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WEEKLY NEWS SUMMARY - JULY 13, 2022
In this week's Intersect, read about:
The Lie of Separation of Church and State
Pastor, attorney, and former Lt. Governor nominee in Virginia, E.W. Jackson joins My Faith Votes CEO, Jason Yates, to challenge Christians to stand and take action in the public square. Discussing some of the cultural lies intended to convince Christians to not be active in the voting booth, E.W. Jackson challenges us to think biblically about the issues and understand our nation’s valuable history. Read the full transcript or watch the video at MFV-T
THINK.
E.W. Jackson sees the left’s focus on social injustice in America as a trojan horse. “Justice requires righteousness…separating the two and removing the righteousness of God, has people making up their own concepts and ideas about what they think is just.” He goes on to say, “The twisting of words and redefining of words to basically sell lies packaged as truth is something Americans should rebel against. American culture is Christian. No matter how much people deny it. [Our Founders] believed in…Judeo-Christian values and principles. The more we run away from those principles, the more we miss that destiny.” Christians were always intended to be involved in shaping society, politics, and public policy. Leftist media would have us believe the illusion that we are prohibited from using our influence in society by repeating the ‘separation of church and state’ rhetoric and hoping that the general public isn’t educated enough to know that these words DO NOT exist in our U.S. Constitution. In reality, the Constitution specifically restrains the government through the free exercise clause from silencing people of faith, excluding them from society, or positioning them for punishment for adhering to their religious views. The Supreme Court of the United States confirmed that fact in multiple rulings this year. But several articles have been making the rounds in the past few weeks on various platforms…all pushing fear and lies to incite division and confusion in society and position Christians in a negative light. Christians have rights in America, and the freedom to exercise those rights in the public square just like every other American. The next time someone mentions 'separation of church and state’, remind them that the Constitution welcomes everyone, including Christians, to bring their faith perspective to the public square.
PRAY.
Lord, we are humbled that you have placed us here at this time and in this place. Help us to put our faith into action including the voting booth. Help us to see the everyday opportunities that You place in our path – including voting - as opportunities to invest in eternity. Help us to use our vote to advance biblical truth for the good of our communities (Jeremiah 29:7).
ACT.
Help us motivate and equip 1,000,000 Christians, who typically don’t vote, to bring the influence of their faith into the voting booth this November! Anyone can volunteer. We provide you with instructions, letter templates, and a list of names. Whether you write 20 letters or 200, you can choose the impact. Letters can be written and prayed over individually or by families, Bible studies, small groups, and church congregations, etc. Get your pen ready and join me in the “Write Now” campaign here.
Spotlight Will Be on Kansas Aug. 2 with Abortion Amendment on Ballot
“On Aug. 2, Kansas voters will be the first in the nation to see a post-Roe abortion question on the ballot. In 2019, the state's Supreme Court ruled a woman has the right to make decisions about her own body based on the Kansas bill of rights. That's when right-to-life supports launched a bid to change the state's constitution with the Value Them Both amendment, valuing the life of the mother and the child.” read more at KMBC News
THINK.
Overturning Roe v. Wade now places the responsibility of regulating abortion back with the people of each state. Starting today with early voting, voters in Kansas will decide on this issue in the August 2 primary election. What is at stake if this amendment–called the “Value Them Both amendment” --does not pass? Our friends at Value Them Both, a pro-life organization working to educate Kansas voters on this issue, explains: For the past twenty-five years, the Kansas state legislature has been passing laws that regulate abortion. In 2019, the Kansas Supreme Court declared that the state Constitution contained a right to abortion, putting all Kansas laws restricting abortion at risk of being declared unconstitutional in court, as several laws have already been. The Value Them Both amendment would clarify that “the constitution of the state of Kansas does not require government funding of abortion and does not create or secure a right to abortion.” In contrast to the pro-abortion talking points, the amendment does not ban abortion. It places the authority to regulate abortion with the elected representatives of the people in the state legislature. Unless this amendment passes, Kansas will continue to be "a haven state in the Midwest" for abortion. Since the KS court’s decision, abortions have climbed by thirteen percent, with half being performed on women from out of state. Kansas will serve as a litmus test for other state elections when it comes to abortion regulations in 2022 and beyond. All eyes will be on the state in August, and My Faith Votes, along with Gov. Mike Huckabee, is grateful to stand with others who are lending their voices to the cause of the unborn. Kentucky voters will decide whether to adopt a similar amendment to their Constitution in the November General Election. In California and Vermont, voters who want to protect life face a different battle. Both states have proposed constitutional amendments on their November ballot to enshrine abortion rights into their state constitution. The amendments require a simple majority vote of the voters in order to become part of the state constitution. Pro-life organizations in both states are urging voters to vote “no” on these propositions. This November, your state elections will be critical. If there was ever a time for Christians to stand and vote, it is now.
PRAY.
Pray for an army of voters in Kansas to vote in support of life. Pray for the organizations working to pass this amendment. Pray for voters across the nation to take a firm stance for life at the ballot box. Pray that the world will see abortion for what it is. We’ve been handed an opportunity to shine the light on darkness, pray for the courage to boldly stand for life.
ACT.
If you are in Kansas, be sure to vote! Early voting starts today and runs through August 1st. Use our Voting Assistance Center to get all the info you need including polling locations, absentee ballot info and more. If you know someone who lives in Kansas, ask them if they know about this important amendment and encourage them to vote in the critical August 2 primary election.
Dutch Farmers Form 'Freedom Convoys' to Protest Government's Strict Environmental Rules
“Farmers in the Netherlands have formed their own version of Canada’s "Freedom Convoy," blocking highways with tractors, setting bales of hay on fire and taking other actions to protest the government’s recent goal to cut emissions that could force some farms to shutter.“ read more at Fox News
THINK.
The Dutch parliament has proposed a goal of cutting nitrogen and ammonia emissions by fifty percent by 2030. According to Farmers Weekly, “Under the proposals, farmers would have to drastically reduce – by 40% – the amount of nitrous oxide and ammonia emissions their livestock produce, which would force many farms to downsize and some to close.” This of course would harm not only the individual farmers and their families, but the whole society that depends on farmers for food. Allie Beth Stuckey insightfully noted, “Climate change policy has always been a war against the working class.” Farmers in Germany, Spain, Italy, and Poland are also protesting against the European Union’s pollution regulations which impact their industry. We should take note of these policies and protests because the Biden Administration has not hidden its desire to implement drastic climate change policies here in America as well. There’s a lot to be aware of in world news this week. In another display of frustration against leadership failure, last week, protestors in Sri Lanka occupied the president’s palace, forcing him to declare his resignation and flee the country. Reasons for the protests include an enormous inflation rate of almost fifty-five percent, and shortages of food, medicine, and fuel. Last week, former prime minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, was assassinated by a gunman while giving a speech. Abe was a strong supporter of Taiwan, and the Chinese government filed a formal protest over the fact that Taiwan’s Vice President attended Abe’s memorial. Also last week, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his resignation after many members of his own administration resigned in protest of several scandals. Allie Beth Stuckey has a podcast out on these very topics and why they are important. At the 47 minute mark she talks about a biblical worldview on this. Overall, the times are groaning and there is chaos…this is biblical…but we must speak order, model order and act on order. We serve a God of order. He is still sovereign and in control. We know the end of the story. Psalm 37:1,3 tells us, “Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.” Note that trust does not mean inaction. We are instructed to continue to do good as we wait for the Lord’s return. He is always working, and we are blessed to join His work. God’s work might not always make headlines, but He is always at work.
PRAY.
Sovereign Lord, You made the heavens and the earth, and You are the “ruler of kings on earth.” (Revelation 1:5). Help us to keep this in mind as we endure troubles here on earth that make us groan and long for Your return. We pray that the leaders of the nations would seek Your wisdom and govern in righteousness for the good of their people. Above all, stir a boldness within us to share the wonderful hope of salvation through faith in You as our Lord.
ACT.
Why should we care about energy policy? Energy affects nearly every part of our lives and livelihoods, and bad policies can cause unnecessary suffering for ourselves and our neighbors. The Jacki Daily Show explains all things related to energy in America. You can listen on Blaze TV, or your podcast app.
Wisconsin's Elections Just Got a Lot More Secure
“In a big victory for voter integrity, Wisconsin’s Supreme Court ruled that absentee ballot boxes could only be placed in election offices and no one other than the voter can return a ballot in person. But the court was silent about ballot harvesting. As it stands now, anyone can still collect multiple ballots for voters and, instead of using a drop box, put them in the mail. But otherwise, Wisconsin’s elections just got a lot fairer and less subject to fraud.” read more at PJ Media
THINK.
Because Wisconsin election law does not mention unstaffed drop boxes, the court concluded that the Wisconsin Election Commission was wrong in allowing county election officials to designate them as a valid way for voters to return their absentee ballots. Once again, we must discern the two narratives surrounding this issue. One narrative turns election integrity into a partisan issue, painting this as an attack on democracy. After the ruling, Democrat Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers stated, “Today’s decision is another in a long line of Wisconsin Republicans’ successes to make it harder for Wisconsinites to exercise their right to vote, to undermine our free, fair, and secure elections, and to threaten our democracy.” In contrast, another narrative focuses on abiding by the law and making sure the election process is secure–something that should be a nonpartisan issue. “The Wisconsin voters, and all lawful voters, are injured when the institution charged with administering Wisconsin elections does not follow the law, leaving the results in question,” Justice Rebecca Bradley stated in the majority opinion. “If the right to vote is to have any meaning at all, elections must be conducted according to law. Throughout history, tyrants have claimed electoral victory via elections conducted in violation of governing law.” Regarding the citizens living under such tyrants, Bradley wrote, “Their rulers derive their power from force and fraud, not the people’s consent.” In contrast to the opposing narrative, taking necessary steps to promote election integrity is a win for our constitutional republic and its citizens. Unmanned ballot drop boxes specifically appear to leave the door open to fraud. This court decision maintains that state law regarding the election process must be followed; the Wisconsin Election Commission–whose job is simply to administer and enforce the law–is not allowed to make new processes even if they sound like a good idea. This means that through their elected state legislators, voters are ultimately in charge of how their elections are conducted, not an unelected commission that is not directly accountable to voters. News like this should encourage us that voting is worth it. Think about how the people on your ballot will affect the security of your vote–whether it is your state legislator who writes the law, your governor who signs or vetoes the law and often appoints your state Supreme Court justices and election officials, or your justices themselves if your state directly elects them.
PRAY.
Many state primaries are coming up in August, and voter registration for those elections is closing soon. Pray for Christians to make the effort to register, research the candidates, and vote according to Biblical values. Please continue to pray that our Write Now Campaign will influence many believers to vote for righteousness in the public arena.
ACT.
Did you know we cover ballot information for every election across the US? Make sure to bookmark our Voting Assistance Center where you can find all the election information you need for your address. See exactly what is on your ballot (when released) and learn about every candidate on your ballot including their endorsements, see questionnaires, learn their stance on issues, and more. It’s the exact tool you need to be motivated and equipped to vote in every election.
My Faith Votes—is a nonpartisan movement that motivates, equips and activates Christians in America to vote in every election, transforming our communities and influencing our nation with biblical truth. By partnering with national faith leaders, My Faith Votes provides resources to help Christians Pray, Think, and Act to create an America where God is honored in the public square.
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