Christian Persecution

In a 2-1 ruling the U.S. Court of Appeals of the First Circuit ruled Christian private schools that take any funds from the state of Maine can legally be required to openly accept and celebrate homonormativity even though it directly contradicts God’s Word.

The court wrote, “Just as combatting religious discrimination qualifies as a legitimate governmental pursuit, so too combatting sexual-orientation and gender-identity discrimination rises to that level.”

The ruling effectively forces Christian schools to withdraw all business with the state. If upheld by SCOTUS, it would create a hierarchy of value of rights that favored sexuality and gender fluidity over religious belief. This would end religious freedom in America, as it has ended, for now, in Maine.

Religious schools that get public funds must follow Maine’s antidiscrimination laws, court rules – Texarkana Gazette
News Source

EXCERPT:

Private religious schools that receive public funds must follow state laws that prohibit discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation or religion, a federal court ruled last week.

The ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston came after two schools — Saint Dominic Academy in Auburn and Bangor Christian Schools, run by Crosspoint Church — asked for exemptions from the Maine Human Rights Act so they wouldn’t be required to enforce policies that contradicted their religious beliefs, such as admitting students who were openly gay or transgender, for instance, or requiring teachers to use students’ preferred pronouns.

The appeals court largely upheld a lower court’s decision denying this exemption, but it differed in its opinion of the state’s rules around religious expression and asked that the lower court reconsider how that provision applies to religious schools.

Pakistani court will hear case of 13-year-old Christian girl forcibly ‘married’ to Muslim man www.lifesitenews.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

ISLAMABAD (Alliance Defending Freedom) — In Pakistan, the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) will hear a review petition in the case of Maria Shahbaz on July 24. The FCC is the highest court in Pakistan that hears constitutional cases. The hearing follows a previous ruling from the court, which returned the custody of 13-year-old Maria Shahbaz back to her 30-year-old kidnapper, Shehryar Ahmad.

The outcome of the case could go on to establish a precedent with stronger protections against child marriage in Pakistan.

“This case is a crucial moment in the movement to protect young girls from the crisis of forced marriage in Pakistan. We hope that Pakistan’s highest court will soon agree to review Maria’s case and re-examine the evidence that was previously relied upon by the lower courts. Maria must be freed and safely returned to her family, where she will be safe from harm and able to practice her Christian faith.” Tehmina Arora, director of Advocacy for Asia at ADF

Historic New York Church Hit With Repeated Fires Amid Push to Convert it Into a Mosque wltreport.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

One of New York’s oldest churches has caught on fire, once again.

On Tuesday, St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Buffalo, NY suffered its second fire in less than a week — the third fire at the property this year.

Law enforcement believes it was arson.

Here are some images:

Texas Woman Sentenced for ‘Devastating’ Arson Attack on Washington Church– www.breitbart.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

A 38-year-old woman from Temple, Texas, was sentenced Thursday for setting a Washington state church on fire in 2023.

Natasha Marie O’Dell will spend the next six years in prison after her sentencing on three felonies, Fox 7 reported on Saturday.

In a press release on Thursday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington said O’Dell committed arson in targeting the Seattle Laestadian Lutheran Church (SLLC) in Snohomish County on August 25, 2023.

An image shows the burned-out church building:

She was visiting relatives in Woodinville at the time, and officials later linked her to the crime through cell phone records, credit card records, and surveillance video.

CO Zoning Tyrants Go To War Against A Christian-Owned Bakery–  thefederalist.com

bakeryCO Zoning Tyrants Go To War Against A Christian-Owned Bakery – thefederalist.com

Source Link
Excerpt:

A cherished French bakery in Jefferson County, Colorado, is facing potential closure because of the county’s harsh enforcement of exclusionary zoning regulations. This situation underscores how overly restrictive regulations create unnecessary hurdles that stifle entrepreneurship, especially when the local economy is struggling.

Lookout Mountain, Colorado, is celebrated for its breathtaking views, luxurious homes, and as the final resting place of Buffalo Bill. Just 12 miles from downtown Denver, it has become a must-visit destination for hikers, mountain bikers, and tourists from all over the globe.

This charming mountain community has long grappled with one significant drawback: the lack of a quality café. For many years, residents and visitors have had to travel to the nearby city of Golden for a decent cup of coffee or tasty pastries. So both locals and tourists were thrilled when a French bakery, Et Voilà!, opened less than half a mile from Buffalo Bill’s Museum and Grave.

Et Voilà! — meaning “Here you go” in French — is run by a passionate trio of French immigrants: husband-and-wife team Eric and Rachel Dufour, along with Rachel’s sister, Ruth. After leaving a successful career as an economist, Ruth pursued her passion for baking at renowned chef Olivier Bajard’s pastry school. The Dufours want to share their love for authentic French cuisine with the Lookout Mountain community, creating a welcoming space for locals and visitors. They also count on the bakery’s financial success to support their nonprofit, Serving Alongside Ministry (SAM), which provides counseling services for Christian organizations and leaders globally.

Source Link
Excerpt:

Key Takeaways

  • The Federal Trade Commission has dismissed its complaint against Grand Canyon University, ending all legal complaints initiated by the Biden administration.
  • GCU President Brian Mueller argues the accusations were part of a coordinated effort by the Biden administration to undermine the Christian university.
  • The dismissal follows the revocation of a $37.7 million fine by the Department of Education and a victory for GCU in a related court case.