Dear John,
In our darkening culture, many want to stay on the sidelines. They falsely believe that if they keep quiet and don't create waves, then they will be left alone.
But the Left has shown time and time again that they don't believe in "live and let live." They will not be satisfied until you, I, and every American bows our knees to their radical pro-abortion, pro-LGBT, pro-big government agenda... or else.
It only took one courageous young woman who saw the attacks in our nation on religious liberty and free speech to make a difference by standing up for her God-given constitutional rights. She ended up not only winning her case before the U.S. Supreme Court, but the ruling also opened the door for religious freedom for others!
The story actually starts over a decade ago with Jack Phillips, the owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop in Colorado.
As a Christian, Jack believes in treating everyone with dignity as image bearers of God. But he also believes that he should honor Christ in everything he does, including his artistry in designing custom cakes -- which means there are messages regarding drug usage, racism, same-sex marriage, and gender identity ideology that run contrary to biblical truth that he does not want to be forced to promote.
That conviction has made him a target for leftist activists, resulting in 3 lawsuits since 2012!
Even after the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in his favor in 2018, thanks to our friends, the incredible attorneys at Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), the state of Colorado has come after him again... and again.
As difficult as his path has been, Jack's stand shows that it only takes one to start a movement because courage breeds courage.
Your vital gift today to the It Only Takes One Campaign can have an exponential impact in ensuring FRC can stand alongside Americans like Jack when they come under fire for their faith thanks to the 4X Match. But the deadline is midnight this Friday, August 11, so don't delay.
Multiply My Gift by 4!
Fellow Coloradan, Lorie Smith observed the battles Jack is enduring and decided to go on the offensive.
She launched her business, 303 Creative in 2012, the same year Jack's legal persecution began. As a Christian website designer, she knew it was only a matter of time before her biblical convictions ran afoul of Colorado's anti-free speech laws and zealous prosecutors.
So she worked with ADF to file a pre-enforcement challenge to the state's discriminatory law (FRC filed an amicus curiae brief in support of Lorie's case).
After a shocking loss at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, the Supreme Court finally ruled 6-3 on June 30 in favor of Lorie's free speech -- upholding every American's right to not be compelled to communicate messages contrary to their deeply held beliefs.
As Lorie shared in a victory message online:
"From day one all I wanted is to speak consistent with my beliefs. And I want that for everyone. I want that for the LGBT website designer, the Democrat speechwriter, the Jewish calligrapher, the pro-life photographer... Everyone should be free to speak consistent with who they are and what they believe... Today is truly a victory for each and every one of us."
It's a sad commentary on the state of our republic that it is considered a landmark ruling for the highest court in the land to reaffirm what the First Amendment stated over 230 years ago.
While this decision did not immediately resolve other pending cases like Jack's, the broad scope of this one ruling creates strong precedence for other Americans to have their constitutional rights recognized and protected.
As Christians, we are instructed to do everything, including what we speak and how we work, as unto the Lord for His glory. We cannot check our biblical faith at the door of our vocation.
Our newest resource from FRC's Center for Biblical Worldview, An Introduction to Worldview, states it this way: "Following Jesus requires submitting to and obeying everything the Bible teaches and aligning our lives with His Word."
Remember, when you partner with a generous gift of any size -- that will be QUADRUPLED -- to the It Only Takes One Campaign before Friday's midnight deadline, you'll receive a complimentary copy of this new booklet to help you and your family better live out your faith in Jesus Christ with boldness and confidence.
Thank you for being willing to take a stand with FRC for faith, family, and freedom. You never know who you will inspire when you choose to boldly live out your faith.
|