“What’s
Left of the Constitution?” is a periodic news digest featuring Alliance Defense Fund legal analysis of proposals, policies, and trends advanced by the federal government. On a regular basis, this digest specifically highlights policies and actions that move America away from the principles of the U.S. Constitution and closer to the demands of the political Left, especially ones that threaten religious liberty, the sanctity of life, and marriage and the family.
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U.S. Endorsement of U.N. Declaration on "Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity"
Recently, the new administration signed a United Nations declaration that, according to some, merely called for countries to "decriminalize" homosexual behavior.
In truth, however, the declaration goes far beyond simply "decriminalizing" homosexual behavior. Consisting of 13 points, this declaration is part of the ongoing agenda to create special rights based on homosexual behavior and even includes so-called "gender identity" as a human right.
What the declaration fails to address – and what this administration has refused to acknowledge – is that the radical activists of homosexual behavior are demanding special rights and that these demands are already being used to punish Christians both in the United States and abroad.
While the previous administration rejected this declaration in December 2008, Christians around the world will likely pay a high price as a result of this administration’s "change."
Why is this important?
Religious liberty is already in danger. Here are just a few examples of cases that ADF has fought:
· In Sweden, a pastor was convicted of a "hate" crime and faced imprisonment for preaching on sexual morality from the pulpit.
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A pastor in Canada was reported to the Alberta Human Rights Commission and faced punishment for having written letters to a local newspaper regarding sexual morality.
· A Methodist camp meeting association in New Jersey was reported to the government and lost its tax exemption for refusing to allow same-sex couples to rent their property for a ceremony.
· And a photographer was reported to the New Mexico Civil Rights Commission, tried, found guilty, and fined nearly $7,000 for refusing to photograph the "commitment ceremony" of a same-sex couple—despite the fact that neither same-sex "marriage" nor "civil unions" are legal in New Mexico.
It’s clear that the homosexual agenda is at odds with religious freedom, which is why the ADF alliance of 1,200 attorneys will continue to fight these battles regarding religious freedom. ADF believes it is equipped to do this because it is a substantial legal force that employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.
Additional links:· Christian News Wire:
World Congress of Families Dismayed by Obama Decision to Sign UN ‘Homosexual Special Rights’ Statement
· LifeSiteNews.com: Obama Administration to Sign UN Declaration to "Decriminalize Homosexuality"
· OneNewsNow: Elevating Homosexuality to New Heights
· Weekly Standard: Banned in Boston – The Coming Conflict Between Same-Sex Marriage and Religious Liberty
· Catholic News Agency: U.S. pledges support for U.N. gender identity statement
ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith. Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.