power."  A loss at the high court "would have widespread consequences for everyone:"

ADF says, "It could undermine equal opportunities for women...," opening the doors for men claiming to be women "to take women’s athletic awards and scholarships." It would also put in jeopardy "the dignity and privacy of women — forcing organizations to open women’s shelters, locker rooms, and restrooms to men who believe themselves to be women..."  Plus, there are more implications outlined by ADF.

An analysis of the oral arguments from Kate Anderson, Senior Counsel at ADF on The Meeting House can be found here.

LGBTQ extremism on display at town hall for Democrat Presidential candidates

An article on The Federalist website gave a direct summary about the CNN town halls on Thursday night regarding positions on LGBTQ issues. It says:

Nine times last night the same basic half hour played itself out over and over again. As former Vice President Joe Biden pointed out early on, there weren’t many differences exposed, with the possible exception of former Congressman Beto O’Rourke promising to end tax breaks for churches, mosques, and synagogues. Instead, what we saw was a ritualistic exercise meant to make every candidate, and moderator, for that matter, accept incredibly progressive shibboleths regarding LGBT issues.

It called the evening's activities a "purity test" on these issues.  A Daily Caller article gave some examples.

Cory Booker:

“So for me, I cannot allow as a leader that people are going to use religion as a justification for discrimination,” Booker said. “I can respect your religious freedom, but also protect people from discrimination and as I said in an earlier answer.”

Elizabeth Warren decried what she called "hatefulness," saying, "The hatefulness frankly always really shocked me, especially for people of faith because I think the whole foundation is the worth of every single human being..."

About Pete Buttigieg, who is a gay man who is married to another man, who loves to lecture religious people from his faith perspective, the article said:

Buttigieg said Christians who use their religious beliefs against LGBTQ people make “God smaller.”

“It, to me, is an insult not only to us as LGBTQ people, but I think it’s an insult to faith to believe that it could be used to hurt people in that way,” Buttigieg said.

He his so-called same-sex marriage brought him closer to God and said he wished Vice President Mike Pence, a favorite rhetorical target of his, "could understand that."

Another Daily Caller article said:

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris entered the CNN LGBTQ forum by saying her pronouns are “She, her, and hers,” to which CNN’s Chris Cuomo quipped, “Mine, too.”

It was reported by The Federalist that Cuomo later apologized:

After his performance, moderator Chris Cuomo took to twitter to apologize for joking with Kamala Harris that his pronouns are also Her/She/Hers after Harris used that progressive salutation. After all, you can’t really have a religion, which progressivism has become, which out sin and confession. And this event was very much like a church service in which the sacraments were announced and piously taken as Gospel.

Other moderators were two gay men: Anderson Cooper and Don Lemon.

But, it was Beto O'Rourke who stirred the most ire among Christian leaders.  The article states...

...O’Rourke immediately responded “yes,” he would require religious institutions to lose their tax-exempt status for such an offense.

“There can be no reward, no benefit, no tax break for anyone or any institution, any organization in America that denies the full human rights and the full civil rights of every single one of us,” he said.

A Christian Post article quoted Denny Burk of Boyce College, who, according to the article, "In a thread on Twitter Thursday...said O’Rourke’s proposal was a 'draconian assault on the First Amendment' and warned that it could 'bankrupt many churches.'"  The article goes on to say:

“Beto O'Rourke calls for Christian churches to lose their tax-exempt status unless they endorse gay marriage. This draconian assault on the First Amendment is now the MAINSTREAM view within the Democratic Party,” Burk began. “This could bankrupt many churches and religious institutions because it would dissuade contributions. Many churches would lose their property as a result of being unable to pay property taxes —especially in big cities. This is truly draconian and unconstitutional.”

And, then there was a disturbing stunt involving two children.  The Federalist describes the moment:

On two occasions 9-year-old children who transitioned from female to male appeared with their mothers to ask questions of candidates. Having a child who believes they are trans ask questions about how the state and society should deal with the issue of children transition ensures no substantive discussion can be had, because no sane and sensitive person would challenge such a child.

The article had also said, "There was no serious discussion about pending court cases regarding biological male athletes dominating girls and women’s sports. No real discussion of how to handle who really belongs in women’s shelters. No serious debate about how young is too young for a child to transition, either socially or medically."

Court victory regarding Florida city's ban on counseling people struggling with same-sex attraction

One of the emerging issues regarding the LGBTQ agenda has to do with therapy to help people overcome unwanted same-sex attraction.  While there are some who want to mischaracterize such therapy and use terms like, "gay conversion therapy," or "reparative therapy," in an attempt to discredit the practice of helping someone to change his or her orientation, groups like Liberty Counsel are fighting against laws to ban the practice.

Recently, in a challenge to Tampa's ordinance banning therapy that would provide help to those who are desiring freedom from these harmful attractions, according to Liberty Counsel's website:

...federal Judge William F. Jung issued an order granting summary judgment to Liberty Counsel in its suit to invalidate the Tampa ordinance that prohibited licensed counselors from providing voluntary talk therapy to minors seeking help to reduce or eliminate their unwanted same-sex attractions, behaviors, or identity. Today’s ruling permanently strikes down the ordinance, which also imposed significant monetary fines on counselors who provide this voluntary counseling. Liberty Counsel represents marriage and family therapist Robert Vazzo and his minor clients, as well as the Christian ministry, New Hearts Outreach Tampa Bay.

Notice the words, "voluntary talk therapy."  Nothing insidious here, that would give ammunition to critics of the practice.  Unless one doesn't believe a person can change through the power of Christ.  That is, after all, at the heart of the gospel.  The Bible teaches that a person should seek to overcome temptations and sinful behaviors, not to accommodate them.

The website quotes from the ruling, which states: "There is no grant of authority by the Florida Legislature to municipalities to substantively regulate healthcare treatment and discipline.” It goes on to say: “Nothing is more intimate, more private, and more sensitive, than a growing young man or woman talking to a mental health therapist about sex, gender, preferences, and conflicting feelings. The Ordinance inserts the City’s code enforcers into the middle of this sensitive, intense and private moment. But this moment is already governed by Florida’s very broad rights of privacy, something the Ordinance ignores…"

Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel, is quoted as saying, "The city of Tampa has no authority to prohibit counselors from helping their clients achieve their goals. Regulating healthcare is above the pay grade of local municipalities. While striking down the ordinance, the court shredded the arguments used to justify these unconstitutional counseling bans. This ruling dooms every municipality in Florida and is the beginning of the end of more than 50 similar local laws around the country."

The 3 - October 6, 2019

This week in The 3, featuring three stories of relevance to the Christian community, there was an amazing expression of Christ's love and forgiveness in a Dallas courtroom, which was lauded by many, but opposed by some, including an atheist organization which took issue with the judge's actions in sharing Scripture.  Also, the University of Iowa and some of its leaders are in trouble for violating the First Amendment rights of a campus student group.  And, the U.S. Supreme Court has announced it will be placing an abortion case on its agenda.

Beautiful picture of forgiveness in Dallas courtroom

It was the culmination of a tense season in Dallas - a white police officer shoots an African-American man in his apartment; she claimed she was mistaken and thought it was her apartment.  26-year-old Botham Jean was dead, and the former officer, Amber Guyger, was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Following the sentencing, Botham's 18-year-old brother Brandt took the stand.  According to the Family Research Council website, he said: "I know if you go to God and ask him, he will forgive you." He added, "I want the best for you, because I know that's exactly what Botham would want you to do. And the best would be to give your life to Christ." Brandt then asked if he could give Guyger a hug; the presiding judge, Tammy Kemp granted permission, and even, as the article relates, "can be seen wiping away tears in the background." It goes on to say:

In fact, Kemp was so moved by the younger brother's actions that after official proceedings had ended, she stepped off the bench and retrieved her personal Bible from her chambers. Handing the Bible to Guyger, Kemp said, "You haven't done so much that you can't be forgiven." She then read John 3:16, and said, "You haven't done as much as you think you have, and you can be forgiven. You did something bad in one moment in time. What you do now matters."

The FRC piece notes:

Dallas Police Chief U. Reneé Hall spoke for many after the trial when she said, "Botham Jean's brother's request to hug Amber Guyger and Judge Kemp's gift of her Bible to Amber represents a spirit of forgiveness, faith and trust. In this same spirit, we want to move forward in a positive direction with the community."

But not all were happy with this series of events.  In addition to those who felt the sentence for Guyger was too light and those that chose to analyze the occurrence through the lens of identity politics, the atheist organization, the Freedom from Religion Foundation, as FRC reports...

...poured cold water on the judge's display of kindness by filing a formal complaint with the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct, alleging Judge Kemp "overstepped" her judicial authority by giving Guyer [sic] a Bible. According to the atheist group, by reading the Bible with the newly convicted defendant, Judge Kemp engaged in "inappropriate" and "unconstitutional" behavior.

As the Family Research Council points out: "because of the courageous and gracious response of the Jean family and Judge Kemp, the community in Dallas has begun to heal...In fact, through their faithful testimony, the world was able to see a beautiful display of Christ-centered compassion and forgiveness. Unfortunately, FFRF is trying to drown out this life-giving, positive message."

Judge issues ruling against University of Iowa for actions against Christian student groups

Earlier this year, according to Christianity Today, a Federal judge, Stephanie Rose, ruled that the University of Iowa has violated the First Amendment right of the student group, Business Leaders in Christ, when the school decided that the group could no longer have "registered status" because it would not allow a homosexual to serve in leadership.

Lightning has actually struck twice - the same Federal judge found the university violated the rights of another student group, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, when it took the same action.  The Christianity Today article states:

...federal judge Stephanie M. Rose determined that the university inconsistently applied its Human Rights Policy by exempting campus groups like fraternities, sororities, and some affirming faith-based groups while penalizing certain religious groups—including InterVarsity—that require its leaders to agree to its statement of faith.

And, university administrators will feel it in their wallets - they will have to pay the costs incurred in InterVarsity's defense in a trial that is set to start in January.  The article notes:

The University of Iowa issued a statement Monday saying it had revised its student organization policy to allow organizations to require their leaders “to agree to and support” the organization’s beliefs.

U.S. Supreme Court to hear Louisiana abortion case involving admitting privileges for abortionists

The U.S. Supreme Court will be hearing oral arguments this week in a collection of cases involving the employment of transgender individuals and whether or not issues of "gender" discrimination apply to such individuals.  And, late last week, the high court announced it will be considering a case from Louisiana regarding whether or not state law can require abortion "doctors" to have local hospital admitting privileges.

WORLD Magazine reports:

Opponents of the law say it could result in the closure of one or two of Louisiana’s three abortion facilities. The state argues abortionists haven’t tried hard enough to establish relationships with local hospitals and the law is necessary to protect women. The Supreme Court struck down a similar law in 2016, which was before Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh joined the court.

An earlier WORLD analysis related that a stay in the implementation of the law had been granted back in February, as "Chief Justice John Roberts joined the more liberal judges in halting the law, while Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Clarence Thomas voted to allow it."

Samantha Gobba of WORLD wrote:

Benjamin Clapper, director of Louisiana Right to Life, told me the court could align with its 2016 decision in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, which overturned a Texas law requiring abortionists to have hospital admitting privileges, or it could allow the Louisiana law to stand. Supporters of the law and others like it say requiring abortionists to have hospital admitting privileges ensures women can get speedy medical care if a complication arises from an abortion. Critics argue it only serves to limit abortion access.

Keep your eyes on Chief Justice Roberts on this one - although he sided with the liberal bloc of justices to put the Louisiana law on hold, according to SCOTUS Blog, he voted with the dissenters in the Texas case; it was then-justice Kennedy who sided with the 4 liberal justices for a 5-3 decision, in which there was an open seat due to the death of Justice Scalia.  If Roberts is consistent with the previous decision, he could side with Alito, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Thomas to uphold the Louisiana law.

The 3 - September 29, 2019

This week's edition of The 3, featuring three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes a speech on religious freedom given to the United Nations by the U.S. President.  Also, a faith-based adoption agency, which had been protected by law from having to place children with same-sex couples, received a positive court ruling.  And, a Christian organization at the Duke University campus has lost its standing because of its policy on sexuality.

U.S. President defends religious freedom at United Nations

While climate change stole the headlines at the United Nations General Assembly last week and the media put the spotlight on matters related to impeachment, the President began the week speaking loudly on religious freedom at the U.N.

ChristianHeadlines.com reports that Vice President Mike Pence stated that President Trump "was the first American president to hold a meeting at the U.N. on religious persecution."  The President said:
“The United States is founded on the principle that our rights do not come from government; they come from God,” adding, “This immortal truth is proclaimed in our Declaration of Independence and enshrined in the First Amendment to our Constitution’s Bill of Rights. Our Founders understood that no right is more fundamental to a peaceful, prosperous and virtuous society than the right to follow one's religious convictions." He said that the U.S...

"...calls upon the nations of the world to end religious persecution, to stop the crimes against people of faith, release prisoners of conscience, repeal laws restricting freedom of religion and belief [and] protect the vulnerable, the defenseless and the oppressed.”

Also, at the meeting, the President "announced $25 million in funding to protect religious freedom and religious sites around the world," in addition to asking "the world’s governments to join together to end religious persecution." He also, according to the article, "announced an initiative comprised of a "coalition of U.S. businesses for the protection of religious freedom.'"

Faith-based adoption agency in Michigan receives court boost

Religious freedom was a driving force in a lawsuit filed by a faith-based adoption agency called St. Vincent Church Catholic Charities, which, because of its belief in the sanctity of marriage, will not "assess and recommend" same-sex couples "as qualified to adopt or foster," as the Daily Citizen from Focus on the Family reports.  St. Vincent will provide adoption or foster care services to same-sex couples and even place children in those types of homes if the state or another agency deems them the couples are qualified.

In 2015, the state of Michigan, where St. Vincent is located, passed a law, according to the Daily Citizen, "guaranteeing the religious freedom of adoption and foster care agencies against government discrimination."  But when Attorney General Dana Nessel, a lesbian, won the office in 2018, she then entered into an arrangement with the ACLU to not enforce the law.

St. Vincent sued, and this past week, a Federal judge, Robert Jonker, put an attempt to pull St. Vincent's license on hold. The judge wrote, “Defendant Nessel is at the very heart of the case,” adding, "She referred to proponents of the 2015 law as ‘hate-mongers’ and said the only purpose of the 2015 law was ‘discriminatory animus.’ She described the 2015 law as ‘indefensible’ during her campaign. These statements raise a strong inference of a hostility toward a religious viewpoint.”  As the Daily Citizen points out, this is similar to the admonition of a Colorado Civil Rights board in the Masterpiece Cakeshop ruling, citing "religious hostility" toward baker Jack Phillips. 

Judge Jonker issued a preliminary injunction, meaning no action can be taken against St. Vincent before a trial is held, a trial in which the judge thinks the agency is likely to prevail.

Campus Christian organization at Duke fails to receive "official status"

The Christian organization Young Life has a rich history in ministering to students. ReligionNews.com, in a recent story, states:

Young Life, which is based in Colorado Springs, is a 78-year-old organization with a mission to introduce adolescents to Christianity and help them grow in their faith. It has chapters in middle schools, high schools and colleges in all 50 states and more than 90 countries around the world.

However, Young Life has run afoul of the gatekeepers of the Student Government Senate at Duke University, which has refused recognition of the ministry as an official student group.  Why?  Not a surprise; the story says, "...the student government objected to a clause in Young Life’s sexuality policy. After the student government was told the organization would not change its sexuality policy, it rejected the group."  What's the "objectionable policy?"  According to the article:

The Young Life policy states: “We do not in any way wish to exclude persons who engage in sexual misconduct or who practice a homosexual lifestyle from being recipients of ministry of God’s grace and mercy as expressed in Jesus Christ. We do, however, believe that such persons are not to serve as staff or volunteers in the mission and work of Young Life.”

The chapter "...appeared to violate a guideline that every Duke student group include a nondiscrimination statement in its constitution."  Upholding Biblical truth on sexuality is viewed as "discrimination," so Young Life is out, and the article speculates that, unlike public universities that have mishandled similar cases and violated First Amendment protections, because Duke is a private institution, it may not have the "same obligations."

The 3 - September 22, 2019

In this week's edition of The 3, highlighting three stories of relevance to the Christian community, there is another court decision, this time out of Arizona, that upholds the religious freedom rights of creative professionals.  Also, New York City is reconsidering its prohibition on counseling that would help overcome same-sex attraction, as well as gender identity issues.  And, in China, there has been action taken by the government to replace the 10 Commandments with quotes from the President there.

AZ artists win decision from state's high court in religious freedom case

Joanna Duka and Breanna Koski are artists who run Brush and Nib Studio in Phoenix, Arizona, and according to the Alliance Defending Freedom website, they "specialize in creating custom artwork using hand painting, hand lettering, and calligraphy to celebrate weddings and other events." They were concerned that a Phoenix ordinance would make them "celebrate and promote same-sex marriage in violation of their beliefs, even when they decide what art they create based on the art’s message, not the requester’s personal characteristics."

And, as ADF states, "The ordinance also bans them from publicly communicating what custom artwork they can and cannot create consistent with their faith." Their refusal to create art that violates their beliefs could have actually resulted in jail time, fines, and probation. Duka and Koski filed a lawsuit against the city, and on Monday, September 16, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled...

...that the city of Phoenix cannot use a criminal law to force two artists to design and create custom wedding invitations expressing messages that conflict with their core beliefs. Such coercion, the court held, would violate the fundamental principle that "an individual has autonomy over his or her speech and thus may not be forced to speak a message he or she does not wish to say."

ADF Senior Counsel Jonathan Scruggs said, "Joanna and Breanna will now be able to create custom wedding invitations and to communicate about their beliefs without fear of government punishment, as any artist should be free to do. This isn’t just a victory for them. It’s a victory for everyone.”

New York considers repeal of ban on counseling to overcome same-sex attraction

The New York City Council, in 2017, passed a law that would prohibit counseling to overcome unwanted same-sex attraction and issues concerning gender identity, according to a piece on the Liberty Counsel website. The legal advocacy organization, on its website, states: "The citywide ordinance is unprecedented in that it applies to adults who are voluntarily seeking counsel. The constitutionality of the ban is being challenged by a lawsuit. If the challenge reaches the Supreme Court, the City Council fears an 'unfavorable outcome' for the counseling ban that could block similar laws across the country..."

Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel, is quoted as saying: “The law is a gross intrusion into the fundamental rights of counselors and clients. Every person should have access to the counselor of his or her choice. No government has the authority to prohibit a form of counseling simply because it does not like the religious or moral beliefs of a particular counselor or client..."  Staver believes that it is "only a matter of time" until one of these bans is "struck down" by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The website notes that "Liberty Counsel is currently challenging counseling bans in Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, and California."

Chinese officials taking steps to replace 10 Commandments with quotes from President

The Chinese Communist Party, in some areas of China, is taking steps to place its own restrictive stamp on the practice of Christianity, even in the government-sanctioned "Three-Self" churches. The Christian Post reports that:

Churches across China’s central province of Henan have been forced to replace the Ten Commandments with President Xi Jinping’s quotes amid pressure from the government.

That's according to the publication, Bitter Winter, which, according to the Post article, "reports that the Ten Commandments have been removed from nearly every Three-Self church and meeting venue in a county of Luoyang city and replaced with the president’s quotes as part of the Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to 'sinicize' Christianity."  The article quotes from a pastor, who told Bitter Winter that:

“The government’s first step is to prohibit religious couplets. Then it dismantles crosses and starts to implement the ‘four requirements’ by ordering the national flag and ‘core socialist values’ to be placed in churches,” the pastor said. “Surveillance cameras to monitor believers and religious activities are then installed. The last step is to replace the Ten Commandments with Xi Jinping’s speeches.”

The 3 - September 15, 2019

This week's edition of The 3 focuses on a pastor in Myanmar who had faced criminal charges as the result of sharing concerns about religious persecution with the President while in America at the recent religious freedom ministerial.  Also, there's more fallout to report about the endorsement of Bring Your Bible to School Day by NFL quarterback Drew Brees.  Plus, in a sickening discovery, the remains of over 2,000 aborted babies were found at the Illinois home of an abortionist who died recently.

Pastor who pleaded with Trump gets reprieve

A pastor in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, has had charges against him dropped in a case involving comments he made to President Trump while in the U.S. attending the recent religious freedom ministerial, according to The Christian Post.  Rev. Hkalam Samson, president of the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC), in a session that was streamed online, stated:

“I’m ... from Baptist Convention from Northern Burma. And then, as Christians in Myanmar, we are very been oppressed and tortured by the Myanmar military government,” Samson said.

“And then, we don’t have chance, many, for religious freedom. And also, ethnic armed groups fight against the central military government. So, please, American government focus on ethnic people and the ethnic leader to get general democracy and federalism.”

Samson also thanked the Administration for sanctions that had been issued against leaders in Myanmar, the result of, as the Post states, "human rights abuses committed against the Rohingya Muslim community in the Rakhine state in 2017."

After Samson's comments, Lt. Col. Than Htike of the northern command of Myanmar had filed a criminal complaint against him, but it was withdrawn last week. The judge in the case, Than Tun, said, “Lieutenant Colonel Than Htike, who had filed the case, submitted a request to settle and withdraw the case on Sept. 9...So the court has allowed the settlement in accordance with legal procedure[s]… Dr. Hkalam Samson has been acquitted.”

The Post article also relates:

State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in a statement that the criminal complaint against Samson “seeks to unduly limit his freedom of expression and potentially could disrupt his critical work on behalf of tens of thousands of internally displaced people.”

The article reports that Samson stated, “Growing international [pressure] probably led to the decision.” But, a spokesman for Myanmar's military said the complaint was not withdrawn due to U.S. pressure.

Former teammate calls out Brees critics

The reaction to the endorsement of Drew Brees of a Focus on the Family initiative, Bring Your Bible to School Day, continued for a second week, which began with a Saints' Monday night victory over Houston, with Focus President Jim Daly in attendance; Focus had encouraged fans to bring their Bible to the Saints' home stadium, the Superdome, for the game.

And, a former New Orleans teammate of Brees, Benjamin Watson, had some choice words to say about the quarterback's critics. ChristianHeadlines.com reports that Watson said on Fox and Friends that an article criticizing Brees "...was misleading and a mischaracterization of Focus on the Family and of Drew. It was slanderous,” adding, "And so my response was to stop lying with those sorts of labels.”  The article continued:

It is a lie, Watson said, to label Focus on the Family “as anti-gay, anti-non discrimination.”

“It's a shame in this country right now, where if you adhere to certain biblical beliefs that we all have a right to choose what religion we adhere to, you're labeled as anti,” he added. “What Focus on the Family does is uphold marriage. Family is the basic building block of society. [Focus on the Family] upholds those things, and they're labeled [as] anti by other people. And there's an agenda there. And that's what really upset me.”

John Stonestreet, in a Breakpoint commentary, stated:

...as one blogger noted recently, any movement that spends years trying to shut down a Denver bakery and discredit a chicken sandwich restaurant is a movement that has, long ago, run out of real injustices to fight. This second-degree-of-separation guilt-by-association campaign against Brees indicates that the gatekeepers of the LGBTQ movement have moved on, and are now demanding that everything, and I mean everything—from football to business to education to politics to Stranger Things—has to be about this.

As Focus on the Family Jim Daly demonstrated so well in his response to this nonsense, Christians should resist the demand to frame every issue of life and culture around LGBTQ issues. There’s so much more to life than this.

Over two thousand bodies of aborted babies found at IN abortionist's home

Ulrick Klopfer is a former abortionist who died on September 3. His medical license had been revoked back in 2016, according to CBNNews.com, which reported that Klopfer "...had practiced abortions in South Bend, Indiana, but had a home in Will County, Illinois." Family members "going through his possessions at that Will County home" discovered the remains of unborn babies. Investigators discovered the bodies of 2,246 aborted babies.

Jeanne Mancini, President of March for Life, stated:

“This tragic case bears a strong resemblance to that of Kermit Gosnell, who was convicted of murdering born alive infants slated for abortion. Like Gosnell, Ulrich Klopfer had a long and troubling history of ‘willful, intentional and detrimental’ noncompliance with state regulations and his disregard for those regulations intended to protect women and minor girls was appalling."

According to Mancini, Klopfer had even performed an abortion on a 10-year-old and sent her back into an abusive situation.

Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said:

“This devastating discovery proves Kermit Gosnell’s ‘House of Horrors’ was not an outlier and shows the U.S. Supreme Court ruled correctly in upholding Indiana’s law, signed by then-Governor Mike Pence, requiring the humane and dignified disposition of human fetal remains."  

She expressed the desire that "this atrocity will awaken hearts and consciences across the nation to the brutal reality of abortion."