| | Court revives pro-life care network's lawsuit against NY | | Curated for you byCP Editors | | Good afternoon! It's Tuesday, March 7, and today's headlines include a federal court reviving a network of New York-based pregnancy centers' lawsuit against the state, Marianne Williamson launching her 2024 presidential campaign, several dozen more Texas churches leaving the United Methodist Church, and Twitter users expressing outrage over videos showing drag performers in lingerie dancing for mothers and their babies. | | The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York City has determined that a network of New York-based pregnancy centers can proceed with challenging a law that the organization said forces pro-life or religious groups to hire employees who have had abortions or hold views contrary to their mission. The court reversed a lower court's decision to dismiss a January 2020 civil suit brought by the Evergreen Association, which operates a network of pregnancy centers called the Expectant Mother Care (EMC Frontline). In issuing the ruling, Circuit Judge Steven Menashi stated that the group's beliefs about the "morality of abortion are its defining values" and that "forcing it to accept as members those who engage in or approve of that conduct would cause the group as it currently identifies itself to cease to exist." | | Timothy Belz, special counsel for the Thomas More Society, who represented the organization, wrote in a statement that they hope the ruling will "discourage any state legislature from enacting legislation that would violate an organization's First Amendment rights, including the right to work with those who share their values." The pregnancy center network's founder and CEO, Christopher Slattery, had argued that the state's Boss Bill of 2019 impeded the organization's First Amendment rights by creating a "protected class based on reproductive health decision making." Part of the organization's employment policy requires that employees maintain a consistent pro-life view and abstain from sex before marriage, which the plaintiff argued is necessary to its overall mission of encouraging women to continue their pregnancies. A district court initially dismissed the case, determining that the law imposed only "incidental limitations" on Evergreen's associational rights but did not impact the group's ability to advocate against abortion or contraception. In an interview with CP, Belz explained the significance of messaging. The attorney utilized the example of a weight loss clinic, noting that a company whose message is to encourage people to lose unhealthy body weight should not be compelled by the state to hire obese people that don't support the clinic's message. Belz further added that the organization is not opposed to pro-life organizations hiring post-abortive women, some of whom are strong advocates against the practice, noting, "It's just that our client needs to be the judge of who it hires or who it doesn't hire." Continue reading. | | P.S. From daily news to weekend headlines, we've got you covered. Whether you're interested in religious liberty or inspiring faith stories, there is something for everyone. Check out CP's full newsletter lineup to subscribe to our latest free offerings. See more. |
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| Marianne Williamson announces 2024 White House bid | | Marianne Williamson has announced her intentions to run for president in 2024, stating that she believes the United States is "drowning in information and starving for understanding" and that "it is our turn now" to change the country for the better. The best-selling author, Democrat political activist and spiritual advisor announced her primary challenge to President Joe Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination during a rally at the East Hall of Union Station in Washington, D.C., on Saturday. In making the announcement, she argued that former President Donald Trump's 2020 election loss prevented the U.S. from going "over the cliff," but said the country is nevertheless "still six inches away from it." She also stated that "the opponent is an economic mindset" that has existed over the past 50 years, which also goes by such terms as "crony capitalism," "neo-liberalism" and "free market capitalism." Williamson ran for president in the 2020 Democratic primary, only to suspend her campaign before the first state-level primary due to lack of support in a crowded field. A recent poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research showed that just 37% of Democrats want Biden to run again in 2024. Read more. | | Community celebrates after pastor wrongly declared brain-dead returns home | | A North Carolina pastor is back at home months after doctors wrongfully declared him brain-dead and almost harvested his organs. Ryan Marlow, pastor of Grace Baptist Church in North Wilkesboro, was hospitalized last summer due to a listeria infection that snowballed into a brain injury which led doctors to declare him dead. "They put the time of his death on his chart. That was it. I was called into a room and told that my husband was an organ donor and that we were gonna begin the process of finding matches for his organs," the pastor's wife, Meghan, said during a Facebook Live video on Aug. 31. Doctors scheduled the harvesting of organs for three days after they informed her that he was brain dead. However, two days later, a doctor called and told her they had made a mistake. "Long story short, he’s not brain dead my friends. The doctor would not even do the brain death test because they said that there is brain activity," she added. Meghan acknowledged National Brain Injury Awareness month, which is recognized in March, saying her husband "is a fighter. He is the strongest man I know. He is my hero." Read more. | | Man arrested for throwing smoke bombs at church's anti-racism event | | A New Jersey man who allegedly threw smoke bombs into a crowd and attempted to pepper spray church attendees during an anti-racism event in January was arrested on Saturday. Nicholas G. Mucci, 28, was charged with aggravated assault, arson, causing or risking widespread injury or damage, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, terroristic threats, and possession of a destructive device for allegedly disrupting Trinity Episcopal Parish of Asbury Park's anti-racism concert. In a press statement on Monday, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said the state "is, and always will be, a state that values the rich diversity of all cultures, religions, and ideals." The Jan. 27 concert organized by social justice advocacy group One People's Project was centered on anti-racist activism. As the concert was ending, an individual wearing a mask threw smoke bombs at the crowd, shouted "White lives matter, too," and drove off before returning later on and trying to pepper spray attendees who were still at the church. The Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey also stated on Jan. 30 that an unknown party damaged an LGBT pride flag next to the church's sign. Read more. |
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| The hijacking of empathy and equality | | In this op-ed, Dr. Michael Brown describes what he refers to as the hijacking of empathy and equality—good and noble traits that have been twisted by society. "It is partly because of empathy that a disproportionate percent of Gen Zers identify as LGBTQ+, even though only a small percentage of them are actively, let alone exclusively, involved in same-sex relationships and activity," writes Brown. In a bid to be good and empathize with people, many are turning from the truth and going as far as supporting others in undergoing acts of self-destruction via body mutilation instead of lovingly helping people understand that their healthy bodies need not be altered. The same is true, writes Brown, in the cases of justice and equality, "in the name of which a male who identifies as female can compete against real females, not to mention share a locker room with them. Yes, this uncomfortable, unequal, and potentially abusive situation is justified in the name of equality." Read more. | | Should your church be racially diverse? | | Samuel Sey discusses the importance of recognizing that the answer to racism is repentance and not racial diversity. Sey cautions that the pursuit of racial diversity often leads to racism as people "who idolize race inevitably treat others according to their 'race.'" Instead of churches trying to please society by pushing for racially diverse churches, they should remember to focus on pleasing God. Noting that it's not wrong to desire racial diversity in church, Sey adds, "I wish my local church was more racially diverse. I’m only the second non-white or black member at my local church. And I’m also the only immigrant. I wish there were other Ghanaians, Canadians, or immigrants. It would make my transition to America so much easier." However, he cautions that many churches have become hyper-focused on racial diversity. "Your church should faithfully preach the Gospel to all people in your community. And your church should support missionaries in obedience to the Great Commission. But racial diversity in the Church is Jesus’ responsibility, not yours," he concludes. Read more. |
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| Texas: 41 more churches walk away from UMC over homosexuality | | Forty-one Texas churches have officially parted ways with The United Methodist Church in response to the denomination's ongoing debate over its stance on homosexuality. The UMC North Texas Annual Conference held a special session on Saturday where clergy and lay members voted to approve the disaffiliation votes of the congregations. A conference spokesperson said in a statement to CP that the regional body "releases these churches with its full blessing" and added that no churches seeking to leave the denomination were denied dismissal. The UMC's Book of Discipline considers homosexuality "incompatible with Christian teaching" and prohibits the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of noncelibate homosexual clergy. However, the denomination has been in a divisive debate for years over whether to change its official stance, with many progressive leaders in the church refusing to enforce the rules. More than 1,800 churches disaffiliated from the UMC in response to the ongoing debate last year. The Texas Conference lost 294 congregations, while the Northwest Texas Conference lost 145, and the Central Texas Conference lost 81. Read more. |
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| Twitter users outraged after drag queens in thongs dance for kids | | An organization that promotes drag events for moms and babies recently made its social media pages private following controversy over footage of scantily-clad drag performers dancing in front of children. Videos on social media show a group of moms sittings on the floor with their children while drag artists dance and perform acrobatics in lingerie. One video shows a drag artist wearing leather and thigh-high boots doing gymnastics while hanging from ropes suspended from their ceiling, while another shows a drag performer wearing a thong while doing a handstand. The event was part of the VAULT Festival, an independent showcase of live performers in the United Kingdom. The group behind the performance is the U.K.-based organization CabaBabaRave, which is pushed as a "show-stopping cabaret interspersed with captivating baby sensory moments.. ending in a RAVE." The hosts describe themselves as two mothers "who were constantly looking to be entertained whilst holding a baby in one hand and a pint in the other," adding, "There’s only so many times you can listen to the f**king Wheels on the Bus." Many Twitter users are speaking out about the performance, questioning the parenting decisions of adults who brought their children to the event. "This is so disturbing," wrote one user. Read more. | | | | Also of Interest... | | Video shows children dancing for money at RuPaul's drag queen convention 6 times 'family-friendly' drag shows exposed kids to sexual content | | | | | | Thank you for spending part of your day with us. We look forward to seeing you again tomorrow! -- CP Editors |
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