On Thursday, April 19, California’s Assembly approved AB 2943 by a 50-18 vote. What does this mean?
AB 2943 bans books, conferences, and counseling advocating the historic Christian theology of gender and sexual orientation. The bill threatens religious non-profits, churches, and pastors who provide paid resources to help people practice their faith.
Basically, the bill tells churches and other with traditional beliefs about gender and sexual orientation that advocating for their views could get them sued.
According to Jonathan Keller, President, and CEO of California Family Council, “This dangerous assault on religious liberty declares ‘advertising, offering to engage in, or engaging in sexual orientation change efforts with an individual’ to be illegal under California’s consumer fraud law. The State of California has no right to shut down counselors, schools, and religious organizations who provide resources and services. Every person experiencing unwanted same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria must be allowed to pursue help in achieving their desired goals and outcomes.”
If AB 2943 clears California’s Senate and is signed into law, it would negatively impact Christian counselors, bookstores, church conferences, as well as medical and health professionals.
California is a trendsetting state. If this bill passes the Senate here, it is likely to see other states following suit.
Want to do something? Write to your local representative. To find out your local representative use this website: findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov
To read other articles on proposed assembly bills that threaten religious freedom, click HERE.
Watch the Assembly Floor Debate on AB 2943 below (At the 7: 25-minute mark listen to Assemblyman James Gallagher explain the Christian position).
Resources:
http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/politics/2018/april/one-step-closer-to-law-could-a-california-bill-ultimately-lead-to-the-banning-of-bibles
