California bill bans The Bible
A
California bill is so broad that it bans books, printed materials, and
advertisements that provide information that a person facing unwanted
same-sex attractions or gender confusion can change, according to
Liberty Counsel. AB 2943 declares “advertising, offering to engage in,
or engaging in sexual orientation change efforts with an individual” is
fraudulent business practice.
California
State Assemblymember, Al Muratsuchi, said, “The First Amendment does
not prohibit banning fraudulent conduct. The faith community, like
anyone else, needs to evolve with the times.”
During
his speech on the California bill at Google headquarters, LGBT activist
Samuel Brinton reportedly said he wanted to “figure out a way to stop”
pastors and churches from offering counsel to help people change
unwanted same-sex attractions. He went on to say, “I may not be able to
FIND every little camp...every pastor, but I can make it something that
is culturally unacceptable.” He added, “Yes, it’s directly affecting
mental health professionals, but by proxy, it’s affecting everyone
else.”
Liberty
Counsel asserted that the Bible specifically refers to homosexuality 1
Corinthians 6:9. Then verse 11 states, “And such were some of you,” thus
clearly stating that through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ,
people with same-sex attractions or who engaged in same-sex behavior
can change.
Advertising this
passage or quoting it in a brochure would be considered fraudulent
business practices under this bill, according to Liberty Counsel. This
bill is an infringement on First Amendment rights and is a classic
viewpoint discrimination. It declares certain kinds of speech as
consumer fraud.
A pastor,
church or para-church ministry could be banned from holding a conference
or selling books or videos about overcoming unwanted same-sex
attractions or gender confusion.
The
California Assembly approved the bill and, as of April 25, had two
state Senate committees to go through before a floor vote. The
Democrat-controlled California State Senate could pass AB 2943 in late
May.
Mat Staver, founder and
chairman of Liberty Counsel, said, “California AB 2943 is a dangerous
bill that would punish people for their biblical beliefs about marriage,
gender and human sexuality” said. “This law is stunning in its breadth.
The mask of those supporting this oppressive bill has been removed.
Their goal is to crush Christianity and any viewpoint that does not
align with the state.
“We stand ready to file suit to stop this assault on freedom if this bill is signed into law.”
Liberty
Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and
policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the
sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono
assistance and representation on these and related topics.
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