New law targets faith-based organizations just before Christmas

BREAKING NEWS: President Biden just signed H.R. 8404 into law, codifying same-sex marriage in federal law.

How is this different from the Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges?

First, this new law goes much further than the Supreme Court ruling. While the Supreme Court ruling recognized same-sex marriage, the new law threatens religious freedom in new ways. Here’s what our CEO and President Craig DeRoche had to say:

“For the last two years, we’ve seen repeatedly how the Biden Administration pits itself against the American people. Today, President Biden has gone even further by positioning himself against people of faith at Christmastime.

“The so-called religious freedom protections contained within this bill are little more than fig leaves. In reality, this bill could force faith-based adoption agencies to close, silence anyone with a moral objection to same-sex marriage, and target those who dare to disagree.

“While the Biden Administration and their allies in Congress made this signing ceremony about equality, they fail to understand that Americans with sincerely held religious beliefs on marriage will not waiver in their convictions –regardless of the passage of this new law. In the name of acceptance, the Biden Administration has chosen to alienate millions of Americans.”

The second difference from the court ruling is that this law will be harder to undo. If you’ve followed the pro-life movement, you know that it took us nearly 50 years to get Roe v. Wade overturned (and we still have much more work to do in the states). However, that was “just” a court case that could be overturned by another court case. Today, President Biden has signed an actual law passed by both chambers of Congress.

Imagine if Roe v. Wade had been made a federal law.

It will take time to change hearts and minds on this issue. But, we are hardly the first Christians in history to have to stand out from a distinctly un-Christian culture. In fact, we are specifically called to be a light in the darkness and salt on the earth (Matthew 5:13-14). Here at Family Policy Alliance, we see this as a continued opportunity to live that out.

What can I do to help?

At Family Policy Alliance, we are always looking for ways to protect your religious freedom, whether that’s by standing for First Amendment rights at the federal level or working with Family Policy Councils in the states. If you want to help ensure religious freedom for generations to come, please partner with us. We take care to steward each gift well to help advance our vision of a nation where God is honored, religious freedom flourishes, families thrive, and life is cherished.

And, stay in prayer. Our nation is at a critical juncture. Even as the Biden Administration and its allies use federal policy to advance radical agendas, across the states family values are gaining traction like never before. Please pray for the continued success of these efforts.

Prayerfully,

Autumn Leva,
Sr. VP, Strategy

 

 

 

 

We all may still be eating turkey leftovers, but today Chuck Schumer’s Senate returns to DC where they plan to restart—and take the next vote on—the same-sex marriage bill.

It is stunning to think that with the many real issues concerning American families, this bill that codifies the Obergefell definition of same-sex marriage into federal law, opens the door to legal polygamy, and paints a target on the backs of faith-based charities during the holidays is what Schumer’s Senate is choosing to prioritize. We surveyed social conservative voters earlier this month, and the number one issue for families was inflation and the economy. The Schumer Senate decision to prioritize this bill reveals the depth of the tone-deaf problem in Washington D.C.

Tell your Senator to oppose this bill!

Here’s our recap of the biggest concerns in the bill:

• Further implicates federal law in a false definition of marriage, potentially including in ANY marriage (e.g., polygamy).
• Threatens religious individuals and organizations with harassing and costly lawsuits.
• Opens the door for the federal government to force everyone, including religious organizations, to affirm same-sex marriage, polygamy, and more.
• Targets faith-based adoption and foster-care agencies, which would be a devastating blow to the many children already in need of placement in forever homes.
• Silencing—or even potentially punishing—Americans who believe marriage is the union of one man and one woman by labeling that belief as “discrimination” on the same unacceptable level as racist views.

In addition to targeting charities and ministries around the holidays, Sen. Schumer is pushing forward this bill as a major case heads to the Supreme Court in early December. Our friends at Alliance Defending Freedom are defending small business owner Lorie Smith, owner of 303 Creative in Colorado. Lorie designs websites for her clients, but the same Colorado government that targeted cake artist Jack Phillips now seeks to punish her for designing only those websites that celebrate weddings consistent with her religious beliefs.

If Sen. Schumer gets his way with this bill, the full weight of the federal government could be used to punish Lorie and every other business or ministry like hers.

Please take action today. As the Senate returns from Thanksgiving, they desperately need to hear from you urging them to oppose the bill—and calling on them to tell Senator Schumer to stop this harmful bill from being made top priority.

We only have a few days to stop this bill during the lame duck session—be sure to take action now!

Thank you!

Autumn Leva,
Sr. VP, Strategy