Case on appeal addresses same legal issues as proposed “Competitive Workforce Act” in Florida 

Florida Family Policy Council joined other leading organizations across the country to file an amicus curiae, or “friend of the court”, brief in the Masterpiece Cakeshop v Colorado Civil Rights Commission case.  The Supreme Court agreed to review the case on June 26^th and oral arguments are expected to be heard this fall.   The case is one of many involving artists who have declined to use their artistic talents to participate in same-sex weddings on the basis of their religious beliefs.  While other cases involving photographers, florists, and the like have been working their way through the courts, this is the first time the Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments in this type of case; namely, where a law creating a new protected class for sexual orientation and gender identity has been passed and an artist has declined to provide their services for a same-sex wedding. In Florida, this type of law is called the “Competitive Workforce Act” and while those in the LGBT movement have attempted to pass it for many years, they have failed thus far.

In the case of Jack Phillips, two men came into Jack’s bakery in 2012 requesting a custom-designed wedding cake for their same-sex ceremony. In an exchange lasting only a few seconds, Jack offered to make the couple any other type of baked good or sell them a pre-made cake but stated that because of his faith he couldn’t design a cake celebrating that particular event.  The two men left and shortly after filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission alleging sexual orientation discrimination.  The Commission ruled against Jack in December 2013, saying that designing and creating cakes is not speech protected by the First Amendment. The Commission ordered Jack and his staff to go through a “re-education” program, implement new policies to comply with the Commission’s order, and file quarterly “compliance” reports for two years to show that Jack had completely eliminated his religious beliefs from his business.

The amicus brief focuses not only on arguments surrounding the right to a free exercise of religion but freedom of speech.  Specifically, the government cannot compel speech in violation of one’s conscience. If the Supreme Court rules against Jack, “the rights of all Americans would be trampled, but it would place a special burden on those Americans trying to earn a livelihood consistent with their faith.”  The Colorado Civil Rights Commission has maintained that it is not violating Jack Phillip’s freedom of speech because cake baking/decorating is not speech. However, in cases where a bakery was asked to design a cake with a message opposing same-sex marriage, the Commission upheld the bakery’s right to refuse service on free speech grounds.

The brief also argues that cake design is clearly art. Supreme Court precedent has defined art as speech and, thus, because the government cannot compel speech, it cannot compel a cake designer (or other artists) to use their artistic talents in regards to a same-sex wedding.  “The most dangerous aspect of the lower court’s decision is the idea that public accommodation laws somehow override the promise that ‘The First Amendment protects the right of individuals to hold a point of view different from the majority and to refuse to foster . . . an idea they find morally objectionable.’”

The brief concludes that “Government coercion of speech or conduct that violates the religious conscience of the speaker or actor is not only a violation of the First Amendment, it is also patently un-American and a gross violation of personal liberty.”

Florida Family Policy Council and its sister organization, Florida Family Action, continue to fight against instituting the same type of law as the one being used to punish Jack Phillips for simply trying to live a life consistent with his faith. However, while the anti-liberty and anti-business “Competitive Workforce Act” has failed for many years, it continues to pick up ignorant supporters unaware of the chilling and dangerous effect of these laws.   If passed, the “Competitive Workforce Act” would create a weapon to punish citizens who want to live and work according to their conscience without fear of reprisal by the government for exercising their right to religious freedom and free speech.

Click to download the persuasive Amicus Brief in PDF format.

The post FFPC Joins Amicus Brief Filed in Landmark US Supreme Court Religious Liberty Case appeared first on FFV.

justice

Tomorrow (Tue, Nov 15) the Washington State Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case State of Washington v. Arlene’s Flowers. Please show your support for Barronelle on social media with the below images.

Barronelle Stutzman, a 72 year old grandmother and florist in Washington state, served her longtime friend and customer Rob Ingersoll – and his partner – for over ten years. When Rob requested flowers for his same-sex wedding ceremony, however, Barronelle did not feel comfortable participating in and designing custom floral arrangements for the wedding because of her faith’s teachings about marriage. Instead, Barronelle referred Rob to three other florists. Rob told Barronelle that he understood, they hugged and he left.

But for simply exercising her constitutionally protected freedoms, the Washington State Attorney General and the ACLU sued her and are now seeking to force her to participate in such events against her will. She stands to lose everything she owns. 

The US Constitution protects both the freedom to believe and the freedom to express those beliefs. No one should be punished by the government for peacefully living and working consistent with her beliefs.

Barronelle also helped us in Florida recently with our ongoing battle to fight the Jacksonville Human Rights Ordinance (HRO) by coming to Jacksonville and testifying before the City Commission. The HRO in Jacksonville is just like the ordinance that is hammering Barronelle in Washington. These statutes are anti-liberty schemes being promoted all across American and must be stopped. The photos to the left are from Barronelle’s visit to Jacksonville.  Let’s now help her.

Please join us in standing with Barronelle by changing your Facebook Profile Picture or Cover Photo to the graphics below #JusticeForBarronelle. When you change your Profile Pic, please consider encouraging your friends and family to change their Profile Pic too. Use the hashtag #JusticeforBarronelle on social media. Share your profile pic with the following message:

Change your profile picture to stand with Barronelle! Barronelle Stutzman, a 72 year old grandmother and florist in Washinton State, served her longtime friend and customer Rob Ingersoll – and his partner – for over ten years.  Because of her faith’s teachings about marriage, Barronelle referred Rob to three other florists because she could not participate in and design custom floral arrangements for his same sex wedding ceremony.  Rob told Barronelle that he understood, they hugged, and he left.  But for simply exercising her constitutionally protected freedoms, the WA State Attorney General and the ACLU sued her and are seeking to force her to participate in an event against her will.  She stands to lose everything she owns. The Constitution protects both the freedom to believe and the freedom to express those beliefs. No one should be punished by the government for peacefully living and working consistent with her beliefs. That’s why I seek #JusticeforBarronelle.

Profile Picture HERE

Facebook Cover HERE 

You can also join in the social media conversation by using the sample memes above and tweets below to post on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Thank you for standing with this grandmother whom the government is trying to force to participate in an event that violates her faith. 

Best,

The post Would you join us in standing with and supporting Barronelle? appeared first on FFV.

As an organization we rarely endorse businesses but feel this one is important and unique enough to both endorse and encourage you to consider. We proudly promote Cornerstone credit card processing for the following reasons:

1) First and foremost, Cornerstone refuses to process credit card transactions for morally objectionable businesses. For instance, Cornerstone refuses to provide online merchant services to websites that contain pornographic content. They will also have nothing to do with facilitating charitable contributions for Planned Parenthood, or other abortion providers, which cannot be said for many other credit card processing companies. They also refuse to provide services to groups and organizations that promote so called “gay-rights” agendas.

2) Second, Cornerstone will save your business, church or organization money by taking less of a processing fee. Additionally, Cornerstone also makes financial contributions back to the ministries and businesses that use their services so you can benefit financially in at least two different ways.

3) Third, Cornerstone is a secure and trusted banking organization. Cornerstone has been around for over 15 years and processes billions of dollars in over 30,000 ministries and businesses including, Home School Legal Defense Fund, American Family Association, Teen Pact, Liberty Counsel, The Gideon’s International, The National Center on Sexual Exploitation, Family Research Council, Focus on the Family, Forty Days For Life, Calvary Chapel churches and World Magazine to just name a few of thousands of ministries they serve.

Finally, also please note that your online gifts will continue to still be strictly confidential and your transactions secure, as Cornerstone’s proprietary encrypted technology gives the highest levels of protection to your personal and financial information

In the following link contains a document giving more detailed information and portfolio on Cornerstone and the businesses and ministries using them and other security data HERE:

You may have heard in the news about how the PayPal company is choosing to punish the state of North Carolina for adopting laws which have basic religious liberty protections. PayPal is choosing to not open one of their 400 employee centers in that state because of their bias and hostility toward religious liberty and their advocacy for gay rights. This is the kind of intolerance that we do not want to promote and which Cornerstone avoids.

Sincerely,

John Stemberger
President, Florida Family Policy Council

The post Does your credit card processing company support abortion, pornography and gay rights? appeared first on FFV.

This has to be the “biggest lie.”

When it comes to same-sex unions, I often hear people in the world say, “live and let live” or, “if two guys get married it doesn’t affect you or anyone else….”  You’ve probably heard the same thing, and you may have even heard it from friends and co-workers – maybe even in your church community.

But unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth.

Now that the dust is beginning to settle, we can see more clearly exactly how the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to redefine marriage is going to affect so many other aspects of our lives – starting with our churches.

This change in the definition of marriage has dire consequences to religious liberty, and will eventually impact all of us, both directly and indirectly.

Your gift today will help us work to protect religious liberty for you, your family and others.

Who is at greatest risk and will be under attack soon, if not already:  

• Churches meeting in public facilities or school auditoriums
• Christian schools seeking accreditation
• Faith-based non-profits which provide critical community services supplemented by government grants
• Faith-based child care agencies (adoption and foster care)
• Public/private charity partnerships – working in the areas human trafficking, emergency disaster recovery, soup kitchens, hospitals, etc.
• A vast variety of businesses which provide wedding related goods or services

If thinking same-sex marriage would not have consequences, is the “biggest lie”…

This is the most significant statement of truth:

“My people perish for lack of knowledge.”

Hosea 4:6

While much of what happens is out of our control, spreading truth and knowledge is one thing that is within our control, and we must take a leadership role in educating people of faith and Christian leaders NOW. 

We are already working to protect religious liberty here in Florida, and we went straight to a large group of pastors in Central Florida to speak truth and help to equip them for the attack!

Just last week I spoke twice at the Florida Renewal Conference, to over 575 pastors and ministry leaders from all over the state of Florida.  The topic of my lecture was a:

Church Protection Checklist: There are specific bylaw provisions, and policies & procedures, which church leadership must have in place for a church to be legally protected if they come under an attack by gay-rights activists.  If these critical policies and documents are not in place at that time, the pastor and church could find themselves with serious legal exposure after an extensive legal battle, paying out immense fines and possibly losing the church tax exempt status.

If you are a pastor, or ministry leader, and would like more information on how to protect your church as we enter this turbulent time in our country’s history, please email a request for resources to INFO@FLfamily.org.  (Your contact information is confidential and will not be shared.) 

Click HERE to connect to our Pastors Resources Page to view this important document and others.

I know, we all want to think it can’t happen to us, to you, or to your church…but examples are popping up all over the country. It is only a matter of time until you read in your local newspaper that this is happening to a church near you, in your own community!

• In New Jersey, state officials attempted to revoke the tax-exempt status of a worship pavilion owned by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association of the United Methodist Church after they declined a request to hold a same-sex “civil union” ceremony there.

• In New York City, the school board – denying equal access to public property – has been trying for nearly two decades to block churches from meeting for worship services in their public school buildings on Sundays.

• In New Orleans, a church group providing free food to people who had lost their homes to Hurricane Katrina was ordered to stop its ministry because the group also offered a voluntary prayer service and Bible study.

Even the four U.S. Supreme Court Justices, who dissented with the majority in the same-sex unions’ case, expressed grave concerns which they warned us about with stark words…

“…the majority’s decision short-circuits that process, with potentially ruinous consequences for religious liberty.”  – Justice Clarence Thomas

“Today’s decision…will also have other important consequences.  It will be used to vilify Americans who are unwilling to assent to the new orthodoxy.  … [They] will be exploited by those who are determined to stamp out every vestige of dissent.”  – Justice Samuel Alito

“Unfortunately, people of faith can take no comfort in the treatment they receive from the majority today.”         – Chief Justice John Roberts

Friday, June 26th, 2015 will always be to me the day that America turned one of the saddest corners in her over 200 year history.

America will never be the same again, because the floodgates that held back attacks on religious liberty have been busted wide open.

But it is also true…that how bad the damage is over time, will be partially up to us and what we do to stop and limit its destruction now. 

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this is on our watch.              

This is our time.

We have been entrusted a great heritage, which values religious freedom, and it is our responsibility to protect it for future generations – as much as is within our power.

Would you please do 3 things today?

• Please forward this e-mail to your pastor and church leadership.

• Please pray for your church, your church leadership, and our country.

• And then, please give a gift, as generous as you can, to support the efforts of Florida Family Policy Council as we work to protect religious freedom in Florida.

I hope you will join me taking action today, to protect our religious liberty tomorrow.

Thank you for standing with us,

Sincerely,

John Stemberger
President
Florida Family Policy Council

PS:  Please know how much I appreciate you standing with us by communicating to your pastor and church leadership; praying for your church, its leadership, and our country; and giving a gift (if you are able to) today. This is a hill we are willing to die on and we will never give up. But we can’t do this without you. Thank you!

The post The Biggest Lie: Same-Sex Unions Don’t Affect You appeared first on FFV.

No more than 48 hours after the U.S. Supreme Court redefined marriage for all 50 states, there are already calls to revoke the tax-exempt letters –and maybe even the tax exempt statuses for churches. Check out this opinion piece from a Time Magazine columnist.

“The Supreme Court’s ruling on gay marriage makes it clearer than ever that the government shouldn’t be subsidizing religion and non-profits…It’s time to abolish, or greatly diminish, their tax-exempt statuses.” -Mark Oppenheimer, Time Magazine

We are fully prepared to fight this and other threats and we hope you will stand with us today.

Churches provide untold benefits to our community. They feed our hungry, care for our sick, and give hope to the weary—some have even founded and operate hospitals caring for the sick. And now, because many churches believe in marriage between a man and a woman, they face losing their tax-deductible status.

I have been invited to speak on this critical issue next Thursday, July 9th, at the Florida Renewal conference to about 700 pastors here in Orlando. For registration information for your pastor or church leader, click HERE:

Sadly, the confusion will continue.

Since the Supreme Court just redefined marriage once, to include same-sex marriage, where does it stop? Since the court has removed the gender requirement for marriage there is really no end to the madness. Specifically, how do we deal with polygamy? Right after the decision, a man in Montana, who was inspired by the Court’s ruling, applied for a marriage license to marry a second wife, (while married) and is fully prepared to sue his state for that “right” if he is denied.

This is only the beginning of the rough waters ahead that we need to prepare for.

As we take time this weekend to observe and celebrate the 4th of July holiday, I have to think that our founding fathers, those 56 signers of our Declaration of Independence, never intended for our country and culture to be in the condition it is today.

I believe if they were alive today, our founding fathers would be grieving, if not just furious, over the fact that 5 lawyers as a majority of the US Supreme Court (originally designed to be the weakest branch of government) would take it upon themselves to devalue and force a radical redefinition of marriage upon all 50 states, denying states’ rights and opening up the flood gates to “lawful” religious persecution, mainly against Christians.

It’s time to pray— and it’s a time to stand.

For this 4th of July, please pray for our country, and for our elected officials and those in power, to have the courage and wisdom to be guided by God’s principles rather than mans.

And please help us stand on behalf of churches, ministries and people of faith by making a donation HERE today to help us preserve religious liberty.

The government should not be allowed to punish Christians for holding to their biblical beliefs about marriage.

Thank you for standing with us,

John Stemberger                                                                                                                                 President, Florida Family Policy Council

The post It’s Time to Pray–and Its Time to Stand appeared first on FFV.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

A Summary Response to the Memorandum Issued by the Office of the General Counsel to the Florida Senate Regarding Conscience Clause for Adoption Agencies and Why HB-7111 is Needed to Protect Florida’s Faith-Based Child Placement Agencies

On April 14, 2015, the Office of the General Counsel for the Florida Senate released a legal opinion in a memorandum regarding “Conscience Clause for adoption agencies.” (Hereinafter referred to as the “Opinion.”) In the opening paragraph of the Opinion, the primary conclusion of the 5 page document states: “I believe that religious organizations would be granted no significant legal protection by House Bill 7111 in light of the Florida Religious Freedom Restoration Act (FRFRA) and its interpreting case law.”

There are a number of legal issues overlooked by the Opinion and therefore the following “Additional Comments” are being presented to members of the Florida Senate for their consideration:

I. THE OPINION IGNORES JUDGES AROUND THE STATE AND NATION WHO HAVE DISREGARDED THE RULE OF LAW AND ARE SEEKING TO IMPOSE RESULT-ORIENTED DECISIONS IN CASES INVOLVING GAY RIGHTS.

Perhaps the most significant oversight of the overly reserved Opinion produced by the Office of the General Counsel of the Senate is that it did not take into consideration the unprecedented legal trend of so many courts to engage in ideologically driven, result-oriented decision making, in cases involving “gay rights.” The Opinion shows a certain political naiveté assuming judges will follow the rule of law and case precedent when there is a tension between new found “gay-rights” and core First Amendment rights to the free exercise of religion. Because of this disturbing legal trend by courts, (both in Florida and across the country) the need for the Florida Legislature to create strong and clear laws to protect religious liberty cannot be overstated. HB-7111 gives precisely such clarity, strength and significant protection to faith-based child placement agencies over and above the protections found in FRFRA.

The Opinion fails to cite the numerous high profile cases involving litigation across America where various Christian businesses and ministries have been legally challenged and then penalized by county and city “non-discrimination” (or “Human Rights”) ordinances enacted during and after states legalized same-sex marriages. Florida has 23 of its own such local ordinances where new protected classes have been created for “sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.” These local laws seek to give the same legal protection as the immutable categories or race, age, sex and national origin and have been consistently used around the country as weapons to punish people of faith where they seek to exercise their faith in public life such as businesses, ministries and private property ownership.

The same courts, like the Third District Court of Appeals in Miami, which ignored Florida’s longstanding law prohibiting homosexual adoptions, will also attempt to over reach again to find faithbased child placement agencies in violation of non-discrimination ordinances given current legal developments. HB-7111 serves as a shield, guarding against prospective legal threats on the horizon.

II. THE OPINION OVERLOOKS THAT FLORIDA’S RFRA IS A LEGAL DEFENSE REQUIRING A BALANCING TEST OPEN TO A JUDGE’S DISCRETION.

Florida’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (FRFRA) is a legal defense which may be asserted if a person or entity is sued and the defendant believes the subject of the grievance implicates his rights to the free exercise of religion. FRFRA provides a defense which, when asserted, the judge must consider and weigh to determine whether or not the law, or government action, “substantially burdens a person’s exercise of religion.” Unlike HB-7111, there is no language in the FRFRA statute which creates a bright line for judges to find for the party asserting right to free exercise of religion. The FRFRA statute on its face, gives discretion to the court to determine if the law furthers a “compelling governmental interest” and whether there is a “least restricted means.”

The Opinion argues that FRFRA inquiries are “inherently fact specific” and require an analysis of “the adherent’s religious practice.” But this goes to the very point that protection under FRFRA is only on a case by case basis and depends upon the judge’s discretion in applying those facts to the standards.

III. HB-7111 LOCKS DOWN LEGAL PROTECTION BY PREEMPTING TO THE STATE THE AUTHORTY TO REGULATE AND GIVES LITTLE TO NO ROOM FOR “JUDICIAL DISCRETION OR INTERPRETATION.”

Unlike FRFRA which is a balancing test, HB-7111 gives clear and unequivocal protection to faithbased child placement agencies. The bill’s language is specific and provides a direct protection for child placements which “would violate an agencies religious or moral convictions.” HB-7111 provides express private contract protection, creates liability protection and contains licensure protection for faith-based adoption agencies. The express preemption in the bill makes it clear to courts that the home rule of a local city or county (or its ordinances) could never trump state law relating to faith-based adoption agencies. While activist courts can still reach result orientated decisions if they insistent on ignoring the rule of law, HB-7111 greatly reduces judicial discretion. This stands in contrast to FRFRA’s statutory language, which requires much more judicial discretion or judicial interpretation.

IV. THE OPINION MAKES NO MENTION OF THE PRESENT REALITY OF OTHER STATES’ ADOPTION AGENCIES WHICH HAVE CLOSED BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF CONSCIENCE PROTECTIONS SUCH AS THE ONES FOUND IN HB-7111.

The Opinion makes no mention, nor does it even attempt to distinguish the circumstances behind the cases of the very real plight of religious child placement agencies across the country which are being forced to close down because of their required preference for placing children in the hands of married mothers and fathers. Consider the following:

“Catholic Charities of Boston was forced to shut down unless it agreed to place children with homosexuals. New state licensing laws in 2006 required that Catholic agencies facilitate adoptions for same-sex couples.”

“Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington D.C. was forced to shut down their foster care and public adoption program due to a law recognizing same-sex marriage that went into effect in 2010.”

“The necessity of accepting one of two equally objectionable choices confronts dioceses and Catholic Charities in 17 states from Minnesota to New Mexico and Massachusetts to California.” See: https://www.osv.com/OSVNewsweekly/ByIssue/Article/TabId/735/ArtMID/13636/ArticleID/14666/To ugh-times-for-Catholic-adoption-agencies.aspx#sthash.wDJk6lsH.dpuf

Of particular interest, Illinois’s RFRA law which is similar to Florida’s RFRA, provided no legal help to Catholic Charities affiliates, which after extensive litigation, closed down rather than comply with requirements, saying they can’t receive state money if they turn away same-sex couples as potential parents. See Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Springfield v. Illinois, No. 2011-MR-254 (Ill. Cir. Ct. Aug. 18, 2011) (Summ. J. Order), https://www.scribd.com/doc/62597962/Illinois-Circuit-Court-Summary-Judgment-Order-in-CatholicCharities-Foster-Care-Adoption-Services-Case.

V. THE OPINION FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THAT TWO OTHER STATES HAVE ENACTED CONSCIENCE CLAUSE PROTECTIONS FOR FAITH-BASED ADOPTION AGENCIES WITH PROVISIONS LIKE HB-7111.

The House Committee Staff Analysis of HB-7111 which the Opinion makes no citation or reference to, discusses similar conscience protections in two other states:

“Two states have enacted adoption services conscience protection legislation: North Dakota in 2003, and Virginia in 2012. Both the North Dakota and Virginia adoption services conscience protection laws protect private child placing agencies from:

• Being required to perform any duties related to the placement of a child for adoption if the proposed placement would violate the agency’s written religious or moral convictions or policies.
• Denial of initial licensure, revocation of licensure, or failure to renew licensure based on the agency’s objection to performing the duties required to place a child for adoption in violation of the agency’s written religious or moral convictions or policies.
• Denial of grants, contracts, or participation in government programs based on the agency’s objection to performing the duties required to place a child for adoption in violation of the agency’s written religious or moral convictions or policies.

Neither law has been challenged on constitutional grounds.”

Of interest, the state of Virginia adopted both a RFRA and conscience law protections for private child placement agencies and did not see this practice as “duplicative or unnecessary.” See Opinion at p5.

VI. CONSCIENCE PROTECTIONS HAVE BEEN CARVED OUT FOR RELIGIOUS HOSPITALS FROM PERFORMING ABORTIONS WITH NO SUCCESSFUL CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGES.

According to the House staff analysis on HB-7111, there are both state and federal statutes which provide conscience protections for hospitals and other health care providers related to abortion.

“By 1978 almost all states had conscience protection legislation related to abortion. Today, every state but West Virginia has conscience protection statutes for individual providers in relation to abortion.” “Section 390.0111(8), F.S., grants conscience protection for hospitals, physicians, or any person who refuses to participate in the termination of a pregnancy in Florida.”

Seventeen other states have conscience protection statutes for individual health providers related to sterilization, ten other states have conscience protection statutes for individual providers related to contraception which act as abortifacients.

“Education conscience protection has also emerged in education. In 2011, Missouri amended its Constitution to include, “no student shall be compelled to perform or participate in academic assignments or educational presentations that violate his or her religious beliefs.”

“Although most do not amend their constitutions, “the vast majority of states have adopted legislation allowing parents to opt their children out of educational curriculum that they contend conflicts with their religious beliefs.” In 2013, the state of New Hampshire enacted a broad statutory provision allowing any parent to opt out of specific curricula based on any “objectionable” reason.” See HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS BILL #: CS/HB 7111, PCB HHSC 15, 03 Conscience Protection for Private Child Placing.

VII. CONCLUSION

HB-7111 acts as a necessary legal shield against both existing and future threats that are on the horizon in a quickly changing legal and constitutional landscape. Many judges have become self-appointed social change agents instead of respecting their proper limited role as objective interpreters of law and the constitution. In Florida, we have consistently seen both federal and state courts aggressively advance “gay-rights” and openly defy Florida law. These courts have ignored the will of the people, the state constitution and the plain language of longstanding statutes. Unless legislative policies are crystal clear, certain members of the judicial branch will continue to find creative ways to completely undermine the authority of the Florida legislature. HB-7111 would provide additional, clear and significant protections not found in the state statutes regarding religious liberty for child placement agencies and therefore should be passed by the Florida Senate and sent to the Governor.

*John Stemberger serves as President and General Counsel of the Florida Family Policy Council. He has a private Civil Trial practice and has been involved with constitutional litigation involving RFRA / RLUPA statutes. Stemberger served for 13 years as a volunteer Guardian Ad Litem for abused and neglected children and has been a pro-family advocate for over 30 years.

Link to PDF: A Summary Response to the Memorandum Issued by the Office of the General Counsel to the Florida Senate Regarding Conscience Clause for Adoption Agencies and Why HB-7111 is Needed to Protect Florida’s Faith-Based Child Placement Agencies

Additional Resources: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS BILL #: CS/HB 7111, PCB HHSC 15, 03 Conscience Protection for Private Child Placing.

Alliance Defending Freedom: Legal Analysis Comparing the Protections of HB 7111 and Florida’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act

The post A Summary Response to the Memorandum Issued by the Office of the General Counsel to the Florida Senate Regarding Conscience Clause for Adoption Agencies and Why HB-7111 is Needed to Protect Florida’s Faith-Based Child Placement Agencies appeared first on FFV.

The enactment of Indiana’s religious freedom restoration bill is not about religious bigotry, anti -homosexual bias, hatred, intolerance, or marginalizing anyone.

It’s about not compelling Christians to participate in wedding ceremonies for same-sex couples.
It’s about not requiring Muslim butchers to sell pork.
It’s about not insisting that an African-American photographer take snapshots at a Klan rally.
It’s about honoring moral beliefs grounded in religious faith and conscientious objection. Plain and simple.

Just as was the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) signed into law with fanfare by then – President Bill Clinton, in 1993.
Yet the media are distorting this into something completely at odds with the reality of the legislation itself. As Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said yesterday in an interview on ABC’s “This Week:”

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act was signed into federal law by President Bill Clinton more than 20 years ago. And it lays out a framework for ensuring that a very high level of scrutiny is given any time government action impinges on the religious liberty of any American. After that, some 19 states followed that, adopted that statute. And after last year’s Hobby Lobby case, Indiana properly brought the same version that then state senator Barack Obama voted for in Illinois before our legislature. And I was proud to sign it into law last week. But, look, I think — I understand that there’s been a tremendous amount of misinformation and misunderstanding around this bill…This is about protecting the religious liberty of people of faith and families of faith across this country, that’s what it’s been for more than 20 years, and that’s what it is now as the law in Indiana.

With that said, sometimes the law is more confusing that we’d like it to be – and, as a result, if we’re not equipped to answer some questions that might arise, we get confused ourselves.

That’s why Travis Weber, the director of FRC’s Center for Religious Liberty, has written a succinct summary of what the federal RFRA – the model for state RFRAs, including the one just put in place in Indiana – does and does not allow.

Attached to this email is the text of Travis’s important and informative summary. Please feel free to distribute to friends and allies concerned with what this latest controversy over religious liberty is all about.

In addition, FRC President Tony Perkins is calling on all FRC’s friends to stand with Gov. Pence in the wake of the criticism he is receiving simply for standing for basic religious liberty. Sign the petition, “I Stand with Gov. Pence for Freedom.”

As Tony reminds us, we’re all Hoosiers today.

Sincerely,
Rob Schwarzwalder
Senior Vice – President
Family Research Council

P.S. Want to learn more? Here are some additional resources to help you better understand what’s at stake in this important battle.

What You Should Know About Religious Freedom Restoration Acts – The Gospel Coalition
Your Questions on Indiana’s Religious Freedom Bill Answered – The Federalist
Willing Incompatible Worlds – First Things
Indiana’s RFRA: Eight Theses – National Review
The Religious Freedom Firestorm – Indiana Policy Review
Why Indiana’s New Religious Freedom Restoration Act Makes Good Sense – Canon and Culture
Indiana Protects Religious Liberty. Why That’s Good Policy. – Daily Signal
Apple CEO Tim Cook Is Wrong on Indiana Law – Daily Signal
Indiana religious freedom legislation sparks firestorm – Daily Signal
Ohio defends gay marriage ban in U.S. Supreme Court brief – Cleveland.com
AG Bill Schuette: Michigan’s gay marriage battle really about state rights, not opposing homosexuality – MichiganLive.com
Pence: Coverage of religious freedom law ‘shameless’ – Politico

PDF Version: Family Research Council: Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act

The post Letter: Family Research Council on Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act appeared first on FFV.

The post Florida Family Action Field Offices’ Grand Openings appeared first on FFV.

1. Phone Banking in Field Offices:
   We have 5 offices around Florida that are working to getting out the vote for the election.  If you live in the Pensacola, Orlando, Tampa, St. Pete or Fort Lauderdale areas we have offices and field operations in these areas doing phone banks and neighborhood walks.  Click here for a map with addresses for all five locations.  Flexible commitment time, usually evenings and weekends between now and the November 2014 election.
2. Voter Guide County Hub Captains:
   For every county in Florida we need at least one and in some areas more voter guide “County Hub Captains.”  The Captains take charge of organizing the distribution of voter guides to various churches.  This is commitment for the next couple of months and involves finding a team of drivers and meeting together to hand deliver boxes of voter guides to the various churches that have requested them.  To volunteer for this position in your county, contact VoterGuides@FLfamily.org   Training and lists of churches requesting voter guides will be provided.
3. Voter Guide Hub Location Hosts:
   Hosts are either churches or businesses that will serve as a storage place for multiple boxes of voter guides to be distributed in your county.  The requirements for a host is to have space of about the size of a small bathroom to store the boxes in, regular office hours for churches and groups picking up the guides to come by and receive them, and someone to dispense the voter guides when someone comes to get them.  Commitment level is use of a room to house voter guides till election is over.  To volunteer to be a voter guide Hub Location in your county contact VoterGuides@FLfamily.org
4. Orlando Office Staff Volunteering:
   From time to time we need help with special projects in our main office in Orlando to throw in with our staff.  If you live in Central Florida and would like to make yourself available to volunteer then contact us at Info@FLfamily.org
5. Online Researchers:
   All you need is a computer and some time and we have a number of research projects you could help us with.  To volunteer email us at info@FLfamily.org  Commitment is as you have time.
6. Drivers to Deliver Voter Guides to Churches:
   Volunteer to work with your local county hub to pick up voter guides in your vehicle and distribute them to local churches in your area.  Commitment time is 1-3 mornings or afternoons over next 4 months.  Contact VoterGuides@FLfamily.org
7. Social Media Ground Team
   If you enjoy social media, reading articles and spending time on the computer then you may be able to help us on our Social Media Ground team to help us with posting new content, troll control, and monitoring our many Facebook and Twitter accounts.  Contact Media@FLfamily.org with a statement on your background, personal information, any experiences you may have had and your interest in helping.  Commitment 2-3 hours a week.
8. Volunteering to Work Events and Exhibit at Conferences
   We often have the ability to exhibit and distribute literature at convention and conferences. This task requires a nicely dressed person who is familiar with the FFPC and can talk about what we do and be an ambassador to our organization.  We would be happy to train well spoken supporter to represent us at an exhibit table.  To be contacted in the future for this type of volunteering submit your complete contact information to Info@FLfamily.org
9. Local Church Liaison
10. For every church in Florida we would like to have a person who is willing to be a key contact to the pastor or social issues committee and can let us know how many voter guide are needed, and how we can serve the church in other ways.  Contact VoterGuides@FLfamily.org

The post We need hundreds of volunteers over the next four months appeared first on FFV.

We had a great run this session with some solid victories.  To start off, every single one of the bad bills on our legislative agenda which we opposed either died or were dead on arrival when introduced.  So, GO defense!!!  At least a dozen destructive and counterproductive ideas are politically dead – at least for another year.  From expanding casino gambling on every coast, to granting special rights for homosexuals to sue Christians who live out their faith in the workplace, we had a 100% “kill rate” on all the bad bills we identified in our 2014 FFPC Legislative Agenda.

In terms of victories, two major pieces of pro-life legislation were passed, along two other good bills relating to prohibition of judges’ relying on foreign laws, and one bill protecting students and families against information gathering on Common Core curriculum.

Below is a summary of the legislative victories of the good bills that passed which now await the Governor’s signature or veto.

VICTORY REPORT

GOOD Bills Passed by the Legislature:

HB 59Unborn Victims of Violence Bill – Rep. Ahern (R) / Sen. Stargel (R)

Justice for the Unborn- This bill creates the “Unborn Victims of Violence Act” which recognizes the death or injury (due to violence or vehicular homicide) of an unborn child as the death or injury of a second person.  As mentioned last week this is a historic win as this bill has been filed for seven years in a row and just finally passed.  This is a victory for the rights of the unborn and it places our laws and our culture one step closer to being pro-life.

HB 1047Bans Abortion of a Viable Unborn Child – Rep. Adkins (R) / Sen. Flores (R)

This bill bans abortions if the doctor reasonably determines that the child has achieved viability. It provides strict exceptions if the mother’s life is endangered by the pregnancy or if the mother will suffer substantial and irreversible physical damage by continuing the pregnancy.  This bill makes Florida’s abortion ban as early as possible without violating Roe vs. Wade or Florida’s artificially manufactured abortion rights in its state constitution. By banning abortion of viable fetuses we create a moving target for abortion ban as technology improves to allow for earlier viability.

SB 386Freedom from Foreign Law – Rep. Combee (R) / Sen. Hays (R)

This bill prevents Florida judges from relying on the laws of foreign nations as precedent if they would violate existing Constitutional rights in certain cases.  Sharia compliant Muslims have as their own stated goal the creation of the  “Caliphate” which is a complete Islamic State where “Sharia” law would be imposed upon an entire society and eventually the world. This bill would prevent the reliance upon Islamic law by courts where to do so would violate existing state or federal constitutional rights. The bill could also be used to prevent a judge from relying on European or other foreign laws to find a way to advance leftist social agendas.   

SB 188 Prohibits Collection of Student’s Data – Rep. Raburn (R) / Sen. Hukill (R)

This good bill protects against some of the abusive aspects of the Common Core education reforms.  It regulates the collection and recording of student’s data. It also creates a process for the each school district to determine what information will be collected and who will have access to it. SB 232 prohibits the school district from collecting biometric data collection.

NOTE: It is expected that Florida Governor Rick Scott will be signing all these good bills into law.  We will keep you updated if the Governor needs encouragement or needs to hear from you on any of these matters.  We usually will not issue an action alert asking you to contact your legislators unless we learn in the legislative process that a given bill is in trouble or has critical swing votes needed. 
 

Good Bills that Did Not Pass:

HB 551/ SB 160220 Week Abortion Ban – Rep. Van Zant (R) / Sen. Evers (R)

This bill bans abortion after 20 weeks, except in the case the child is not viable as determined by a physician through an examination of the woman and child. Physician must test and record the stage of fetal development, gestational age, weight, and lung maturity, in addition to any other tests the physician feels necessary to make the determination that the child is not capable of surviving outside of the womb with or without medical assistance.

HB 25/ SB 1316 Public School Curricular Standards and Assessments – Rep. Mayfield (R) / Sen. Evers (R)

This bill stops or pauses common core from being further implemented and performs an overhaul of the standards, beginning with the state board of education holding a community meeting in every congressional district in the state.

Common Core is one of the hottest topics in the state. Because the legislature wouldn’t hear this bill, opponents of Common Core State Standards are turning their attention to Governor Scott to rid this state of this federal overreach.  

Marriage:  NOTE:  While not a bill, Florida’s Legislative Leadership failed once again to allocate any funding for marriage education programs, which is very disappointing.  This is one area the legislature must give attention to.  Florida has consistently failed to create laws which serve to strengthen marriages and reduce family fragmentation.  Some bill proposals require no funding at all, just leadership.  In future years, bills to promote and strengthen marriages will continue to be a major legislative priority for the FFPC.     

VICTORY REPORT:

Bad bills that Died:

All the bad bills we identified and opposed died!  With the exception of gambling, they weren’t even heard in a single committee! Several gambling ideas were heard in committee, but no consensus was reached.

HB 439/SB 578Domestic Partnership Registry – Rep. Stewart (D)/Sen. Sobel (D)

This bill calls itself a mere domestic partnership but it is actually a full blown form of civil union or faux homosexual marriage attempting to give many of  the rights, benefits, and privileges of marriage. These bills are presently different, but have the same intention of recognizing domestic partnerships.  The real danger of these arrangements is that they are consistently used by renegade courts and legislative bodies as a precedent for advancing homosexual marriage arrangements.

HB 239/SB 348 “LGBT Rights” Adding Gender Expression to Non-Discrimination Laws- Rep. Saunders (D)/Sen. Abruzzo (D)

This bill makes sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity impermissible grounds for discrimination.  One of the worst pieces of legislation, these statutory schemes are being used all over the country as a weapon to punish Christians.

HB 221/SB 240 Sexual Orientation Change Therapy Restrictions – Rep. Richardson (D)/Sen. Clemens (D)

This bill prohibits counselors and psychologists from counseling their patients under the age of 18 to change their sexual orientation, behaviors, gender identity, gender expression or to reduce or eliminate sexual or romantic attractions toward a person of the same gender.

HB 1383 Gambling Commission – Rep. Schenck (R)

This bad bill creates a Gaming Control Commission and Department of Gaming Control to provide for oversight of pari-mutuel facilities, slot machines, cardrooms, and gaming. Commission members are appointed. If the Florida legislature turns control of the gaming industry over to a commission we lose all accountability to the people.

SB 7050/7052/7054 Casino Gambling Package Expansion Bill – Proposed by the Gambling Committee/Sen. Richter.  These bills would create two new casinos in Florida, create a new state department to “regulate” gambling and would require a constitutional amendment for any gambling not presently allowed by law. 

SB 98Expanding the Florida Lottery to Online Portals Lottery – Sen. Margolis (D)-  This bill would authorize the Department of the Lottery to create a program to purchase lottery tickets online.

HB 8001/SB 68Feminist “ERA” Amendment – Berman (D) /Sen. Joyner (D)-  This bill would ratify the proposed long failed ERA “Equal Rights Amendment” to the Constitution of the United States. 

Thank you very much for your support and for standing with us.  We would be grateful if you would help us with an online donation to help us continue to work as “Your Voice, for Your Values” in Tallahassee and beyond.  Thank you again. 

The post “Sine Die” Victories appeared first on FFV.