Will you draw the line, John?
Ways to Get Involved
Dear John,
There are large refrigerators in the back of Jack Phillips’s Masterpiece Cakeshop that used to be filled with wedding cakes this time of year.
Not anymore.
Wedding cakes made up about 40 percent of Jack’s business before he respectfully declined a request to create a custom-designed cake celebrating a same-sex wedding. That’s when the government came after him.
Thankfully, Jack won at the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018. I had the privilege of arguing his case, and I still remember the joy and relief in Jack’s voice after the decision.
I wish I could tell you that it all ended there.
But Jack has endured two more lawsuits since then. He is still fighting for his freedom.
That’s why I’m writing to you today, John.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve shared a lot about the dangers of government overreach and the need to take a stand when government officials abuse their power.
Right now, that need is weighing more heavily on my heart.
Jack has been forced to spend nearly eight years of his life in court because some government officials and activists tried to strong-arm him into violating his faith.
It’s been a long road for Jack. But it’s times like these that I draw encouragement from his story—and his faith.
Because despite all he’s been through, Jack continues to draw the line for religious freedom. He can’t compromise his beliefs—even when the cost is great.
Now, as Americans and people of faith, we need to draw the line too.
We need to be ready to stand against government overreach and preserve our most cherished liberties.
But this work is only possible with God’s provision (John 15:5) and your generosity. And that’s why I forwarded you the email below. Please take a moment to read it. We are just one week away from the end of our fiscal year, and we’re praying for a strong finish.
Year after year, we’ve seen God’s blessing when people of faith stand together against government overreach. And we’re trusting God to move in the hearts of people like you right now to join the fight in these critical battles.
Jack has repeatedly said that he doesn’t want anyone else to have to go through what he and his family have endured.
He knows it’s not just his own freedom on the line—it’s yours too. And your freedom is worth fighting for, John.
So please don’t wait.
Today, you can draw the line for freedom. And your gift helps ensure that your freedoms and people like Jack always have a strong legal defense.
[link removed]
I can’t thank you enough for your generosity and commitment to preserving our most cherished liberties.
I am confident that together, and with God’s help, we can protect religious freedom in America.
Warmly,
Kristen K. Waggoner
General Counsel
Alliance Defending Freedom
DONATE NOW
[link removed]
Sent: 6/18/2020
From: Alliance Defending Freedom
Subject: Jack can’t do this
[link removed]
[link removed]
Will you draw the line and stand against government overreach today?
[link removed]
Dear John,
Jack Phillips has a line that he can’t cross.
The Colorado cake artist has been in business for more than 25 years. He serves everyone who comes into his shop—he always has.
What Jack can’t do—as a man of devout faith—is create custom cakes promoting messages that conflict with his beliefs.
It doesn’t matter if the message is one celebrating Halloween, a same-sex marriage, or the idea that a biological man can become a woman.
These are messages Jack can’t create for anyone—no matter who they are or how they identify.
The Constitution protects Jack’s right not to cross that line—not to betray his faith.
But Jack has been forced to spend the last seven years of his life in court because government officials tried to push him over that line.
It all started in 2012 when the Colorado Civil Rights Commission pursued legal action against Jack after he respectfully declined a request to create a custom-designed cake celebrating a same-sex wedding.
In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Jack’s favor. The high court found that the state had acted with “clear and impermissible hostility” toward Jack’s religious beliefs, violating the First Amendment.
It should have ended there. But Jack has endured two more lawsuits since then. He is still fighting for his freedom.
And he’s not the only one.
Across America, some government officials seek to reshape society. They want to restrict your religious freedom, crush conscience, and silence speech. It looks like no amount of compromise would be enough to satisfy them.
They will stop at nothing to push you over that line.
That’s why your fiscal year-end gift today is so urgently needed, John.
Not just to fight back against government overreach—but to win.
Generous Ministry Friends have given a $115,000 challenge grant to stand against government overreach. Will you join them in drawing the line for freedom with your best gift today?
DONATE
[link removed]
It’s not just Jack’s freedom on the line—it’s yours too
It wasn’t long ago that Tim Gill, a Colorado mega-millionaire and LGBT activist, was profiled in Rolling Stone for pouring millions of dollars into opposing people who share your beliefs about biblical marriage.
He is going after Christians and others who won’t support or celebrate LGBT ideology because he wants to “punish the wicked.”
Think about that, John. If you believe what God says about marriage, you are wicked. And you must be punished.
It’s one thing to hear those words from an activist. It’s another thing to witness that mindset playing out across the country at the hands of government officials.
That’s what we’re seeing today, John. That’s what Jack has endured. And it is cause for concern for people like you who cherish faith and freedom.
You know, as Jack does, that faith isn’t just something reserved for Sundays. It affects every facet of your life—it’s a part of who you are. And the Constitution protects your freedom to live and work consistently with your faith.
That’s why Jack will never stop fighting for his religious freedom—and yours too.
And he’s not alone. Across the nation, people of faith are taking a bold stand for freedom.
Will you stand with people like Jack today and help ensure they get the strong legal defense they need?
[link removed]
Rise to the challenge and draw the line for freedom today
People like Jack continue to hold the line for freedom, but they can’t do it alone. They need someone who will stand with them. They need you, John.
And there is HOPE. When you draw a line, when you stand for freedom, great victories can follow.
Through God’s blessing (John 15:5) and the generous support of people like you, we’re winning nearly 80 percent of our cases, including ten victories at the U.S. Supreme Court since 2011.
But the battles for freedom are growing more intense.
Government officials who oppose your religious liberty will not give in. They’re doubling down on their efforts to undermine your faith and freedom. And they have substantial resources at their disposal.
That’s why your tax-deductible fiscal year-end gift to stand against government overreach today is so critical.
[link removed]
If we want to leave a legacy of freedom for our children and grandchildren, we must act now.
Remember, with every case you fund, every victory you help achieve, and every client you lift up in prayer, you help ensure that more of your brothers and sisters in Christ are free to live out their beliefs.
Today, you can draw a line. You can stand for religious freedom. And when you do, your gift will further the impact of the $115,000 challenge grant.
Thank you for giving generously.
DONATE NOW
[link removed]
DONATE
[link removed]
© 2020 Alliance Defending Freedom
15100 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
All donations are secure, private, and tax-deductible. Member ECFA.
Don’t want to receive the Ways to Get Involved emails anymore?
Click here to manage your email preferences.
[link removed]
Privacy policy
[link removed]
| View this email online
[link removed]
