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Monday, Idaho Governor Brad Little took a stand, signing into law two anti-transgender bills, making Idaho the first among more than 40 states that have introduced such legislation this year to actually enact them.
The opposition is immediate and forceful. It always is when you take a stand for righteousness---and common sense.
Be informed.
The Republican governor approved legislation that prohibits transgender people from changing the sex listed on their birth certificate, and another that bans transgender girls and women from competing in women's sports.
There are many, even in government, who see the the tragedy of the transgender movement. More than 40 bills were introduced this year targeting the problem. About half, like one of the Idaho bills, sought to ban transgender girls from competing at various levels of girl's sports.
However, none of these bills were ever enacted, and most have died. In some states---including Ohio, Alabama, Tennessee, Kansas, Louisiana, South Carolina, Missouri, and Arizona---bills of one or both categories remain technically alive, but most are considered unlikely to win final passage.
But Governor Little is taking a stand.
So are some parents and daughters in Connecticut who have filed suit, because their daughters can't compete in sports against boys who claim to be girls.
The opposition
When you take a stand, there is always opposition.
Misty Tolman, Idaho director for Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii, told the press,
"We condemn Governor Little's actions and the actions of dozens of Idaho legislators who are so focused on pleasing their bigoted base instead of doing what is right", adding the law makes Idaho one of the "cruelest states in the country."
Peter Renn, of Lambda Legal, is saying, "There's an injunction that already absolutely forbids this policy, and the government can't enforce this law without violating a court order."
He says,
'The ramifications of contempt of court are quite furious," saying "the court could impose fines and hold top officials of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare responsible should the court order be violated."
Opponents of the transgender ban bill claim it discriminates against transgender girls and women and would subject girls and women to invasive tests to prove their gender and would probably cause some of the transgenders to avoid sports.
Backers of the legislation believe they're right---and will prevail.
The backers of the legislation regarding birth certificates say the federal court that ruled against them previously were wrong.
Even though there is a 2018 federal court ruling that a past law barring transgender people from changing their birth certificate violated the Equal Protection Clause of the US Constitution, the legislature and those who support this new legislation are confident they are in the right.
The Idaho attorney general's office, who did not appeal the precious ruling says it could cost $1 million if the state had to defend the ban again and lost. They say the law is needed so Idaho has accurate birth records. The new law takes effect on July 1.
The backers of the sports ban, which applies to all sports teams sponsored by public schools, colleges, and universities, say that law is needed because transgender female athletes have physical advantages.
The boys turned girls do have physical advantages because God created men and women differently. He created Male and Female---each specially gifted, but gifted differently.
Why is the secular Left progressive movement so obsessed with making men and women the same?
Earlier this year, Associated Press reported that "The families of three female high school runners filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday seeking to block transgender athletes in Connecticut from participating in girl's sports."
The Christian based Alliance Defending Freedom law firm is representing the girls and their families. They said, "Forcing girls to be spectators in their own sports is completely at odds with Title IX, a federal law designed to create equal opportunities for women in education and athletics."
This suit is in progress.
Why is there such hypocrisy in these matters?
The homosexual advocacy groups demand equality, until boys who think they're girls are winning in the girl's physical competition, then when heterosexual girls call for "equality," they're bigots. And so are the people who support them.
Takeaway
I was reading the little New Testament book of Jude yesterday. I noticed that he began writing about "the salvation we share," but in verse 3 he begins to write to his reader to "contend for the Faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints."
The JB Phillips translation says, "Put up a real fight for the faith which was once for all committed to those who belong to Christ."---thus reminding us of the fact that it is our solemn duty, as believers, to stand up for the Truth.
Interestingly, the "Truth" or the fundamental things that we are to stand up are listed:
- God is the Father of all who believe –- verse 1.
- The glorious Person of our Lord Jesus Christ –- verse 4.
- The doctrine of the grace of God –- verse 4.
- The total depravity of man –- verse 7
- The Personality of the Holy Spirit –- verse 19.
- The existence of a personal Devil –- verse 9.
- The fact of Judgment and Hell –- verses 6,7,13.
- Justification by faith alone –- verse 11.
- The personal return of Christ –- verse 14.
- The eternal security of believers –- verse 24.
- The sovereignty of God –- verse 25.
- The historical accuracy and the prophetic value of the Old Testament and the New Testament scriptures –- verses 5-19.
The apparent question would be "why would we need to defend the faith" if it has already been delivered?
The reason is obvious. Today, the Faith that was delivered, is under relentless attack. Faith is being attacked and denied, not just by the non-religious, but by people inside the church.
In many cases, the church has conformed to the world and is now trying to conform "The Faith"---"God's Truth" to the new norms of the culture.
Every aspect of Judeo-Christian values and beliefs are under attack today.
This would be a good time to remember Joshua, who famously said, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Be Informed. Be Faithful. Be Vigilant. Be Prayerful. Be Blessed.