Tag: ban
What is the Biblical Argument for Prohibiting Transgender Military Service?
Posted on August 22, 2017 in Public Policy, Sexuality by Nathan Cherry
About a year ago former president Obama announced that transgender people could serve openly in the military. The decision was criticized by many saying it would affect unit cohesion and military readiness. Others panned the decision as a drain on tax dollars that would be needed to fund hormone treatments and sex-reassignment surgeries. And of course there were plenty of privacy discussions.
One thing to be clear about in our “everything is a right” culture is that serving in the military is not a right. There’s nothing in the Constitution or the Bill of Rights that says a person has the right to serve in the military. It is a privilege. If serving in the military were a right there would be no entrance requirements and people could not be disqualified based on bad eyesight, diabetes, or any other physical limitation. But, people are disqualified for any number of reasons, which is further evidence that military service is a privilege and not a right.
Can Christians Support a National Travel Ban?
Posted on July 26, 2017 in Public Policy, Theology by Nathan Cherry
My first thought was, “how can Christians think biblically about this issue?”
As I conversed with Christians about this topic it was clear that many are in the same boat I am. We want to be biblical, we want to prioritize the Gospel, and we want to be loving to foreigners coming to America. But, we also want to protect our families and the lives of those around us from people that would seek to do harm.
Let’s establish some basic thoughts and then we can discuss the issue and hopefully come to some conclusions.
Reason #1 for Not Supporting Donald Trump: He is Clueless About Religious Freedom
Posted on May 17, 2016 in Public Policy, Religious Freedom by Nathan Cherry
It seems Donald Trump will be the Republican nominee for the 2016 presidential election. While many are extremely happy about that possibility, I am more concerned than ever about the future of our country.
First of all, let me say that I believe God is alive and well and continuing to be sovereign over all that takes place. As the Bible clearly indicates, God uses rulers (presidents) to bless and to punish nations. How Donald Trump will be used by God should he become president is not for me to prophesy about; I’ll leave that in God’s hands.
However, statements by Trump from a few months ago give me little reason to be excited by his nomination and possible presidency.
It was reported a few months ago that Trump wanted a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States” until elected officials can “figure out what is going on.”
Trump went on to say that he would like to stop all Muslims from entering the country
URGENT: Bill to Ban Dismemberment Abortions Headed to Governor Tomblin
Posted on March 8, 2016 in Life by Nathan Cherry
A bill to ban dismemberment abortions in West Virginia has made it through the legislature and been strongly supported by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. The “West Virginia Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act, SB 10,” is now headed to Governor Tomblin’s desk to approval after passing through the legislature with a 86-13 vote of approval.
The problem is that Governor Tomblin has already shown his lack of support for pro-life laws. Tomblin vetoed a bill to make abortion on unborn children over 20 weeks illegal. Thankfully the legislature over-rode his veto and the bill became law. What Tomblin will do with this new bill designed to further strengthen West Virginia’s defense of the unborn is anyone’s guess.
A recent article carried comments from supporters of the bill from across the state. Each comment recognizes the humanity of the unborn and the absolute barbarity of allowing an unborn child to be torn limb from limb in the womb. The reality that such a procedure is legal anywhere in the world reflects the evil profit for murder mentality that is so pervasive in the abortion industry.
Defenders of the bill said:
UPDATE: West Virginia Senate Approves Bill to Ban Barbaric Abortion Procedure!
Posted on February 23, 2016 in Life by Nathan Cherry
A bill that was making its way through the West Virginia legislature has been approved by a wide margin. The “Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act” (SB 10) had a few detractors but has been passed by the Senate. A recent article states:
“The West Virginia Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act, SB 10, successfully made it through the Senate Health Committee and then received approval in the full Senate today. This bill outlaws a form of abortion that “dismember[s] a living unborn child and extract[s] him or her one piece at a time from the uterus.” This heinous procedure undermines the dignity of all human life, and should be outlawed in West Virginia. In ordinary medical care, doctors have testified that there is no emergency that requires dismembering a living unborn baby.”
The need for a bill of this type should not have to be stated. The fact that it has to be made into law shows how far we’ve come as a society. National Right to Life Director of State Legislation, Mary Spaulding Balch commented on the type of abortion procedure being banned:
“Dismemberment abortion kills a baby by tearing her apart limb from limb…Before the first trimester ends, the unborn child has a beating heart, brain waves, and every organ system in place. Dismemberment abortions occur after the baby has reached these milestones.”
This is good news. If you haven’t already done so; contact your state legislator to encourage their support for this much needed bill. No child should ever have to fear being torn limb from limb. As West Virginians we need to defend the unborn and support this bill.
BOOM! West Virginia Gets It Right By Passing Pro Life Law
Posted on June 1, 2015 in Life by Nathan Cherry
West Virginia has been on a dubious list for a very long time. We were one of just 9 states that had not one single law limiting abortion in any way. What that meant is that anyone could abort a child for any reason up to the moment of birth in West Virginia. And yet West Virginia has always been held as one of the most pro-life states in the country. It doesn’t make any sense.
But the state changed all that by becoming one of 11 states to pass a 20 week abortion bill. This means that abortions beyond the 20 week period without significant medical reason are now illegal. The Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act is a significant step in the right direction in defending the most vulnerable West Virginians.
Despite being vetoed twice by our “pro-life” governor, the State Legislature did the right thing in overriding Gov. Tomblins veto and making sure this important piece of legislation was passed. Now it has become law and West Virginians can be proud of the work of their legislature.
A recent article comments on this new law:
WV Senate President Kessler Tells Gov. Tomblin to Call Special Session to Address 20 Week Abortion Ban
Posted on June 3, 2014 in Life by Nathan Cherry
According to Alliance Alert: West Virginia Senate President Jeff Kessler (D) today added more pressure to the call for a special session to address the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, the bill that Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (D) vetoed at the end of the regular session in March.
Appearing today on MetroNews “Talkline,” Kessler said, “We have a pro-life majority in leadership and I think we can get this issue addressed and put it behind us and move on to other topics that also need to be addressed.”
Gov. Tomblin has said he would again veto the bill, arguing it is unconstitutional. House Speaker Tim Miley again brought up cost. “I don’t believe West Virginia taxpayers will understand why lawmakers would be so eager to quickly return to Charleston at great expense to attempt to pass legislation destined for a long legal battle and a very uncertain future,” he said.
Kessler rebutted both contentions in his appearance on Talkline. Had he thought the law was unconstitutional, Kessler said he wouldn’t have voted for it in the first place.
“Kessler argued the bill already has overwhelming support among legislators and just needs another chance to pass,” according to reporter Shauna Johnson of West Virginia Metro News. Kessler said, “We are going to have a pain capable bill. That’s a given.”
URGENT: West Virginia Legislature Close to Forcing Special Session to Override Veto of Pro Life Bill
Posted on May 27, 2014 in Life by Nathan Cherry
I am pleased to report that news has been circulating that legislators in West Virginia are close to forcing a special session to seek an override to Gov. Tomblin’s veto of the 20 week abortion ban. Pro-lifers throughout the state and across the country were disappointed when Tomblin vetoed the bill for several reasons; least of all is the fact that he consistently claims to be pro-life. But his reasoning, that the bill is unconstitutional, doesn’t hold up considering that other states have passed similar bills that have withstood judicial challenge.
LifeNews.com is reporting: “In a speech Wednesday, House Minority Leader Tim Armstead (R-Kanawha) urged members to sign the petition. He said of Tomlin’s threat to veto, ‘I’m sure it’s a message to the remaining Democratic members to not sign the petition.’ However, Tomblin would have no choice if three-fifths of the members of both houses request it in writing. That means 22 in the Senate and 60 delegates. As of Thursday night, Armstead said it was his understanding that ’54 delegates and 23 senators had signed the petition,’ the Charleston Gazette reported.”
People Might Call Me Names for Agreeing With Donald Sterling
Posted on May 22, 2014 in Public Policy, Religious Freedom by Nathan Cherry
I like this move by Donald Sterling.
I know saying that might make some people angry. Some might even call me names or believe that I am racists or that I support racism. But nothing is further from the truth. Here’s why I agree with Sterling.
It seems redundant at this point to say it again, but let me be clear: I do not condone racism of any kind. That includes black on white racism that is often ignored by media and activists. Racism of any kind is an evil disease in our country that needs to die.
So here is where we’re at concerning Donald Sterling.
What Other States Are Doing That West Virginia is Not
Posted on May 10, 2014 in Life by Nathan Cherry
West Virginia is a great place to live, once you get used to its quirky ways. But one thing that is hard to ever get used to is how behind West Virginia is regarding many social issues and public policies. A good example of that is the 20 week abortion bill that passed our state legislature with an overwhelmingly bi-partisan support only to be vetoed by our governor. Gov. Tomblin’s reason for vetoing the bill? He said he wasn’t sure that it was constitutional.
Well, that’s just a lame excuse used to cover up some political strategy aimed at advancing Tomblin’s career. After all, Tomblin has to first take care of himself rather than the people he serves and the unborn children being killed each and every day. But just in case Tomblin is still living in denial and believing he did the right thing, let’s take a look at what some other states are doing to protect the unborn.
Mississippi governor signs 18-week abortion ban, one of nation’s most restrictive: “Mississippi has passed one of the nation’s most restrictive abortion laws after Governor Phil Bryant signed a bill banning most abortions at 18 weeks’ gestation, or 20 weeks after a woman’s last menstrual period. House Bill 1400, which will take effect on July 1, allows an abortion if a woman would likely die or face permanent injury as a result of the pregnancy. It also has an exception for when an unborn baby has severe abnormalities, but no rape or incest exceptions. Bryant, who has said he wants to ban all abortions in his state, signed the bill into law on Wednesday despite heavy criticism from Democrats and abortion providers.”