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Legal

Jan 23 2020
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CWA staff at 2019 March for Life

The Never-ending Impeachment

By | Blog, LBB, News and Events, Planned Parenthood, Sanctity of Life | No Comments

Impeachment Day 3 Recap

We continued to hear the same unproven allegations from the House managers as they presented their case to remove the President before the Senate on day two of their opening statements. And, the mindboggling thing is how long they have been preparing for this dud.

Vanity Fair, December 15, 2016: “Democrats are Paving the Way to Impeach Donald Trump.”

Washington Post, January 2017: “The campaign to impeach President Trump has begun.”

TIME, January 20, 2017: “There’s Already a Campaign to Impeach President Donald Trump.”

Washington Post, February 24, 2017: “Impeach Trump? Most Democrats already say ‘yes.’”

CNN, February 6, 2017: “Rep. Maxine Waters: Trump’s actions ‘leading himself’ to impeachment.”

INDEPENDENT, February 23, 2017: “Keith Ellison calls for impeachment investigations of Donald Trump.” 

This is not a serious process the Democrats entered into because of a phone call. To conclude otherwise is to ignore the clear evidence before us. However, the result of the political manipulation of such a powerful constitutional provision could be devastating to our country.

Check out today’s Impeachment Briefing to hear more about the dangerous rhetoric being used by House Managers that threatens the legitimacy of our elections. In today’s episode, CEO and President of Concerned Women for America Penny Nance joins us to comment on some exciting news and her take on impeachment.

Jan 22 2020
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The Hot Air Impeachment Continues

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The rhetoric certainly remained at a high pitch. But on day two of the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, the Democrats have, once again, failed to meet the clear constitutional threshold to remove a president of the United States. Opening statements for the House managers began today, and we heard virtually the same arguments we’ve heard all along.

The impeachment case is empty. The evidence presented does not support their claims. One must read into the evidence some imaginary nefarious motive which they are all too willing to do in order to make any sense of it. And even then, the legal case is still in shambles.

This is, of course, why they are spending so much time trying to acquire new evidence. No reasonable person could vote to impeach a president under these set of circumstances. But their irresponsible rush through the House proceedings is their blunder, not the Senate’s. Wishing there would be more evidence does not make it so. The Senate is under no obligation to go on such a fishing expedition.

The fact is that the President released the phone call in question, and it said nothing about tying aid to anything. The President called for an investigation into corruption that had been highlighted by numerous news organizations. Ukraine received the money without any action on their part.

Those are the plain facts. Pair that with the uncontested fact that Democrats swore they would impeach this President from the moment he took office, and one must conclude this is not a serious investigation. Senators, from both parties, should reject it outright.

Watch the video below for a recap of Day 1:

Jan 21 2020
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Impeachment Trial Briefing – January 21

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In the clutter of news coverage, we want to give you some insight from our office in the nation’s capital.  Our own Mario Diaz, General Counsel, and Doreen Denny, Vice President of Government Relations, preview what to expect in this video.


CWA is committed to praying for the President, the Senate, and all those involved in the Senate trial.  Please join us in praying for truth and justice in all proceedings.   We have provided a list of prayer points here.    Thank you and stay tuned for future updates!

Jan 16 2020
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Great News on this Religious Freedom Day

By | Blog, LBB, News and Events, Religious Liberty | No Comments

January 16 is Religious Freedom Day. It marks the anniversary of the passage of Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, the precursor language of our First Amendment guarantee of religious freedom. This American ideal was born on Biblical soil. Freedom is impossible without faith. This is as true today as in the times of our founding. John Adams, the principal author of our Bill of Rights said:

The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence, were … the general principles of Christianity … Now I will avow, that I then believed, and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God; and that those principles of liberty are as unalterable as human nature and our terrestrial, mundane system …

Questions of faith are the questions of life. That is why religious freedom is known as our first freedom, listed first as the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. If we lose our religious freedom, we lose our freedoms.

President Donald J. Trump understands this, and he has been a champion of religious freedom since his first day in office. Just today the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is proposing rules to further implement President Trump’s 2018 Executive Order removing regulatory burdens on religious organizations and ensuring they are treated equally under the law within the agency’s programs.

This is important work that will never get much attention in the mainstream media, but which protects people of faith from being forced to do the government’s bidding when it comes to things that violate their conscience, like abortion — a favorite area where the left wants to force pro-life people to actively engage in supporting.

Yesterday, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memo aimed at protecting religious freedom in government grants at all levels. OMB Acting Director Russ Vought (himself a victim of religious discrimination) said, “No longer will faith-based organizations be bullied by the government, which has not done enough to ensure that religious groups are not discriminated against when receiving federal resources.”

The Department of Education is also taking serious steps to protect religious freedom and clarify the First Amendment’s protection of prayer in public schools. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said in a statement:

Our actions today will protect the constitutional rights of students, teachers, and faith-based institutions. The Department’s efforts will level the playing field between religious and non-religious organizations competing for federal grants, as well as protect First Amendment freedoms on campus and the religious liberty of faith-based institutions. I proudly share President Trump’s commitment to religious freedom and the First Amendment.

And that is just what the president has done recently. The president has also stood strong against the Johnson Amendment which has been used for decades to try to silence pastors’ political and cultural engagement. He has stood strong against anti-Semitism. He has also promoted religious freedom abroad.

The president issued a proclamation today saying:

[W]e reaffirm our commitment to protecting the precious and fundamental right of religious freedom, both at home and abroad.  Our Founders entrusted the American people with a responsibility to protect religious liberty so that our Nation may stand as a bright beacon for the rest of the world.  Today, we remain committed to that sacred endeavor and strive to support those around the world who still struggle under oppressive regimes that impose restrictions on freedom of religion.

Let us continue to pray for the President as he stands for religious freedom and let us support these efforts that are to the benefit of all freedom-loving peoples around the world, not just Christian or religious people.

 

Jan 09 2020
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SCOTUS

The Abortion Industry Does Not Speak for Women

By | Blog, Briefs, LBB, Legal, News and Events, SCOTUS | No Comments

This month, Concerned Women for America (CWA) filed an important amicus (friend of the court) brief in June Medical Services, LLC v. Gee at the United States Supreme Court standing up for the millions of pro-life women around the country who want to make sure the Justices know that the abortion industry does not speak for them.

Believe it or not, that is often what the abortion industry claims to do, with the blessing of the Court. Big Abortion has created a whole legal industry out of challenging any and all laws that seek to protect women by regulating the abortion procedure to make it safer for women. As predicted by Justice Powell in Singleton v. Wulff (428 U.S. 106, 119 (1976)), in abortion cases, the Court has “invit[ed] litigation by those who perhaps have the least legitimate ground for seeking to assert the rights of third parties”— in this case, women.

The same abortionists who spend millions of dollars fighting against a simple requirement to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals so they can properly follow up with patients that experience complications during an abortion, claim before the courts to have a relationship with patients close enough to justify them representing women in court.

CWA’s brief highlights the research of Prof. Teresa Collett, J.D., the Director of the University of Saint Thomas Pro-Life Center, which surveys all cases since Roe involving federal challenges to abortion laws. The research reveals that “women have consistently challenged abortion-related laws related to public funding and laws requiring parental, spousal, or judicial consent prior to performance of an abortion while showing little or no appetite for attacking laws aimed at providing women with more information on abortion and its alternatives; safer, cleaner abortion facilities; and ethical, competent providers.”

“In the three years between 1973, when Roe v. Wade was decided, and 1976, when Singleton v. Wulff was decided, women were more likely than doctors, hospitals, or clinics to file challenges to abortion-related laws… Since 1976, [when the Court opened the door for abortionists to represent women’s interests,] there have been sixteen years in which there were no cases filed by women alone, and thirteen years in which they have brought only one” (citations omitted).

“From 1973 to 2019, women or girls have filed an annual average of 2.1 cases per year. In contrast, providers have filed an average of 9.1 cases per year; women and providers have joined in the same lawsuit in only 1.6 cases per year.”

“[T]here are almost no cases filed by women alone challenging conscience rights, informed consent requirements, fetal disposition laws, and provider regulations generally. This pattern suggests that women either generally support or at least do not oppose laws like the one before this Court today that are aimed at providing them with more information, safer, cleaner facilities, and more skilled providers” (citation omitted).

Given this research, the Court should reexamine its “third party standing” standards when it comes to abortion cases. It is just another area where, as Justice Anthony Kennedy candidly acknowledged, the “longstanding maxim[s] of statutory interpretation ha[ve], in the past, fallen by the wayside when the Court confronted a statute regulating abortion.” Third party standing should be presumptively denied in such cases, requiring abortion providers to prove their close relationship with the women they seek to represent in order to stand before the Court asserting women’s interests.

Oral arguments for the case have been set for 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4. Stay tuned for more information on our activities surrounding the arguments. As always, I will be at the Court to bring you an up-to-date report.

Jan 03 2020
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Penny Nance with Attorney General Barr

2019, The Year of Judges

By | Blog, Judicial Nominations, Legal, News and Events | No Comments

As we continue to pray and fight against the unjust, politically motivated, unconstitutional impeachment of President Donald J. Trump, I want to take a moment and look back at the historic achievement we achieved in the area of judicial nominations. I do not want you to miss the important part you played in making this a historic year for the confirmations of federal judges.

Do not miss it. Your voice, through Concerned Women for America (CWA), is heard in Washington! When we speak on behalf or in opposition to a judge here, every senator knows that we have a mighty army of committed women standing strong for the values we represent. They take note, and they do everything to address the concerns we raise.

Recently, a high-level official sent a note of gratitude to CWA for our work on a very tough nomination calling us, “One of the best groups with which we work.” I know this is in reference to the very strategic, professional, energetic, and graceful way in which you engage at the state level and every time we send a call to action from D.C. Thank you!

Let me give you the historic numbers. I am writing to you as the U.S. Senate has adjourned for the Christmas break and has just confirmed 13 judges in a row to make the total of judges confirmed in 2019, 102. That is the second-highest number for confirmations in one year in U.S. history. All total, we have confirmed 187 under President Trump.

Some of the highlights for this year where you shined through CWA include the recently confirmed Lawrence VanDyke to the liberal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Van Dyke is a Christian conservative with an incredible track record of support for the Constitution as written. Neomi Rao to the D.C. Circuit was also an important nomination that could not have happened without CWA’s influential voice. Let me also mention the important nomination of Attorney General William Barr, just to highlight the fact that your work has been important in the confirmation of important officials beyond judges. As you have probably seen, AG Barr’s contributions to the impeachment battle are becoming more and more important as he exposes the frightening abuse of power at the FBI and Department of Justice (DOJ) against then-candidate Donald Trump.

But back to judicial confirmations. Fifty of the 187 confirmations for President Trump have been to the Appellate Court, which given the small percentage of cases the Supreme Court takes, end up being more influential in the day to day administration of justice. These confirmations are important.

Three Circuits were totally “flipped” to have more judges appointed by Republican presidents than Democrats: the second, third, and eleventh. That is significant, but progress was made in all circuits.

Eighty were confirmed in district courts and seven more to other specialty courts. Compare that with just six confirmations to the district court in 2017 and 47 in 2018. No Supreme Court battle and an important rule change limiting the time for debate on district court nominees made that historic gain possible.

To compare President Trump’s 187 confirmations so far, consider President Barack Obama had 124, President George W. Bush had 169, President Bill Clinton 166, and President George H.W. Bush had 128 at the same time in their presidency.

But no discussion of President Trump’s legacy when it comes to judges is complete without mentioning Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh. These justices are serving with honor and distinction in the highest court in the land, and your involvement through CWA was instrumental to their confirmations.

Dec 10 2019
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Lawrence VanDyke

Confirm Lawrence VanDyke

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Update: The Senate has invoked cloture by a vote of 53-40. A final vote for confirmation will likely happen tomorrow.

Senate Majority Leader filed cloture yesterday on the nomination of Lawrence VanDyke for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee (CWALAC) sent this letter to the Senate urging confirmation and announcing our intent to score this vote in support of this excellent nominee.

“The hundreds of thousands of supporters of Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee (CWALAC) are outraged at the politically-motivated attacks on such an excellent nominee and believe this vote is an opportunity to put aside partisanship and stand up for the Constitution and the rule of law. CWALAC will score this vote in favor of confirmation…

“[I]t is critical that this body stands up to the unjust treatment this well-qualified nominee received from the highly-partisan American Bar Association (ABA). The
inflammatory, unsubstantiated accusations of “laziness” and lack of knowledge of legal procedures stand in clear contrast to the facts associated with VanDyke’s career. Senators
from both sides of the aisle rightfully question the ABA’s procedures, and CWALAC urges you to not give the ABA any more input than is allowed any other partisan group in the
nomination’s process.”

For more on the nomination read this memo from the Conservative Action Project, which was signed by our CEO and President Penny Nance. It concludes, “Lawrence VanDyke is a brilliant and accomplished jurist and deserves swift confirmation.”

Dec 04 2019
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Concerned Women for America LAC Urges Senators to Support Sarah Pitlyk

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Update: Good news! Sarah Pitlyk was confirmed (49-44) to be a U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri. Please join us in prayer for Judge Pitlyk as she takes on this solemn task.

Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee (CWALAC) sent the following letter to U.S. Senators urging the confirmation of Sarah Pitlyk to be a judge at the Eastern District of Missouri. Pitlyk has been attacked by the left merely for being pro-life.

“[Pitlyk] show[s] a full understanding of the judicial restraint that is paramount in the role of a judge. Although some have tried to apply unconstitutional litmus tests based on their favorite policies, Pitlyk was clear that ‘[i]t is never appropriate for lower court judges to depart from controlling Supreme Court precedent.’

“That is the type of judge the American people deserve – one who abides by the law instead of personal preference. We urge you to support her swift confirmation.”

Nov 08 2019
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Judicial Nominations Cap the Trump Legacy

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Right at the top of the list of President Donald J. Trump’s legacy is his amazing work on judicial nominations. In just under three years, the U.S. Senate has confirmed the most circuit court judges in a president’s first term since 1980. With several confirmations this week, one out of every four circuit court judges are now a Trump nominee.

The Senate has confirmed a total of 159 judges with more ready to be confirmed at any moment. Forty-five of those are circuit court judges, 112 to the district court, and, of course, two Supreme Court justices.

This week, the President took some time to celebrate the great work their team has been doing on this front. Concerned Women for America’s (CWA) Vice-President of Government Relations Doreen Denny was at the White House to mark the occasion.

CWA supporters have been crucial in the Trump Administration’s success through our support of the many judicial nominees. The two Supreme Court nominees, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, were most prominent, of course.

Which brings us to the most important point about the Trump legacy. It is not about the numbers. It is not about being a Republican or a Democrat. The fact is CWA’s support and the President’s success is worth celebrating because of the type of judges the president has nominated. His commitment to nominating constitutionalists who refrain from interjecting personal policy preferences into the judicial decision has been unwavering. That is why his number will have such a great impact for all Americans, regardless of political persuasion.

When judges are committed to the text of the Constitution and the laws as written, everyone wins. Remember, the danger of the “living, breathing constitution” is not that the Constitution is amended (the Founders indeed provided a way for the Constitution to be amended, since they knew this must happen—that’s what the Bill of Rights is), it is how it is done. For unelected judges to simply amend the Constitution at their pleasure breaks the most fundamental tenets of our Republic. It is “we the people” who are the “supremes” under our Constitution, not unelected judges.

Therefore, with judges who abide by the text of the Constitution and the laws as written, everyone should feel empowered. They are free to persuade their fellow citizens of their preferred policy positions and work through the legislatures to see that those changes are made. To continue to allow judges to implement one side’s preferred policy changes by judicial fiat is to live under judicial tyranny.

President Trump noted this in his remarks this week saying,

“This system was designed to protect citizens against the unjust concentration of governmental power … [but] when judges assume the role of a legislature, the rights of all citizens are threatened. … When judges write policy instead of applying the law, they impose sweeping changes on millions of Americans without the benefit of legislative debate, public rulemaking, or the consent of the governed. As a result, these highly political rulings inflict painful damage on our security, society, and economy—imposing unworkable edicts on businesses, workers, families, and law enforcement.”

That’s music to my ears.

President Trump also noted that the average age of his circuit judges is less than 50 years old—10 years younger than the average age was for President Obama. This means that this legacy will have a lasting effect on the judiciary. We simply cannot overstate how important this is for the protection of our freedoms.

This success should also highlight for us how important the next election will be. Part of the reason for the president’s success was the rule change made by former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid who opened the door to get rid of the filibuster of judicial nominees. That reality will benefit whoever is in office. If someone committed to judicial activists is elected President, he too would be able to confirm judges at a faster pace, especially if the same party controls the Senate, as President Trump has enjoyed.

This issue must remain at the top of our minds as we consider our choices for the next election.

—
Mario Diaz, Esq. is CWA’s general counsel. Follow him on Twitter @mariodiazesq.

Nov 07 2019
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Judicial Attack on Conscience Protections for Healthcare Professionals Must Be Appealed

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2019
Contact: Toni DeLancey
Direct Line: (202) 266-4816 | Mobile: (202) 527-3434
STATEMENT by CWA CEO & President Penny Nance

Judicial Attack on Conscience Protections for Healthcare Professionals Must Be Appealed

 

Penny Nance, CEO and President of Concerned Women for America (CWA), had this to say regarding U.S. District Court Judge Paul A. Engelmayer’s decision to strike down a rule by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) protecting the right of conscience of healthcare professionals that object to participating in procedures like abortions.

“The mask comes off once again with this ruling. Not only is the left adamant about having the “choice” to end the life of the pre-born child, they also want government to force everyone to participate in it. They want to force healthcare professionals to participate in the procedure, and they want every American to support abortion through our tax dollars.

“It is simply outrageous for a judge to interject his personal preference as judicial findings, saying that a simple rule such as this one, giving medical professionals the right to simply say, “I do not want to participate in something that violates my conscience,” is a “solution in search of a problem.”

“The Trump Administration must appeal this misguided decision and continue to stand for the right of all Americans to act according to their conscience. As James Madison said, “Conscience is the most sacred of all property.” And we must continue to fight against the left’s continued push to infringe on this God-given right.”

Oct 30 2019
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Your Unofficial Guide to Kanye’s “Jesus is King”

By | Blog, Culture, LBB, News and Events | No Comments

Count me among the millions of Americans who have had Kanye West’s new album “Jesus is King” on replay ever since it came out on October 25. I want to take you on a listening journey to explain why. For those who are just looking for the bottom line, I would say this: this album is appropriately titled. In it, “Jesus is King.” Every second I spend listening to it, my mind is focused on the Holy One. I see Jesus glorified throughout every track, and this is the purpose of my life, to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Therefore, I loved it.

Which is the other point. Kanye’s new music is enjoyable. It is interesting. It is good. No mindless repetition. It is straight and to the point.

The point being Jesus is king!

Even if you don’t like the genre, I’d like to share with you some of the highlights in the message he is spreading to all who listen. If you love Jesus, I guarantee you’ll smile.

Let’s push play.

Track 1, “Every Hour” right away stops me on my tracks. I want to praise. I want to join in this gospel choir. “Sing ’til the power of the Lord comes down … We need you … Every hour, every minute, every second…” Yes. The voices are perfect, and the syncopation between the different parts and the piano leaves me mesmerized. I’m already in praise mode.

All of a sudden everything drops out. A lone organ comes in. Enter “Selah,” track 2. The first line? “God is King, we the soldiers.” The music style fits that line, too. It’s hard-hitting. This is an anthem for battle.

Before the flood, people judge
They did the same thing to Noah
Everybody wanted Yandhi
Then Jesus Christ did the laundry
They say the week start on Monday
But the strong start on Sunday

Boom. You are clearly on one side of the battle line. I find myself among God’s army, and I feel at home. I look around and see Kanye has changed sides. He now stands beside me, and I want to praise God again for His goodness and mercy. I remember from where He saved me too as the hard-hitting lyrics continue to flow.

Won’t be in bondage to any man
John 8:33
We the descendants of Abraham
Ye should be made free
John 8:36
To whom the Son set free is free indeed
He saved a wretch like me

The only response to this is worship. And Kanye seems to understand this. Right in the middle of this battle anthem comes the, “Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah … Hallelujah, He is wonderful.”

Next comes “Follow God” (track 3). “Father, I stretch, stretch my hands to You,” it starts with an old style that immediately breaks into hip hop. It deals with trying to live the Christian life. Every Christian will identify. Every new believer struggles to live according to a new way. The longer you have lived in the world the harder it is. This track reflects that, “I’m just tryna find, l’ve been lookin’ for a new way. I’m just really tryin’ not to really do the fool way.” It’s a short song that ends with a scream of frustration when hearing the words, “That ain’t Christ-like.” The answer to this struggle is still Jesus. We take on His righteousness by the Spirit.

A smooth classical guitar greets you in track 4, “Closed on Sunday.” Undoubtedly one of the most memorable tracks in the album. Soon a rhythmic alarm-like sound will accentuate the urgency of this message. WARNING:

Hold the selfies, put the ’Gram away
Get your family, y’all hold hands and pray
When you got daughters, always keep ’em safe
Watch out for vipers, don’t let them indoctrinate

This is when I realized I was listening to one of the most important cultural messages we need at this moment in American history. Kanye’s counter-cultural voice is desperately needed. Perhaps he can sound the alarm for a youth that stands before great danger. They are entering the war zone unequipped.

Raise our sons, train them in the faith
Through temptations, make sure they’re wide awake
Follow Jesus, listen and obey
No more livin’ for the culture, we nobody’s slave

Friends pray for Kanye. This is pure truth. He will face the full onslaught of the culture’s attack, no doubt. Listen to this declaration:

Stand up for my home
Even if I take this walk alone
I bow down to the King upon the throne
My life is His, I’m no longer my own

This is my anthem. This is every Christian’s anthem. Or it should be.

Track 5, “On God,” gives us a bit of Kanye’s testimony. The Gospel opens it: “’How you get so much favor on your side?’ ‘Accept Him as your Lord and Savior,’ I replied.” But this confession is what gripped me: “The devil had my soul, I can’t lie.” This recognition, for any man, is crucial for a life of repentance. The enemy is real. There is no neutral ground. God is the only one who can save us from the slavery of sin.

An a cappella chorus greets you in track 6, “Everything We Need.” In a culture that screams that you need something else—the latest iPhone, a degree, more “likes”, a following, etc. – this chorus breaks the cycle of endless self-seeking. “We have everything we need,” repeats time and again.

What if Eve made apple juice?
You gon’ do what Adam do?
Or say, “Baby, let’s put this back on the tree” ’cause
We have everything we need

This is truth for both the artist with much material wealth, as much as it is for the humble person with much of nothing, if they both “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful,” (Hebrews 10:23). Jesus is all we need.

Track 7, “Water,” feels like a deeply personal prayer. The highlight of this song, again, puts the focus on Jesus.

Jesus, flow through us
Jesus, heal the bruises
Jesus, clean the music
Jesus, please use us
Jesus, please help
Jesus, please heal
Jesus, please forgive
Jesus, please reveal
Jesus, give us strength
Jesus, make us well
Jesus, help us live
Jesus, give us wealth
Jesus is our safe
Jesus is our rock
Jesus, give us grace
Jesus, keep us safe

The listener is then taken to a beautiful hymn, “God is” (track 8). Here we get to hear Kanye’s singing talent in a beautiful declaration of worship to God alone.

Everything that I felt, praise the Lord
Worship Christ with the best of your portions
I know I won’t forget all He’s done
He’s the strength in this race that I run…

This song is full of beautiful devotion to who God is:

King of Kings, Lord of Lords, all the things He has in store
From the rich to the poor, all are welcome through the door
You won’t ever be the same when you call on Jesus’ name
Listen to the words I’m sayin’, Jesus saved me, now I’m sane
And I know, I know God is the force that picked me up
I know Christ is the fountain that filled my cup
I know God is alive, yeah

It is the perfect setup to track 9, “Hands On.” This is a hope-filled encouragement to persevere in the faith. It is raw in that it recognizes who was accomplishing things when we walked in the old self: “Told the devil that I’m going on a strike. Told the devil when I see him, on sight. I’ve been working for you my whole life.” A Christ-like rebuke of our pharisaical attitudes feels also appropriate here:

Told people God was my mission
What have you been hearin’ from the Christians?
They’ll be the first one to judge me
Make it feel like nobody loves me

His humble conclusion also strikes a refreshing note. He asks that we pray for him.

Yes, I understand your reluctancy, yeah
But I have a request, you see
Don’t throw me up, lay your hands on me
Please, pray for me
Hold myself on death
Hold it down, all fallen down
Somebody pray for me

He’s got my prayers.

“Use this Gospel,” track 10, feels like the beginning of a great commission to share what God has done. This is the passion of every Christian.

Use this gospel for protection
It’s a hard road to Heaven
We call on Your blessings
In the Father, we put our faith
King of the kingdom
Our demons are tremblin’
Holy angels defendin’
In the Father, we put our faith

This message can bring freedom to many. “From the concrete grew a rose,” one rapped line is heard. Isn’t that a beautiful picture of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? He can do the impossible. When we die, we live.

Finally, the whole experience is capped with an anthem declaring “Jesus is Lord” (track 11). Fitting.

Every knee shall bow
Every tongue confess
Jesus is Lord
Jesus is Lord
Every knee shall bow
Every tongue confess
Jesus is Lord
Jesus is Lord

He is. May His name be praised now and forevermore.

—
Mario Diaz, Esq. is CWA’s general counsel. Follow him on Twitter @mariodiazesq.

Oct 11 2019
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CNS News: “LGBT Activists Outside Supreme Court: ‘Trans Women Are Women’”

By | Blog, Feminist / Women's Issues, News and Events, SCOTUS | No Comments

CEO and President Penny Nance spoke with CNS News about Tuesday’s proceedings inside the Supreme Court during a rally on the front steps.

“While the Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday about whether sex discrimination, as codified in the 1964 Civil Rights Act, also applies to sexually fluid people – intersex, transgender — activists protested outside the court proclaiming that sex is not based on biology.

LGBT activists yelled, “trans women are women” and had several speakers lecture on gender diversity. On the other side, the conservative group Concerned Women of America pressed that changing the meaning of “sex” in the Civil Rights Act “would greatly undermine the women’s movement.” They held signs that read, “Sex is not Gender.””

Read the Entire Story and Listen to the Audio Here.

Oct 10 2019
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SCOTUS Rally

Transgender Legislative Petition Before SCOTUS

By | Blog, Case Vault, Family Issues, Feminist / Women's Issues, Legal, News and Events, Religious Liberty, SCOTUS | No Comments

Oral Arguments in R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC

“Aimee Stephens is a transgender woman,” started the argument at the United States Supreme Court in R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC, where Stephens is asking the Court to include “gender identity” within the definition of “sex” discrimination in federal civil rights law (specifically Title VII, the employment context in this case) . With that simple statement David Cole of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), who represented Stephens, glossed over the most important fact to remember in this debate. Aimee Stephens is biologically a man. Aimee undoubtedly feels like a woman and has decided to live as a transgender woman. But the biological fact (reality) remains.

This is why, it is no violation of civil rights, to ask Aimee to use the men’s bathroom or at least to refrain from using the women’s bathroom (in many cases a single stall, private bathroom is available). Aimee is scientifically a man. If someone like Aimee wishes to enter athletic competitions, there is a place for males to compete against other male athletes. For someone like Aimee to demand to compete among female athletes is a great injustice to those who in fact are female.

This is plain for all to see. It is not bigotry.

The reality is most people empathize and even identify with the conflict between Aimee’s biology and psyche at some level. Most people in the U.S. would stand against harassment or beratement directed at Aimee. The great majority would fight against those wishing Aimee harm.

But the reality, once again, is that that is not enough for Aimee and most vocal transgender individuals. In their mind, to say they are not the sex they identify with is to discriminate against them. This is why we are seeing a push for laws that demand we refer to them as the pronoun of their choice.

Mr. Cole at oral arguments tried as hard as he could to say that that was not the issue in the case. He danced around multiple questions from Chief Justice Roberts on the issue of bathrooms, ultimately admitting to Justice Neil Gorsuch that it would be harmful to ask transgenders to follow sex-specific bathroom rules.

JUSTICE GORSUCH: “… but ultimately came to, I believe, a submission that a reasonable person in the transgender plaintiff’s position would be harmed if he or she were fired for failing to follow the bathroom rules or some sort of dress code that’s not otherwise objectionable …”

COLE: “Yeah.”

Mr. Cole’s effort to avoid the issue was so blatant, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, one of the most liberal voice on the Court, called him out on it.

JUSTICE SOTOMAYOR: “Mr. Cole, let’s not avoid the difficult issue, okay? You have a transgender person who rightly is identifying as a woman and wants to use the women’s bedroom, rightly, wrongly, not a moral choice, but this is what they identify with. Their need is genuine. I’m accepting all of that –­

COLE: Yeah.

JUSTICE SOTOMAYOR: –and they want to use the women’s bathroom. But there are other women who are made uncomfortable, and not merely uncomfortable, but who would feel intruded upon if someone who still had male characteristics walked into their bathroom. That’s why we have different bathrooms.

So, the hard question is how do we deal with that? And what in the law will guide judges in balancing those things? That’s really what I think the question is about.

Still, the ACLU attorney refused to acknowledge reality. “Well, that is –that is -­that is a question, Justice Sotomayor. It is not the question in this case.”

That is the sort of unreasonable halt to logic the Court would need to do to go along with the LGBTQ-affirming demands in this case.

Both Justice Samuel Alito and Ruth Bader Ginsburg tried to engage Mr. Cole in the discussion of women’s athletics (under Title IX). Round and round Mr. Cole went to avoid the issue, knowing, as we all do, the disastrous consequences for women if he were to win in this case. There are no consequences according to the way he argued the case. The hundreds of thousands of people expressing concerns, including Judge Gerard Lynch of the Second Circuit are just hysterically overreacting.

Judge Lynch supports LGBTQ protections but acknowledged the text of Title VII does not include sexual orientation and gender identity under the word “sex.” “Congress did no such thing,” he acknowledged painfully in his dissenting opinion on the case.

There was no such consideration on behalf of the arguing attorney, and in fact, there was no such introspection on behalf of the liberal side of the Court. Justice Sotomayor tried to hold it in for most of the argument but finally, let it out at the conclusion of arguments.

JUSTICE SOTOMAYOR: “May I just ask, at what point does a court continue to permit invidious discrimination against groups that, where we have a difference of opinion, we believe the language of the statute is clear. I think Justice Breyer was right that Title VII, the Civil Rights Act, all of our acts were born from the desire to ensure that we treated people equally and not on the basis of invidious reasons.”

Did you notice the shift? The text of the statute means nothing really. Passion rules. It appears Judge Sotomayor is ready to make “sex” mean whatever they feel like, as long as she perceives “invidious reasons.”

Justices Ginsburg, Breyer, Sotomayor and Kagan all seemed open to the idea of manipulating the text as needed. We can only hope they realize the consequences beyond personal passion.

Though there are forceful emotions involved in this case, and even difficult cases left unaddressed where legislation is needed, the judicial action demanded is deference to the legislative branch who has not included sexual orientation and gender identity under Title VII. And, were they to do so, would have to inevitably consider the many examples of significant harm to women’s rights that the LGBTQ-affirming side refuses to acknowledge.

John Bursch, of the Alliance Defending Freedom, who argued on behalf of Harris Funeral Homes, said it plainly, “Treating women and men equally does not mean employers have to treat men as women. That is because sex and transgender status are independent concepts.”

Noel Francisco, arguing as Solicitor General, agreed, “There’s a reason why when Congress wants to prohibit discrimination based on the traits of sexual orientation and gender identity, it lists them separately. It doesn’t define sex as including these traits.”

That should be the end of the inquiry here. This is a legislative matter, not a judicial one, and the Court should resist the temptation to engage in judicial activism, as it has done in the past with disastrous consequences.

—
Mario Diaz, Esq. is CWA’s general counsel. Follow him on Twitter @mariodiazesq.

Oct 09 2019
0

Will Supreme Court Try to Redefine Sex?

By | Blog, LBB, Legal, News and Events, Religious Liberty, SCOTUS | No Comments

Our CEO and President Penny Nance spoke with CBN’s Paul Strand about the Harris case currently before the Supreme Court about the ramifications for women if the definition of “sex” were to change to include gender identity.

“On Tuesday, the US Supreme Court heard three major cases that could affect a wide swath of the American population.

At the core of these cases is what does the word “sex” means when it comes to law. In 1964, when it first became illegal to discriminate on the basis of sex, it meant “male” and “female.”  Now, at least one side in these cases is arguing it should be a bit more complicated: gender identity and sexual orientation should be included.

The cases involve two homosexuals and one transgender fired from their jobs. Gerald Bostock is one of the gay men.

He said outside the court after his case was heard, “Millions and millions of people go to work every day fearful for being fired for who they are, how they identify and who they love. And that’s wrong.””

Watch the entire video and read the full story here:

Oct 08 2019
0

The Daily Caller Interview with our CEO and President Penny Nance

By | Blog, Feminist / Women's Issues, News and Events, SCOTUS, Social / Cultural Issues | No Comments

During the rally on the steps of the Supreme Court for the R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes Inc. v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission case, our CEO and President, Penny Nance, explained exactly why Concerned Women for America was standing up and speaking out for women in an interview with The Daily Caller.

See the original interview here and read more.