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Democrats Seek to Weaken Landmark Religious Freedom Law
More than 120 Democrats have signed onto a House bill that would weaken a popular and bipartisan 1993 law that protects religious freedom.
At issue is the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which says the “government shall not substantially burden a person’s exercise of religion.” That 1993 law passed the House unanimously and the Senate near-unanimously, with only three votes in opposition. President Clinton, a Democrat, signed it.
But an increasing number of Democrats say the law is being abused.
Democratic Rep. Joe Kennedy (Mass.) is sponsoring a bill, the Do No Harm Act, that would amend the 1993 law so it doesn’t apply to a series of situations. Among those exceptions would be a federal rule protecting against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in public housing. Also exempted would be anything “denying a person the full and equal enjoyment of a good, service, benefit, facility, privilege, advantage, or accommodation, provided by the government.” It applies to government contracts and grants. It also would impact health care and, potentially, the issue of abortion.
“By passing the Do No Harm Act, we can reestablish the sacred balance between religious liberty and the personal liberties of those who have too often had their civil rights bargained away,” Kennedy said when it was introduced.
The Do No Harm Act (H.R….
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Charity to bring Christ-centred approach to youth prison school
Oasis Charitable Trust has been appointed by the Ministry of Justice to re-develop The Medway Young Offenders Centre in Kent, as an education-focused alternative to youth jails.
The re-appointment of leadership comes after the sacking of the detention centres’ former management, following a police investigation which exposed the mistreatment of inmates in 2016.
Founder and Leader of Oasis, Rev Steve Chalke told Premier that the Christian academy trust want to take a different approach to prison reform.
He said: “The emphasis is on education and care rather than on locking up, although everybody of course will be locked up – it is a secure unit.
“It’s a new direction. And it is a great privilege to be given this responsibility, but it is a ginormous responsibility, because it’s about path finding a different way of doing this.”
Mr Chalke said the institution would focus on the support and successful rehabilitation of young offenders to reduce the rates of re-offending.
“Youth jails detention centres don’t work,” he said.
“This is a great opportunity for us to show that a Christian ethic, a Christ-centred ethic produces a different result.”
The secure school is due to open in Kent in autumn 2020.
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Power of Worship – Open Heavens for Teens 2 July 2019
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Prayer Points on Today’s Open Heaven 2 July 2019
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Billy Graham Devotional 2 July 2019 – True Unity
The post Billy Graham Devotional 2 July 2019 – True Unity appeared first on Flatimes.
Christian Musician Begs Franklin Graham to Aid Immigrants at the Southern Border in an Open Letter
Christian singer-songwriter Nichole Nordeman has penned an impassioned open letter to Rev. Franklin Graham over the border crisis. Recognizing Graham’s influential position both as a close friend of President Trump and the head of a large humanitarian relief organization, the musician pleaded with the minister for help.
“The world is watching the humanitarian crisis at our southern border,” Nordeman wrote at the Washington Post. “The reported horrific abuse and neglect of children in detention centers, and the dire and dangerous realities facing those arriving at the border, even to claim legal asylum, is nearly impossible to watch.”
Now, in the spirit of the Good Samaritan, the Biblical story upon which Graham’s “Samaritan’s Purse” organization is based, Nordeman urged immediate action.
“This is the moment in the biblical parable about the Good Samaritan — from which Samaritan’s Purse derives its name — in which Jesus asks us to reflect on our response to the defenseless and battered traveler by the roadside,” she wrote. “Rev. Graham, you are in a unique position to do more than watch. You can intervene in the border emergency. President Trump respects and listens to your counsel, and you have a demonstrated record of influence with the president.”
The singer further urged Graham to “ask Trump to sign…
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Archie’s private christening ‘a terrible shame’, claims royal biographer
Royal biographer Penny Junor said members of the public would want to share in Harry and Meghan’s happiness at the baptising of their baby boy on Saturday, exactly two months after he was born on May 6.
The service will be held at a private chapel at Windsor Castle and is understood to be a “very small gathering”, according to a royal source.
Ms Junor said: “We’re not asking for Archie to become public property but to be able to share in the pleasure of his christening, I think it is only fair to give the public that pleasure.
“Because although Archie himself is not going to be a working member of the royal family, so far as we can tell he’s going to be brought up as a normal child, that’s fine but Harry is very much a part of the royal family as we’ve known it over the years.
“People love him and they’re really happy for him – he’s married Meghan and they’ve had the baby – and they want to share in the joy of that and I think this is a terrible shame and I think it’s a mistake.”
It is understood pictures of the ceremony will be released on Sunday through the media and Harry and Meghan’s Instagram account.
In contrast, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge let photographers capture pictures of them and their children, plus family members and guests arriving, before holding private christening services.
Both Prince George and Prince Louis were christened at the Chapel…
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