Welcome to the Friday Five! Every Friday we share our top five
articles, stories, and quotes for you to read and share with your
friends and church families.
We
would be very grateful if you could make a donation of $100, $50, $25,
or $10 today towards our work producing these Friday Fives and
fighting for your values on the public square!
1. CAROLINA JOURNAL: Senate votes to ban
abortions based on race, gender, or Down syndrome
“Jaden Ng, 13, and her family sat in the gallery on Thursday
morning to watch the N.C. Senate vote to ban abortions sought based on
the likelihood of Down syndrome, the condition Jaden has had her
entire life.
As a Down syndrome teen, she and her family worked the halls of the
N.C. General Assembly in recent weeks, speaking at committee meetings
and lobbying lawmakers to support House Bill 453, the Human
Life Nondiscrimination Act/No Eugenics.
‘I know that in my heart that I am God’s child and I love my life,’
Jaden told the House Judiciary Committee recently. She told lawmakers
she loves being homeschooled and enjoys swimming.”
2. NC VALUES: Join us in saying
thanks
On June 10th, 2021, the NC Senate joined
the House in passing the Human Life Non-Discrimination Act (HB453). It
now heads to Governor Cooper's desk before it can become law.
We have been so grateful for the role all
of you have played in getting the bill this far. Would you consider
joining us in praying that governor Cooper will sign this bill into
law, and that if he doesn’t, our legislators will be encouraged to
stand strong and override his veto?
If you're grateful to the Republicans and
Democrats who voted for the Human Life Non-Discrimination Act (HB453),
would
you take a minute to send them a quick thank you with our
click-to-contact tool?
3. THE INTELLIGENCER: Judge: Suit
challenging NC Abortion regulations can continue
"A lawsuit filed by abortion providers and an abortion-rights group
challenging several North Carolina laws restricting and regulating the
procedure can continue, a state judge has ruled.
Superior Court Judge Rebecca Holt refused last week motions by
Republican legislative leaders, district attorneys and state health
officials to dismiss the lawsuit filed last September against them in
Wake County court."
"A three-judge panel will hear the case going forward because the
litigation seeks to have the laws declared as violating the state
constitution. Those judges, yet named by Supreme Court Chief Justice
Paul Newby, also will consider other outstanding dismissal arguments
and would preside over any trial."
4. FOX NEWS: Virginia school
board meeting explodes as members face backlash for suspension of
Tanner Cross
“Virginia teacher Byron "Tanner" Cross saw an outpouring of support
Tuesday as public commenters blasted a school system's decision to
suspend him after his now-viral comments about gender.
The dramatic meeting of the Loudon County Public Schools' board was
full of mic- drop moments and testy confrontations over issues
plaguing the school district. Many public commenters either backed
Cross or criticized the school board over critical race theory
(CRT).
‘Where is your regard for our freedom of speech?’ asked parent
Rachel Pisani, who said she was a mother of three in Loudoun County.
‘When I saw a teacher express an opinion and suspended for expressing
his religious beliefs, I could no longer stay silent. When did it
become acceptable to be tolerant only when someone expresses a view
that we agree with? When did it become appropriate to silence those
that hold Christian, biblical views just because you don't? When did
it become appropriate to allow the school board – I don't know who you
think you are – but it is not appropriate, it is not allowable to
silence, bully, or dismiss our views.’”
5. CHRISTIAN POST: 62% of
Americans oppose allowing boys who identify as female to compete in
girls’ sports: Gallup
"A new Gallup poll reveals that a supermajority of Americans oppose
allowing boys who identify as female to compete in girls'
sports."
WEEKLY PRAYER: LIBERTY
LORD, you have blessed us with a spiritual liberty that is so
wonderful and beyond description, that it can only be understood
through experiencing a life-giving relationship with Christ. However,
we also recognize that in your grace, you have blessed our country
with a political liberty that enables us to openly proclaim the
experience of a life lived in the freedom of the Gospel.
LORD, as individuals and as a nation, may we never take the
inalienable right of religious freedom for granted. Right now our
country has faced a rapid increase in the number of attacks made
against this cherished right. We have seen groups across our public
arena increase in boldness and frequency their smears against
religious liberty. They claim it is bigotry, when we know it is the
security of the greatest of all possible loves.
Be with your people and our country as it continues to protect
the constitutional right protected by our nation's Founders. Be with
legislators and the Supreme Court, as they determine through their
actions the protection of this particular and fundamental
freedom.
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore
keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery."
(Galatians 5:1)
"For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not
turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love
serve one another." (Galatians 5:13)
"Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for
evil, but use it as bondslaves of God." (1 Peter 2:16)
Amen
Will you chip in $100, $50, $25, or even $10 to help
the NC Values Coalition continue to fight for your rights? You can
donate by clicking here.
Sincerely,
North Carolina Values Coalition
|