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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WORLD: Title IX Wins, For Now |
Via World
The Supreme Court last week rejected the Biden-Harris administration’s attempt to reinstate its new Title IX rule that redefines sex to include gender identity. The Department of Education had asked the court to reinstate most of its new Title IX rule, arguing that it should be allowed to take immediate effect. The court disagreed, finding that the plaintiffs were entitled to preliminary injunctive relief as to at least three challenged provisions of the rule—including “the central provision” that newly defines sex to include gender identity. On that, all nine justices agreed. The court majority of five justices also refused to reinstate the remaining provisions, finding that they were intertwined with the new definition of sex and not easily severable.
In the early 1970s, athletic opportunities for women were paltry, with a mere 7 percent of high school girls competing in sports. In 1971, for example, approximately 294,000 girls played a high school sport, while some 3.7 million boys participated in athletics. In 1972, college athletic scholarships for women were nearly nonexistent, and female athletes were allocated only 2 percent of college athletic budgets.
It is the rare congressional enactment that has an immediate effect. But Title IX was just such an enactment for women across the country, including my mom, Shari Bannon. Enacted by Congress in 1972, the bipartisan legislation reverberated throughout the country, requiring equal academic and athletic opportunities for women, no matter where they lived or how small and rural their school district was. And that brought girls basketball to the village of Des Moines, N.M. For the first time and as a senior, my mom and her fellow female athletes were not limited to cheering on the men’s basketball team. Now, they could compete on the court themselves.
That monumental piece of legislation—which requires school districts to provide roughly equal opportunities and funding for men’s and women’s sports—is now in danger. The Biden-Harris administration has rewritten the statute, redefining “sex” to include gender identity. This forces schools to ignore the biological differences between male and female students in favor of “an individual’s sense of their gender.” This newfound definition threatens the academic and athletic advancement women have worked so hard to achieve.
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Appeal Filed to Restore Christian Rehabilitation Program for Minnesota Inmates After DOC's Controversial Cancellation |
(Minnetonka, MN) - The Upper Midwest Law Center (UMLC) and co-counsel True North Legal (TNL) have filed an appeal to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals of the United States District Court’s decision yesterday to deny the motion for a preliminary injunction in its case to reinstate Plaintiff Anthony Schmitt’s highly successful Christian rehabilitation program at the Minnesota Correctional Facility – St. Cloud. UMLC argues that this termination has unjustly deprived prisoners of a proven and transformative resource solely because of the DOC's ideological opposition to normal Christian beliefs which have existed for millennia.
For over a decade, the entirely voluntary program led by plaintiff Anthony Schmitt and his team provided a lifeline for male inmates, helping them to rehabilitate and reintegrate into society by teaching principles of authentic manhood through Christian teachings. The program's success is undeniable. It graduated more than a thousand inmates, and scores of inmates reported restored family relationships, resolved personal conflicts, and significant personal growth as a result of their participation.
However, in July 2023, the DOC abruptly canceled the program, citing its “direct conflict with the diversity, equity, and inclusivity values of the DOC” because it defined manhood through a “biblical lens.” This decision was conveyed to Schmitt in an email from DOC Assistant Commissioner Jolene Rebertus, effectively ending a program that had become a cornerstone of inmate rehabilitation in the facility.
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Washington Stand: Kamala Harris Promises to Impose Abortion on All 50 States as President |
Via Washington Stand Kamala Harris promised to use the federal government to expand abortion nationwide, because Americans cannot “truly be prosperous” without abortion, and pro-life Americans are “out of their minds,” said Harris while accepting the Democratic presidential nomination Thursday night.
Harris basked in the glow of the audience as she stood at the podium of the United Center in Chicago to deliver an acceptance speech long on personal history but slight on policy specifics, aside from a vow to extend the abortion industry into all 50 states, irrespective of each state’s individual laws
“When Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom, as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law,” candidate Harris vowed. Jarringly, as Harris made those remarks, the official DNC video feed of the acceptance speech panned out to feature a baby in the crowd.
Although Harris did not name a specific bill, the Biden-Harris administration has endorsed, the so-called “Women’s Health Protection” Act, which goes far beyond the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling by striking down more than 1,300 state pro-life protections including laws:
- Prohibiting sex-selective abortions;
- Barring many abortions after viability;
- Preventing abortions on babies 20 weeks or older, who are capable of feeling pain;
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Disallowing abortions undertaken without parental consent or notification;
- Prohibiting telemedicine abortion drug prescriptions, which involve no in-person medical examination;
- Banning unlicensed individuals from carrying out abortions;
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Allowing pregnant mothers to receive scientifically accurate information about their babies’ development, or to see an ultrasound or hear the child’s fetal heartbeat; and
- Allowing pro-life medical professionals the right to refuse to participate in an abortion.
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MFC CEO Jeff Evans Unveils the Truth About Tim Walz |
Recently, MFC's CEO Jeff Evans joined Cole Muzio of our Georgia counterpart to discuss why Walz would is a threat to our country as the Vice Presidential Candidate. Jeff explains how Governor Walz' disarming Midwestern presence often makes evil seem good and how dangerous that attitude really is. Plus, learn where Walz stands on important social policies and how we can best pray for him.
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Request a Voter Guide for YOUR Church Today! |
Election season can be stressful, since no ballot contains perfect candidates. However, there are candidates that are aligned to protecting life, family, and religious freedom. Do you want to know which candidates will fight for your values? Request your 2024 Voter Guide today!
Our 2024 Voter Guide survey has been sent to every major-party candidate running for state or federal office in Minnesota! During a typical election year, our staff distributes thousands and thousands of guides to churches and individuals around Minnesota. That's why we need to know how many copies of the voter guide your church or community group will need as soon as possible. Click this button to request copies of the nonpartisan voter guide today! |
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What Bills Passed During Legislative Session? |
Introducing Minnesota Family Council’s 2024 bill tracker. In addition to our email updates and action alerts, bookmarking this page will keep you informed on the issues that faced the Minnesota Legislature this year to do with life, family, and religious freedom. |
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Upcoming Event: Till Kingdom Come Conference--Political Engagement in Light of the Lordship of Christ |
In an age that seems to have lost its political mind, how should Christians respond? Join Christ Bible Church and Riverview Baptist Church as we apply the lordship of Christ to our present political madness. Dates: Friday, September 20 — 6:30 - 9:00 PM Saturday, September 21 — 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM (Lunch Provided) |
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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.
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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Church Ambassador Network: Bring LIGHT to the Capitol! |
The Church Ambassador Network brings the gospel to the Capitol to encourage those hoping in Christ and confront those rejecting His lordship. You have the opportunity to ensure that this ministry continues and the light of the gospel shines in St. Paul.
Will you consider supporting the Church Ambassador Network with your church's missions budget? Watch the video below to learn more about the difference you can make by partnering with us. |
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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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Moses Bratrud, Director of Strategy
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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