ACR 99: CA Lawmakers Forcing Pastors to Embrace LGBTQ Ideology.
Attack on 1st Amendment. No Freedom
Azusa Pacific University Chaplain and the former head of the National Association of Evangelicals, Dr. Kevin Mannoia, shocked Christian leaders last week when he testified in favor of a California resolution directing pastors and counselors to affirm LGBT identities and behavior.
California Assemblyman Evan Low and three dozen other lawmakers are pushing a resolution in the state Assembly Judiciary Committee that's aimed at telling religious leaders in California what they should preach from their pulpits.
The California Family Council reports that Assembly Concurrent Resolution 99 (ACR 99) calls on "counselors, pastors, religious workers, educators" and institutions with "great moral influence" to stop perpetuating the idea that something is wrong with LGBT identities or sexual behavior. ACR 99 also condemns attempts to change unwanted same-sex attraction or gender confusion as "unethical," "harmful," and leading to high rates of suicide.
Two formerly gay individuals, Pastors Ken Williams and Elizabeth Woning, argue against the resolution, calling it "discriminatory" against people like themselves, who overcame suicidal thoughts by following their faith away from their LGBT identities. They now lead a ministry called Equipped to Love that helps others like them to find health and wholeness.
"For us, walking out our faith with biblical conviction means life and hope. Our faith has saved us from suicide and given us freedom to live with clear consciences," Woning said.
"We too would like to be acknowledged and affirmed...Instead, activists attack our efforts to care for like-minded friends by promoting dangerous counseling restrictions and stifling our free speech," she added.
Williams feels the same way. "For years, I believed that even God hated me because of my behavior," he said. "But in my early 20s, I encountered a God who loved me despite my sins and temptations. Today, I love my life. I have been married to my beautiful wife for 13 years, and we have created four incredible children together. To someone like me, California Assemblyman Evan Low's proposed resolution, ACR-99, feels like an unfair and direct attack."
Despite Low's claim that this resolution has the support of some California religious leaders, other pastors and religious leaders with a traditional view on gender and sexuality are publicly opposing ACR 99.
Azusa Pacific University Chaplain and the former head of the National Association of Evangelicals, Dr. Kevin Mannoia, shocked Christian leaders last week when he testified in favor of a California resolution directing pastors and counselors to affirm LGBT identities and behavior. Assembly Concurrent Resolution 99, authored by Assemblyman Evan Low, calls on “counselors, pastors, religious workers, educators” and institutions with “great moral influence” to stop perpetuating the idea that something is wrong with being LGBT. ACR 99 also condemns attempts to change unwanted same-sex attraction or gender confusion as “unethical,” “harmful,” and leading to high LGBT suicide rates.
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE PASSES RESOLUTION BLAMING "RELIGIOUS GROUPS" FOR
HOMOSEXUAL, TRANSGENDER SUICIDES
republished below in full unedited for informational, educational and research purposes:
The California legislature continues to take more steps to counter Christianity, and religion in general, with is recent passage of ACR 99. The resolution — which is a direct affront on the Biblical teachings pertaining to sexuality and the need for men to repent, believe the gospel and follow Christ — blames “religious groups” for the “disproportionately high rates” of suicide among homosexuals and so-called transgenders.The resolution enrolled on September 12, which is entitled, “ACR 99, Low. Civil rights: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer people,” formally declares that homosexuality and transgenderism are “part of natural variations that occur in sexual orientation and gender identity.”ACR 99 formalizes the official position of the state legislature in condemning the counseling of individuals to change from living homosexual or transgender lifestyles, citing that such actions have resulted in suicides apart from declaring that such lifestyles are “natural variations.”“The stigma associated with being LGBTQ often created by groups in society, including therapists and religious groups, has caused disproportionately high rates of suicide, attempted suicide, depression, rejection, and isolation amongst LGBTQ and questioning individuals,” the resolution states.The formal declaration calls upon pastors, religious workers and others to denounce what it considers anti-LGBTQ “stigma” and work toward acceptance and affirmation of those living outside of the Biblical parameters of sexuality.“That in addressing the stigma often associated with persons who identify as LGBTQ, we call on the people of California–especially its counselors, pastors, religious workers, educators, and legislators–and the institutions of California with great moral influence–especially its churches, universities, colleges, and other schools, counseling centers, activist groups, and religious centers–to model equitable treatment of all people of the state,” the resolution reads.Read full resolution here.The Bible teaches in Romans 3:23 that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” and in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 the Scripture states that homosexuals, among others, “will not inherit the kingdom of God,” but in verse 11 offers hope that through repentance and faith in Christ they can be saved.“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God,” 1 Corinthians 6:11declares.The principal assembly members who co-authored the resolution include: Sabrina Cervantes, Susan Talamantes Eggman and Todd Gloria, along with the principal senator co-authors: Toni G. Atkins, James Thomas Beall Jr., Cathleen Galgiani, Lena Gonzalez, Mike McGuire, Richard Pan, Anthony Portantino, Henry Stern, Tom Umberg, Bob Wieckowski and Scott Wiener. All are elected Democrats.The resolution passed California’s Senate with a 29-7 vote on September 4, and the state Assembly with a 61-11 vote on September 9._____________________________________________________________THE BACKLASH:
California's LGBTQ ACR 99 vs. the Bible The legislature of the State of California has put forward Assembly Concurrent Resolution 99 which essentially endorses the LGBTQ agenda. Basically it claims that certain secular experts believe that their ideas on these matters is best for all and that no one should make efforts to disagree. Beyond that, it instructs pastors, churches, religious workers, and others with "great moral authority" to endorse their objectives. But what does the Bible teach about sexual and other practices that the LGBTQ crowd endorses. Should Christians and others condemn or condone the LGBTQ agenda? Does the Bible teach Christians should accept or condemn aspects of the LGBTQ agenda? Why were Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed? Dr. Thiel addresses these matters and more through citing numerous scriptures on aspects of biblical morality. A written article of related interest is available titled "The State of California claims it knows things that the Bible says it cannot with ACR-99 " URL: https://www.cogwriter.com/news/doctri...
