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There are a number of new developments this week at the federal, state and local levels that we want to let you know about including news regarding religious liberties, abortion, bullying and much more.
KFPC Testifies in Opposition to Radical Anti-bullying Bill in Kansas Senate
On Tuesday January 31st, the Kansas Senate Education Committee held a hearing on a bill concerning bullying in Kansas Public Schools. If you are a regular reader of our messages you will know that the bullying issue is very important and needs to be addressed in our schools. You will also know that the bullying issue is often used by the homosexual lobby in many areas of our country to effectively bring radical education curricula into our schools teaching children about homosexuality and advocating for homosexual lifestyles.
The bill in the Kansas Senate, SB 278, is a comprehensive anti-bullying bill that includes specific mandates requiring Kansas public school districts to implement comprehensive policies and plans to combat bullying. The bill specifically designated 'sexual orientation and expression' as well as 'gender identity' as protected categories. KFPC was present at this committee meeting and testified about the dangers in this bill in three important areas: school autonomy, parental rights and free speech. Read the KFPC testimony HERE.
To learn more about bullying policies in public schools please visit True Tolerance.
Huelskamp Introduces Military Religious Freedom Protection Act
Kansas' First District Congressman Tim Huelskamp introduced legislation this week to strengthen protections of religious freedom for our men and women in the military.
The bill does three things:
- A chaplain cannot be required to perform or participate in any duty, rite, ritual, ceremony, service or function that is contrary to their own conscience, moral principles, or religious beliefs or those of their faith group.
- Prevents any member of our military from discrimination that might result due to their religious objection to homosexuality.
- Prevents any Department of Defense property from being used to perform any marriage that is not between one man and one woman.
Click HERE to read more from Family Research Council Click HERE to read more from Citizenlink Click HERE to read more from the National Organization for Marriage Click HERE to read Congressman Huelskamp's press release.
Bishops Refuse to Comply With Obamacare Birth Control Mandate
At least three Catholic bishops have said they will not comply with the mandate the Obama administration put in place recently in Obamacare that will force religious employers to pay for birth control, contraception and drugs that may cause abortions in their health care plans.
The Obama Administration issued a statement re-iterating the "contraceptive mandate" requiring all insurance providers cover the full range of FDA-approved drugs and devices would remain intact. This mandate, originally proposed in August, includes drugs that work after conception to destroy life rather than prevent it. The statement included a postponement of one year for religious groups that do not already carry contraceptives and additionally would not be exempted under last year's narrow definition of "religious employer."
The mandate not only violates such existing conscience protections on abortion such as the Hyde/Weldon Amendment (in so far as Plan B and Ella are covered), but also violates the principles of the Church Amendments which protects conscience rights for those who object to contraceptives and other services on moral or religious grounds.
FRC Responds to Susan G. Komen's Reconsideration of Abortion-Neutral Stance
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Family Research Council responded today to news reports that Susan G. Komen for the Cure may be loosening its grant eligibility requirements and also reconsidering its abortion-neutral stance. The Komen statement released today doesn't promise new funding for Planned Parenthood but does make future funding an open question.
Read more from FRC on the Komen reconsideration HERE.
Kansas Legislative Alert!! - Liquor Law Being Considered
There is once again a move to enact more liberal liquor laws in Kansas. As was the case last year, retail giants like Dillons, Quick Trip, Hy-Vee, Walmart and others are seeking to successfully enact changes to Kansas liquor laws that would allow the sale of hard liquor in almost any retail establishment. Current law restricts those sales to liquor stores only.
The legislation ( HB 2532) will be considered in a hearing at 1:30 on February 8th in Topeka before the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee. Please Click HERE to view a list of members of this committee and call them to let them know that we do not need hard liquor at grocery stores and gas stations. Placing liquor in more accessible locations enables more widespread alcohol abuse and further enables underage drinking.
By some estimates Kansas now has approximately 766 liquor stores - this bill will likely force some of the smaller stores out of business but ultimately increase the total number of outlets where hard liquor could be available to over 7000!
Hutchinson May Consider Controversial Ordinance
Late last year the City of Hutchinson was asked to consider modifying its current nondiscrimination ordinance to include two new protected classes: sexual orientation and gender identity. These protected classes would create special rights for individuals in the areas of housing, employment and public accommodation. Aside from the creation of protected classes based upon lifestyle choices, the ordinance creates legal pitfalls for employers and landlords. If you recall, the City of Manhattan also enacted a similar ordinance last year which was subsequently repealed. You can read more about the ordinance in Manhattan HERE.
KFPC has been working with several churches in Hutchinson to educate citizens about this proposed ordinance. KFPC has provided informative bulletin inserts and initiated a petition drive expressing opposition to this ordinance.
Click HERE to sign our online petition.
Click HERE to view our bulletin insert for more information.
If you would like more information, or if your church wants to learn how to get involved, please contact KFPC at 316-993-3900.
Lastly - Gambling Poll Update
Last week we included a link to a Wichita Business Journal Poll on the issue of gambling. The poll specifically asked readers if they would support or oppose adding slot machines at Kansas dog tracks. I am pleased to report that 80 KFPC News readers visited the poll to register their opinions.
The results of the poll were 52% opposed and 46% supporting. Click HERE to view the poll results at the Wichita Business Journal.
Thank you for reading this week's update.
Robert Noland
Executive Director
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