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WEEKLY NEWS SUMMARY - APRIL 3, 2024
In this week's Intersect, read about:
Wisconsin Governor Vetoes Transgender High School Athletics Ban
“Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers vetoed a bill Tuesday that was passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature to ban high school transgender athletes from competing on teams that align with their gender identity. Evers had promised to veto the bill ever since it was introduced. Democrats did not have the votes to stop its passage in the Legislature. He vetoed it in the Capitol surrounded by Democratic lawmakers, transgender advocates, the mayor of Madison and others. Republicans don’t have the votes needed to override the veto.” read more at the Associated Press
THINK.
- Why did Governor Evers veto a bill designed to ensure fairness in girls’ sports and protect female athletes from being exposed to males in their locker rooms? In a press release, Evers said, "This type of legislation, and the harmful rhetoric beget by pursuing it, harms LGBTQ Wisconsinites’ and kids’ mental health, emboldens anti-LGBTQ harassment, bullying, and violence and threatens the safety and dignity of LGBTQ Wisconsinites, especially our LGBTQ kids." Words like “harm,” and “threaten,” are increasingly being twisted to describe common-sense policies–like this legislation–that are designed to protect children and teens.
- Sadly, we saw this play out a few months ago when the media tried to blame conservatives for the suicide of an Oklahoma teenager who identified as non-binary. Her tragic death was not the result of school or state policies. Yet over 300 pro-LGBTQ organizations called on the state legislature to remove State Superintendent Ryan Walters for "fostering a culture of violence and hate against the 2SLGBTQI+ community in Oklahoma schools." Walters, who believes “every child…is formed and created in God’s image,” told the media, “[W]e want every student to be protected, we want every student to be successful. That also means we're not going to lie to students. And we're not going to push a gender ideology."
- Each of us must make a decision every time we use our voices and our vote: will we do the right thing for the children, even when we’re called unloving? We know God created us male and female; to affirm otherwise hurts the very people we are called to love. So, will we support policies like Wyoming’s, which recently became the 24th state to ban gender mutilation procedures for minors? Or will we support the policies of 14 states plus Washington, D.C., which “shield” minors who travel to their states seeking gender mutilation procedures? Which policies truly love our neighbor as ourselves?
PRAY.
Heavenly Father, Your design of male and female is good and beautiful. Help us to stand against false ideologies that trap vulnerable children and teenagers in confusion. Help us to be unashamed to proclaim how Jesus saves us from our sins, brings truth to our confusion, and empowers us to walk in freedom, living according to His design.
ACT.
Is your school promoting an LGBTQ agenda? How can you spot the signs, and what can you do about it? Download our LGBTQ School Assessment to find out how to protect your child starting today.
Christian Leaders Slam Biden’s Easter Proclamation of ‘Transgender Day of Visibility’
“Christian leaders are condemning President Biden’s proclamation of Easter Sunday as ‘Transgender Day of Visibility,’ calling it an ‘insult’ to the religious beliefs of millions that is but the latest example of the White House’s mixed priorities. Biden’s proclamation criticizes ‘hateful laws that target and terrify transgender kids’ -- presumably laws that ban hormone treatments and limit male sports to biological males.” read more at Christian Headlines
THINK.
- President Biden, in a lengthy proclamation, said that March 31, Resurrection Sunday, would be “Transgender Day of Visibility.” In comparison, his Easter “statement” was pitifully short. This is a slap in the face to all Christians, and a public replacement of faith, with ideology.
- The “Transgender Day of Visibility” started 15 years ago and has grown into an international annual event held every March 31. This movement of social change seeks to break down moral resistance by pushing visibility, from media to Hollywood to the White House. The more that “sexual minority” lifestyles, identity claims, and relationships become visible, the more there will be a breakdown in resistance, eventually leading to the acceptance of the agenda, rejecting those who adhere to biblical principles. This strategy is said to have parallels with Marxism. While President Biden made the “trans day” proclamation in 2021, 2022, and 2023, no law mandates that he acknowledge it. Why didn’t he make an exception for the day that celebrates the pinnacle of the Christian faith…the same Christian faith that has undergirded our nation? Was it meant to cause a reaction from Christians? The priorities of this White House are abundantly clear.
- How should Christians respond? We must continue to stand firm in the biblical worldview that God is the Author of life, creating only two sexes, male and female, in His image. What the President said is a clear rejection of that. But we also have to look at this issue with broken hearts and with the imperative of the gospel. Scripture gives us clear direction: “But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Matthew 5:44).
PRAY.
Lord, the battle around us is intense, confusing, disheartening, frustrating and maddening. Help us to remember that ultimately, the battle is Yours (2 Chronicles 20:15; 1 Samuel 17:47). Give us courage to stand firm in Your truth, grace to see others as You would want us to see them and the conviction to proclaim that You alone are God and salvation is found in no one else (Acts 4:12).
ACT.
My Faith Votes is partnering with the film, Letter to the American Church. Based on the book by Eric Metaxas, the movie is a wake-up call to the Church on how to stand up and speak out against the evil and cultural rot encroaching throughout our nation. Watch a free online screening on Friday, April 12th (2pm CT or 7pm CT). Register here to receive the link to watch.
Florida Supreme Court Allows 6-week Abortion Ban to Take Effect, but Voters Will Have the Final Say
“In a pair of significant decisions Monday, the Florida Supreme Court upheld a 15-week ban on abortion in the state while also allowing a proposed amendment that would enshrine abortion protections in the state constitution to appear on the November ballot. The conservative-leaning court's decision on the 15-week ban also means that a six-week abortion ban, with exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the woman, that Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law last year will take effect.” read more at NBC News
THINK.
- In seven months, Florida voters will decide on the Florida Right to Abortion Initiative, which would undo both the 15-week and 6-week bans. This extreme ballot measure would amend the Florida Constitution to allow abortion up until the point of viability (roughly 24 weeks) for any reason. It also would allow abortions up until birth “when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider.” Note that “protecting health” is a much broader and more subjective term than protecting a mother’s life. Supporters of the ballot measure collected 911,169 valid signatures to allow it to be on the ballot, but it was challenged at the state supreme court on the grounds of ambiguity. The court ruled that the wording was clear enough for voters to understand. This November, will Floridians choose life or death?
- In South Dakota, Governor Kristi Noem signed a first-in-the-nation law last week requiring the state Department of Health to clarify what treatments are legal for pregnant women facing life-threatening or health-threatening conditions. South Dakota bans abortions unless necessary to save the mother’s life. "Though every state with a pro-life law allows pregnant women to receive emergency care, the abortion industry has sown confusion on this fact to justify their position of abortion without limits," Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America stated. South Dakota is an example of an action states can take to combat dangerous abortion misinformation meant to scare women and doctors.
- Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments for a lawsuit by pro-life doctors against the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The doctors, represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, are challenging the agency’s unlawful removal of critical safety standards for pregnant women who take the abortion pill mifepristone. According to Amy Howe, “Medication abortions now account for more than half of all abortions performed in the United States, and a ruling in favor of the [doctors] in this case would restrict access to abortion even in the states where abortion is otherwise legal.” Many of the justices, however, seemed skeptical that the doctors had standing (the legal right to sue). If they dismiss this case–ruling that the doctors don’t have standing–states will continue to be major battlegrounds for protecting the lives of unborn children, especially from the abortion pill.
PRAY.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the victories for life that have been won through laws and court decisions. Help us to learn from the defeats as well. O Lord, we pray for a culture of life, for convicted and changed hearts, and for voters to fulfill Your charge to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and rescue the unborn who are unjustly sentenced to die. (Proverbs 24:11-12; 31:8)
ACT.
Commit to praying for the Supreme Court as they make their decision on this crucial case, which is expected by this summer. You can pray for each justice by name through our Government Officials Prayer Guide.
WA Lawmakers Pass Bill to Create Hotline for Hate Crimes and Bias Incidents
“Washington will establish a nonpolice hotline to assist people who have been targeted by hate crimes and bias incidents, state lawmakers decided this week, passing a new version of a bill that failed to advance last year. Senate Bill 5427, sponsored by Sen. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle, among others, directs the state Attorney General’s Office to create a hotline serving at least three Washington counties by 2025 and all counties by 2027.” read more at Seattle Times
THINK.
- Signed by Governor Jay Inslee last week, the legislation takes effect January 1. In its original version, the bill outlined a fund that would have allowed for victims of hate crimes or bias incidents to receive up to $2,000. But the final version of the bill does not offer any compensation of this kind. SB 5427 directs the state attorney general’s office to create a hotline where people can report hate crimes and bias incidents, the latter being defined as a non-criminal “hostile expression of animus” toward someone based on characteristics such as race, religion or sexual orientation. It is said that reports will only be shared with law enforcement if the victim consents.
- Could this intended tool be used to weaponize free speech, especially against Christians who hold a biblical worldview on issues such as gender, marriage and life? These concerns aren’t just happening in the US. On Monday, Scotland’s Hate Crime and Public Order Act 2021 went into effect. It creates a new criminal offense of "stirring up of hatred" and carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison, a £10,000 (about $12,500) fine, or both. The Scottish Government defines hate crime as "any crime which is perceived by the victim, or any other person, to be motivated (wholly or partly) by malice and ill-will towards a social group," but police will log 'hate incidents' even where no crime has been committed. Its opponents have said it will be used to silence critics of transgenderism and people with conservative beliefs on social issues. Harry Potter author JK Rowling — who resides in Scotland — dared the Scottish police to arrest her for calling a list of trans women men. And in Canada, a proposed bill would allow authorities to place a Canadian citizen under house arrest if that person is suspected to commit a future hate crime—even if they have not already done so.
- As Carl Truman poignantly asks, who decides what counts as hate? Who decides if a statement about gender or sexual identity is hateful and on what basis? The law uses the term “reasonable person” but offers no definition.
PRAY.
Lord, we thank You for allowing us to live in America where we have freedom of religion and freedom of speech. Help us not to take that for granted. Give us the courage to live out the words of 2 Timothy 4:2-4, no matter where we live.
ACT.
In his book One Vote, Dr. Ben Carson said, “Separation of church and state does not mean that you must remove your faith from your public life and your voting decisions. Freedom of religion means you are free to speak about and live according to your faith without threats from the government.” Download a free copy of Dr. Carson’s book here.
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