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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Progressive Legislators Push Assisted Suicide, But God Wins in the End |
Last week, we alerted you that progressives held a hearing in an attempt to push assisted suicide even before the beginning of the 2024 legislative session. This bill, a bill that if signed into law would legalize assisted suicide in our state, passed its first committee. At Minnesota Family Council, we fight deadly legislation like this that is in opposition to a prospering state and God's design. While part our job is to bring you the facts surrounding what is happening at our Capitol, and what we are doing about it, we also want to bring you hope. That's why we chose "Rulers Rage, God Laughs" as the message of our 2024 Annual Dinner.
Our theme this year is a distillation of Psalm 2:1-6. In fact, we hope this passage came to mind when you first heard about our theme. Rulers Rage, God Laughs restates the biblical promise that, in the long run, evil loses because God wins. While some of Minnesota’s rulers plot against God’s design by pushing wicked legislation that promotes the murder of children and the elderly and the rupture of the family,
we can boldly rejoice because we know that all their striving is in vain. Evil is indeed so powerless before God that He laughs at it.
For a time, the wicked may think that they are winning—perhaps even that God is powerless to stop them. But God writes every chapter, including the end of his story. The Lord scoffs at his enemies and He promises to lead their ways to destruction.
Therefore, at Minnesota Family Council, we are not deterred by how ungodly rulers conspire, whether in pushing assisted suicide or other legislation that attacks what is good.
For we know that the victory is the Lord’s. At our Annual Dinner this year, we will inspire Christians in Minnesota to trust so much in God’s plan that we laugh at wickedness and rejoice in goodness, just as He does. Rulers rage against God, but God blesses his people with all good things. That is a biblical promise, and a concrete reality.
Laughter, then, can be a godly response to what we see around us in the world – in fact, there’s a lot to laugh at! The Babylon Bee has been helping Christians to see the satirical side of the darkness around us since it was launched in 2016. Under CEO Seth Dillon, the Bee uses humor to show the absurdity and weakness of evil.
With Seth Dillon as our keynote speaker for Rulers Rage, God Laughs, you can look forward to a hilarious evening that is also Christ-centered and HOPEFUL, prompting us to be unwaveringly committed to God’s Word and to take action in Minnesota! Please pre-register now to join us on April 26th!
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What We Saw Fighting Against Assisted Suicide at the Capitol
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Friends, we’ve alerted you that physician-assisted suicide was on the progressive agenda for 2024, and last week’s unprecedented pre-session hearing shows how high it is on their priority list!
On Thursday, January 25th, 2024, progressive legislators held a hearing before the beginning of session in an attempt to get a head start on pushing assisted suicide. The proposed assisted suicide bill (HF1930) would legalize physician-assisted suicide in Minnesota.
Rebecca Delahunt, MFC’s Acting Director of Public Policy, and Renee Carlson, General Counsel of True North Legal submitted a written testimony urging our legislators to vote against this deadly legislation. You can read that testimony below.
During the hearing, MFC staff live-tweeted on X. Let’s highlight some of the things that were stated, either in opposition or support of the bill. SUPPORT -
The first testifier lives with incurable brain cancer. She stated that when no more treatment options are available, "there should be more death options."
The next testifier was a doctor with Compassion and Choices, formerly the Hemlock Society. He argued that "medical aid in dying laws are working as designed." He also said that "having the option" itself improves quality of life among very ill patients. He further asserted that he has prescribed the medication nineteen times in Colorado and watched the patients die "bathed in love.” |
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Our Legislative Scorecard: LIVE NOW
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After the controversial legislative session last year, we received many questions about how legislators voted. A common theme was, "How can I find out how my legislators voted on the issues that matter most to me?"
We're thrilled to be able to answer that question, with Minnesota Family Council's 2023 Legislative Scorecard.
We're especially glad that this scorecard is available for you right before the 2024 Legislative Session begins this month, so that you can thank your legislators for voting for life, family, and religious freedom as they prepare to gather again in St. Paul - or ask them why they did not do so!
Please use the button below to download your free, printable PDF of the scorecard. Please share it with friends, family, and pro-life Minnesotans. For this free resource to be valuable, it needs to reach as many people as possible! |
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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 |
In case you missed it, True North Legal (TNL) and co-counsel Upper Midwest Law Center (UMLC) recently
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.”
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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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. 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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