Dear John, it's the Family Beacon, your weekly source for news on the issues that matter most in Minnesota and beyond! This week:
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Here's What to Expect in the 2024 Legislative Session
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When it comes to what our elected leaders are doing in St. Paul, there’s a lot of noise out there. Our job at Minnesota Family Council is to cut through the noise and give you the facts so that you can stand for truth. We defend your values at our Capitol, in the courts, and in our communities. We also report on the latest wins and attacks on parental rights, the family, children’s bodies, religious freedom, and human dignity.
Due to a small progressive majority in the Minnesota House and Senate, we can expect dangerous pushes for physician-assisted suicide, mutilation of children through so-called “gender-affirming healthcare,” and the erasure women’s sports. That’s why our policy team is already tracking the bills that progressive legislators will likely try to pass starting this February. That's where you come in. Together, bold families and individuals in Minnesota can make a difference. Making a difference starts with knowledge. Without further ado, here’s what to expect in the 2024 legislative session. |
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True North Legal & Upper Midwest Law Center Stand Against Discriminatory Cancellation of Christian Prison Rehabilitation Program at Minnesota Correctional Facility |
This week, True North Legal (TNL) and co-counsel Upper Midwest Law Center (UMLC) filed a lawsuit challenging Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) officials’ abrupt cancellation of a Christian rehabilitation program at the Minnesota Correctional Facility – St. Cloud. The program, led by plaintiff Anthony Schmitt and his colleagues, has been an instrumental tool in facilitating successful transitions to the community for male prison inmates over the past decade.
The totally voluntary program, designed to instill principles of authentic manhood as per Christian teachings, saw remarkable success. More than a thousand inmates completed the program, reporting restored families, healed resentments, and transformative experiences. However, in July 2023, Schmitt received an email from DOC Assistant Commissioner and Defendant Jolene Rebertus, announcing the cancellation of the program, citing alleged conflicts with diversity and inclusion values.
Commissioner Rebertus’ email stated that the program “directly conflicts with the diversity, equity, and inclusivity values of the [DOC] by defining manhood, or the study of masculinity, through a biblical lens of what a ‘real man looks like.’” Like a substantial number of professing Christians and Catholics in the United States, Schmitt simply believes what the Bible says about men and women and human sexuality. Schmitt vehemently disagrees with the DOC’s characterization of his views as discriminatory or biased, emphasizing instead the positive impact the program has had on rehabilitation.
This case draws parallels to Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, where the United States Supreme Court unanimously held that the City of Philadelphia's refusal to refer foster parents to a Catholic agency violated the First Amendment. The Court noted that such actions, driven by discrimination against religious beliefs, could not survive strict scrutiny.
TNL and UMLC argue that Commissioner Rebertus' actions are not neutral or generally applicable, directly targeting Schmitt's and the inmates’ religious beliefs. The lawsuit seeks a declaration that these actions violate Schmitt's rights under the federal and Minnesota constitutions and demands the reinstatement of the program.
“We are committed to ensuring that Anthony Schmitt, through his ministry, can continue to make a positive impact on the lives of those men seeking rehabilitation in Minnesota. The program’s effectiveness speaks for itself with more than 1,000 program graduates whose lives have forever been changed for the good of their families and their communities. The DOC is hiding behind DEI to discriminate against a Christian ministry simply because of its religious views about men and women and human sexuality.” said TNL’s General Counsel Renee Carlson.
“DOC officials cancelled Anthony Schmitt’s “Quest for Authentic Manhood” program at the St. Cloud correctional facility because, as they said themselves, it is based on biblical Christianity and does not follow the State’s particular DEI religion,” said UMLC Senior Counsel James Dickey. “Both the Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses of the Constitution forbid this.”
Plaintiff Anthony Schmitt said: “Through the Quest for Authentic Manhood program at St. Cloud, we have had incredible success over the last decade, with more than 1,000 inmates graduating and moving on to a restored life in the community. I have seen countless powerful testimonies and tears shed over the last decade because of the tremendous positive impact this program has had on inmates’ lives. I was shocked and dismayed when the DOC suddenly cancelled us, and I just want to be able to minister to these men, who so desperately need support and rehabilitation.”
A link to media coverage of the story can be found here. |
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WORLD: Growing Old as a Calling
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Via WORLD
Each of us also must learn to number our own days. The limits of aging and death teach us to recognize the reality of our finite identity in relation to a transcendent God. That perspective is one that we cannot learn too early. Accepting finitude makes us depend on God. Acknowledging limits makes us value the days at hand differently. It encourages us to prioritize and make commitments to people and projects in light of an eternal perspective, Ridenour points out.
We exist in physical bodies that inevitably go through times of weakness. This makes human beings vulnerable at various stages—always at the beginning of life, often at the end of life, and sometimes also in between. We are “time-bound creatures made for transcendence,” observes Ridenour. With this in mind, we can approach “the experience of aging and death as one of interdependence, giving, receiving, and vocation before God and one another.”
That interdependence is crucial because we exist in physical bodies that inevitably go through times of weakness. This makes human beings vulnerable at various stages—always at the beginning of life, often at the end of life, and sometimes also in between. Notre Dame law professor O. Carter Snead reflects on these realities in his book What It Means to Be Human. To sustain us between seasons of frailty and seasons of strength, Snead emphasizes that we need relationships based on “uncalculated giving and graceful receiving.”
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Upcoming Event: Minnesota March for Life on January 22nd
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Event hosted by our allies at MCCL
As abortions sharply increase and lawmakers pass extreme pro-abortion laws, join thousands of Minnesotans in St. Paul for an unforgettable visual commemoration and urgent public witness to the value of every human life.
MCCL’s annual March for Life will take on a renewed importance in 2024—and we need you there!
The event, held each year at the Minnesota Capitol on the anniversary of the legalization of abortion, commemorates the unborn lives lost and the women and men who have been wounded.But the 2024 March comes after extreme action taken by lawmakers in St. Paul—including measures enshrining abortion-up-to-birth and repealing a right to lifesaving care for newborn babies—as well as a dramatic increase in abortions.
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True North Legal Defends Religious Freedom in St. Louis Park Schools! |
In case you missed it-- recently Renee Carlson, Chief Counsel of our True North Legal (TNL) initiative came on the podcast to discuss how TNL is defending the religious freedom of parents here in St. Louis Park! Watch her interview with Moses below. Plus, if you need help with an opt-out, TNL can advise and provide you with what you need - email [email protected] |
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Tell Legislators to Vote NO on ERA
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As the 2024 Legislative Session approaches, progressives have been open about their plans to try and advance the so-called Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to your ballot in 2024.
This bill has already passed the Minnesota Senate and will be considered by the Minnesota House early next year. Now is the time to send a message to your legislators telling them to oppose the ERA. The alert below will help you send a message to your Minnesota House member respectfully sharing your concerns.
By banning "discrimination" on the basis of "sexual orientation, gender identity or expression," the ERA would allow males to enter female-only accommodations such as sports teams and changing facilities. So please, take action today by clicking the button below and stand up for Minnesota's women and girls!
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Church Ambassador Network: Bring LIGHT to the Capitol! |
Things can seem dark in Minnesota, especially thinking of the progressive legislation that was pushed rapidly in 2023, but there's a TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY for you to help us bring light to the Capitol.
In fact, the Capitol is a mission field--often neglected, but a mission field nonetheless. Watch this video or go to mfc.org/churches to learn more! |
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True North Legal is an initiative of Minnesota Family Institute, fighting to protect life, family, and religious freedom in our legal system. Learn more about True North Legal and its crucial work at truenorthlegal.org. |
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Get the Parent Resource Guide
Responding to the transgender trend with truth and compassion starts with the Parent Resource Guide. Get your copy HERE today and invite a friend to do the same! Click to order your copy today: |
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Thank you for sharing Minnesota Family Council’s vision for strong families, communities, and culture through Christ. In this season of unprecedented challenges to life, family, and religious freedom, please consider giving us your support so that we can continue to be YOUR voice. Click here to give now.
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Jeff Evans, CEO Minnesota Family Council and Institute |
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Two Ways to Give
Support our grassroots policy and elections efforts through Minnesota Family Council (MFC). Support our education and outreach efforts with a tax-deductible contribution to Minnesota Family Institute (MFI). |
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