The Bible says:
“Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after the orphans…” (James 1:27).
For nearly 20 years, the Bible inspired Catholic Charities of Boston to offer adoption services, placing orphans and unwanted children into good, stable, God-centered families. Massachusetts stopped this by passing Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) laws, demanding that Catholics place children in homes with homosexual parents.[i] The Catholics refused to compromise their beliefs, and can no longer help care for these vulnerable children.
In Oregon, Aaron and Melissa Klein owned Sweet Cakes bakery, and on religious principles refused to create a cake promoting gay marriage. Under the state’s SOGI laws, Oregon fined them $135,000 and shut down their company—all because the Kleins did not want to endorse the LGBTQ agenda.[ii]
And in Houston, area pastors, aware of how SOGI laws were being used to target Christians, spoke out against the local SOGI laws being pushed by the mayor. Despite their opposition, the ordinance passed. The city then subpoenaed from the pastors, “all speeches, presentations, or sermons related to [the SOGI], the [opposing] petition, Mayor Annise Parker, homosexuality, or gender identity.”[iii] Houston used SOGI laws to legally attack the preachers’ right to speak about what the Bible says—to exercise their constitutional right to free speech and petition.
There are scores more examples as hundreds of SOGI laws have been passed in cities and states across the nation, attempting to make Christians yield to LGBTQ demands and practices. While SOGI laws are portrayed as being a shield against discrimination, they are actually used as a sword instead. [iv]
SOGI laws can be used to force churches to hire LGBTQ persons, and even fine churches for not allowing men into the women’s restrooms. Such laws can also make it illegal to preach what the Bible says about homosexuality. In fact, the SOGI laws in one Texas city fine Christians $100 a day if they stand in support of Biblical sexuality.[v] But beyond this, statistics demonstrate that sexual assaults actually increase in cities that implement SOGI ordinances.[vi] (To learn more about SOGI laws and how to address the problems they raise, here is a helpful toolkit.)
Christians must “be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:6,7,9) in support of what the Scriptures declare on issues of sexuality. They must speak out against city and state SOGI laws that punish Christians for standing on Biblical beliefs. Like the Prophet Jeremiah, it is our responsibility to…dress yourself for work; arise and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them…behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the…officials, its priests, and the people of the land. They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.” (Jeremiah 1:17-19)
Use the helpful toolkit to equip yourself and your congregation defend religious liberties.
Foundations of Truth hereby waives all claim of copyright (economic and moral) in this work and immediately places it in the public domain; it may be used, published, edited, and distributed in any manner whatsoever without any attribution or notice to Foundations of Truth.
[i] Anne Hendershott, “75 Christian leaders sign charter rejecting coercive SOGI laws,” The Catholic World Report (December 16, 2016), here
[iii] Josh Sanburn, “Houston’s Pastors Outraged After City Subpoenas Sermons Over Transgender Bill,” (October 17, 2014), here
[iv] Ryan Anderson, “Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Laws Are Not Fairness for All,” The Heritage Foundation (November 28, 2018), here
[v] James Wesolek, “Texas Democrats Seek To Ban Christianity Using So-Called Anti-Discrimination Laws,” The Federalist (January 28, 2019), here
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