The 3 - February 23, 2020

This week's edition of The 3 features good news for a tall cross in Pensacola, Florida, which a Federal appeals court has allowed to stand.  But, there's some bad news for delivery drivers in South Carolina who have been told they cannot pray with other employees in their facility's parking lot.  And, a Christian professor who filed a lawsuit after a student complaint for not using the proper pronouns has been denied his day in court.

Cross in Pensacola park can stay, according to appeals court

Back in 2018, a panel of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals rendered a decision that a 34-foot cross in Pensacola's Bayview Park had to be removed due to Establishment Clause concerns. The Christian Post reports that a panel of the same circuit, in light of the U.S. Supreme Court finding that a large veterans memorial cross in Maryland was constitutional, has agreed to allow the Pensacola cross to stand.

The Post article notes that, "In September 2018, a three judge panel of the Eleventh Circuit unanimously ruled against the cross, with the panel stating that they were 'constrained' by legal precedent."  The Maryland case has apparently removed those constraints and resulted in a positive decision for the cross.

The article notes:

Becket, a religious liberty law firm that represented Bayview in the litigation, celebrated the new opinion, giving credit to the Supreme Court for their Bladensburg ruling.

“The Supreme Court has now made clear that religious symbols are an important part of our nation’s history and culture,” said Luke Goodrich, vice president and senior counsel at Becket, in a statement released Wednesday.

Prayer meetings in UPS parking lot create difficulties for drivers

Religious freedom is an issue in the bizarre case of United Parcel Service, or UPS, drivers who have found themselves at odds with their employer or without a job as the result of - prayer. Liberty Counsel reports on a story out of Myrtle Beach, SC:

In July 2019, approximately 40 UPS drivers started voluntarily praying together each morning in the parking lot prior to their shifts. The group has since grown to between 50 and 60 drivers.

Employees reported to Liberty Counsel that the center manager told a driver on January 16, 2020 that the drivers “cannot pray anymore on company property because someone else may feel discriminated against.” Then January 20, the manager told a second driver that the drivers “could no longer pray on company property because it violates others’ religious rights.” The following week, the drivers met, but did not pray. Some bowed their heads in a simple moment of silence.

Then, after a social media post that was viewed by over a thousand people, according to Liberty Counsel, "several drivers with many years’ experience who regularly participated in the prayer meetings have been fired for what appears to be pretextual reasons. Other drivers are afraid of speaking out in the wake of this firing."

The website states:

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, “An order that employees refrain from voluntarily praying together violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Employers are prohibited from discriminating against employees based on religion. These UPS drivers may voluntarily gather for prayer in the parking lot before they clock in for work. UPS must permit the drivers to continue praying together and reinstate the jobs of any who were fired,” said Staver.

Court drops suit filed by Christian professor over pronouns

Nicholas Meriweather is a professor at Shawnee State University in Ohio.  In 2018, a male student identifying as a female demanded that the professor use his transgender pronoun, i.e. refer to him as a woman, according to a report at The Federalist website.  Meriweather refused, the student filed a complaint, the school supported the student, and the professor went to court.  He was assisted by the Alliance Defending Freedom.

According to the article, "The court dismissed the professor’s suit for failing to effectively prove he faced discrimination for his beliefs." The article linked to the ruling from a Federal district court. The article went on to say:

The court determined, “Plaintiff’s refusal to address a student in class in accordance with the student’s gender identity does not implicate broader societal concerns and the free speech clause of the First Amendment under the circumstances of this case,” reasoning that the use of titles is not considered speech, but is conduct in violation of the university’s anti-discrimination policies. The court further determined the professor was not compelled to use speech he morally opposed, as the university gave him the option of either removing all gendered language from his classroom or addressing each student according to his or her individual preference.

The Federalist points out that:

The court rejected the professor’s religious objections, saying the reasonable-person standard would not consider using preferred pronouns as unreasonable and that the anti-discrimination policy is “neutral” and therefore not specifically affecting any religious group or belief. Most shockingly, the court upheld the university’s position that it could not accommodate the professor due to his religious objection, as it would then be required to make similar accommodations for racist or sexist views as well.

And the article also stated: "Strangely, the court determined Meriwether faced no form of discrimination for his religious beliefs after his superior openly laughed at his concerns during their meeting and compared his views to those of racists."

The 3 - February 16, 2020

This week's edition of The 3, features the bold stance of a Virginia pastor who prayed in accordance with Scripture at one of the state's chief legislative bodies and was met with resistance.  Also, the remains of thousands of aborted babies were laid to rest recently in Indiana.  And, a new network of Southern Baptists calling the denomination to a renewed emphasis on evangelism and the teachings of Scripture has been launched.

Virginia lawmakers walk out on pastor's fiery prayer

Dr. Robert M. Grant Jr. is the pastor of The Father’s Way Church in Warrenton,VA, and recently was invited by a state representative, Michael Webert, to give the opening prayer of the state's House of Delegates, according to the Virginia Mercury.

The pastor included references to issues about which the Bible speaks plainly, and he was met with resistance, according to the website, which reported:

Democrats walked off the floor of the House of Delegates Tuesday morning as the pastor invited to give the opening prayer delivered stinging remarks condemning abortion and gay marriage and said God would bring his “wrath” against those who don’t follow biblical principles.

The article went on to say:

Speaking to reporters afterward, Grant stood by his remarks and called the Democratic response “unprofessional.”

“I think that the statehouse belongs to all the citizens. And all the citizens have a voice,” Grant said. “If it’s my turn to have a voice, and I am a pastor, what do you expect from me? If you don’t want to hear what a pastor has to say, then don’t invite one.”

According to LifeNews.com, Grant included these words in his prayer:

“I pray that you may understand that all life is precious and worthy of a chance to be born,” Grant said. “God is the giver of life and people have no right or authority to take life. The unborn have rights and those rights need to be protected. They should never be denied the right to exist, the right to develop or the right to have a family.”

Franklin Graham was impressed; the article said that he wrote on Facebook, "Here’s a guy who’s got guts for Jesus...They didn’t want to hear the truth. But what Pastor Grant said was truth. He’s right—these are crucial times. He urged lawmakers to honor God’s laws and be aware of His judgment.”

Star Parker, President of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education, or CURE, is quoted by the Christian News Journal as saying, “Liberal Delegates in the Virginia House of Delegates treated Rev. Grant with contempt. A black pastor had the courage to stand for he believes in a legislative body that supports abortion, infanticide, and the limiting of our God-given Constitutional liberties. Rev. Grant is correct that these are crucial times, and he is right to remind liberal Delegates about how far their extreme agenda has gone.”

Bodies of thousands of aborted babies memorialized in Indiana

The remains of over 2,400 aborted babies were buried in South Bend, Indiana this past week, and the following day, there was a moment of silence observed by the U.S. House of Representatives, according to LifeSiteNews.com.  The remains had been stored at the home of the late abortionist Ulrich Klopfer for "nearly two decades," according to the article.

Republican Congresswoman Walorski said. “Such callous disregard for human life should shake us to the core,” adding, “These children deserved justice and dignity. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in observing a moment of silence for the thousands of innocent victims that were laid to rest yesterday.” Walorski added, according to the article, "To make sure this never happens again, the House must pass the Dignity for Aborted Children Act to build on Indiana’s law, upheld by the Supreme Court, that requires dignified treatment of aborted fetal remains..."

The Daily Caller reported that Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill spoke at the ceremony.  The article states:

The attorney general also said that in burying the “unborn children,” “we fulfill our obligation as a state pursuant to law and conscience to the unborn babies whose lives were terminated in clinics in Fort Wayne, Gary and South Bend.”

Conservative Southern Baptists announce new network

This past Friday, a new network of Southern Baptists rolled out.  It's called the Conservative Baptist Network, and according to a press release on its website:

A significant number of Southern Baptists are concerned about the apparent emphasis on social justice, Critical Race Theory, Intersectionality, and the redefining of biblical gender roles. Many fear that these issues have received more attention than evangelism and spiritual renewal – the emphases that helped to make Southern Baptists the largest evangelical denomination in the nation.

Two noted occurrences were mentioned in that press release:

One has to do with messengers who tried to have Vice-President Pence removed from speaking at the 2018 Southern Baptist Convention in Dallas.  After that effort failed, some messengers walked out on Pence.  The CBN says: "The insolence and disrespect demonstrated by those who walked out on the Vice President of the United States was foreign to what the Bible teaches about respecting those in authority in I Peter 2:11-17."

Another occurrence is the passage of Resolution 9 at the 2019 SBC in Birmingham. The press release says:

In defending the resolution, the chairman insisted that Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality are simply analytical tools. However, they are far more than just tools; they are ideologies that have their roots in Neo-Marxist, postmodern worldviews. While the committee may have meant well in presenting the resolution, many messengers left Birmingham confused about Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality, and others left feeling that they had been misled or deceived.

Brad Jurkovich, pastor of First Baptist Church in Bossier City, LA and the lead spokesman for the new movement, is quoted as saying, “We are concerned about the current road our Southern Baptist family is traveling. It is a road that is twisting what God’s Word is saying about things like human sexuality, biblical racial reconciliation and socialistic justice.” He also asked, "As Southern Baptists can we not love both Jesus and America? Is it no longer okay to be a pastor and a patriot?”

Baptist Press released a story on the formation of this network and included a quote from SBC Executive Committee President and CEO Ronnie Floyd, who said: "Since I arrived at the EC, I have worked diligently on moving us towards a clear, concise, and compelling unified Great Commission vision," adding, "The Southern Baptist Convention is at her best when churches are partnering together for mission and standing on the inerrant, infallible, sufficient Word of God. Regardless of our secondary affiliations or networks, we must continue to uphold the Baptist Faith and Message, cooperating with one another for the purpose of seeing every person reached for Jesus Christ in every town, every city, every state and every nation."

The article says that:

The network has the support of Chuck Kelley, president emeritus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and various leaders of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Cordova, Tenn.

Over the weekend, the CBN's Twitter feed indicated over 2,000 had already joined the network.  A cursory look at social media indicates enthusiasm about the new movement, even though there are some that are questioning the need for it and some even resorting to harsh language to denigrate their brothers and sisters in the Lord. 

The 3 - February 9, 2020

In this most recent installment of The 3, featuring three stories of relevance to the Christian community, I spotlight:
* a march by millions Nigerian Christians protesting sectarian violence in that nation
* the first meeting of a new consortium of nations devoted to fighting for religious freedom
* a California college that is changing its policies as the result of a court ruling in favor of a pro-life group's lawsuit claiming that the school was showing favoritism toward certain views.

Millions of Nigerians march in opposition to continued persecution

Enough!  That's the cry of solidarity from Christians in Nigeria to the continued taking of lives throughout the nation, and according to the website, Evangelical Focus, on the first Sunday of February, approximately 5 million people went into the streets of cities throughout over three-quarters of the 36 provinces of the African nation to protest the deaths of Christians.

One of the most recent high-profile deaths is that of pastor Lawan Andimi, who was beheaded by Boko Haram terrorists in January, according to another Evangelical Focus piece.

The article states:

During the march, organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) as the final event of a three-day fast, participants brought posters which read: “Nigerian Christians are under attack. Buhari acts now”, and “Our values and way of life will prevail, the killings will not”.

Buhari is the President of Nigeria. The World Evangelical Alliance also condemned attacks on Christians in the nation.  The article relates:

Through a statement signed by its Secretary General, Ephraim Tendero, the WEA recalled that “in 2019, Nigeria accounted for some 45% of Christians killed for their faith globally, approximately 1,350 out of 3,000 deaths”.

“We urge President Buhari and the Nigerian government to put an end to these attacks, to decisively combat the prevailing impunity for killings, and to ensure institutional accountability”, it added.

Nations formally join together and pledge to fight for religious freedom

The United States is continuing to take a leadership role in the preservation of religious freedom in countries around the world.  This past week, a total of 27 countries, according to an article at the Religion News Service website, were represented at a meeting in Washington.

The article traces the history of this new Alliance, stating that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo...

...announced plans for the creation of the alliance at the conclusion of the State Department’s second Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom in July. He and Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback have called it a “first-ever” global group to focus on religious freedom.

President Donald Trump also cited the alliance at a September event on religious freedom at the United Nations, where he described it as “an alliance of likeminded nations devoted to confronting religious persecution all around the world.”

At the National Prayer Breakfast, the President made reference to the Alliance, according to the transcript on the White House website, and then stated: "All of us here today reaffirm these timeless truths: Faith keeps us free. Prayer makes us strong. And God alone is the author of life and the giver of grace."

The RNS article said that:

The State Department issued a list of principles for the alliance that included a commitment to “the right to hold any faith or belief, or none at all, and the freedom to change faith.” The new organization’s priorities include challenging blasphemy laws and the denial of registration to nonreligious and religious groups and advocating for people who are imprisoned or otherwise persecuted due to their religion or beliefs.

At this week's meeting, it was announced that Warsaw, Poland would be the site of the next
Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom.

Pro-life students gain right to assemble at California college campus

In a resounding victory for a pro-life student group at California State University-San Marcos, the university agreed to pay almost a quarter of a million dollars and to revise its student fee policy, according to the website of Alliance Defending Freedom, which filed a lawsuit against the school after unfair treatment was alleged by the campus group, Students for Life, which is one of over 100 recognized student groups on the campus.

The website states:

The university funded the Gender Equity and the LGBTQA Pride Center with almost $300,000 in mandatory fees while denying Students for Life $500 in funding to host a visiting speaker on “Abortion and Human Equality” to provide a contrasting view.

This was during the 2016-17 academic year.  The website goes on to say:

In August 2019, a federal district court struck down the CSU–San Marcos policy of “back room deliberations” that lead to unequal treatment of student groups and directed both sides to reach an agreement on the policy issues raised in the lawsuit.

That ruling resulted in the school's recent actions. ADF Legal Counsel Caleb Dalton is quoted as saying, “We’re grateful the district court rejected the university’s unfair, secretive, and discriminatory policy, and that the university has agreed to allocate student fees only in a viewpoint-neutral manner, instead of picking favorites. The university system’s policy changes don’t simply benefit our clients but also benefit any student with a minority viewpoint and every citizen who cares about dialogue and intellectual freedom within our public colleges and university communities.”

This court action is reminiscent of a statement made by the President at the recent National Prayer Breakfast, according to the Family Research Council website: "...I also recently took executive action to stop taxpayer dollars from going to colleges and universities that spread the poison of anti-Semitism and bad things about Christianity. We are upholding the sanctity of life. And we are doing that like nobody has ever done it before from this position." 

The 3 - February 2, 2020

This week's edition of The 3, featuring three recent stories of relevance to the Christian community, features a controversy over the rejection of a Super Bowl ad that presents survivors of abortion.  Plus, Tennessee now has a new law that offers protection to faith-based adoption agencies who uphold the "religious or moral convictions" of the agencies regarding placement of children.  And, evangelical organizations are expressing concern from an education official in Spain regarding parental rights.

Another Super Bowl, another ad controversy

It's not the first time, but there has been another controversy surrounding the message of a Super Bowl ad.  You may remember there was the tension over Focus on the Family running an ad featuring Tim Tebow a while back.  Not too long after that, Birmingham-based Fixed Point Foundation had submitted a John 3:16 ad to be run during the big game - rejected!

This year, an organization called Faces of Choice wanted to run an ad featuring abortion survivors and contacted Fox, the network that is broadcasting this year's game.  According to LifeSiteNews,

Faces of Choice, a new non-profit whose ad featuring 14 survivors of abortion was shown at the March for Life, say they have been “given the runaround” by the network for six months.

The ad, which features the faces and stories of abortion survivors, is designed to raise awareness of the survivors of abortion who all univocally make it clear that they are persons and not a "choice." Faces of Choice applied to run a 30-second version of the ad. The ad doesn’t mention abortion. Faces of Choice says it has been carefully produced so that it is appropriate for the Super Bowl audience.

According to the article, the storyboard had been approved, but Fox's legal department kept asking questions.  Apparently, the ad was never cleared.

Meanwhile, The Blaze reported about an ad that a number of viewers, especially Christian viewers, would find objectionable.  It states...

...news broke that two former contestants from "RuPaul's Drag Race" would appear in a Super Bowl commercial this Sunday, marking the first time that drag queens are to be featured in an ad for the big game. 

The same will apparently not be true for abortion survivors.

The website reports that:

Bob Witeck, a marketing expert for LGBTQ audiences, said that the ad is "revolutionary."

“For queer audiences, [drag] is an art form and an 'outsiders' language," he explained.

“Reaching the Super Bowl means taking our language into every home in the nation and millions around the world."

The Christian Post quoted Dr. James Dobson about the commercial, for Sabra hummus:

"So there you have it. Fox has said ‘yes’ to drag queens and ‘no’ to abortion survivors,” Evangelical leader James Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family, said in a statement. “Celebrating sexual fantasy while denying the value of every life... could the soul of America be any more lost?”

Dobson accused Fox Sports of transforming the Super Bowl from a “family-friendly event into an opportunity to promote a gender ideology that goes against the most basic biological realities.”

The article also related:

...a Fox spokesperson told The Washington Times in a statement that the network was "unable to accommodate" Faces of Choice and other advertisers because they “sold out at a record pace this year.”

And, another ad sure to please the gay community is an Amazon Alexa ad that features talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and her "partner," Portia de Rossi.

TN Governor signs new law protecting faith-based adoption agencies from being forced to violate convictions

A bill that would have protected the conscience rights of faith-based adoption agencies has now been signed into law in Tennessee by Gov. Bill Lee, according to FoxNews.com, which reported on January 26:

The governor of Tennessee signed a controversial law Friday that allows adoption agencies within the state to refuse to place children in homes that "violate the agency's written religious or moral convictions or policies.”

The measure, signed by Republican Gov. Bill Lee, was widely condemned by members of the LGBTQ community for providing legal protections to agencies that reject foster care or adoption applications from same-sex homes. It also prohibits the state from denying agencies licenses or grants for public funding because they have a religious objection to placing a child in a certain home.

The article notes that: "This comes after the Trump administration proposed a new rule in November that would allow faith-based foster care and adoption agencies to continue receiving federal money even if they turn away same-sex couples on the basis of the agencies' religious beliefs."

The Fox story relates that Governor Lee's spokesman, Gillum Ferguson, told the Tennessean newspaper, “The governor believes that protection of rights is important, especially religious liberty," adding, "This bill is centered around protecting the religious liberty of Tennesseans and that’s why he signed it.”

Anti-parental rights statement by government official challenged in Spain

Recently, I reported about a group of New Jersey parents who are protesting a mandate that so-called "LGBTQ history" be taught in schools there.  Those protesting see it as a matter of parental rights.

There are evangelical Christians in Spain who have expressed concerns about an education official's comments demonstrating contempt for parental rights.  The story, from ChristianNews.net, links to the website, EvangelicalFocus.com, which reports that...

...Education Minister Isabel Celáa said in a press conference that “no one should commit the mistake of thinking that children belong to their parents”.

The article goes on to say that:

In the first public appearance after the conformation of the new government, Social Democrat Celáa announced that the central Spanish government would bring the Region of Murcia (South-east Spain) to the courts after its regional government allowed parents to decide whether their children would attend talks and other special activities which could collide with their moral and ethical views.

According to the story, these "classes include sex education and workshops on LGBT issues given by external speakers."  Shortly after Celáa's comments, the "Equality Minister," Irene Montero, described the actions in Murcia as “censorship and sexism.”

Three evangelical organizations responded:

The Spanish Evangelical Alliance (AEE) denounced that “a code of values charged with ideology is being imposed on our children, which presents ideological dogmas as if they were absolute truths, creating a kind of ‘lay religion’”.

The article goes on to say that:

Meanwhile, the Evangelical Council of the Region of Murcia, also expressed its “deep concern and disagreement” with Celáa’s words. The evangelical body in that region underlined that “parents have the right to educate children according to their ethical and moral convictions, this being a Constitutional right, which cannot be subject to changing policies or ideological proposals”.

Finally, the Federation of Evangelical Religious Entities of Spain (FEREDE), called to end what they believe to be “a false debate” because “it hurts us all, especially the children”.

The 3 - January 26, 2020

On this week's edition of The 3, highlighting three stories of relevance to the Christian community, there is are two pro-life stories: one involves the first President of the United States to address the March for Life in Washington in the almost-50-year history of the event.  Plus, a Federal agency has deemed a California law forcing insurance plans to cover abortion is a violation of Federal law.  And, the Church of England has provided comments relative to so-called "mixed-sex" civil partnerships.

Trump becomes first President in history to address March for Life in person

In 47 years, up until this past Friday, no American President had addressed the March for Life in person.  Not Reagan, not either Bush.  But, as WORLD Magazine reports:

President Donald Trump on Friday became the first sitting president to address in person the annual gathering of pro-life advocates in the nation’s capital. He touted his administration’s pro-life policies such as withholding Title X family planning funding from abortion centers and protecting conscience rights for pro-life doctors and nurses.

The article included several phrases from the speech: “Every child is a precious and sacred gift from God...,” “Unborn children have never had a stronger defender in the White House...,” as well as, “And as the Bible tells us, each person is wonderfully made.”

WhiteHouse.gov published the transcript of the speech, and the speech is available through the White House YouTube channel.  The President also shared, according to the transcript:

We are protecting pro-life students’ right to free speech on college campuses. (Applause.) And if universities want federal taxpayer dollars, then they must uphold your First Amendment right to speak your mind. And if they don’t, they pay a very big financial penalty, which they will not be willing to pay. (Applause.)

Sadly, the far-left is actively working to erase our God-given rights, shut down faith-based charities, ban religious believers from the public square, and silence Americans who believe in the sanctity of life.

Administration determines California law violates Federal law by forcing organizations, including churches, to fund abortion

A division of a Federal agency, the Department of Health and Human Services has determined the state of California broke the law by requiring insurance plans in the state to cover abortion, according to the Alliance Defending Freedom website.  It points out that: "The federal Weldon Amendment prohibits states which receive federal funding from compelling healthcare plans to fund abortion."

ADF had filed lawsuits against this legislation on behalf of four churches in the state who were being coerced to pay for abortion in their insurance plans.  Friday, it was announced that the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights had made the determination that the California law did indeed violate Federal law.  ADF Legal Counsel Denise Harle said:

“No one should force a church or any other employer to participate in funding abortion. For years, California’s Department of Managed Health Care has demonstrated hostility to churches by forcing them to pay for elective abortions. The agency has unconstitutionally targeted religious organizations, repeatedly collaborated with pro-abortion advocates, and failed to follow the appropriate administrative procedures to institute its unprecedented mandate. We commend the Trump administration and HHS’s Office for Civil Rights for investigating and taking corrective action against the state of California for its flawed policies, persistent violation of federal law, and its willful disregard for the civil rights and conscience rights of its citizens.”

Church of England declares support of sex between a man and woman, and only in marriage

Substitutes for marriage are certainly a trend, it seems, and in the United Kingdom, couples who cohabit can actually enter into a legal arrangement, called a "civil partnership," akin to what homosexuals sought after in this country prior to the U.S. Supreme Court's recognition of counterfeit homosexual marriage as something called, "marriage." 

Now, according to The Guardian website, bishops in the Church of England, while apparently not explicitly condemning any sort of civil partnership - homosexual or heterosexual - bishops did say that sexual activity should only be pursued in the context of one-man, one-woman marriage.  The website reports:

Bishops have issued pastoral guidance in response to the recent introduction to mixed-sex civil partnerships, which says: “For Christians, marriage – that is, the lifelong union between a man and a woman, contracted with the making of vows – remains the proper context for sexual activity.”

The church “seeks to uphold that standard” in its approach to civil partnerships, and “to affirm the value of committed, sexually abstinent friendships” within such partnerships.

It adds: “Sexual relationships outside heterosexual marriage are regarded as falling short of God’s purpose for human beings.”

The Church's director of director of mission and public affairs, the Rev. Dr. Malcolm Brown, is quoted as saying: “Civil partnership is not the same as marriage, which is founded on the taking of solemn public vows and is recognised in the church’s teaching as the only proper context for sexual relationships." He added, “So, as with same-sex civil partnerships, there is no formal service or blessing but clergy will, as always, be encouraged to respond pastorally to couples wishing to formalise their relationship in this way.” The bishops did say, according to the article that members of the clergy in the Church of England “should not provide services of blessing for those who register a civil partnership."

The 3 - January 19, 2020

In this week's edition of The 3, highlighting three recent stories of relevance to the Christian community, there was a recent announcement of Federal action concerning religious freedom.  Plus, parents in New Jersey are taking action in opposition to a mandate to teach so-called LGBTQ history.  Also, protests have been occurring in India regarding a tall statue of Jesus, slated to be built on private land.

President announces initiatives to guarantee religious freedom

This past Thursday, January 16, was Religious Freedom Day, and the President announced a series of new guidelines that would preserve religious freedom rights.  According to the Alliance Defending Freedom, there were "three major actions" that were proclaimed:

1. Ensuring Religious Organizations Are Treated the Same as Secular Ones

2. Requiring Public Schools to Respect Students’ Rights to Express Their Faith

3. Ordering That Federal Grant Programs Cannot Discriminate Against Religious Schools or Organizations

CBN.com published an article about students' right to pray in schools and pointed out that the President had "previewed" that announcement in the "Evangelicals for Trump" rally in Miami earlier this month.  The article says:

Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos explained the new rules protect students' right to pray, but they also go beyond that to protect faith-based student groups and much more: "The Department's efforts will level the playing field between religious and non-religious organizations competing for federal grants, as well as protect First Amendment freedoms on campus and the religious liberty of faith-based institutions."

The U.S. Department of Education, according to the article, "is sending letters to officials in all 50 states to ensure students and teachers don't face discrimination for practicing their right of religious freedom."  As the article notes, "The bottom line is this: Public schools now risk losing federal funds if they violate students' rights to religious expression."

Faith Radio programmers were quoted in the article: David Jeremiah said that, "Our public schools ought to be places where people of faith feel free to be who they are, and -of course- no one really believes doing so constitutes enforcing one's personal faith on another." Tony Perkins related, "Some school officials are willing participants in the secularists' intimidation campaign while others fear the lack of funding to fight threatened lawsuits. Now the tables are turned."

In another CBN.com article, James Dobson is quoted as saying, "We should celebrate the administration's vital efforts to protect our religious freedom. But such work is in vain if we don't seize the opportunity to live out our faith and thereby transform the heart of this nation."

New Jersey parents express concern over new LGBTQ-friendly curriculum

There is certainly trouble in the state of New Jersey over a disturbing new law that requires the teaching of so-called LGBTQ history, according to an article published at The Stream from The Daily Signal.  The article reports that the bill was signed by Democrat governor Phil Murphy on January 31 of last year, making New Jersey the nation's second state to pass such a requirement (California was first).  The piece states:

The New Jersey measure says the state board of education “shall include instruction on the political, economic and social contribution of persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in an appropriate place in the curriculum of middle school and high school students as part of the district’s implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.”

Parents' right leaders gathered on January 4 to mobilize. The article quotes from Victoria Jakelsky, described as "state director of a grassroots group called Protect Your Children, or Team PYC..." The article notes that, according to Jakelsky, Protect Your Children was formed last summer and "is affiliated with ParentalRights.org, and includes evangelical Protestants, Roman Catholics, Coptic Christians, and other concerned citizens."

ParentalRights.org has a number of high-profile Christian leaders on its board, including former Alabama and NFL star Shaun Alexander, parenting expert John Rosemond, gospel music legend Marvin Winans, and Michael Smith of the Home School Legal Defense Association. ParentalRights.org was founded by Michael Farris, formerly of HSLDA, who is now President and CEO of Alliance Defending Freedom.

Jakelsky stated, "We are highly concerned that the LGBT history will teach lifestyles and life choices that stand 100% against our family values, our deeply held religious views, and the way we practice our faith.”

Two mayors who are professing Christians are quoted in the article:

Mayor Ed McKelvey, a Republican from Alloway Township in Salem County and an ordained pastor who has attracted media attention for speaking out against the LGBT curriculum, said it is a matter of right and wrong.

“God never calls you to do something that does not line up with his word, even if what he calls you to do doesn’t always make natural sense,” McKelvey told audience members.

Also...

Mayor Alfonso Cirulli of Barnegat Township in Ocean County called on Christians from across denominations to unite in an effort to reform New Jersey laws that undermine biblical teachings.

Cirulli, a Republican, has been widely quoted for saying that the LGBT curriculum mandates could “indoctrinate” students.

“This is a spiritual battle,” he said. “We have the Lord behind us.”

Team PYC members plan to be active in the days to come. The article says:

A dozen members of Team PYC are scheduled to meet Jan. 30 with Lamont Repollet, New Jersey’s commissioner of education.

Group members also plan to testify at school boards across the state in February and March, and to hold “prayer and policy meetings” in some counties.

In the midst of increasing persecution, Indians protest statue of Jesus

Again this year, the nation of India is in the top 10 of the Open Doors World Watch List, identifying the countries who are the leading persecutors of Christians worldwide.  There is an article at The Christian Post website that highlights an instance of hostility to Christianity in the Ramanagara district in the southern part of the country.  The article states:

Hundreds of hardline Hindus gathered to protest a planned Jesus statue that will rival Rio de Janeiro's "Christ The Redeemer" for its size, claiming the structure will go “against the spirit of communal harmony.”

Here is a description of the scene:

Carrying saffron flags as around 1,000 police stood by, protesters demanded that the state government reverse its decision to allot land for the proposed 114 foot Jesus statue or face further demonstrations.

The Jesus statue is expected to stand atop a hillock named Kapalabetta in Harobele, a village of 3,500 where Christians form a majority. The land is owned by the Archdiocese of Bangalore.

A local representative of the archdiocese said that state officials have said they would become involved in the conflict.  The article also notes that:

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom’s 2019 report warned that religious freedom conditions in India “continued a downward trend” in 2018.

The commission warned against “the growth of exclusionary extremist narratives” that facilitate campaigns of violence, intimidation and harassment against non-Hindu minorities and lower-caste minorities from both public and private actors.

The 3 - January 12, 2020

On this week's edition of The 3, highlighting three stories of relevance to the Christian community, there is news out of China about a prison sentence handed down to a pastor, while the nation continues its attempts to clamp down on religious freedom.  Also, an infant girl in Texas is continuing to be kept alive after a positive court decision. And, the role of religion in the 2020 election will continue to be an ongoing subject, as evangelical supporters of the President gathered in Miami for rally.

Chinese pastor sentence, country announces more stringent religious regulations

In late 2018. Pastor Wang Yi of Early Rain Covenant Church in China, was arrested by governmental authorities, according to a December 30 report from China Aid, which states:

Wang was taken into custody on Dec. 9, 2018, along with 100 other members of his church. On Dec. 26, 2019, he was tried suddenly and secretly. Today, officials handed him a nine-year sentence along with three years of denied political rights and a 50,000 yuan [$7,000 USD] fine.

The report says:

Wang, who is the pastor of Early Rain Covenant Church, was found guilty of “inciting subversion of state power” and “illegal business operations.” Both charges were given to him because of his position within the church.

Dr. Bob Fu, Founder and President of China Aid, stated, “This is a pure case of unjust religious persecution against a peaceful preacher of a Chinese reformed church...This grave sentence demonstrates Xi’s regime is determined to be the enemy of universal values and religious freedom. We call upon the international community to stand up to the Chinese Communist Party and hold this evil regime accountable.” He called on high-ranking U.S. officials to "condemn and take immediate action" regarding these measures, which he termed, "barbaric."

Meanwhile, the continued absorption of religious practice in China into the activities of the state continues, with CBN News reporting that "the Chinese government announced it will soon require all religious personnel of any faith to support total submission to the Chinese Communist Party."  This will go into effect February, according to an Asia News report referenced in the article, which relates:

Under the new measures which consist of six chapters and 41 articles dealing with everything involving religious communities – from gatherings to annual and daily projects – are subject to the approval of the government's religious affairs department. All religious personnel will also be required to support, promote and implement total submission to the Chinese Communist Party among all of the members of their faith communities.

CBN also says that, "International Christian Concern, a persecution watchdog group, warns "with these latest measures in place, the government will use them as a legal tool to further tighten space for religious groups.'"

Texas court says that baby can be kept on life support

The infant girl at the center of a controversy in Texas is 11 months old and is named Tinslee Lewis, according to a WORLD Magazine report that says that Tinslee "...was born prematurely on Feb. 1 and has remained hospitalized with a rare heart defect, chronic lung disease, and severe high blood pressure." She ceased to breathe on her own back in July, and has received special treatment, including being sedated. The story relates that...

Her mother said that despite her sedation, Tinslee smiles, stares, and squeezes her hand. Doctors do not think those actions are purposeful and said Tinslee is in constant pain and will never recover. But her mother said she wants to be the one to decide whether to remove her from life support.

The hospital had wished to remove the treatment keeping her alive, and has a judge's ruling to support it.  Yet, according to WORLD, "The Second Court of Appeals in Fort Worth ...ordered Cook Children’s Medical Center to keep Tinslee Lewis alive until it can make a final ruling in an appeal brought by Tinslee’s mother, Trinity Lewis." Texas Right to Life has supported the Lewis family, and Kimberlyn Schwartz of the organization said, "This gives us so much hope for Tinslee,” adding, “This is a prayer answered.”

President's evangelical supporters gather in Florida

It is clear by digesting media, including social media, that Christians are divided, in some cases, deeply so, regarding their position on President Trump - and his support varies in intensity, I think: from being ambivalent, to being a Trump voter, to being a strong supporter, and a vocal supporter, and everywhere in between.  You'll find opposition in varying levels.  And, the strongest of both extremes seem to be the most vocal - and offensive.  And, there is plenty of criticism of evangelical Christians who support the President...by their fellow Christians.  The level of division and mean-spiritedness on social media is disturbing, and some of the most provocative voices are actually those who are characterizing fellow believers who support Trump as malicious.

But, the President, no doubt, has strong support in the evangelical community, and a rally at a Miami church that occurred the first weekend of January featured a number of strong evangelical supporters on the stage.  Tony Perkins of Family Research Council, in a piece that ran on The Stream website, provided a reminder about why Christians support the President, and it's not because of personality necessarily, but of policy.  Perkins wrote:

When he tweeted, in classic Trump fashion, that no president had ever done more for Christians than his administration, it was true. From the unborn to judges, international religious freedom to Israel, this White House has earned the support it’s getting.

Christians, the president repeated, “have never had a greater champion — not even close — than you have in the White House right now. Look at the record,” Trump urged. “We’ve done things that nobody thought was possible. We’re not only defending our constitutional rights, we’re also defending religion itself, which is under siege.” That’s important, he argued, because “America was not built by religion-hating socialists. America was built by churchgoing, God-worshiping, freedom-loving patriots.”

At this Evangelicals for Trump rally, the President drew the contrast between his policy positions and those who whoever will be his opponent. Perkins states that the President told the crowd, “every Democrat candidate running for president is trying to punish religious believers and silence our churches and our pastors. Our opponents want to shut out God from the public square so they can impose their extreme anti-religious and socialist agenda on America.” Not all will agree with the President, even in the faith community, and there are a number of faith-based groups that are attempting to change the calculus of the 2020 election.  Prayer and searching the Scriptures are necessary components for a making an informed and Spirit-led choice in this year's elections.

The 3 - January 5, 2020

This first edition of The 3 for the new year of 2020 includes a new way forward for the United Methodist church, with a bold announcement of resolution of matters of sexuality through creating a new denomination.  Also, a significant group of lawmakers in Washington are urging a new course regarding abortion, calling for a re-evaluation of Roe vs. Wade.  And, the U.S. Postal Service's restrictions of religious speech regarding customized stamps has been challenged.

United Methodists announce plan to separate

According to Mark Tooley of the Institute on Religion and Democracy, who was part of a group of 16 leaders associated with the United Methodist Church who met and negotiated what is known as the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation, writes on the IRD's Juicy Ecumenism blog:

United Methodism moved closer to formal schism with a new proposal released today negotiated with liberal and conservative groups, including bishops. The plan would divide the nearly 13 million member global denomination into separate conservative and liberal communions.

The website, UnitedMethodistBishops.org, states:

The action comes amid heightened tensions in the church over conflicting views related to human sexuality after the 2019 Special Session of the General Conference failed to resolve differences among church members.

At that conference, a majority of delegates voted to retain the United Methodist Church's view regarding homosexuality's violation of Scripture, which essentially blocked the ordination of gay clergy and the performance of same-sex marriages within the denomination.

A professional mediator was brought in to handle the negotiations.  Tooley writes:

Under this plan, conferences (Methodism’s version of dioceses or presbyteries) could vote by 2021 to join the conservative denomination by a 57% vote. Local churches by 2024 could vote by majority. The conservative denomination would get $25 million from current denominational assets.

The Bishops' website makes it clear: "The Protocol anticipates the formation of a new traditionalist Methodist denomination."  So, rather than those who do not hold to the Traditional Plan leaving, it appears that the conservatives will be leaving the denomination and forming their own.

It is subject to approval at the next UMC General Conference in Minneapolis in May. 

One of the signers of the Protocol, Keith Boyette, The President of the Wesleyan Covenant Association, which is a group of United Methodist representatives calling the denomination to adherence to Scripture, stated, according to the Association's website: "This is a very important agreement, and the most hopeful development in a dispute that has undermined the health and vitality of both local churches and the denomination in general,” adding,“Since the close of the 2019 General Conference Renewal and Reform groups leaders have engaged in conversations with other advocacy group leaders, bishops, and church officials in an effort to resolve our differences through a negotiated plan of separation...We are thankful for those who have stepped forward since that contentious General Conference to propose an agreement respecting the sincere theological and ethical convictions of Methodists across the board.”  The site also says:

The mediation team assumed the Wesleyan Covenant Association would serve as the vehicle for creating a new traditionalist Methodist denomination. It is also assumed the post-separation UM Church would quickly move to adopt legislation creating a U.S. Regional Conference, and that conference would consider changing its sexual ethics, allowing same-sex weddings, and ordaining openly gay clergy.

In brief for Supreme Court case, members of Congress urge high court to rethink Roe

Later this year, the U.S. Supreme Court will be considering, as the website, The Hill, puts it, a law passed in Louisiana "that would require doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital, a requirement that critics say is designed to force abortion clinics to close."

In response, over 200 members of Congress - 166 Republican House members, 2 Democrat House members, and 39 Senators - have signed on to an amicus, or "friend-of-the-court" brief that calls on the justices to "reconsider" the landmark ruling from 1973, Roe vs. Wade.

The article states:

The lawmakers noted the “unworkability” of the “right to abortion” found in Roe v. Wade, and suggested the court take up the issue of whether the case should be reconsidered and, if appropriate, overruled.

The story notes that this is the first abortion case the high court has considered since the addition of Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, the two appointees of President Trump.  It also points out:

The Supreme Court in 2016 struck down an almost identical law in Texas because it resulted in the closure of half of the state’s abortion clinics, which would place an “undue burden” on women seeking a legal abortion.

But the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in Texas, considered to be one of the most conservative courts in the country, upheld the Louisiana restrictions in a 2-1 decision, finding that it was "remarkably different" than the Texas law.

The court found there was “no evidence” any abortion clinics would close under the Louisiana law because it was easier for doctors to obtain admitting privileges in the state.

U.S. Postal Service restricts religious expression on custom stamps

The United States Postal Service allows individuals to design and print their own stamps, according to The Daily Citizen, a website of Focus on the Family, which reports that apparently that comes with limitations.

It recounts the story of Susan Fletcher, described as "a devout Christian who wishes to share her faith with her family and friends, especially around Christmastime. She tried to do that this Christmas by creating custom stamps through USPS." Some examples include a stamp with a Nativity scene, as well as another with a cross on it. However, she ran into USPS regulations that, according to the article, "prohibit any stamp design that depicts 'political, religious, violent or sexual content.'"

But as The Daily Citizen relates:

As an agency of the executive branch of the federal government, the USPS is required by law to abide by the First Amendment of the Constitution, which prohibits Congress from abridging the freedom of speech.

The article quotes from a press release from First Liberty, which has sued the Postal Service. Jeremy Dys, who has been a guest on The Meeting House in the past, is quoted as saying, "USPS offers its own version of a religious stamp, but, ironically, it will not allow religious Americans to personalize stamps containing an expression of their own religious beliefs for their own use. This regulation by the USPS not only chills speech, it silences it..." According to the press release, Fletcher said,“I just want to express my faith in everything I do, at Christmas and all throughout the year. I am truly saddened that the country I love would keep me from expressing the most important message I could share with others: my faith.”

The 3 - December 29, 2019

This week's edition of The 3, featuring three stories of relevance to the Christian community, offers information about a large United Methodist church that has voted to leave the denomination as the result its fight over homosexuality.  Also, a video of Christians being killed by Islamic State in Nigeria has been released.  And, an editorial by the editor of a noted Christian publication calling for a new President for the nation has generated quite a bit of response.

Large Texas church decides to leave United Methodist denomination

The United Methodist Church is facing a huge division in the next few years, as the result of a vote taken earlier this year, in which delegates approved a plan that would continue to uphold Biblical teaching on homosexuality; there are many within the denomination who wish for congregations with differing views to be allowed to leave without penalty.

In an interesting development, a church with close to 3,000 members in Texas has said it has had enough, according to The Christian Post, which reported that Grace United Methodist in Katy, Texas has announced that it has voted to leave the UMC and perhaps associate with the Free Methodist Church.  Pastor Jim Leggett is quoted in the article, and said that congregation members desired “to remove ourselves from the dysfunctional fighting going on in the United Methodist Church so that we can fully devote our energies to fulfilling the mission and vision that God has given to us.”

He went on to say: “At one point, we looked up and noticed that we were spending easily 30 percent of our leadership meeting time discussing the issues of the UMC, and we realized that this was not good stewardship of our time and resources for the Kingdom of God," adding, “In the last year, it has become clear to us that despite having biblical standards of morality on paper in the denomination’s Book of Discipline, the leadership of the United Methodist Church is unable or unwilling to live by those standards.”

Meanwhile, the Capstone Report has been reporting on churches that are leaving the Southern Baptist Convention over the infiltration of LGBTQ acceptance in that denomination. It reports, "Pastor James Pittman of New Hope Community Church of Palatine, Illinois announced on YouTube his intention to leave the Southern Baptist Convention over the leadership of J.D. Greear on issues of LGBTQ rights."  The story goes on to say:

...Pittman examined some of the shocking and controversial statements made by J.D. Greear. Pittman expressed concern over the direction of the SBC on important theological issues during Greear’s tenure.

Pittman played video excerpts of Southern Baptist Convention president J.D. Greear apologizing to the gay community on behalf of Southern Baptists.

You may be aware that lately, Greear has stated his intent to extend what is called, "pronoun hospitality," according to The Christian Post, which quoted the SBC President in a recent article: "If a transgender person came into our church, came into my life, I think my disposition would be to refer to them by their preferred pronoun when we want to talk about gender...I will be clear with him on the truth. The question is: Is that the battlefront that you want to choose?”

Meanwhile, the denomination is facing turmoil not only over the LGBT issue, but also the role of women in leadership and the application of philosophies of Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality. The Capstone Report also reported in October about four SBC churches who left due to their perception of increasing liberalism within the denomination.  And, as the Disrn website reported later that month, a large Alabama church has announced its intent to leave over matters circling around female authority in the church.

Islamic State releases video of beheadings of Christians in Nigeria

There is disturbing news out of Nigeria, where Islamic State released a video the day after Christmas, in which 11 Christians were murdered, 10 of them by beheading, according to The Daily Caller, which reported that:

As part of a campaign to avenge the death of former IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Islamic State released a video that they say shows the killing of 11 unidentified Christian men who IS “captured in the past weeks” in the north-eastern Borno State in Nigeria, according to the BBC.

The story said that analysts related to the BBC that the release was designed to coincide with Christmas Day. The article states: "The beheadings are probably the work of ISWAP or the 'Islamic State West Africa Province,' the BBC notes, a faction of the Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram that broke away in 2016.

Christianity Today ignites new wave of evangelical reaction for, against Trump

First it was an editorial by the outgoing editor-in-chief of Christianity Today.  Then, it was the pushback over that editorial, followed by the publication's President and CEO standing in solidarity with his editor.  For the past two weeks, Christians have been writing lengthy articles, blog posts, and social media posts regarding the President of the United States and those who "support" him, whatever that means.

Disrn reported on the editorial written by Mark Galli, editor-in-chief of Christianity Today, calling for the removal of the President.  Galli wrote, "The facts in this instance are unambiguous: The president of the United States attempted to use his political power to coerce a foreign leader to harass and discredit one of the president's political opponents. That is not only a violation of the Constitution; more importantly, it is profoundly immoral."  Galli also stated:

"Trump's evangelical supporters have pointed to his Supreme Court nominees, his defense of religious liberty, and his stewardship of the economy, among other things, as achievements that justify their support of the president . . . None of the president's positives can balance the moral and political danger we face under a leader of such grossly immoral character."

Some of the swiftest reaction came from evangelist Franklin Graham, who wrote on Facebook, according to the article:

"Yes, my father Billy Graham founded Christianity Today; but no, he would not agree with their opinion piece. In fact, he would be very disappointed. I have not previously shared who my father voted for in the past election, but because of this article, I feel it is necessary to share it now. My father knew Donald Trump, he believed in Donald Trump, and he voted for Donald Trump. He believed that Donald J. Trump was the man for this hour in history for our nation."

CBN News and other news outlets reported on a letter to Galli and Christianity Today President and CEO Timothy Darylmple, signed by around 200 evangelical leaders, which stated, in part:

...We are, in fact, not ‘far-right’ evangelicals as characterized by the author.

Rather, we are Bible-believing Christians and patriotic Americans who are simply grateful that our President has sought our advice as his administration has advanced policies that protect the unborn, promote religious freedom…and ensure that our foreign policy aligns with our values while making our world safer, including through our support of the State of Israel.

The Christian Post posted the entirety of the letter. Signers included Faith Radio programmers Jim Garlow, Robert Jeffress, Greg Laurie, Barry Meguiar, Tony Perkins, and Mat Staver, as well as James Dobson, who posted on Facebook, according to CBN, "While Christianity Today is making its case for impeachment, I hope the editors will now tell us who they support for president among the Democrat field." 

Other notable signers, according to the Post, included Mike Huckabee, Harry Jackson, Alveda King, Eric Metaxas, Penny Nance of Concerned Women for America; pastors of large Southern Baptist churches Jack Graham (Prestonwood Baptist) and Gregg Matte (Pastor of First Baptist Houston), as well as denominational leaders Tim Hill of the Church of God and George Wood of the Assemblies of God. 

Jim Daly of Focus on the Family wrote at FoxNews.com:

We are in an age of upside-downism, where right is wrong and wrong is right. Values many of us were taught by the wisdom of ancient texts, in our churches and in our schools are now condemned as bigotry. 

When we cast our votes as citizens, we vote not for a pastor or priest. We vote for a fighter who understands the moment we are in and is willing to preserve those basic rights that made America the shining example that it is. Yes, even with the imperfections.

Dalrymple wrote his own piece in support of Galli at Christianity Today, as well.  There's more, and I will offer some commentary on this whole developing story tomorrow on The Meeting House on Faith Radio.

The 3 - December 22, 2019

This week in The 3, there are news items concerning the displays of Nativity scenes in two locations in America.  Also, a Texas judge is fighting back after being cited by a state agency for not performing same-sex weddings.  And, a U.K. doctor who is a Christian has survived a challenge to his ability to live out his faith.

Nativity scenes facing challenges

It's an annual occurrence throughout our nation, when religious expressions of Christmas in the public square are removed, including this year, in the cases of Nativity scenes in Delaware and Iowa.  Faithwire.com reports on the attempt to remove a Nativity display from the town circle in Rehobeth Beach, Delaware, which had been "tradition...for nine decades," according to the article.

But, this year, once a church had erected the scene, the city called for its removal.  The Nativity was also not allowed to be displayed on the public boardwalk. A city official stated, according to the words of the article, that "the Boardwalk is public property, and reiterated that city policy prohibits nativity scene from placement on the Boardwalk or any other public property because of its religious nature."  But, as Faithwire points out:

According to the First Liberty Institute, a religious rights law firm, the City of Rehoboth Beach’s policy goes against long-standing US Supreme Court opinions that even government-sponsored nativity displays are lawful in holiday displays when accompanied by secular and religious components, and that religious discrimination is unlawful.

First Liberty has written a letter urging the city to reconsider.

Meanwhile, in Centerville, Iowa, according to Christian Headlines.com, the City Council rejected a Nativity scene that "was placed on the Appanoose County Courthouse lawn in Centerville Nov. 18 but was moved to a private lot Dec. 9 following a complaint, according to KCCI."  The article reports on a recent Council meeting, in which, "Most of the residents who were present wanted the Nativity placed back on the courthouse lawn..."

A petition drive was launched by Tony Angran, pastor of the Solid Rock Church of God, to request that the Nativity be returned to the courthouse property. On the church's Facebook page, the pastor said, "I am personally appalled that the very reason for the season be taken out of the very heart of this city and moved elsewhere..."  According to Christian Headlines, the television station reported that over a thousand people had signed the petition.

Texas judge who declined to sanction same-sex marriage sues state agency

Dianne Hensley is a judge in Waco, Texas who has taken a strong stand for traditional marriage, according to an article at the Texas Tribune website, which reports that after the Obergefell ruling...

...Hensley refused to officiate any weddings. But in August 2016, she decided to resume officiating weddings between men and women, and said she would “politely refer” same-sex couples who sought her services to others in the area.

In November, Hensley received a warning from the State Commission on Judicial Conduct regarding her practice. She has retaliated by suing the commission; the article says that, "Hensley claims the investigation and warning 'substantially burdened the free exercise of her religion, with no compelling justification.' She seeks damages of $10,000."

The article also reports that:

Hensley, who claims the state violated the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act, is seeking a declaratory judgment from the court decreeing that any justice of the peace may refuse to officiate a same-sex wedding “if the commands of their religious faith forbid them to participate in same-sex marriage ceremonies.”

First Liberty is representing Judge Hensley, and her attorney is a former state solicitor general.

U.K. doctor can continue to pray, discuss faith

A Christian doctor in the United Kingdom who was facing the possibility of being reprimanded for expressing his faith has been "vindicated," according to the LifeSiteNews.com website.  The site traces the actions of the General Medical Council against Dr. Richard Scott, beginning in June 2019, when "the GMC wrote to [Scott]...that it had received 'some information' from the National Secular Society (NSS) and would begin a fitness to practise investigation into him."  The article continues:

The NSS, targeting Dr Scott to get him de-registered, had lodged a complaint expressing “concern” that he was “continuing to pray and promote Christianity during consultations in an attempt to convert patients”, and cited an anonymous complainant.

The GMC investigated for three months, and recently announced that the doctor had done nothing improper.  In its statement, it said: "there is no convincing evidence that Dr Scott imposes his personal religious beliefs upon potentially vulnerable patients," adding:

There is no evidence that [Dr Scott] discusses faith in situations where the patient has stated that they do not wish to discuss these matters or that he has continued to discuss faith after a patient has indicated that they do not welcome such a discussion.

The article did say that, "For the future, the GMC has advised Dr Scott to document any discussions of faith that he has with his patients and that prayer must only be offered within the guidelines of the GMC’s explanatory guidance on personal beliefs and medical practice."

The 3 - December 15, 2019

This week's edition of The 3, with three stories of relevance to the Christian community, includes a non-ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court allowing a pro-life Kentucky law to remain in place.  Also, a California school district has announced a new partnership with Planned Parenthood.  Plus, a charter school student in that same state was told she could not play a familiar Christmas carol in an off-site performance; an action later reversed.

U.S. Supreme Court allows KY pro-life law to stand

A Kentucky pro-life law that had been challenged, was allowed to stand by the U.S. Supreme Court, this past week, according to the Washington Free Beacon, which reported that the law "requires doctors to display and describe an ultrasound of the child to his or her mother before conducting an abortion...."

The appeals court had found that the law did not violate the First Amendment, as the plaintiffs had contended, and the high court declined to take up the case.

The article notes that the Supreme Court...

...is expected to hear one major abortion case, June Medical Services v. Gee, in the coming months. That case, which concerns a Louisiana state law requiring abortionists to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital, may serve as an opportunity for the Court's conservatives to begin rolling back the "undue burden" standard imposed nearly three decades ago.

The Susan B. Anthony List had linked to the Free Beacon article in a press release, that included a statement from its President, Marjorie Dannenfelser, who said: “We are encouraged by today’s Supreme Court decision that lets Kentucky’s pro-life ultrasound law stand,” adding, “Modern ultrasound technology opens an unprecedented window into the womb, providing undisputable evidence of the humanity of the unborn child. The abortion industry has proven incapable of policing itself and will stop at nothing to keep vulnerable women in the dark for the sake of profit, which is why state laws protecting women’s right to informed consent are so important..."

California school district announces partnership with Planned Parenthood

The school district in Los Angeles County, California, has announced a new partnership with the nation's largest abortion provider, according to LifeSiteNews.com, which reported:

Planned Parenthood announced this week a new program in which so-called “Wellbeing Centers” will be placed within 50 Los Angeles public schools, the Washington Post reports. The program is funded for the next three years with Planned Parenthood putting up $6 million and Los Angeles County spending $10 million.

While the provider will not be performing abortions on-site, it will offer a range of "birth control options," and content of the appointments with the students will be kept secret from parents and school officials.

In the article, Kristan Hawkins, President of Students for Life of America, is quoted; she said: “Planned Parenthood has been targeting younger and younger girls, through their version of sex education, beginning as early as elementary school, which encourages people to make bad choices,” adding, “That’s how they make money as they profit from creating crisis through bad choices and then selling abortions to those same students.”

Rebecca Friedrichs of For Kids and Country, in a press release, is quoted as saying: “Our schools have NO business inviting Planned Parenthood to sell its perverted views on life and sex on school campuses — period." She added, "District officials are quick to point out these clinics won’t technically offer abortions on-premises, but no one is fooled that abortion won’t be heavily pushed on our daughters and sons by an organization that has made billions off the macabre practice.”

School reverses course on Christmas carol

There is more controversy out of California, in this case, you have a student who wished to include the Christmas carol, Joy to the World, in a piano performance, according to the website for Pacific Justice Institute, which represented the family of the 13-year-old charter school student, Brooklyn Benzel, who had chosen to play the piece at a retirement home.

An education specialist, who, according to PJI, "oversees independent-study charter school students, said the classic carol was not acceptable because of its religious content. It was suggested that Jingle Bells should be performed instead because it is more secular."

An attorney for PJI reached out to an attorney for the school.  The press release about this set of circumstances, released by the Institute, said:

Shortly after McReynolds spoke to their attorney, the school abruptly reversed course, telling the Benzels they had changed their position after determining that “Joy to the World” is “non-sectarian.”

“We’re thrilled that Brooklyn will now be able to bring joy to this retirement home with a timeless carol,” McReynolds commented. “No student should be made to feel that their choice of a musical performance is unacceptable just because it has both religious and cultural significance.”

The 3 - December 8, 2019

On this week's edition of The 3, highlighting three relevant stories potentially impacting the Christian community, there is good news out of the U.K., where a street preacher has received a settlement from a local police department, which had arrested him, presumably for preaching.  Also, a pastor who went to observe a Drag Queen Story Hour in Spokane and was arrested at the site has had his case dismissed.  And, an organization that has been distributing Scripture-based dog tags in the military is fighting back after the Army has halted the practice.

British street preacher settles with police department after arrest

Dale McAlpine has been preaching the gospel on the streets of the United Kingdom for 15 years, according to the website of Great Britain's The Christian Institute.  In July of last year, according to the site:

The preacher, from Workington, Cumbria, was approached by three police officers in Kendal town centre in July 2018.

They arrested Dale and he was taken to Kendal Police Station, where he was held for questioning.

After being released without bail he was left in limbo for six months until the police eventually notified him that he would not be prosecuted.

McAlpine, after his release, filed a lawsuit against the police in Cumbria, saying, "I took this legal action to help the police realise you cannot arrest people just for preaching the Gospel."  The Christian Institute website reported that McAlpine "has been paid £4,000 plus costs from Cumbria Police in settlement after pursuing a claim for being wrongfully arrested and detained for six hours."

The website goes on to say:

Simon Calvert, Deputy Director for Public Affairs at The Christian Institute, welcomed the news. 

“This is a positive outcome, not just for Dale, but for Christians across the country. 

“It’s a reminder that there is no law against preaching the Gospel. 

“Our country has a rich heritage of free speech, for preachers and for everybody else.”

Dale has said he would be donating the 4,000 pounds to further the work of The Christian Institute.

Spokane pastor gets court victory after arrest at Drag Queen event

Meanwhile, a pastor in Washington State who showed up at a Drag Queen Story Hour event and was arrested, has had his case dismissed.  Christian Headlines reports that Pastor Afshin Yaghtin had gone to a public library in Spokane, WA earlier this year where the drag queen event was being held. Because he chose not to stand in a designated area for protesters or counter-protesters, he was arrested.

The article says that: "Judge Tracy A. Stabb ruled...the police’s orders were not “narrowly tailored” to protect constitutionally protected speech, and that, “While the City’s interest in protecting public safety is significant, there is no evidence that Mr. Yaghtin’s mere presence on public property was in any way jeopardizing the City’s interest,” adding, “Mr. Yaghtin had every right to be standing on public property. He was not blocking traffic and was not conveying any kind of message that might incite a response. He was not being disorderly, disruptive, or aggressive.”

Pacific Justice Institute represented Pastor Yaghtin, and PJI attorney Jorge Ramos is quoted as saying: “The prosecution refused to acknowledge law enforcement’s overreach by separating and even barring people from entry into the library based on their views. We are thankful justice prevailed and Pastor Yaghtin can continue to shepherd his community with confidence.”

Dog tags with Scripture no longer allowed by U.S. Army

Shields of Strength, which are dog tags that contain Scripture, have been distributed to members of the military for over 20 years.  According to First Liberty, that may be coming to a close.  Its website states that:

Since 1997, Kenny Vaughan and his wife have donated millions of inspirational Shields of Strength dog tags to grateful military members. They’ve never given one to anybody who didn’t request it, and never had one complaint.

But now, an outside anti-faith group is trying to have these beloved symbols of hope and encouragement for our men and women in uniform removed—simply because they are inscribed with religious messages.

Fox News relates that after it reported earlier this year on "Shields of Strength," the head of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation "demanded the military branches stop allowing the group to use the military emblem, saying it 'poisons the constitutionally-mandated separation of Church and State...'"  Fox states:

Soon after, each military branch then pulled or threatened to pull the trademark licenses that had been issued to Kenny Vaughan from Shields of Strength. The Army emailed him with the subject line, "Negative Press," suggesting they were motivated by MRFF's press release.

The article says, "Vaughan told 'Fox & Friends' he was 'speechless' especially after the military initially approached him with the idea."  First Liberty claims that the Army's actions violate the Constitution and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and sent a letter to that effect this past week.