Students across the country rely on faith-based organizations for community, faith, and assistance. However, their right to freely operate and be recognized are in jeopardy right now.

The Biden Administration issued in February a “proposed rule and request for information” on existing Education Department policies that afford protections for all religious student organizations on college campuses.

Essentially, Biden’s Education Department is proposing to revoke key regulations that leveled the playing field for religious organizations. These regulations, for instance, allow religious organizations to have certain requirements on their group’s leadership or membership. For example, a Christian group at a university might have a statement of faith that its leaders are required to sign. That helps ensure that those in leadership are committed to advancing the Christian goals of the group – just like any secular group might want its own leaders to align with its goals. Under current protections, the Christian group could set their requirement without fear of retribution from their university. But now, the Biden Administration wants to revoke those protections.

The Education Department wants you to believe that the Trump Administration’s work in 2020 to protect religious organizations was confusing for institutions of higher education or “not necessary to protect the First Amendment right to free speech and free exercise of religion.” They are conveniently billing this as a way to protect religious liberty.

We disagree and campus organizations who have been kicked off campuses in the past also disagree.

From promoting mental health to stable friendships that help build faith, these student organizations provide many services to our country’s young adults. And, we know that these organizations likely mean a lot to you personally, so I hope you take a moment to share those personal stories with the Education Department as they finalize the rule they have just proposed.

The Education Department is accepting your comments on this rule until Midnight E.T. on March 24^th, so FPA has prepared a letter to help get you started. Below is an excerpt from that letter:

“[The 2020 rule] provided great support and reassurance to religious organizations on campuses across the country who are at risk of being punished by their schools for their faith-based nature. The Education Department serves as an important arbitrator in ensuring that Institutions of Higher Education do not trample on the rights of students to freely express their beliefs and to freely assemble. We are also concerned that all faith organizations, including minority faiths, are in jeopardy of having their right to operate their organization according to the core tenants of their belief taken away.”

Here are two steps you can take TODAY!

1. Head to our Action Center and tell the Administration today that they should cancel this rule and protect the First Amendment of religious students across the country! Please consider adding your own comments on how religious organizations have supported you in your time on campus.

2. Share this commenting opportunity with other friends and family who have also been impacted by religious organizations on campus.

I hope you will take a moment to share your concerns with the Biden Administration before it is too late!

Sincerely,

Ruth Ward
Director, Government Affairs

 

As the nation has mostly turned its attention from the 2022 midterm elections and is fully looking ahead to the holidays, it is hard to believe that we are nearing the end the year – truly a year with a number of important milestones and challenges.

As we look ahead, there are some prayer points that continually come to our minds about where we have been in recent months, where we are now and what we see on the horizon.

Praises:

• The elections are over, and the outcome is one that provides some renewed life into our efforts to support pro-life, pro-family issues across the nation. Please be in prayer for the U.S. House of Representatives as new leadership is selected and that Godly men and women would lead with wisdom and strength where God has placed them.
  .
  Pray that they would be wise in their words and actions and their impact would be great.
• Roe v. Wade – a landmark accomplishment 50 years in the making. A fabricated ruling from the beginning – Roe resulted in the destruction of hundreds of millions of lives. Overturning Roe was truly an historic moment for many who had worked a lifetime toward that goal. Nearly two generations of pro-life warriors (many who are no longer with us) stood strong and never gave up in order to see that day.
  .
  Already nearly half the states in the nation have acted to ban or restrict abortion – this was done either through laws that pre-dated Roe or though new legislation passed by courageous lawmakers across the nation.

• In January state legislatures across the nation will come together to begin a new year of work. We are thankful that we now have nearly 150 legislators in 35 states and (now!) 2 Members of Congress who have graduated from Family Policy Foundation’s Statesmen Academy! These men and women have been trained and equipped to work wisely and with truth on pro-life, pro-family issues.
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  Please be in prayer for them as they begin their work in 2023.

Petitions:

• Right now, the US Senate is waiting for an important election in Georgia – much like the last election cycle. As it has been for the past 2 years, the Democrats hold 50 seats as of today. The Georgia race could go either way and while it won’t change control in the Senate, who is elected in that race bears significant meaning.
  .
  Please pray that life will be honored in this race.
• The US House and US Senate have voted (and President Biden has signed into law) a redefinition of marriage – essentially codifying the 2015 Supreme Court decision legalizing homosexual marriage. This is a troubling development for religious institutions, churches and faith-based non-profits of many Christian denominations and even other religions because it goes even further than just homosexual marriage. This was all done in a rush to force it through Congress now before the US House officially changes leadership in January.
  .
  While legal battles are likely, this is a challenge for religious people and a spiritual battle that will be with us for a long time and one which deserves our prayer.
• With Roe v. Wade being overturned, the battle for life has shifted to the states. In addition to many states taking action to protect life as noted above, we saw some states go the opposite direction. Some codified abortion into law or enshrined it in state constitutions while others simply failed to find a majority to support pro-life amendments when given the opportunity. We are praying for those states and what is happening there. Historically, many states also enshrined slavery hundreds of years ago – a horrific moral scar for those states – and it too was eventually eliminated. While Roe has fallen, abortion will continue to be a battle that will unfortunately, in some areas, last another lifetime. We pray for leaders who will continue to march forward – beating the drum of the pro-life movement in those locations.
  .
  We know abortion is wrong and, much like slavery, one day we will look back and wonder how we ever allowed such a thing to occur in this land. We are praying that day is sooner than later.
• We are looking forward to 2023 and the work ahead of us to protect minor children from destructive medical procedures that permanently disfigure and sterilize. The medical and psychological community must come to understand the nature of what they are doing to children and its long-term effects.
  .
  We are praying for strong leaders and wise strategy as we move ahead in affirming parental rights and stopping these dangerous medical practices on minors in 2023.

I hope you can join us in celebrating these praises and praying for these other issues – the list is not exhaustive by any means. We will provide updates periodically in 2023 as we have now for the past 2 years. Please be sure to share this list at church and in your Sunday School class as well.

Blessings,

Robert Noland
Director of Audience Engagement

PS – You can sign up to receive our Under God, One Nation prayer updates HERE.

Dear Friends,

This Veteran’s Day, we at Family Policy Alliance want to express our sincerest gratitude and honor to those currently serving, and those who have served, our great nation.

These heroic men and women wear their uniforms every day with both the honest pride of joining the ranks of those who came before them as well as the humility of the great burden they carry–protecting us and all the freedoms we cherish.

But still others live amongst us in a different humility: they walk next to us on the street, sit next to us in church, or cheer alongside us at high school football games, all while seeking no recognition or praise for what they and their families have endured on our behalf. Knowing that they truly protected what was dearest to them and to our nation is all the satisfaction they need.

Today and every day, we honor them and thank God for them. They represent so much of what makes our nation great: their service followed by their presence amongst us.

So, this Veteran’s Day, we ask you to join us in honoring our veterans who have served and are currently serving. And we hope you will partner with us to ensure that all they sacrificed for remains cherished in our nation’s laws.

Sincerely,

Joseph Kohm III
Director, Public Policy

Arkansas voters face two very important ballot measures in the November election.

Our allies in Arkansas at the Family Council Action Committee have provided the information below, and we wanted to forward it to you.

For more information please reach out to Family Council Action Committee.

The Family Policy Alliance Team

_______________________

Dear Friends,

This November we are urging Arkansans to vote for Issue 3, the Arkansas Religious Freedom Amendment, and against Issue 4, the amendment to legalize marijuana.

Issue 3 protects the God-given right to religious freedom for everyone in Arkansas. The Arkansas Legislature voted last year to place Issue 3 on the ballot. Issue 3 is modeled after a religious freedom amendment Alabama passed in 1998 and after a state law that Arkansas passed in 2015.

Religious freedom is under attack, and Arkansas has no specific protection for religious liberty in its state constitution. Issue 3 will protect the free exercise of religion for future generations of Arkansans.

Issue 4 legalizes marijuana in Arkansas. It’s hard to believe an amendment this bad is actually on the ballot. Issue 4 was crafted by marijuana industry insiders. They wrote it. They worked to place it on the ballot. They are spending millions of dollars right now to persuade Arkansans to vote for it.

If Issue 4 passes, Arkansas will have one of the least regulated cannabis industries in America. State and local officials will be powerless to restrict marijuana or raise taxes on it. A handful of businesses and bureaucrats will control marijuana. Issue 4 is the kind of crony politics that Arkansans are sick of.

As you head to the polls in a few days, please remember to vote for Issue 3, the Arkansas Religious Freedom Amendment, and against Issue 4, the marijuana amendment. If you have any questions about either measure, you can contact the Family Council Action Committee office in Little Rock at (501) 375-7000.

Sincerely,

Jerry Cox
Executive Director
Family Council Action Committee

UPDATE: As of today, nearly 10,000 of our readers have taken action – have you?

TODAY at 5PM ET, the window will close to oppose Biden’s proposed  federal rule that rewrites Title IX to permit males (who self-identify as female) to take advantage of benefits intended for women in education and likely athletics.

This means that the Biden Administration is using the federal rulemaking process to force its woke LGBT agenda upon every public school, kindergarten through college. The effort is a slap in the face to Title IX, which should have celebrated its 50^th anniversary during the summer.

Time is running out to comment on the Biden Administration’s proposed Title IX rule!

TELL THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION YOU OPPOSE CHANGING TITLE IX!

Our movement has already made a difference: more comments have been submitted in reaction to this proposed rule than any other rule!

WE NEED YOU TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD BEFORE TIME RUNS OUT!

To recap, if this rule goes into effect, the Department of Education will use the power of the Federal Government to:

• Force girls to share private spaces like showers, locker rooms, and bathrooms with males.
• Force girls to lose sex-specific scholarships to males who identify as female.
• Push the LGBTQ agenda in public school curriculum.
• Silence girls who express concerns about their privacy and safety, and silence opposition to transgender ideology.
• Allow students to file official harassment claims if they are not addressed by their preferred pronouns, even when those do not align with their biological sex or are completely made up.
• Redefine “discrimination based on sex” to include “termination of pregnancy,” forcing colleges and universities to provide abortions for their students, even in pro-life states.
• Most likely force girls to compete against males in girls’ sports.

This rule comes from the same administration that deployed the FBI to investigate your community because parents are standing up and speaking out against gender theory and government mandates at local school board meetings.

The Biden administration wants to overturn 50 years of progress for women’s rights and opportunities. They want to force schools to teach the woke LGBTQ agenda. They want your sons and daughters to have to share intimate personal spaces like bathrooms and locker rooms with the opposite sex. And they want to override state pro-life laws by forcing colleges and universities, even Christian schools, to provide abortions.

Your voice can stop them, but you have to hurry!

Please submit a public comment opposing this dangerous rule! Tell the Department of Education you STRONGLY OPPOSE ANY CHANGES in Title IX protections that redefine “sex” to include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity.”  

We’ve provided some comments for you to use, but the more personal you can make your comments, the better! The federal rulemaking process requires the Administration to respond to “unique” comments, so use our sample comments to make yours as individualized and specific as possible!

For example:

Tell the Dept. of Education how this will impact your daughter or family.

Tell the Dept. of Education how this policy violates privacy and opportunities for women.

Tell the Dept. of Education how this will impact students and teachers.

Tell the Dept. of Education how this issue will impact athletes and their teams.

Tell the Dept. of Education how redefining sex in Title IX defeats the purpose of providing opportunities for women.

Tell the Dept. of Education how redefining discrimination on the basis of sex endangers the unborn and forces people of faith to violate their convictions.

Please SHARE this information with your family and friends – every comment can help slow down and may even stop this rule!

SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT OPPOSING BIDEN’S TITLE IX RULE NOW

Standing with you,

Joseph Kohm
Director of Public Policy

My own memories of “back to school” are happy ones filled with excitement over new folders, pens, clothes, friends, and things to learn.

For parents, though, back to school is an increasingly anxious time, and ensuring that our kids are safe in every way is the top priority.

That’s why Family Policy Alliance teamed up with our friends at Focus on the Family to create the only Back to School Guide for Parents.

Inside The Guide:

• Comprehensive information on important topics, such as:
  • How to protect your child from inappropriate or biased material in the classroom
  • What to do when you find offensive or explicit books in your school library, and
  • How to guard your child’s safety in school restrooms and locker rooms
• Details about your rights and your children’s rights
• Suggestions about how to respectfully advocate on behalf of your child
• Guidance on how to talk with your children about sensitive and difficult subjects
• Links to additional helpful articles and resources

Learn How to Protect Your Child:

• In the Classroom
• In School Health Rooms, Clinics, & Counseling Offices
• In School Locker Rooms & Bathrooms
• On Sports Teams
• During Lunchtime, Free-time, or in Student-Run Clubs
• On School Internet, Wi-Fi, and Electronic Devices
• In School Libraries & on School Databases
• By Exercising School Choice

Download your free copy today!

How would you respond if you discovered your school clinic was dispensing contraceptives to your child — without informing you? Or if a boy took a spot on your daughter’s high school soccer team because he felt like a girl? Or if you found out your six-year-old child’s teacher is reading books about gender-confused children to the whole classroom?

We’re concerned too. We read the news and receive numerous phone calls, emails, and letters from parents, grandparents, and family members every week. They tell us what’s happening at their children’s schools and ask for help responding.

We pray Back to School—for Parents is a blessing to you and your family as you navigate the challenges of sending your children back into the classroom this month.

DOWNLOAD FREE GUIDE

Standing with you,

Autumn Leva,
Sr VP of Strategy

 

 

 

 

 

1 Chron. 16:11 – Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually!

Dear Friends,

I want to ask you to be in prayer for the State of Kansas over the next few days. There is an important pro-life Constitutional amendment on the ballot there and the election concludes on August 2^nd. Pro-life organizations have been working to get the vote out for months, but the abortion lobbyists are also pushing back in the late days and weeks of the battle.

The amendment in Kansas is the first time the American people will have the opportunity to vote on the issue of life since the Dobbs decision from the US Supreme Court in June which overturned Roe v. Wade. This vote will set the tone for the nation on how the issue of abortion will be handled in the states and Congress in the months to come.

We are asking for prayer that the decision in Kansas affirms life and is seen as a boon to the pro-life movement nationally. Please pray also that there is peace once the vote is counted and that there would be no acts of violence in response.

As you are aware, there are plenty of other major areas that need our prayer nationally.

Just to name a few briefly:

Extreme Abortion Legislation in Congress

In light of the Dobbs decision. the U.S. House hurriedly passed a bill that would codify a “right to abortion”—and even more—in  federal law with the absence of Roe v. Wade. Pro-abortion activists and lobbyists will stop at nothing, and no measure is too far for them. The bill now sits in the U.S. Senate awaiting action .

Please pray that this legislation would not advance any further and that if the Senate does take it up that it would fail to receive the votes required to advance it.

Bill to Redefine Marriage (Again)  in Congress

In their desperate attempt to appease their base, liberals in the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to redefine marriage to include not only same-sex “marriage” but also polygamy. Sadly, 47 House Republicans joined the entire Democrat majority in supporting this legislation. The bill is now in the Senate where Democrat leaders are twisting arms and working deals to get the required 60 votes to advance the legislation before they send it to the President for his signature.

Please pray that enough U.S. Senators would stand strong and prevent this disastrous bill from passing. Not only will it reap a whirlwind of morally bad outcomes for our nation, but it will also have far-reaching religious freedom implications for churches, non-profits and many other entities should it pass.

Title IX and Sex-Related Rules

As if all this were not enough, the Biden administration continues to pursue rules that redefine sex and implement dangerous policies that advance the transgender agenda in numerous federal agencies. One of the proposed rules would redefine sex for school children from kindergarten through college – virtually erasing the advancements that have been made over decades for women and girls. Other proposed Biden rules would mandate that doctors must perform transgender procedures whenever requested or be subject to discrimination charges even if they professionally object to the treatment or surgeries.

Please pray that these rules (all of which are at some stage of the approval process) would be held up or challenged in ways that prevent them from being implemented and that moral, reasoned voices would be able to speak into these matters.

Abortion Rules

In the wake of the Dobbs decision, the President also issued executive orders and proposed rules to advance the proliferation of abortion whenever possible with taxpayer funds. Part of his plan is to implement mobile abortion vans to surround those states that now ban abortion. Some proposed rules also mandate coverage of abortion in healthcare insurance and government provided benefits.

Please be in prayer that these rules would also be held up and challenged at every step of the way. Pray that those advancing them would realize what they are doing and stop pursuing a culture of death and instead work to advance life.

The Lord’s Protection

Despite these dire developments, please know that numerous attempts to enact these very things through Congress and other means (and the forces at work in the Biden administration seeking them) have largely been unsuccessful in permanently enacting any of these changes at this time. These current proposed rules and bills in Congress are the closest they have been to enacting these parts of the Biden agenda.

This is a testament to the grace and mercy of our Lord.

Please continue to pray for even more eyes to see and ears to hear all of this and that it will initiate a movement of revival!

Thank you for praying for Kansas and these other major issues we face as a nation. Please know also that the November elections are on the horizon, and we need to be in prayer for that as we get closer – asking the Lord to place Godly, responsible men and women in places of leadership across the nation.

God bless,

Robert Noland
Director, Audience Engagement

P.S. – You can always visit the Under God, One Nation webpage to see past updates. Please also share the page with family, friends and your Bible study or Sunday school class so they too can sign up for a prayer time and receive these updates.

Coach Joe Kennedy  shares morning devotions with the Statesmen Academy and Family Policy Council Alliance after his big win at the Supreme Court in June.

In July, your partnership with Family Policy Alliance’s sister foundation made it possible to host 40 state family policy council leaders and nearly 40 state legislators at the 2022 Statesmen Academy and Family Policy Council Conference. These leaders in your states are committed to making your state safer for children in the womb and their mothers, protecting parental rights, advancing religious freedom and passing pro-family policy.

Based on attendee comments, it was the best yet!

This year’s Statesmen Academy was also the largest event to date with 39 legislators and 18 spouses in attendance. These statesmen joined leaders from nearly 40 state Family Policy Councils and many national allies for a terrific week of training, encouragement, and renewal.

State legislators and leaders gleaned much from Dr. Jeff Myers of Summit Ministries who taught on worldview and how to effectively communicate biblical truth. Dr. Matthew Spalding of Hillsdale College provided a historical perspective on statesmanship and the value of prudence in politics. Statesmen received in-depth media training and time to practice their interview skills with FPA’s communications team. They listened and learned from experienced Christian statesmen, including former Ambassador, Governor, Senator, and Congressman Sam Brownback (R-KS).

A row of state lawmakers listen to engaging and impactful speakers at the 2022 Statesmen Academy.

Of course, no Family Policy Foundation event would be complete without equipping on current pro-family policy issues. This year’s agenda included panels on Help Not Harm legislation to protect minors from “gender transition” drugs and surgeries, pro-life legislation in the After Roe era, and parental rights in education legislation.

For the first time, the prestigious Coburn Statesman Award was given to a Statesmen Academy alumna, Rep. Robin Lundstrum of Arkansas. Rep. Lundstrum is the author of the first-in-the-nation Help Not Harm law and has been a pro-life champion in her home state, carrying more pro-life laws than any other legislator in Arkansas over the past decade. FPF President and CEO Craig DeRoche sat down with Lundstrum just after she received the Coburn Award.

Watch their interview here.

Robin Lundstrum (center) Receives the Coburn Award. Pictured L to R: Jerry Cox – Arkansas Family Council, Tom Lundstrum, Arkansas State Representative Robin Lundstrum, Amanda Banks – Statesmen Academy Director and Craig DeRoche – Family Policy Foundation President and CEO

Participants started each day with worship and devotions. Among those presenting were Dr. Wayne Grudem from Phoenix Seminary and Coach Joe Kennedy who recently won a major religious freedom victory at the Supreme Court after he was fired by his school for praying on the 50-yard line after football games. After perhaps the most pressure-filled and consequential season in the history of the pro-life movement, Christian legislators and leaders relished the opportunity to learn and fellowship together while receiving much-needed refreshment.

One legislator commented that the Academy provided “exactly the equipping this country could use much more of,” and said, “the genuine relationships built with others who share the same heart and beliefs will be lifelong.”

Another statesman remarked that while he “always tried to put God first, it doesn’t always go over well in the political world.” However, he explained, “this week taught me ways to allow Him to shine through when it’s not popular and how to tackle hard issues head-on rather than leave them for someone else to handle.”

Finally, a participant said, “the encouragement from champions of faith and policy is instrumental to our success, and practical help with legislation makes our job easier and achievable.”

These results and the incredible week we shared would not be possible without the generosity of our ministry partners who faithfully give financially and prayerfully to Family Policy Alliance and Family Policy Foundation. We sincerely thank you for your partnership with us!

Gratefully,

Amanda Banks
Director, Statesmen Academy
Vice President, Education