When the government tries to control what you say ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌





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Stand against government overreach—you can help meet the $150,000 goal this #GivingTuesday

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Dear John,

Earlier this week, we shared stories about how some government officials are chipping away at the foundation of the First Amendment and threatening your freedoms.

We’re seeing numerous incidents where the government is trying to control how people of faith exercise their religious freedom. It doesn’t matter if it’s a church, a small business, or a local high school teacher.

Consider Peter Vlaming’s story.

In 2018, despite seven years of excellent service at West Point High School, Peter was fired.

It wasn’t something he did or something he said—it was something he didn’t say.

This all started when one of Peter’s female students began identifying as a boy.

Peter respects all of his students—it’s part of what made him so well-liked and good at his job. So when this particular student asked to be referred to by a masculine name, Peter agreed. In fact, Peter had every student in all of his classes choose new French names so this student wouldn’t feel singled out.

But the one thing Peter couldn’t do was refer to this female student using male pronouns such as “he” or “his.”

As a French teacher, Peter knows that words and language carry meaning.

And as a Christian, Peter believes that God has created human beings in His image, as male or female. This is a biological reality. To call a man a woman or vice versa would be to endorse an ideology that denies the truth and conflicts with his beliefs.

Because of this, Peter further accommodated the student by using the student’s name instead of pronouns whenever possible so that he would avoid offending both the student and his conscience.

These accommodations worked fine until a near-accident in the hallway during a virtual reality class activity one day. As Peter observed the student in question about to crash into a wall, he called out, “Don’t let her hit the wall!”

That split second of concern for the student’s safety led to a complaint and a meeting with school administrators.

The administration demanded Peter use male pronouns when addressing this female student at all times—even when students were not present.

There was no room for compromise. There was no willingness to accommodate any other views. And there was certainly no respect for Peter’s faith.

But Peter stood firm.

As much as he cared for his students, he could not violate his faith—he could not speak something he knew wasn’t true.

So the school board fired him.

Just like that. Seven years of service to the community down the drain because of something Peter wouldn’t say.

John, it’s clear that the government is getting bolder. We’re seeing unprecedented levels of government abuse of power across the nation, and we must fight it. But to do that, we need your help.

With government overreach rising, we are trusting God for at least $150,000 this #GivingTuesday to protect people like Peter and stand against attacks on your freedom.

Thankfully, a generous family has given a special $75,000 challenge grant to help meet this need. And now, they want to challenge you to give to help reach that $150,000 goal.



Will you rise to the challenge this #GivingTuesday, and consider a gift to help preserve our most precious freedoms? No one should be forced by the government to say something that isn’t true.



DONATE

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If religious freedom loses, we all lose

Peter’s religious convictions are sincere. He holds a belief about biological reality that was nearly universal not too long ago. It’s a belief you probably share, John.

And Peter treated the student with kindness and dignity. He made a good faith effort to accommodate as much as his conscience would allow. He agreed to call the student by whatever name that student chose.

It wasn’t enough.

The truth is that the school board didn’t care how well Peter treated this student. It was on a crusade to compel conformity.

Opponents of religious freedom do not tolerate your beliefs, John. That’s why some government officials don’t think twice about forcing churches to pay for abortion, punishing small business owners for expressing their faith, or firing an excellent teacher for not bowing to transgender ideology.

Their message is loud and clear: Compromise is not an option—conform or pay the price.

Thankfully, there are people out there, like Peter, who refuse to be bullied and are willing to stand against efforts to target people of faith. And it’s not just their freedom on the line—it’s yours too.

And praise God that when we stand together against government overreach, we’re winning case after case, including ten victories at the U.S. Supreme Court since 2011!

But it is only through God’s blessing and your continued prayers and support that victories for religious freedom are possible.

And your help is even more critical as we are trusting God for $150,000 this #Giving Tuesday to stand against government abuse of power and protect your right to freely live out your faith.

People like Peter rely on your generosity, John. We are only able to defend our clients free of charge because of your gifts.

This #GivingTuesday, will you stand with them?

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This special day is a chance for people like you to come together on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving to financially support causes you are passionate about.

Your tax-deductible gift this #GivingTuesday helps provide a strong legal defense for your brothers and sisters who are being targeted for their faith. And it will help achieve critical, generational victories for you—and for your children and grandchildren.

Thank you for giving generously.



MAKE YOUR GIFT

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DONATE

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© 2019 Alliance Defending Freedom

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All donations are secure, private, and tax-deductible. Member ECFA.





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