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This week's top stories from The Family Beacon:
Supreme Court Rules that Disagreement is Discrimination: What's Next?
I never thought I would have to tell my children that there would be negative consequences for believing that God created us distinctly male or distinctly female, or, that the U.S. Supreme Court would redefine “sex,” in certain provisions of the law, contradicting basic biology.
Earlier this week, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark opinion concerning the meaning of the word “sex” in Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Acts. Six unelected Justices on the U.S. Supreme Court turned biology and the English language on its head when the majority held that “sex” has the same meaning as “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” in discrimination claims.” Dissenting, Justice Alito, stated “There’s only one word for what the Court has done today: legislation…A more brazen abuse of our authority to interpret statutes is hard to recall.” Citing to the myriad of unsuccessful attempts by Congress to change the meaning of the word “sex” in Title VII, he explained, “[t]he questions in these cases is not whether discrimination because of sexual orientation or gender identity should be outlawed. The question is whether Congress did that in 1964. It indisputably did not.”
Casting aside biological realities will have consequences, despite the majority’s contention that “bathrooms, locker rooms, or anything else of the kind” are for another day. We’re still left wondering about the impact of this ruling on religious freedom – particularly religious schools and other ministries. And what about the impact on women? We’re still left to wonder, can a male identifying as a female really win a women’s sports title? This decision certainly serves as an invitation for lower courts to continue building on this narrative, further redefining the meaning of the word “sex.” The consequence are real, and the outcomes are unpredictable, as the Court left many of these questions unanswered. Surely a myriad of lawsuits seeking these answers are forthcoming. (Click here to read the full story by Renee Carlson, General Counsel, True North Legal)
Christian Counselors and Residents Oppose St. Paul's New Ban on Counseling
On Wednesday, the St. Paul City Council voted unanimously to enact a ban on so-called “conversion therapy,” following Minneapolis’s lead last fall. Despite the rhetoric, the ban is actually an attack on individual choice in health care as well as on the constitutional rights of therapists, patients, and families. St. Paul’s proposed ban could prevent mental health professionals from helping patients explore all options when addressing questions over sexual orientation and gender identity, something they should be free to do. “Young people should have access to voluntary, compassionate, client-driven care in the field of sexual identity that pursues the goals of the patient, including living in accordance with biblical teaching on sexuality or becoming more comfortable with their biological sex,” said John Helmberger, CEO of Minnesota Family Council.
The difference between what these bans claim to address and what they actually target is significant. Proponents of “conversion therapy” bans frequently point to horror stories of extreme, abusive instances of aversion therapy tactics. No one is arguing that these unethical practices should be used. Any licensed mental health professional who attempts to utilize such methods should lose their license. But as World magazine noted regarding Minneapolis’s ban, “Minneapolis council members… missed one glaring problem: Most tales of abuse apparently do not involve a licensed mental health professional.” These bans only address the actions of licensed mental health professionals who are already held to a standard of ethics that keeps them from resorting to the tactics described by proponents of these bans. If so-called “conversion therapy” bans were really addressing abusive situations, they would be redundant. The “conversion therapy” that these bans seek to limit is talk therapy, in which a licensed mental health professional helps their client through questions and conversation. “Conversion therapy” bans limit what counselors can say and what kind of questions they can ask when their client is dealing with questions regarding their sexual identity.
Counseling bans overlook the fact that not everyone who experiences same-sex desires or questions regarding their sexual identity wants to adopt the LGBT lifestyle or agenda. Nate Oyloe, a pastoral counselor, says people like him would be directly affected by this bill. “I was horrified to hear that the St. Paul City Council has passed a so-called ‘conversion therapy’ ban. As a young person dealing with same sex attractions, I enjoyed the benefit of good psychotherapists and faith-based organizations to help me bring my sexuality into agreement with my faith as a Christian. I was not coerced or harmed by either, in fact I was helped greatly.” These bans dismiss the voices of people who have benefited from this kind of counseling, receiving compassionate help as they have worked through these issues. Not everyone who experiences unwanted same-sex attraction seeks out counseling, nor should they have to, but city officials have no business denying them the option. (Read the whole piece by MFC's Patience Griswold here).
Our 2020 Annual Dinner has been rescheduled for Thursday, September 17th with keynote speaker Abby Johnson. Keeping our guests safe is the most important consideration in making this move. With everything going on, we're glad to be holding our event at all!
So we're pleased that Get in the Game: Fighting for Life and Dignity with pro-life superstar Abby Johnson will be held on Thursday, September 17th at the DoubleTree Bloomington. Registration has now reopened!
Please reply to this email if you have any questions about your registration. Again, we're thankful for your support: we couldn't fight for life, family, and religious freedom in Minnesota without YOU backing us up! We are blessed to have you partnering with us, and we look forward to seeing you in September!
Give your Teen the Gift of Leadership - Registration for LEADOnline Now Open!
Registration for our online leadership camp is now open!
LEADOnline is a 4-day virtual leadership camp with our world-class instructor, Anthony Weber! Anthony is a pastor in Traverse City, MI. He taught logic and worldview for 20 years at Traverse City Christian School and currently teaches at Northwestern Michigan College and Spring Arbor University. Anthony has been the LEAD worldview instructor for the past two years and brings a unique hands on approach to worldview and culture from a biblical perspective.
LEADOnline will be Monday, July 27 - Thursday, July 30 from 10am-12pm. Registration is $79.
Educating and Equipping Parents on the Transgender Trend
Get Your Copy of the Minnesota Parent Resource Guide! The Parent Resource Guide sheds light on the consequences transgender ideas have on kids' lives, while equipping parents to play a positive role in creating a truly welcoming school community.
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:
Support MFC When You Shop Online - now on mobile!
Did you know that when you shop with Amazon Smile, Amazon makes a donation to Minnesota Family Institute at no cost to you? This is one of the easiest ways to support our mission of advancing life, family, and religious freedom in Minnesota! Now available in Amazon's mobile app!
Thank you for sharing Minnesota Family Council's vision for
strong families and communities through Christ. We are grateful for your partnership with us in prayer, legislative involvement and generous donations.
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