Podcasts about Alliance Defending Freedom

Laura and Todd sit down with longtime friend Spencer Wetmore, a South Carolina House Representative, where she discusses her background in law and government service, including her family's involvement with the Shannon Faulkner case. She shares her journey from practicing law to getting involved in politics and running for office. Wetmore also talks about her viral videos on TikTok where she passionately speaks about women's reproductive rights. She discusses the recent Supreme Court decision upholding a six-week abortion ban in South Carolina and the potential impact on women. Wetmore criticizes the profit-driven motivations behind these restrictive abortion laws and emphasizes the need for change in public opinion to bring about progress. Wetmore also discusses the trauma that is being mishandled by our government in regards to victims of incest and rape. Key Takeaways:She ran for office after working in government service and wanting to make a difference on the state level.The recent Supreme Court decision upholding a six-week abortion ban in South Carolina is a setback for women's rights and could have traumatic effects on women.Wetmore's experience with the Shannon Faulkner case and her own personal experiences have shaped her passion for women's issues and reproductive rights.National organizations, such as National Right to Life and Alliance Defending Freedom, play a significant role in promoting and drafting restrictive abortion laws.Progress can be made by supporting national organizations fighting for reproductive rights and sharing the stories of those affected by these laws.Links:https://spencerwetmore.comWebsite - https://spencerwetmore.comLaw Firm Website: https://wetmorelawfirm.comFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/SpencerWetmoreforSChouse/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJW1bj6cEgwTwitter – https://twitter.com/RepWetmoreAbuse HotlineCheck out Next Page at www.nextpagepodcast.comFollow us on Instagram @nextpagepodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 213-Part 1: ADF Victories, Part 2: Biden Impeachment InquiryIn the first half of the NCR podcast we are joined by Senior Counsel for Regulatory Litigation at ADF Julie Blake to review some of the recent victories at Alliance Defending Freedom including the FDA lawsuit regarding chemical abortion drugs, as well as what we could be looking at coming up for ADF cases.  In the second half of the podcast the guys discuss the Biden impeachment inquiry.

Full episode transcript HERE. The Feminist Buzzkills are back from break and guess who became more progressive than the USA while we were away? MEXICO, BABY! Their blissfully Amy Coney Barrett-free Supreme Court just DECRIMINALIZED ABORTION NATIONWIDE. It's a huge deal and on this week's pod, Moji and Lizz are sipping margaritas and explaining HOW huge, both for our southern neighbor AND for those of us in Los Estados Unidos. We're also catching you uterus warriors up with this fall's abortion ballot initiative in Ohio and what the fallout will be if the Florida Supreme Court finds abortion is NOT protected in their constitution! PLUS, we're bringing y'all some fabu special guests, as per ushe. What's it like being an abortion provider in Joe Manchin's abortion-less West Virginia? Katie Quiñonez fills us in! The Executive Director of the Women's Health Centers of West Virginia and Maryland delivers the facts on what abobo access in WV looks like, the challenges they've faced while opening their NEW MD clinic, why fake clinics are trash and more!  AND to help us laugh through these shenanigans, the incredible comedian Emma Arnold is in the house! This hilarious TERF-slaying Idaho supermom drops all the knowledge about abortion, intersectional feminism, and... Beekeeping? Yep! You don't wanna miss it!  Times are heavy, but knowledge is power, y'all. We gotchu.  OPERATION SAVE ABORTION: You can still join the 10,000+ womb warriors fighting the patriarchy by listening to our five-part OpSave pod series and Mifepristone Panel by clicking HERE for episodes, your toolkit, marching orders, and more. HOSTS:Lizz Winstead @LizzWinsteadMoji Alawode-El @MojiLocks INTERVIEW CO-HOST:Marie Khan @MjKhan @Midwest_Access_Coalition NEWS DUMPER:Alyssa Al-Dookhi @TheDookness SPECIAL GUESTS: Katie Quiñonez IG/TW: @womenshealthwv & @womenshealthmmdEmma Arnold IG: @emmaarnoldisakeeper  NEWS DUMP:Southwest Airlines Lawyers Have Been Ordered to Get ‘Religious-Liberty Training.'Kansas Awards $2 Million Unplanned-Pregnancy Contract to Group Moored in Anti-abortion PoliticsMontana Abortion Providers Sue Over New License RequirementsAnti-abortion Activist Who Kept Fetuses Is Convicted in Clinic BlockadeMexico Decriminalizes AbortionSplit Ballot Board Approves Reproductive Rights Amendment Summary Written by Ohio SEC. Of StateWith Arguments Coming This Week, a Look at Anti-abortion Views of Some Florida Justices ​GUEST LINKS:Women's Health Center MDWomen's Health Center WVNorthwest Abortion Access FundEmma Arnold's WebsiteEmma's Comedy Album: MyselfEmma's Comedy Album: Abortion. Abortion. Abortion. EPISODE LINKS:FLORIDA: Put Abortion on the Ballot!6 Degrees: Diplo Describes Burning Man Escape With Chris RockEmail your abobo questions to The Feminist BuzzkillsAAF's Abortion-Themed Rage Playlist FOLLOW US:Listen to us ~ FBK PodcastInstagram ~ @AbortionFrontTwitter ~ @AbortionFrontTikTok ~ @AbortionFrontFacebook ~ @AbortionFrontYouTube ~ @AbortionAccessFrontPATREON HERE! Support our work, get exclusive merch and more! DONATE TO AAF HERE!ACTIVIST CALENDAR HERE!VOLUNTEER WITH US HERE!ADOPT-A-CLINIC HERE!EXPOSE FAKE CLINICS HERE!FIND AN ABORTION PROVIDER NEAR YOU HERE!GET ABOBO PILLS FROM PLAN C PILLS HERE! When BS is poppin', we pop off!

John Bursch, Senior Counsel and Vice President of Appellate Advocacy for Alliance Defending Freedom, is sounding the alarm against the LGBT agenda's relentless attacks on marriage and family in his new book, Loving God's Children: The Church and Gender Ideology. Bursch details how the LGBT agenda — especially the transgender movement — threatens the entire Culture of Life. The timeless teachings of the Catholic Church stand unmoved in the battle for the Culture of Life, and Bursch warns faithful Catholics to be committed to family values against the lies and pressure from the left. The time has come to fearlessly uphold Christ's unchanging Truth for marriage and the family, and stand against a destructive LGBT agenda threatening our families, schools, and communities.LOVE LIFESITE? LOVE BEING PRO-LIFE? GET THE FIRST AND ONLY LIMITED EDITION PRO-LIFE SILVER ROUND FROM LIFESITENEWS: https://www.stjosephpartners.com/lifesite-silver-round SHOP ALL YOUR FUN AND FAVORITE LIFESITE MERCH!https://shop.lifesitenews.com/ HELP US FIGHT THE CENSORSHIP OF BIG TECH: https://give.lifesitenews.com/ Connect with us on social media:LifeSite: https://linktr.ee/lifesitenewsJohn-Henry Westen: https://linktr.ee/jhwesten Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lorie Smith is a graphic designer and the founder and owner of 303 Creative. She's also the center of a landmark Supreme Court case regarding freedom of speech—a case she has just won thanks to her perseverance and the hard work of the Alliance Defending Freedom. She joins us to share her story of coming to Christ, developing as an artist and creator, and starting her business. In taking a public stand for religious freedom over the last seven years, Lorie has experienced backlash, hatred, and misrepresentation. But she has also experienced great strength from the Lord and support from His people. Her story of courageous faith displays the faithfulness of God and the role of the Church in helping Christians persevere through difficulty.    Lorie's Website 303 Creative  Alliance Defending Freedom  The Cost of My Faith: How a Decision in My Cake Shop Took Me to the Supreme Court by Jack Phillips      Do you want to confidently share the Christian worldview with people of differing beliefs? Request a copy of Greg Koukl's latest book, Street Smarts, and be equipped to hold fruitful conversations across worldview lines without fear. We'll send you a copy as a thank-you for your gift to the Colson Center this month at colsoncenter.org/swstreetsmarts.  The Strong Women Podcast is a product of the Colson Center which equips Christians to live out their faith with clarity, confidence, and courage in this cultural moment. Through commentaries, podcasts, videos, and more, we help Christians better understand what's happening in the world, and champion what is true and good wherever God has called them.  Learn more about the Colson Center here: https://www.colsoncenter.org/   Visit our website and sign up for our email list so that you can stay up to date on what we are doing here and also receive our monthly book list: https://www.colsoncenter.org/strong-women   Join Strong Women on Social Media:   https://www.facebook.com/StrongWomenCC  https://www.facebook.com/groups/strongwomencommunitycc/  https://www.instagram.com/strongwomencc/ 

The Christian Outlook – September 2, 2023 Scott Furrow and Erik Baptist, senior counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, discuss the legal challenges against the FDA's approval and distribution of the abortion pill, as well as the ethical concerns, and safety issues surrounding it.  Scott Furrow and Nicole Hunt of Focus on the Family talk about the abortion industry's opposition to legislation supporting alternatives to abortion and women's choices for life. Despite claiming to be pro-choice, the industry resists measures that don't align with their profit-driven focus, as seen in examples from Colorado and California. Brian From and Aubrey Sampson invite Michael Graham to discuss his co-authored book, The Great Dechurching: Who's Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back? Georgene Rice talks with Heidi St. John, a homeschool mom of seven, a podcaster, and author of MomStrong 365: A Daily Devotional to Encourage and Empower Everyday Moms., about how everyone has a unique role to play in fulfilling God's purposes, in this time and season in their life. John Hall and Kathy Emmons talk with Grant Horner, a professor at the Master's University in Santa Clarita, California, about how the transgender movement is attempting to erase the way God has designed humanity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"No American should fear that they're going to lose their bank account or their payment processing because of their religious or political views," says Jeremy Tedesco, Senior Counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom. Debanking is the newest form of cancel culture threatening society. Tedesco joined Better for America to shed light on how financial institutions like JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America have taken ESG to a radical level, resulting in the unjust closure of ordinary American accounts based on baseless allegations. This leaves only one logical explanation: They cancel those who express beliefs contrary to the left's desired agenda.

Scott Furrow and Erik Baptist, senior counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, discuss the legal challenges against the FDA's approval and distribution of the abortion pill, as well as the ethical concerns, and safety issues surrounding it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Christian Outlook – August 26, 2023 Bill Bunkley talks with Kris Stout, a leader with the “Word of Life” ministry, about his eventful trip to Ukraine, where he engaged in youth ministry during the ongoing conflict, assisted in relocating orphanages to safer areas, and discussed the necessity of constructing a dual-purpose bomb shelter and gymnasium to comply with government regulations. Scott Furrow and Pastor Greg Laurie discuss the rapid devastation caused by a fire in Lahaina, Maui, and elaborate on their organization's comprehensive plans to assist in rebuilding the community, providing tangible support in the name of Jesus Christ. Georgene Rice and John Bursch, senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, discuss the case of unequal treatment in public messaging in Washington, DC, where Black Lives Matter graffiti was endorsed by the mayor while pro-life activists were arrested for chalking "Black Pre-Born Lives Matter."  Aubrey Sampson and Chris Castaldo, the pastor of New Covenant Church, discuss his book, The Upside Down Kingdom: Wisdom for Life from the Beatitudes, highlighting the counterintuitive nature of the Christian life in the face of suffering and cultural challenges. Kathy Emmons interviews C.J. Williams about his book, The Shadow of Christ in the Book of Lamentations, discussing its unique nature and relevance in times of personal grief and societal challenges, and its valuable teachings on finding hope in the midst of trials and understanding the character of God's faithfulness. Bill Bunkley discusses with Mike Nappa, author of Reflections for the Grieving Soul: Meditations and Scripture for Finding Hope After Loss, about the value of experiencing grief and the importance of having supportive individuals who are willing to walk alongside and offer a constant presence during times of loss and mourning.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Bursch of Alliance Defending Freedom joins to discuss his new book, Loving God's Children: The Church and Gender Ideology, offering a chronology into the current LGBT agenda that was really bolstered by Obergefell v. Hodges, and how we as Catholics can help those suffering with gender dysphoria. We also learn all about a new movie coming to theaters next month, offering a virtual pilgrimage to Israel on a highway of deep historical significance. Travel the path that once felt the footsteps of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, King David--and Jesus in Route 60: The Biblical Highway, Father Roger Landry also offers an inspiring homily for this Sunday's Gospel. Catch the show every Saturday 7amET on EWTN radio!

What's Trending: Trump makes a pit stop at the Fulton County jail, DeSantis made a good enough impression in first debate and Trump speaks at Atlant airport post-arrest.LongForm: Kevin Theriot (Senior Counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom) explains how he's fighting to ensure Cedar Park Church in Bothell doesn't have to violate their religious beliefs by offering abortion services coverage.Quick Hit: Naomi Ishisaka's disturbing and sick Seattle Times columnSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Tennes is the owner of Country Mill Farms. Ryan Tucker serves as senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom. MI farmer free to continue selling apples at East Lansing farmer's market District court rules in favor of Steve Tennes, Country Mill Farms' religious freedom

Does the body have inherent meaning? What happens when different understands of the body collide? How can Catholics respond when this ideology comes up at work and home? In today's episode, I welcome John Bursch, vice president of appellate advocacy for Alliance Defending Freedom, to talk about his new book “Loving God's Children.” In this episode, we discuss why the Church cares about these issues, the need for dialogue, the Church's understanding of the human body, finding meaning in suffering, what the science says about best practices for treating gender dysphoria, and the impact of laws that limit free speech in counseling. If you find this episode helpful, please share it with one person who you think would benefit from it. Also, please consider leaving a rating or writing a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Have thoughts about this episode? Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Websites mentioned in the show: Loving God's Children: The Church and Gender Ideology Alliance Defending Freedom Overcoming Stress and Anxiety Series Use code Sacasa25 to get 25% off

Senior Counsel for Regulatory Litigation at Alliance Defending Freedom, Julie Marie Blake, provided analysis of a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit that the abortion pill could no longer be available by mail and that previous FDA restrictions on its distribution would be reinstated. Implementation depends on review by the U.S. Supreme Court. The ADF website is adflegal.org. 

How does a church community respond when someone comes through the doors who identifies as transgender, or who is struggling with his or her gender identity? What does a response of love look like?According to author-lawyer John Bursch, the “very first response is accompaniment.” “Just like anybody who is suffering in any situation, whether it be a physical situation, a life situation, a mental health issue, to love is to accompany someone, to walk with them, to support them,” says Bursch, author of the new book “Loving God's Children: The Church and Gender Ideology.” Loving someone “doesn't mean giving them support without giving them the truth," he says, because “true love is not just ignoring the deeper stuff and putting a Band-Aid on the surface.”Bursch, vice president of appellate advocacy and senior counsel at the Christian legal organization Alliance Defending Freedom, joins “The Daily Signal Podcast” to explain the practical ways churches can love those who struggle with gender identity, and what theology and science teach us about human sexuality.Enjoy the show! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last month, the Colson Center hosted a conference from Bay Harbor, Michigan on our changing culture. John Stonestreet was joined by Kristin Waggoner from Alliance Defending Freedom and Jim Daly with Focus on the Family to discuss how Christians should respond to everything from critical theory to the Barbie movie.  Find more information on the event and watch the full recording at greatlakessymposium.org.     

Friday, August 18, 2023 Welcome to our Weekend Edition with host Kerby Anderson. His co-hosts are IPI's Dr. Merrill “Buddy” Matthews and from Alliance Defending Freedom, Lathan Watts. Topics for discussion include our first amendment freedoms,  and more. It's a jam-packed show! Join our panel for all the fun and information! Connect with us on […]

We often hear of folks forced to endure “sensitivity training” for holding opinions everyone did five years ago. But, in an unusual turn of events, a U.S. District court judge has ordered corporate lawyers for Southwest Airlines to undergo training with the Alliance Defending Freedom about the nature and importance of religious liberty.  On August 7, a U.S. District Court ruled that Southwest Airlines violated Charlene Carter's rights when they fired her for posting pro-life opinions on her personal social media. The ruling also declared that Southwest notify their flight attendants about protections for their religious views. Southwest did not follow through, and instead notified their flight attendants that the company policy did not violate their religious freedom. To say the least, the judge wasn't happy, ruling that more training was in order and that ADF was the group to provide it.     Not surprisingly, Southwest appealed the decision while media outlets feigned disbelief and expressed outrage. Hopefully the inconsistency will be obvious to everyone. 

On "EWTN News Nightly" tonight: On Friday, President Joe Biden is set to welcome two world leaders to Camp David in northern Maryland. But first he paid his respects to the former First Lady of Pennsylvania. And White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre discussed a new ruling on the abortion drug, mifepristone, stating, "Due to the Supreme Court's stay, mifepristone remains broadly available for now. But if the Fifth Circuit's ruling stands, it will significantly roll back the ability for women in every state to get the health care they need..." Senior Counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, Julie Blake, joins to share her reaction on the ruling and how significant it is. Meanwhile, the Democrat-backed Inflation Reduction Act just celebrated its first anniversary. Police in Pakistan have arrested 129 Muslims following attacks this week on Christian churches and homes. The attacks came following a report that one of the Christian men had desecrated a copy of the Quran. Outreach Director of Aid to the Church in Need, Ed Clancy, joins to let us know how all of this transpired and what the situation is like in Pakistan now. Finally this evening, the new school year is another reminder of the Holy Father's initiative for the classroom. EWTN Vatican Bureau Chief, Andreas Thonhauser recently spoke with a Holy See official about the Pope's Global Compact on Education. Don't miss out on the latest news and analysis from a Catholic perspective. Get EWTN News Nightly delivered to your email: https://ewtn.com/enn EWTN News Nightly | EWTN Anchored by Tracy Sabol, EWTN News Nightly is our daily news and analysis program presenting breaking Catholic News worldwide, top stories, and daily reports from the White House, Capitol Hill, and Rome. Weekdays at 6 & 9 PM EST. ewtn.com

Yes, you read that correctly. This is a classic OA deep dive, in which Liz and Andrew break down a disturbing sanctions order issued by a Trump-appointed judge in Texas who, all on his own, decided to order Southwest Airlines to fly out a bigot from the Alliance Defending Freedom to teach their lawyers how to be bigots.   It's bad. Notes Geidner substack https://www.lawdork.com/p/judge-orders-adf-religious-liberty-training Carter Amended Complaint https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txnd.292215/gov.uscourts.txnd.292215.9.0.pdf Carter Jury verdict https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txnd.292215/gov.uscourts.txnd.292215.348.0.pdf Court Dec. 5, 2022 Order https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txnd.292215/gov.uscourts.txnd.292215.374.0_1.pdf Southwest email of “Recent Court Decision” https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txnd.292215/gov.uscourts.txnd.292215.383.2.pdf Southwest Opposition https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txnd.292215/gov.uscourts.txnd.292215.394.0.pdf SPLC on ADF https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/alliance-defending-freedom ADF intervention brief https://www.splcenter.org/sites/default/files/adf-ap-and-others-v-france-echr-brief.pdf -Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/law -Follow us on Twitter:  @Openargs -Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/openargs/ -For show-related questions, check out the Opening Arguments Wiki, which now has its own Twitter feed!  @oawiki -And finally, remember that you can email us at openarguments@gmail.com

This past June, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision in 303 Creative v. Elenis. That case involved a website designer named Lorie Smith who believed that a provision of the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act violated her rights under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Specifically, Smith believed that CADA compelled her to create speech contrary to her personal convictions. The Supreme Court found in Smith's favor, ruling: “The First Amendment prohibits Colorado from forcing a website designer to creative expressive designs speaking messages with which the designer disagrees.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I'm talking with Kristen Waggoner, who successfully argued Lorie Smith's case before the U.S. Supreme Court. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Kristen Waggoner is CEO, president, and general counsel of Alliance Defending Freedom, the world's largest Christian legal organization. Waggoner and the ADF team serve as legal counsel to The General Council of the Assemblies of God as a part of ADF's church and ministry alliance program. She is an AG layperson. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project. A subscription to Bible Engagement Project equips you with kids curriculum for elementary and preschoolers and small group resources for youth and adults. The curriculum library will give your church a deeper understanding of the Bible and help every age grow in their faith. The resources are available in English and Spanish. Visit BibleEngagementProject.com to download sample lessons.

A daily news briefing from Catholic News Agency, powered by artificial intelligence. Ask your smart speaker to play “Catholic News,” or listen every morning wherever you get podcasts. www.catholicnewsagency.com - Pope Francis changed canon law on Tuesday regarding the governance of Opus Dei and any future personal prelatures. In a motu proprio issued August 8, the pope assimilated the personal prelature to “public clerical associations of pontifical right with the faculty of incardinating clerics.” It also further defined the role of the prelate as a “moderator endowed with the faculties of an ordinary.” The motu proprio modifies canons 295 and 296 of the Code of Canon Law on personal prelatures and immediately entered into force on the day of its publication. The updated canons now state that the statutes that govern a personal prelature can be “approved or issued by the Apostolic See.” To date, the international Catholic organization Opus Dei is the only personal prelature in the Catholic Church. The group's statutes have yet to be approved by the Holy See following its extraordinary congress in April. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255038/pope-francis-changes-canon-law-on-opus-dei-and-any-future-personal-prelatures The father of Jimena, the 16-year-old Spanish World Youth Day pilgrim who reported she recovered her sight during a Mass in Fátima, described the healing as a “gift from the Virgin Mary.” On Saturday, Aug. 5, in Fátima, Portugal, Jimena said she was cured of a serious eye problem — which the doctors called incurable — after completing a novena to Our Lady of the Snows and receiving holy Communion at a Mass. Jimena's father said that “thousands of people” participated in the novena, which really took off. The father explained that “when you take a leap in faith, you don't look back, you only look forward.” https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255042/father-of-girl-reportedly-cured-of-blindness-says-it-was-a-gift-of-the-virgin-to-wyd A Texas judge ordered Southwest Airlines to take religious freedom training from the faith-based legal advocacy organization Alliance Defending Freedom, after the airline failed to inform employees of their freedom to practice their religion. Southwest flight attendant Charlene Carter had been fired by the airline after criticizing the president of her worker's union for attending the pro-abortion Women's March in Washington, DC, in 2017. Carter sued and won a combined $5 million from the airline and the Transport Workers Union Local 556 in the dispute, with the court finding that her speech against the union president was protected under federal statute. She was also subsequently reinstated as a flight attendant for the company. The US District Court for the Northern District of Texas further ordered Southwest to inform its workers that the company “may not discriminate against Southwest flight attendants for their religious practices and beliefs.” In its ruling on Monday, the district court said Southwest “didn't come close to complying with the court's order.” https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/255037/court-orders-lawyers-for-southwest-airlines-to-take-religious-freedom-classes Today, the Church celebrates Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, also known as Saint Edith Stein. Saint Teresa converted from Judaism to Catholicism in the course of her work as a philosopher, and later entered the Carmelite Order. She died in the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz in 1942. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-teresa-benedicta-of-the-cross-edith-stein-557

Dave Ramsey tells The Babylon Bee how to buy things you don't need with money you don't have to impress people you don't like. He talks about when is it okay to use a credit card, self-made millionaires in America, and answers the Bee's famous ten questions. This episode is brought to you by our amazing sponsors: Alliance Defending Freedom - go to https://adflegal.org/donate to start your gift today and make freedom a part of your monthly budget. Tuttle Twins- Your gift will empower a future generation of students to fight for our values and give young people an alternative to socialism they are taught in classrooms: https://secure.libertas.org/ramsey PublicSq- Take control of your money by putting purpose behind every dollar you spend. Download the PublicSq app today or visit https://publicsq.com/ Keep up with Dave Ramsey: https://ramseysolutions.com Watch the podcast ad-free and gain access to exclusive podcast and video content by signing up at https://babylonbee.com/plans?utm_source=YT&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=description

The Alliance Defending Freedom fights for Jesus to come to public school while state officials and doctors use the threat of suicide to manipulate parents and school boards to accept the transgender lie. Plus, a lesson from the Saxon immigrants who started the LCMS.   Mentioned in this episode: Alliance Defending Freedom about Lydia's “Jesus Loves Me” mask adflegal.org/client/lydia-booth Host Rev. Tyrel Bramwell, St. Mark Lutheran Church in Ferndale, California, and author of the book Come in, We are Closed, talks about curious topics to excite the imagination, equip the mind, and comfort the soul with God's ordering of the world in the Law and Gospel. Send him your questions at stmarksferndale.com. You can find his videos at youtube.com/c/tyrelbramwell.

The Christian Outlook – August 5, 2023 Scott Furrow and Nicole Hunt of Focus on the Family discuss how the abortion industry has shifted from being pro-choice to being primarily pro-abortion and is actively fighting against pro-life legislation.  Don Kroah and Christiana Kiefer, an attorney with Alliance Defending Freedom, discuss a West Virginia's women's sports law that was challenged by a male athlete, who has displaced over 100 female athletes from competition. Allistair Begg of Truth For Life discusses the importance of integrity and bravery in addressing challenges like educational chaos, abortion, and societal issues, advocating for truth and standing against falsehoods. Begg contrasts two classes of people: those who believe they can work out the world's problems and those who admit their need for help. He emphasizes the historical, rational, universal, and personal nature of Christianity, highlighting Jesus' role in renewing and perfecting humanity's brokenness.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In hour 2 of The Annie Frey Show, Tyrus, co-host of the Tyrus and Timpf podcast and NWA World Heavyweight Champion joins to discuss how America is viewed by the rest of the world. They then play an interview with Matt Hoffman of the Alliance Defending Freedom organization revolving around the freedom of speech lawsuit at SIUE. 

On "EWTN News Nightly" tonight: As World Youth Day 2023 kicks off in full swing, more than 200,000 young people have arrived in Lisbon, Portugal. As they desire to draw closer to Jesus, they also anticipate Pope Francis' arrival to the grand event. Reporting live is EWTN Vatican Bureau Chief, Andreas Thonhauser, who gives us a glimpse into the current mood and what final preparations are in place to welcome the Holy Father. Meanwhile, as the flow of illegal drugs into the United States continues to skyrocket, deaths from illegal narcotics like Fentanyl have exceeded 100,000. Our Capitol Hill Correspondent, Erik Rosales, reports on how lawmakers are taking steps to stem this Fentanyl flow. Over at the White House, President Joe Biden made a controversial decision to select not Alabama, but Colorado as the U.S. Space Command headquarters location. Some lawmakers say one Senator's hold on Pentagon promotions likely influenced this decision. Our White House Correspondent, Owen Jensen, reports. Alliance Defending Freedom represents Branches Pregnancy Resource Center in a lawsuit challenging Vermont's S-37 legislation against pro-life pregnancy centers. Joining us are Senior Counsel Erin Hawley and Jean Marie Davis, executive director at the pregnancy center. Lastly tonight, with the war in Ukraine displacing more than 11.2 million people, the Diocese of Greensburg has pledged to fund Ukrainian refugees' journeys. Don't miss out on the latest news and analysis from a Catholic perspective. Get EWTN News Nightly delivered to your email: https://ewtn.com/enn

Mathew Hoffman, Legal Counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, joins Marc to discuss the lawsuit brought against SIUE for violating the civil and constitutional rights of graduate student Maggie DeJong.

In the Final hour of the Marc Cox Morning Show: The Dems are bending over Backwards to say Joe Biden didn't do anything wrong by getting on Calls with Hunter  Mathew Hoffman, Legal Counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, joins Marc to discuss the lawsuit he brought against SIUE for shutting down Maggie DeJong's voice  :Danny Define joins Marc to discuss Time Blindness   See You Tomorrow!!

Kristen Waggoner, CEO and President of Alliance Defending Freedom, joins Lisa to discuss the importance of free speech in America and her recent victory in the Supreme Court case 303 Creative LLC vs. Elenis. She highlights the attack on free speech, particularly in cases involving religious beliefs and traditional marriage. Waggoner emphasizes the need to protect the rights of all individuals, regardless of their beliefs, and the dangers of censorship and media distortion. She also addresses the decline in religion and the impact of social media on free speech. Waggoner calls for a return to first principles and the defense of the First Amendment. The Truth with Lisa Boothe is part of the iHeartRadio Podcast Network - new episodes debut every Monday and Thursday.Follow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kristen Waggoner, CEO and President of Alliance Defending Freedom, joins Lisa to discuss the importance of free speech in America and her recent victory in the Supreme Court case 303 Creative LLC vs. Elenis. She highlights the attack on free speech, particularly in cases involving religious beliefs and traditional marriage. Waggoner emphasizes the need to protect the rights of all individuals, regardless of their beliefs, and the dangers of censorship and media distortion. She also addresses the decline in religion and the impact of social media on free speech. Waggoner calls for a return to first principles and the defense of the First Amendment. The Truth with Lisa Boothe is part of the iHeartRadio Podcast Network - new episodes debut every Monday and Thursday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you like listening to Inside the Epicenter, we've got another great show to add to your playlist, The Christian Outlook. We'll be back with a new episode of Inside the Epicenter next week.  In this episode of the podcast:  Don Kroah turns to Frank Pavone of “Priests for Life” to highlight a dark piece of abortion legislation signed by the governor of Maine, Janel Mills. Kevin McCullough talks with Jim Caviezel, the lead actor in the "Sound of Freedom" movie, about the unprecedented amount of sex trafficking around the globe and how everyone needs to see the movie to raise awareness.  Deborah Flora celebrates an enormous First Amendment victory at the Supreme Court with Lori Smith, the website designer of 303 Creative and Kellie Fiedorek, an attorney with  Alliance Defending Freedom. Georgene Rice talks with Wendell Robinson about his book, “Kingdom Moments: Hearing and Responding to the Voice of God.” Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The Christian Outlook – July 29, 2023 Don Kroah turns to Frank Pavone of “Priests for Life” to highlight a dark piece of abortion legislation signed by the governor of Maine, Janel Mills. Kevin McCullough talks with Jim Caviezel, the lead actor in the "Sound of Freedom" movie, about the unprecedented amount of sex trafficking around the globe and how everyone needs to see the movie to raise awareness.  Deborah Flora celebrates an enormous First Amendment victory at the Supreme Court with Lori Smith, the website designer of 303 Creative and Kellie Fiedorek, an attorney with  Alliance Defending Freedom. Georgene Rice talks with Wendell Robinson about his book, “Kingdom Moments: Hearing and Responding to the Voice of God.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On "EWTN News Nightly" tonight: An unclassified FBI document has finally been made public. The document involves an alleged bribary scheme between then Vice President Joe Biden and a Ukrainian oil executive when President Biden's son Hunter was a board member for the oil company. Former President Donald Trump is headed to trial on May 20th, 2024. Prosecutors aimed for December but defense lawyers wanted it "after" the 2024 Presidential election. Now it won't start until well after the Republican nominee is clear but before that person is officially nominated at the Republican National Convention. Meanwhile the White House held a discussion today with AI executives looking for ways to protect the public, as the administration announces it has secured “voluntary commitments…to manage the risks posed by AI.” Last month, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a website designer, Lori Smith, in the case of 303 Creative LLC v Elenis. Jonathan Scruggs of Alliance Defending Freedom joins us to share his unique perspective on the significance and impact of this decision. Lastly tonight, as the Azerbaijani blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh is now in its 7th month, experts are growing increasingly fearful for the Christian majority Armenian enclave. Bishop Mikael Mouradian, head of the Armenian Catholic Church Eparchy of Our Lady of Nareg in the United States, joins us to shed light on the crisis in Armenia. Don't miss out on the latest news and analysis from a Catholic perspective. Get EWTN News Nightly delivered to your email: https://ewtn.com/enn

Jeff Shafer is Director of the Hale Institute. He graduated with honors from the Regent University School of Law in 1995. Early in his legal career, he operated a general practice firm in Cincinnati with a particular emphasis on criminal defense litigation. Thereafter, he practiced in the law partnership of Langdon & Shafer, focusing on elections law and civil constitutional cases. From 2005 to 2020 he served as Senior Counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom at its Washington, D.C. and Scottsdale, Arizona offices. Mr. Shafer has litigated public interest cases in federal and state trial and appellate courts throughout the United States, as well as developing academic and advocacy initiatives on matters of policy concern. Outside of the courtroom, he has addressed a wide array of audiences in academic and community venues, in the US and abroad, on matters of legal and cultural interest. https://www.haleinstitute.org/

Jeff Shafer is Director of the Hale Institute. He graduated with honors from the Regent University School of Law in 1995. Early in his legal career, he operated a general practice firm in Cincinnati with a particular emphasis on criminal defense litigation. Thereafter, he practiced in the law partnership of Langdon & Shafer, focusing on elections law and civil constitutional cases. From 2005 to 2020 he served as Senior Counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom at its Washington, D.C. and Scottsdale, Arizona offices. Mr. Shafer has litigated public interest cases in federal and state trial and appellate courts throughout the United States, as well as developing academic and advocacy initiatives on matters of policy concern. Outside of the courtroom, he has addressed a wide array of audiences in academic and community venues, in the US and abroad, on matters of legal and cultural interest. https://www.haleinstitute.org/

On this episode of "The Federalist Radio Hour," Kristen Waggoner, CEO, president, and general counsel of Alliance Defending Freedom, joins Federalist Culture Editor Emily Jashinsky to break down her recent 303 Creative Supreme Court victory, analyze the corporate media's willfully ignorant reaction to the decision, and discuss the key constitutional dilemmas that could make their way to the forefront of the fight to preserve Americans' rights soon.

On this episode of “The Federalist Radio Hour,” Kristen Waggoner, CEO, president, and general counsel of Alliance Defending Freedom, joins Federalist Culture Editor Emily Jashinsky to break down her recent 303 Creative Supreme Court victory, analyze the corporate media’s willfully ignorant reaction to the decision, and discuss the key constitutional dilemmas that could make their […]

Please join us for the Great Lakes Symposium on Christian Worldview on Thursday, July 27. Sign up to attend live or to join the livestream at ColsonCenter.org/GreatLakes.  _____ When I was growing up, Christians had to wrestle with whether or not our convictions could withstand the threat of ridicule. We'd be asked, “Are you willing to be mocked and made fun of by a professor who doesn't believe in God or a friend trying to tempt you into doing something you know is wrong?” About the worst thing to expect from this was what a friend has called “cocktail party pressure” or getting kicked out of the cool kids' clique.   To be clear, cocktail party pressure was quite effective, though those days seem quaintly in the past. Increasingly, Christians are hated, fired, or otherwise harassed on account of their principles. Particularly bewildering is that the loudest complaints against believers today are for things considered mainstream until just a few years ago.   Just this week, the Alliance Defending Freedom came to the defense of a man in Vermont who was fired after 10 years as a successful snowboarding coach. His crime, as one of ADF's lawyers put it, was “merely expressing his views that males and females are biologically different and questioning the appropriateness of a teenage male competing against teenage females in an athletic competition.” For that, “school district officials unconstitutionally fired him.”  Clearly, the district violated coach David Bloch's First Amendment rights and likely, given the legal track record of the Alliance Defending Freedom, he will be vindicated in the end. Still, this is another example of what feels like a new cultural moment in which the question of Christian courage is in the context of even more tangible pressures.  This context is at the center of a conversation I will be hosting Thursday, July 27 at the fourth annual Great Lakes Symposium on Christian Worldview in Bay Harbor, Michigan. If you happen to be in the area, there's limited space available to join us in person, or you can sign up to join us via livestream. Either way, there is no charge for this conversation featuring two Christians leading the way into this brave new moment: Kristen Waggoner is CEO, president, and general counsel of the Alliance Defending Freedom, and Jim Daly is president and CEO of Focus on the Family. Both are witness to these increased pressures.  For years, Kristen has successfully advanced legal protections and religious liberty by representing courageous Christians such as Jack Phillips and Barronelle Stutzman. Most recently, she represented Lorie Smith of 303 Creative in a landmark victory for free speech at the Supreme Court. However, for her efforts, Kristen has been unfairly attacked and lied about by media outlets, fellow lawyers, and even the Attorney General of Colorado.   Last fall, Focus on the Family's grounds were vandalized by activists. Though not the first time, there was something different about this attack. The perpetrators falsely and unfairly blamed Focus for the then-recent murders at a local Colorado Springs gay club. These accusations have been repeated by media outlets and critics as recently as last week.   This brave new world of hostility is familiar for our brothers and sisters elsewhere, in places like Nigeria, India, and China. Ours are more experiences of a series of horrible moments, such as earlier this year in Nashville. Christians in the West do not fear for their lives. Even so, something has clearly shifted. Calls to tolerate the views of others are about as 1990s these days as talking about abortion being “safe, legal, and rare.” As we've seen in Nashville, it's a perilously small step from the rhetorical games of wanting to punch “literal Nazis” to literally punching those who dare stray from the cultural narrative.   The only way forward for the Christ follower is to commit again to knowing what is true, to commit again to saying and living what is true even if there is a cost, and to say and live what is true in a way that is pleasing to Christ. In other words, faithfulness will involve both the what we believe and the how we'll live it out.   I don't know anyone I'd rather have in this conversation than Kristin Waggoner and Jim Daly. Please join us for the Great Lakes Symposium on Christian Worldview on Thursday, July 27. Sign up to attend live or to join the livestream at ColsonCenter.org/GreatLakes.  This Breakpoint was co-authored by Dr. Timothy D. Padgett. For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org.  

In Part 1 of the podcast we discuss the 303 Creative Victory, with special guest Jake Warner, senior counsel from Alliance Defending Freedom, who was in on the 303 Creative pleadings and was in the U.S. Supreme Court during the oral arguments--what it means, and whether this sets a large enough precedent to protect all other kinds of Christian businesses as well.  In Part 2 the guys talk in depth about The Sound of Freedom Movie, whose success is exploding with now over $85 million taken in since its recent release on July 4th.  It was the #2 movie in America this last weekend, beaten only by the latest Tom Cruise Mission Impossible movie, and will most likely cross $100 million this weekend.  Why is this movie doing so well?  Why is the mainstream media hating on it so much?  What does it say about today's media and Progressive Left that they hate on a movie that exposes child sex trafficking?  What about claims that it's just a "Right-Wing, Q-Anon conspiracy" movie?  Is this a spiritual battle?

A lot of disinformation has been spread about the recent Supreme Court ruling in the case defending a Colorado graphic designer's free speech rights. John and Maria discuss some new thoughts surrounding the ethics of medicine.   — Recommendations — Further Up & Further In The Way of Medicine: Ethics and the Healing Profession by Farr Curlin and Christopher Tollefsen Section 1 - Correcting Misinformation on 303 Creative v. Elenis "The Smearing of Lorie Smith" The Wall Street Journal "Correcting the Record on 303 Creative" Breakpoint Section 2 - What is medicine for? "What is medicine for?" Kristin M Collier   Kristin Collier at the Colson Center National Conference   Section 3 - Further Up and Further In Great Lakes Symposium on Christian Worldview Further Up & Further In

Recently, in the wake of the Supreme Court's important decision in 303 Creative v. Elenis, a lie has been propagated about the case, a lie that purportedly implicates plaintiff Lorie Smith and the Alliance Defending Freedom. Thanks to the willingness of media outlets, public officials, and pundits to repeat these accusations and misrepresent what they mean, this lie has the potential to poison the cultural memory about this critically important case. The accusation is that 303 Creative, the graphic design company at the center of the lawsuit, and ADF invented a fake customer request for a same-sex wedding website and that, because of this deceit, the Court should have never heard the case in the first place.   It's important to correct the record. Many Christians joined with other champions of free speech to celebrate the Supreme Court's decision in the 303 case. However, Christians do not believe that the “ends justify the means.” A win derived out of false witness and deception cannot be celebrated. That's the kind of win that headline after headline has proclaimed. However, that's not what happened here, as Kristen Waggoner, president and general counsel of ADF, and Erin Hawley, senior counsel of ADF, explained this week in The Wall Street Journal.  The origin of the 303 Creative case dates to 2016, when Lorie Smith, who founded the creative design company four years earlier, wanted to include a disclaimer on her website. Hoping to add custom website design for weddings to her menu of services, she wanted to clarify that, as a Christian believer, she could not create custom wedding websites for “same-sex weddings.” Given the hostility the state of Colorado had leveled at cake baker Jack Phillips, Lorie knew that she'd likely be considered in violation of the state's broad anti-discrimination law.   With the help of the Alliance Defending Freedom, Lorie and 303 Creative filed a pre-enforcement challenge, a common legal procedure that allows people to challenge a law before they are penalized under it. This procedure recognizes what should be obvious, that free citizens should not have to first be punished under an unconstitutional law before they are able to challenge its constitutionality.  The day after ADF first filed Lorie's case, Lorie received a request to create a custom wedding website for someone named Stewart, who said he was marrying someone named Mike. ADF included this request as an addendum to 303 Creative's lawsuit, not as the basis for it, in order to demonstrate that Lorie was under real pressure to violate her beliefs.  From the very beginning of Lorie's case—from the federal district court in Colorado where ADF first filed the lawsuit, through the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, all the way to the Supreme Court—each judge acknowledged that Lorie had both the right and the standing to bring her case as a pre-enforcement challenge. As Waggoner and Hawley wrote in The Wall Street Journal, “Every one of the 12 appellate judges who heard the case agreed that Ms. Smith had standing, and none of their opinions even considered whether she received a request for a same-sex wedding website.” However, just days after the Supreme Court ruled that the First Amendment protects Lorie from state coercion and that she cannot be forced to say something that violates her beliefs, a news outlet alleged that the website request Lorie Smith had received was fake. According to the report, a man claiming to be Stewart, whose address and contact information matched what had been submitted in the 2016 request, denied ever making it.  Immediately, the false memory machine was in motion. Multiple news outlets seized on the accusation, suggesting the case was illegitimate. Even being accused of faking anti-Christian discrimination is often functionally sufficient to be convicted in the court of cultural memory.  The most likely scenario, of course, is that the request was made by an activist who either hoped that it would undermine the 303 Creative case or could be held (as it was) and brought out in case of an unfavorable decision. Still, whether the request came from a legitimate customer, an activist, or ChatGPT is irrelevant because the case was always a pre-enforcement challenge. Critics are free to dislike the ruling, in which case they should take it up with the U.S. Constitution. But they can't change the facts. In fact, they are also free to express a lie about the case if they choose, though ironically, that's at least partly due to what the Court ruled that in this case they are committed to undermining.  This Breakpoint was co-authored by Maria Baer. For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org. 

Jessica Bates lost her husband a few years ago in a car wreck. This would be devastating for anyone, but through her grief over her loss, she's decided to open her heart and home to others. As she lacks a husband, she's now reaching out to those who have no parents, trying to adopt children in her home state of Oregon. Mind you, this is in addition to the five children left fatherless by her husband's death. It takes a special love to take in those who need a home. It takes a strong love and a strong heart to do so while raising little ones alone.  You can imagine Jessica's surprise when the state turned her down on ideological grounds. To warrant the state's approval to care for parentless children, she had to sign off on “affirming” any potential adopted child's desire for transgender pronouns, chemical sterilization, and other practices that would have been rightly seen as child abuse just a few years ago.  As the Alliance Defending Freedom said of her case,   Oregon officials are preventing Jessica from adopting a child because of her Christian beliefs—despite the fact that they otherwise accommodate people of different religious and cultural backgrounds and try to pair children with families who are well suited to each other. It's a blatant act of religious discrimination, and it must end.  This ideological enforcement is not an isolated thing. Last year, the governor of Michigan used her veto power to cut from the state budget millions of dollars allocated to help pro-life groups and Christian adoption agencies. It's not enough, apparently, that these groups work to help “the least of these.” To get state funds, they also must toe the party line when it comes to supporting abortion.  In America today, there are nearly 400,000 children in the foster care system and over 100,000 waiting to be adopted. Adoption is a beautiful gift that's close to the heart of Christianity, a legacy of the Church's earliest days when unwanted kids, mostly girls, were left on the trash heap by Roman parents. Christians responded by taking these little ones into their homes.  There's hardly a better picture of who we are in Christ than adoption. As sons and daughters of Adam and Eve, lost through their Fall, we have been brought into the household of God. The Apostle Paul notes in Galatians,  ...born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So, you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.  Drawing on this same beautiful theme, few acts live out this love that God has shown for us than this unique way of loving our neighbor. What better way to reflect the love poured out on us and to realize the restoring work to which our adoptive heavenly Father has called us than to fix what's broken in these little lives?  This is an opportunity to move from outrage to a constructive strategy. If you are in a state that is holding back this Christian love from showing forth in children's hearts, call on your representatives to tell them that this is not the way. Or, wherever you live, think of supporting adoption agencies and awaiting parents with funds and goods to help them bring the homeless into their families. Or, if God calls you in this way, prayerfully consider opening your home and heart to those either in temporary foster care or permanently orphaned.  As Chuck Colson said almost 30 years ago now,  More than ever, we need to work to promote alternatives to abortion, especially adoption. Couples who take in needy infants and selflessly care for them should not be penalized by policies motivated by political correctness.  Working to free potential parents from unwarranted state restrictions and to support them in these adoptions is a clear case where Christian love meets civic duty.  This Breakpoint was co-authored by Dr. Timothy Padgett. For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org. 

Brad analyzes the recent SCOTUS decision ruling that a website designer has the right to refuse to create websites for gay couples. It's the latest attack on equality from the Alliance Defending Freedom. Brad discusses two major components of the case: The lawful expectations of businesses that are open to the public The ways that this opens the door for discrimination against numerous vulnerable groups on the basis of the freedom of speech. Piece by Andrew Seidel: https://religiondispatches.org/dont-be-fooled-todays-supreme-court-decision-gutting-civil-rights-laws-isnt-about-an-individual-who-opposes-same-sex-marriage-as-a-tenet-of-faith/ Piece by Elizabeth Sepper: https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2023-06-30/supreme-court-303-creative-gay-rights-first-amendment-lorie-smith-neil-gorsuch-sonia-sotomayor Piece by David French: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/30/opinion/christians-and-drag-queens.html To Donate: venmo - @straightwhitejc Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/BradleyOnishi Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/straightwhiteamericanjesus Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's new book: https://www.amazon.com/Preparing-War-Extremist-Christian-Nationalism/dp/1506482163 For access to the full Orange Wave series, click here: https://irreverent.supportingcast.fm/products/the-orange-wave-a-history-of-the-religious-right-since-1960 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://swaj.supportingcast.fm

New from the Colson Center!  Interested in the What Would You Say? video project? Subscribe to be notified when new videos are released at whatwouldyousay.org/subscribe. Watch the latest release and explore the full on-demand library!   _   On Friday, the Supreme Court delivered a smashing victory for free speech. Lorie Smith is the founder of 303 Creative, a graphic design company that, among other services, creates custom websites for weddings. Concerned that a Colorado law would force her to design websites for same-sex weddings or take on other projects that would violate her deeply held religious beliefs, Smith filed a pre-enforcement challenge, asking the court to weigh in on whether the law violated her freedom of speech and conscience.  The state decided that Lorie did not have the right to choose which messages she uses her talents to express. It even forbade her, for example, from posting a notice on her website stating she is unable to create websites that express messages contrary to her Christian beliefs, including websites that promote abortion services, celebrate same-sex marriages, or advance a transgender ideology. In July 2021, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Smith and for the state of Colorado.  Friday, on the last day of the 2023 docket, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed that decision and ruled in favor of Lorie Smith. Writing for the majority, Justice Neil Gorsuch, explained:   The First Amendment's protections belong to all, not just to speakers whose motives the government finds worthy. In this case, Colorado seeks to force an individual to speak in ways that align with its views but defy her conscience about a matter of major significance. ... Consistent with the First Amendment, the Nation's answer is tolerance, not coercion. The First Amendment envisions the United States as a rich and complex place where all persons are free to think and speak as they wish, not as the government demands. Colorado cannot deny that promise consistent with the First Amendment.  Kristen Waggoner, general counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom who argued the case before the Court, described the win in a press release:  This is a win for all Americans. The government should no more censor Lorie for speaking consistent with her beliefs about marriage than it should punish an LGBT graphic designer for declining to criticize same-sex marriage. If we desire freedom for ourselves, we must defend it for others.  It's not yet clear what implications this decision will hold for others, such as Colorado cake artist Jack Phillips, who are being forced to choose between their businesses and their deeply held religious beliefs. However, unlike the 2018 Masterpiece Cakeshop case, this decision was far broader and clearly dealt with questions of speech, conscience, and government coercion. In the Masterpiece case, the Supreme Court smacked down the state of Colorado for showing clear and extensive animus toward Jack's faith. The state civil rights commission responded by not only showing similar animus again, but by also allowing and enabling another citizen to harass Jack Phillips, beginning on the same day that Jack's first case was approved to be heard by the Supreme Court, and continuing today.  Already, voices as significant as dissenting Supreme Court justices and major media outlets have reported that, in the 303 Creative decision, the Court has allowed business owners to refuse service for LGBTQ people. That is simply not true. In fact, Justice Gorsuch specifically said as much in his majority opinion.   Justice Sonia Sotomayor, however, repeated that falsehood anyway before articulating a revisionist history of LGBTQ rights. For example, she repeated falsehoods about the murder of Matthew Shepard, wrongly claimed that the Colorado law did not affect Lorie Smith's rights “in any meaningful sense,” and neglected the condition established by Smith that she would not refuse service to anyone because of their sexual orientation.   To the dissent, Justice Gorsuch retorted in the majority opinion, “It is difficult to read the dissent and conclude we are looking at the same case.”  Lorie Smith never asked for the right to refuse service to a particular group of people. She asked not to be forced to produce speech that she did not agree with. That's what the Court affirmed on Friday. It is important that, whenever possible, all Americans who are concerned about the rights of conscience, including the freedom of speech, correct the falsehoods about this decision.  As Lorie Smith said in ADF's press release,  This is a victory not just for me but for all Americans across our great country—for those who share my beliefs and for those who hold different beliefs. Whether you're an LGBT graphic designer, a Jewish calligrapher, an Atheist speechwriter, or a pro-life photographer, the government shouldn't force any of us to say something we don't believe. I love people and work with everyone, including those who identify as LGBT. For me, it's always about what message is requested, never the person requesting. I hope that, regardless of what people think of me or my beliefs, everyone will celebrate that the court upheld the right for each of us to speak freely.  Congratulations to ADF and to Lorie Smith.  This Breakpoint was co-authored by Dr. Heather Peterson. For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org. 

Today we discuss a recent Supreme Court ruling permitting businesses to discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community. It has been alleged that the case was based on a fake document. The Alliance Defending Freedom, a prominent Christian organization, was heavily involved in the case and the Mormon Church submitted an amicus brief supporting the discrimination. Join us as we briefly examine some of this contentious case's facts. LDS Church's Amicus Brief Brenton Erickson – Public Defender Brenton's Linked In Brenton's Tiktok Episode Show Notes Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors! Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox Support us on Patreon Our Platforms: Youtube Patreon Spotify Apple Podcasts Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com  PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117  Social Media: Insta: @mormstories Tiktok: @mormonstoriespodcast Join the Discord

The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 3: In 303 Creative v. Elenis, the Supreme Court ruled that Lori Smith—a Christian web-site designer—is not legally obligated to make wedding websites for same-sex couples. Writing the majority opinion, Justice Neil Gorsuch argues: “Colorado seeks to force an individual to speak in ways that align with its views but defy her conscience about a matter of major significance”…“But, as this Court has long held, the opportunity to think for ourselves and to express those thoughts freely is among our most cherished liberties and part of what keeps our Republic strong.” You can read more about the court's decision here: https://www.nationalreview.com/news/supreme-court-rules-in-favor-of-designer-who-refuses-to-make-same-sex-wedding-websites/ In his concurring opinion in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas wrote: “While I am painfully aware of the social and economic ravages which have befallen my race and all who suffer discrimination, I hold out enduring hope that this country will live up to its principles so clearly enunciated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States: that all men are created equal, are equal citizens, and must be treated equally before the law.” In response to Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's dissent, Thomas argues: “race-infused world view falls flat at each step. Individuals are the sum of their unique experiences, challenges, and accomplishments. What matters is not the barriers they face, but how they choose to confront them. And their race is not to blame for everything—good or bad—that happens in their lives. A contrary, myopic world view based on individuals' skin color to the total exclusion of their personal choices is nothing short of racial determinism.” You can read an abbreviated version of Justice Thomas' concurring opinion here: https://www.dailywire.com/news/read-it-supreme-court-justice-clarence-thomas-delivers-must-read-opinion-in-affirmative-action-ruling and read the court's opinion here: https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/06/supreme-court-decision-in-unc-admissions-case-1.pdf Appearing on Fox News with Lawrence Jones, St. Phillips College biology professor Johnson Varkey revealed that he was fired for teaching that X and Y chromosomes determine gender. Attorney Jonathon Scruggs— Senior counsel and vice president of litigation strategy and the Center for Conscience Initiatives with Alliance Defending Freedom—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss the Supreme Court's decision in 303 Creative v. Elenis which determined that Lori Smith, a Christian web-site designer, is not legally obligated to make wedding websites for same-sex couples. Alliance Defending Freedom provided legal representation for Smith. You can learn more about the case here: https://adflegal.org/case/303-creative-v-elenis Dr. Nicole Saphier—board-certified diagnostic and interventional radiologist, professor at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medical College, & Fox News contributor—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss health news and vaccine hesitancy arising following the COVID-19 vaccine mandates. 6pm Hour: Rich fills-in for Mark Levin!

Attorney Jonathon Scruggs— Senior counsel and vice president of litigation strategy and the Center for Conscience Initiatives with Alliance Defending Freedom—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss the Supreme Court's decision in 303 Creative v. Elenis which determined that Lori Smith, a Christian web-site designer, is not legally obligated to make wedding websites for same-sex couples. Alliance Defending Freedom provided legal representation for Smith. You can learn more about the case here: https://adflegal.org/case/303-creative-v-elenis

It's another day of historic Supreme Court decisions. Megyn Kelly is joined by Judge Amul Thapar, author of "The People's Justice," and Charles C.W Cooke of National Review to discuss the Supreme Court's major decision about the Colorado web designer, how the First Amendment applies to the case, what the landmark decision means for free speech, the massive decision on Biden's "student loan forgiveness" plan, the importance of separation of powers, hysterical reaction from MSNBC, why Justice Clarence Thomas has a "strong black voice" and the horrible smears against him, Biden's "normal court" comment, and more. Then Kristen Waggoner, CEO of Alliance Defending Freedom, joins to discuss her client's victory, how the use of pronouns can be forced speech, what comes next for ADF, and more. And "Chicks on the Right" hosts Amy Jo Clark and Miriam Weaver join to discuss Dylan Mulvaney speaking out about the Bud Light "brand deal," Bud Light's “cowardice" and the problem when companies go woke, alleged sexual assaults in gender-neutral bathrooms, the latest on trans men in women's prisons, how important it is to use your voice, and more.Thapar: https://www.amazon.com/Peoples-Justice-Clarence-Constitutional-Stories/dp/1684514525/Cooke: https://charlescwcooke.comWaggoner: https://adflegal.org/Chicks on the Right: https://chicksonright.com/links/ Follow The Megyn Kelly Show on all social platforms: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/MegynKellyTwitter: http://Twitter.com/MegynKellyShowInstagram: http://Instagram.com/MegynKellyShowFacebook: http://Facebook.com/MegynKellyShow Find out more information at: https://www.devilmaycaremedia.com/megynkellyshow

The Rich Zeoli Show- Full Episode (06/30/2023): 3:05pm- In a six to three decision released on Friday, the Supreme Court rejected the Biden Administration's claim that under the Heroes Act—adopted after the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2002—the executive branch possesses the unilateral authority to erase an estimated $430 billion in student loan debt. Writing the majority opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts explained that, in erasing student loan debt, the White House had attempted to “rewrite” the Heroes Act “from the ground up.” Jess Bavin of The Wall Street Journal summarizes Roberts' argument: “Roberts highlighted the hardship that fell on those who hadn't taken on student debt. Imagine, he said, a high-school graduate who borrowed money to set up a lawn-care business, while a classmate instead went to college on a student loan.” You can read more about the court's decision in Biden v. Nebraska here: https://www.wsj.com/articles/supreme-court-strikes-down-bidens-student-loan-forgiveness-plan-54a1ca7 3:15pm- In 303 Creative v. Elenis, the Supreme Court ruled that Lori Smith—a Christian web-site designer—is not legally obligated to make wedding websites for same-sex couples. Writing the majority opinion, Justice Neil Gorsuch argues: “Colorado seeks to force an individual to speak in ways that align with its views but defy her conscience about a matter of major significance”…“But, as this Court has long held, the opportunity to think for ourselves and to express those thoughts freely is among our most cherished liberties and part of what keeps our Republic strong.” You can read more about the court's decision here: https://www.nationalreview.com/news/supreme-court-rules-in-favor-of-designer-who-refuses-to-make-same-sex-wedding-websites/ 3:30pm- While appearing on MSNBC, GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis claimed that the Supreme Court's decision in 303 Creative v. Elenis provided a “license to discriminate” and accused them of “taking away rights” from LGBTQ+. 3:40pm- Attorney Ilya Shapiro— Director of Constitutional Studies at the Manhattan Institute & Author of “Supreme Disorder: Judicial Nominations and the Politics of America's Highest Court”—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to breakdown the Supreme Court's landmark decisions regarding student-loan forgiveness (Biden v. Nebraska) and religious freedom (303 Creative v. Elenis). 3:50pm- The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board writes of wide-spread delays at the airport over July 4th weekend: “Americans are looking forward to summer vacation and included in the package: A scenic view of the tarmac at LaGuardia airport. The Federal Aviation Administration is blaming travel mayhem this week on thunderstorms, but the underlying reason you'll pay more to arrive late to the beach is decades of government mismanagement.” You can read the full editorial here: https://www.wsj.com/articles/airport-flight-delays-federal-aviation-administration-pete-buttigieg-chuck-schumer-government-7c83f7a2?mod=opinion_lead_pos1 4:05pm- Andy Bloom—President of Andy Bloom Communications & Contributor to Broad + Liberty—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss his most recent editorial, “Don't Let Pennsylvania Replicate the Minnesota Mess.” You can read the full editorial here: https://broadandliberty.com/2023/06/22/andy-bloom-dont-let-pennsylvania-replicate-the-minnesota-mess/ 4:15pm- Following the release of the Supreme Court's decision in the student-loan forgiveness case Biden v. Nebraska, President Joe Biden held a press conference from the Roosevelt Room of the White House where he spoke critically of the court's verdict. At the conclusion of the press briefing, Biden was asked about a State Department report which found the Biden Administration had mishandled the U.S. military's withdrawal from Afghanistan during the summer of 2020. You can read more about the State Department's report here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/06/30/afghanistan-withdrawal-state-department-report/ 4:35pm- At a press conference to address the Supreme Court's decision in Biden v. Nebraska, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said that, while he accepts the court's decision, his department will seek a new method to alleviate the debt burden placed on students. In Biden v. Nebraska the Supreme court rejected the Biden Administration's argument that the executive branch could unilaterally cancel student loan debts via the Heroes Act. 4:50pm- CNN commentator Van Jones referred to the Supreme Court's recent rulings as a “tragedy.” 5:05pm- In 303 Creative v. Elenis, the Supreme Court ruled that Lori Smith—a Christian web-site designer—is not legally obligated to make wedding websites for same-sex couples. Writing the majority opinion, Justice Neil Gorsuch argues: “Colorado seeks to force an individual to speak in ways that align with its views but defy her conscience about a matter of major significance”…“But, as this Court has long held, the opportunity to think for ourselves and to express those thoughts freely is among our most cherished liberties and part of what keeps our Republic strong.” You can read more about the court's decision here: https://www.nationalreview.com/news/supreme-court-rules-in-favor-of-designer-who-refuses-to-make-same-sex-wedding-websites/ 5:15pm- In his concurring opinion in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas wrote: “While I am painfully aware of the social and economic ravages which have befallen my race and all who suffer discrimination, I hold out enduring hope that this country will live up to its principles so clearly enunciated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States: that all men are created equal, are equal citizens, and must be treated equally before the law.” In response to Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's dissent, Thomas argues: “race-infused world view falls flat at each step. Individuals are the sum of their unique experiences, challenges, and accomplishments. What matters is not the barriers they face, but how they choose to confront them. And their race is not to blame for everything—good or bad—that happens in their lives. A contrary, myopic world view based on individuals' skin color to the total exclusion of their personal choices is nothing short of racial determinism.” You can read an abbreviated version of Justice Thomas' concurring opinion here: https://www.dailywire.com/news/read-it-supreme-court-justice-clarence-thomas-delivers-must-read-opinion-in-affirmative-action-ruling and read the court's opinion here: https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/06/supreme-court-decision-in-unc-admissions-case-1.pdf 5:30pm- Appearing on Fox News with Lawrence Jones, St. Phillips College biology professor Johnson Varkey revealed that he was fired for teaching that X and Y chromosomes determine gender. 5:35pm- Attorney Jonathon Scruggs— Senior counsel and vice president of litigation strategy and the Center for Conscience Initiatives with Alliance Defending Freedom—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss the Supreme Court's decision in 303 Creative v. Elenis which determined that Lori Smith, a Christian web-site designer, is not legally obligated to make wedding websites for same-sex couples. Alliance Defending Freedom provided legal representation for Smith. You can learn more about the case here: https://adflegal.org/case/303-creative-v-elenis 5:50pm- Dr. Nicole Saphier—board-certified diagnostic and interventional radiologist, professor at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medical College, & Fox News contributor—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss health news and vaccine hesitancy arising following the COVID-19 vaccine mandates. 6pm Hour: Rich fills-in for Mark Levin!