Here and Now in the U.S.
Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, June 30, 2017 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler
For several years, religious freedom has been the subject of legislation in Georgia, but last year the governor vetoed the only bill that passed, while subsequent bills died in committee. So, religious liberty bills don’t become law in Georgia.
However, the new president of the United States issued an executive order that may have a positive influence on the situation. During the May 4th observance of the National Day of Prayer, President Trump signed that executive order in the Rose Garden. Visitors at the ceremony included two of Evangelist Billy Graham’s children – Franklin Graham and Cissie Graham Lynch. Another Billy Graham daughter, Anne Graham Lotz, was a featured speaker for the National Day of Prayer.
Not only is it significant that Franklin, Cissie and Anne attended the national observance of the Day of Prayer, they were invited into the Oval Office, as well. Those gestures demonstrate the protective attitude toward religion voiced by President Trump, when he said, “We will not allow people of faith to be targeted, bullied or silenced anymore.”
A stark contrast between the new administration and the previous administration is Mr. Trump’s February 22nd reversal of the unacceptable public school directive requiring male and female restrooms and locker rooms to become all-gender facilities, regardless of community values or opposition. Also, the Trump administration did NOT proclaim June to be gay pride month, and the former administration’s transgender policy for the military will NOT be implemented July 1stas previously scheduled, since implementation was delayed, indefinitely. Most vocal requests for delay and a cautious approach came from top officers in the Army and Marines.
The Military Times reported that, without an official directive, the Pentagon, over the winter, quietly rolled back bathroom and locker room access for transgender students in Defense Department schools. Currently, complaints are settled case-by-case after the school principal consults with students, parents and teachers.
In a written statement, an Air Force Academy spokesman said the recent transgender graduates of Defense Department schools will not be commissioned for military service, but will be referred to the civil service.
To undergird these changes, please pray for Truth, wisdom, and courage to prevail in the United States. The Founding Fathers and the colonies faced unique challenges, totally different from today’s issues, but persevered with courage and wisdom to produce a remarkable Constitution and foundational documents for the United States, history’s greatest country. For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.