One of the main talking points of the LGBTQI movement has always been that homosexuality “doesn’t affect anyone.” But only the most blindly naïve person could even utter such a statement with a straight face. In light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling that redefined marriage in all 50 states, one can’t help but wonder what will happen next.

The answer to that question – asked quite a bit in the days leading up to the Court’s ruling – is already being answered. And, just as many feared, it is people of faith that are continuing to be affected by the normalization and legalization of homosexuality.

Take for example a recent story from the state of Kentucky. A veteran prison chaplain in the correctional system was told he would no longer be allowed to serve. The reason? Because he would not sign a letter “promising not to ‘imply or tell LGBTQI juveniles that they are abnormal, deviant, sinful, or that they can or should change their sexual orientation or gender identity.’”

In other words, this Christian volunteer was told he could no longer minister to troubled youth in the correctional system because he refused to deny his faith.

This radical decision – though tragic – is not at all surprising. Christians have continually been subject to discrimination as a result of the ongoing effort to normalize homosexuality. Though we were repeatedly told that no one would be hurt, no one would be affected by legalizing same-sex “marriage” and normalizing homosexuality; we are seeing quite a different reality. Few people, it seems, are even surprised anymore when they hear about a Christian being discriminated against, fined, or fired for refusing to deny or betray their faith. It’s becoming as common as the persecution of Christians in the Middle East; which begs the question of what’s in store for Christians here in America.

What is ironic about this situation is that the state (both Kentucky and in general) has adopted its own set of beliefs and refuses to deny or betray them. By definition the state is adhering to a pagan religious system at the expense of another: Judeo-Christianity.

By refusing to make accommodations for people of faith the state is elevating its own religious dogma above anything else. It is now engaging in the same tyrannical behavior that fueled every great dictator in history. Though we claim to be a country with the right of free speech, clearly that freedom is in danger. As the state gains more power to punish anyone that disagrees with its position, free speech and religious freedom are further endangered.

What is taking place is nothing less than the censorship of Americans adhering to a particular faith. And at what price does this come? For many that have struggled with unwanted same-sex attractions it was the hope of Jesus Christ that freed them. I realize this doesn’t mean everyone has found freedom in Christ, but for those that have, life is infinitely better than it once was. But according to the state, sharing the hope found in Jesus is tantamount to illegal conduct worthy of a government ban.

The result is either no more volunteer chaplains to listen to and pray with troubled youth, or a new breed of chaplains that can do little more than offer a warm smile and encourage the troubled youth in their confusion and sexual deviancy. Is that really the choice we want to offer troubled teens?

Matt Staver of Liberty Counsel said the policy banning chaplains from offering a message of hope in Christ will also prevent them from answering the questions they are asked:

“The policy has such broad language that it literally prevents [the chaplain] from answering questions from children seeking guidance…Suppose “one of the kids tells David he sexually molested his sister and wants to change. Another kid tells David that he was sexually molested by a man when he was younger and he wants to change. What is he supposed to do, not offer them a message of hope?”

Apparently that is exactly what the Kentucky correctional system wants – for chaplains to keep their mouths shut and their beliefs to themselves. Regardless of whether counseling from a biblical perspective might be helpful and turn a child’s life around, it seems being politically correct is far more important.

Unfortunately, we can expect more incidents like this one. This sort of backwards lack of common sense will continue to spread in light of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling. It’s obvious that the ACLU won’t be stepping up in defense of Christians being stripped of their rights. So that leaves us, the American people, to take action to reverse the damage that has been done. We can do that by electing officials that will uphold our rights; and by supporting groups that will defend those rights.

Illinois Family Institute
Faith, Family and Freedom Banquet

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