The fallout from the recent Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage continues. The rhetoric has intensified as people begin to process exactly what that ruling means. For example, some civilian court clerks are deciding that they cannot issue same-sex marriage licenses because of their religious convictions, so are quitting their jobs. The following is an article from the July 3 issue of Tony Perkins' Washington Update. The article is titled, "We Can Clerk It Out!" "If you're wondering what could possibly stand between same-sex 'marriage' and America, try hundreds of county clerks. Liberty Institute says 'hundreds' of emails are streaming in from local officials who refuse to issue licenses to gay couples or participate in the unions that violate their faith. In Nebraska, a single clerk in Sioux County may be all it takes to trigger the state's first lawsuit. 'I must warn you that this issue is a high priority for the ACLU,' its attorneys threatened Michele Zimmerman, 'and we will consider legal action to enforce the law.' The article cites a situation in Alabama: "Alabama has problems of its own, now that federal judges are trying to twist the arms of local courthouses. In many areas, the state had stopped issuing licenses altogether. But if that continues, the courts warn, more clerks face jail time, fines, and - as one LGBT activist promises - charges of contempt."
Friends, the next battle in this war will be fought over what limitations, if any, can be created around the First Amendment to the United States Constitution which guarantees the freedom of religious expression and the freedom of speech. To the secularist and the humanist, freedom of religious expression is permitted as long as it does not contradict what a secularist or humanist believes. But, when there is a conflict, as in the case of same-sex marriage, then the freedom of religious expression must be reined in. To put it another way, "I will tolerate your religious beliefs as long as they do not interfere with my beliefs. But when there is a conflict, then your freedom to hold such beliefs vanishes."
Here is a case that illustrates that point. Again, I refer to an article published on July 7 by Tony Perkins' Washington Update. The title is "Bakers Take Path of Yeast Resistance." The story is of a Christian couple who operated a bakery in Oregon and who refused to provide a cake for a gay couple for their wedding. The refusal was based upon their religious convictions. Last week the Commissioner of the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industry, Brad Avakian, issued a $135,000 judgment against Aaron and Melissa Klein. Here is the issue: As a Christian businessman, let's take being a baker as an example, I do not have the right to refuse to sell you a donut because you are a gay or lesbian. I may not approve of your lifestyle, but I need to serve you as a customer the same as I would anyone else who comes into my bakery. However, if you ask me to create a cake or a pie or anything to help you celebrate a wedding to your partner, then you enter into a contractual agreement. Here is where a person should be able to make a choice as to whether they want to enter into such a contract or not. I can sell you a donut, but I cannot create a wedding cake for you. This will be the next test within the Courts. Are there any parameters around the First Amendment? If there are, what are they and how are they to be defined? Churches will want to pay particular attention to this debate because ultimately they will be impacted by whatever decision is reached. To date, the Supreme Court has always sided with a strong interpretation of the First Amendment, but, as we have seen, the decisions of the Court seem to be somewhat arbitrary.
Now to get your blood boiling as parents. The following was posted on July 2 on the Life News website. It can be found at: www.lifenews.com/2015/07/02/schools-implant-iuds-in-girls-as-young-as-6th-grade-without-their-parents-knowing. Let me quote from a portion of the article: "Middle and high school students can't get a Coca-Cola or a candy bar at 13 Seattle public schools, but they can get a taxpayer-funded intrauterine device (IUD) implanted without their parents' consent. School-based health clinics in at least 13 Seattle-area public high schools and middle schools offer long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), including IUDs and hormonal implants, to students in sixth-grade and above at no cost, according to Washington State officials. ... The state and federally funded contraceptive services are made possible by 'Take Charge', a Washington State Medicaid program which provides free birth control to adults who are uninsured, lack contraceptive coverage, have an income at or below 260 percent of the Federal Poverty Level - or, in this case, to teens who don't want their parents to know they're on birth control. ... When asked if a sixth grader could get an IUD implanted without parental consent, 'Take Charge' told CNSNews.com: 'We encourage all 'Take Charge' providers to offer long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) in their clinics. A young person does not need parental consent to obtain a LARC or any other contraceptive method. ... If the young person is not choosing abstinence, she would be able to select a LARC and have it inserted without parental consent.'" So, your child cannot purchase a Coke at school because of its high sugar content, but she can get have an IUD implanted without your even knowing it. It is no wonder that private schools and Christian schools and home-schooling have exploded.
I met with a group of men this morning around the breakfast table. We talked about a lot of things going on in our world. The bottom line conclusion was this: The Lord is still in control. He is still the Sovereign One. And He is coming back soon. These are truths we need to affirm every Sunday when we meet for worship. Let's sing songs that celebrate that our God is on the throne, that He still is reigning. And let's sing songs that encourage us with the truth that He is coming. Friends, if we don't celebrate that hope, then we will be filled with despair. Yes, "our God reigns!"
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