In today’s News:
Poll finds Americans say ‘hands off’ religion
First Liberty Institute sent to Sen. Lindsey Graham, chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, the results of a nationwide poll from Mason Dixon Polling & Strategy this week revealing almost two-thirds of Americans believe judicial nominees should not be questioned about their religious beliefs as part of the confirmation process. First Liberty, the nation’s premier law firm dedicated exclusively to religious liberty, commissioned the poll. The poll, conducted by Mason Dixon of likely voters nationwide Oct. 5-7, suggests that 62 percent of respondents view a nominee’s religious beliefs as off limits to examination by the U.S. Senate. The Judiciary Committee’s hearings on the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court starts today.
Prayer asked for Lutherans in Burkina Faso
The International Lutheran Council (ILC) is urging prayer for Lutherans in Burkina Faso, as the church there struggles in the midst of widespread violence and terrorist attacks. The nation of Burkina Faso has faced multiple terrorist attacks over the past five years, with targets ranging from military and police, villages, markets, schools and churches. The United Nations reports that violence in the African nation has led to the displacement of more than one million people as of august 2020 — an increase of more than 453,000 since the beginning of 2020 and a dramatic change from early 2019 when there were 87,000 internally displaced people in the country. Members of the small Evangelical Lutheran Church in Burkina Faso (Église Évangélique Luthérienne du Burkina Faso – EELBF) have not escaped the growing violence. During the past three years, the EELBF has seen 12 of its members killed in terrorist attacks. Several others have disappeared and remain missing. Those wishing to support the work of the EELBF during the current crisis can donate via The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, which has supported work in Burkina Faso since 2000. Gifts should be designated for “mercy work.”
California officials face suit
One Catholic priest has had enough of Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s seemingly endless “state of emergency” and the constitutional violations incurred with the resultant lockdown. Attorneys from the Thomas More Society have filed a lawsuit in California Superior Court against Newsom and 19 other state, county and municipal officials on behalf of Father Trevor Burfitt. Submitted on sept. 29, the case charges each of the named parties with eight distinct violations of Burfitt’s rights under the constitution of California. Burfitt oversees mission churches in Kern, San Bernardino, San Diego and Los Angeles Counties, each of which has been severely restricted during Newsom’s seven-month lockdown of the state of California. These restrictions imposed and enforced by Newsom and the other named officials in the name of covid-19 have severely obstructed the rights of Burfitt and others throughout California, despite the guarantees promised in the state’s constitution. The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief for the constitutional violations committed by Newsom and those under his authority throughout California.
