Explainer: Senate considers Equality Act

On Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the Equality Act. The ERLC submitted written testimony for the hearing’s official public record opposing the bill.

Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of a controversial bill. The vote was 224-206, with all Democrats and three Republicans voting in favor of the legislation. On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D–N.Y.) used a Senate rule called “Rule 14” that allows a bill to bypass a Senate committee and be placed directly on the Senate Calendar of Business. This means that, even though the Judiciary Committee held a hearing today, Leader Schumer could bring H.R. 5 to the floor at any point.

Tragedy in Atlanta

The brutal murders of eight people in Georgia this week were shocking and horrifying. Two details that emerged about this tragedy were particularly disturbing. The first was that six of the victims were women of Asian descent. For some time, there has been a rising tide of violence and rhetoric directed toward Asian-Americans. The suspect has said that he was not motivated by racism. Regardless, in the aftermath of the shootings many Asian-Americans are justifiably hurting and afraid.

The second detail that emerged was that the shooter had been a member of a Southern Baptist church. (A statement from the church is available here). As Southern Baptists, we unequivocally denounce these heinous and wicked actions. The gospel of Jesus Christ stands against every kind of racist act. The senseless murder of precious human beings made in the image if God is unconscionable and unthinkable. We grieve for the loss of life and express our sorrow and support for Asian-Americans and all of those affected by this awful tragedy.

In response to the shootings, Russell Moore released the following quote to the Washington Post:

“These murders are shocking and repulsive. The killer should be brought to justice, and the roots of this violence should be made known as soon as it is revealed to investigators. While I do not yet know the reports from law enforcement as to the motives in this particular case, I am hearing increasingly from Asian-Americans, including Asian-American Christians, who face escalating bigotry against them in this sick time. Such is immoral and unjust.

Every murderer should be held accountable for justice. Christians must also lead the way in refusing to listen to and refusing to amplify the voices of those who would incite hatred against minority populations. Jesus has taught us this: hatred in the heart leads, in the fullness of time, to bloodshed. We should stand against that.”

This Week at the ERLC

What You Need to Read

Jordan Wooten with Does the value of children depend on their usefulness? Children are a gift, not a liability

We live in an “enlightened” generation so confused as to suggest that being fruitful and multiplying is more harmful than it is blessed. But we are not called to weigh the pros and cons of a child’s carbon footprint before we consider the unchanging words of God. This sort of equational logic has no place in ascribing value to a child.

Policy Staff with Explainer: The crisis unaccompanied minors are facing at the border

Today, both the strain on border facilities and the woes facing these kids are distressingly familiar to what our nation has seen too many times. This 2021 crisis is yet another result of the dysfunctional immigration system in the U.S. that Congress has refused to reform for decades.

David Dunham with Why addicts must learn to practice honesty: Deception’s role in aiding addiction

Deception allows an addicted individual to maintain their habit. Exposure will require those who love them to intervene, take steps to help, confront, and issue consequence. But, secrecy, hiding, manipulation, and outright lying become necessary if an addict hopes to keep up the habit.

News From Capitol Hill

On Wednesday, March 17, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on H.R. 5, the Equality Act and the ERLC submitted written testimony, which you can read here.

The ERLC has often referred to the Equality Act as misleadingly named because it seeks to achieve its aims by undermining fundamental freedoms of conscience and religious liberty and the biological distinctions of sex.

H.R. 5 is out of step with the basic American ideal of tolerance — where neighbors can respect one another and work together toward the common good, even when they disagree. Since it was first introduced in the last Congress, the ERLC has actively engaged with lawmakers on the harms this bill would create. The Senate hearing was an important marker in the public debate.

The ERLC policy team compiled the key quotes from the Congressional members and two of the witnesses. You can read that article here.

For more on H.R. 5, the Equality Act, check out this resource page with all of the ERLC articles, podcast episodes, and our policy brief on this problematic legislation.

Featured Podcasts

How should we think about the ethics of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine? Russell Moore joins Jeff Pickering, Chelsea Patterson Sobolik, and Travis Wussow to explain why it is ethical to take this shot and why pro-life Christians should take the vaccine to help preserve life and end the pandemic suffering.

On WeeklyTech, ERLC Chair of Research in Christian Ethics Josh Wester joins Jason Thacker to talk about Amazon, book removals, and content moderation. Jason and Josh discuss Ryan Anderson’s book “When Harry became Sally” being removed from Amazon as well as some of the underlying issues related to digital governance and questions surrounding Section 230.

From The Public Square

Vatican bars gay union blessing, says God ‘can’t bless sin’
Associated Press

The Vatican’s orthodoxy office, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, issued a formal response to a question about whether Catholic clergy have the authority to bless gay unions. The answer, contained in a two-page explanation published in seven languages and approved by Pope Francis, was “negative.”

Anti-abortion bills abound; their fate in court is unknown
Associated Press

At an intense pace, lawmakers in Republican-governed states are considering an array of tough anti-abortion restrictions they hope might reach the Supreme Court and win approval from its conservative majority.

Record number of state bills in 2021 impact transgender rights, advocacy group says
ABC News

State legislators have filed a record number of bills this year that would impact the rights of transgender people, according to an LGBTQ advocacy group.

Malaysian Christians Can Call God ‘Allah,’ Rules High Court
Associated Press

A Malaysian court ruled Wednesday that non-Muslims can use the word Allah to refer to God, in a major decision in a divisive issue for religious freedom in the Muslim-majority country.