By Kenneth Martin

A Pastor In Florida Refused To Marry Two Women

Christian Law Association

Looming Problems For Christians

Pray for a pastor in FLORIDA who refused to marry two women when they requested that he perform their ceremony. Pray that the pastor will be protected from a lawsuit by these disgruntled women. Pray for pastors all across America who are facing increasing legal risks as they stand for Biblical standards of righteousness. Pray also that all churches will be sure to protect their pastors by having clear Biblical standards in their church constitutions with regard to issues of marriage and homosexuality. CLA can provide material for churches to use. Pray also for a wedding photographer in FLORIDA who is receiving an increasing number of calls to take wedding portraits for same-sex couples. As a Christian, she does not believe her faith would permit her to work for these customers. However, non-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation make it difficult for Christian businesses to uphold their faith standards in these situations.

Preachers No Longer Need to Be Licensed By the State

Praise the Lord that the KENTUCKY legislature has passed a bill exempting pastors from a state professional licensure requirement. This bill is in keeping with the best American tradition, that the government should not control the preaching of the Gospel in any way. Attorneys for CLA had previously defended pastors in Kentucky who believed that requiring a state license to preach the Gospel was a violation of their constitutional rights. The state has finally responded to this problem with appropriate legislation. Other professionals such as judges had previously been exempt from the state professional licensure requirements.

Discrimination Against Christian Schools

Pray for a Christian school in GEORGIA that is being told the school may not use a local public school baseball field because the school is religious. Other outside secular groups already use the field, but the school is claiming that the “separation of church and state” prevents use by Christian schools. Pray that attorneys for CLA will be successful in presenting information to the school board attorney regarding the obligation of public schools not to discriminate on the basis of religion when it comes to the general use of school facilities. The requirement for neutral use of public facilities such as schools is a long-standing Supreme Court legal principle. Can you imagine the outcry that would ensue if this kind of discrimination were based on race or sexual orientation?

Lift the Political Gag Order on Churches

Although political sermons and suggestions for appropriate candidates made from the pulpit were common in early America, since the 1960s there has been a ban on political speech from America’s pulpits, particularly regarding comments on candidates for political office. This ban has been only selectively enforced over the years and CONGRESS is now trying to repeal this prohibition on free political speech for America’s preachers. The House of Worship Free Speech Restoration Act is intended to remove the fear pastors have had that their churches might have their tax exempt status denied if they preach about religious issues or recommend from the pulpit candidates who share their beliefs. Please pray that this gag order on churches will be removed and that churches can begin again to play the important role in American politics that they played at the founding of our nation.  

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