No Images? Click here

The Weekly is a highlight of the work the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission is doing to strengthen you and our churches for God’s glory.

Explainer: What you should know about Section 230

What just happened?

President Trump is considering issuing an executive order that would put the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in charge of determining how Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and other large tech companies curate what appears on their websites.

The change would radically alter the protections afforded to companies under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a part of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (see below for an explanation of Section 230).

In the Senate, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has called for the Section 230 to be repealed altogether. “Right now, big tech enjoys an immunity from liability on the assumption they would be neutral and fair,” said Cruz. “If they’re not going to be neutral and fair, if they’re going to be biased, we should repeal the immunity from liability so they should be liable like the rest of us.”

Similarly, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., introduced a bill that would eliminate Section 230 protections for big tech platforms unless they could prove their political neutrality to the Federal Trade Commission every two years. ““With Section 230, tech companies get a sweetheart deal that no other industry enjoys: complete exemption from traditional publisher liability in exchange for providing a forum free of political censorship,” said Senator Hawley. “Unfortunately, and unsurprisingly, big tech has failed to hold up its end of the bargain.”

This Week at the ERLC

Dan Darling appeared on Equipped with Chris Brooks to talk about Christians leaving the faith and WORLD Radio to discuss human dignity.

What You Need to Know

Around the world, 245 million Christians are facing persecution for their faith in Christ. How can those of us in the U.S. respond to this fact? Linda Lowry from Open Doors opens our eyes to this reality and gives practical ways we can support our persecuted family. Read her article here.

Global persecution is part of the enemy’s plan to defeat the Church. Scripture clearly tells us we have an enemy that prowls like a lion, seeking to kill and destroy (1 Pet. 5:8). When Christians are attacked, ostracized, falsely accused, imprisoned, or killed, it’s because they have chosen to bear the name of Jesus.

Dan Darling writes about how we have an incredible opportunity to share the gospel in a post-Christian culture. Read his encouraging article here.

Evangelism is the one topic that is guaranteed to get the most amens in church and yet produces the most fear and guilt in those of us called to share the good news of the gospel. And today, in an increasingly post-Christian culture, the job of fulfilling the Great Commission seems more impossible than it was a generation ago. But there is good news for Christians: the same Holy Spirit who empowered the first-century Church and breathed life into every generation of the Church since is still active today.

Randy Davis, president of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, advocates for life and shared a passionate message promoting pro-life legislation with the Senate Study Committee. Read it in its entirety here.

It was a shocking scene. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo stood at the podium defiantly poking his finger toward his audience; the audience responding with enthusiastic cheers. He had just signed into law one of the most comprehensive pro-abortion bills in our nation’s history. I thought, “God help us. That man has just signed the death sentence of thousands upon thousands of children.” I’ll never forget the disbelief, devastation, and disgust I felt in that moment.

News From Capitol Hill

With Congress in August recess, the ERLC policy team takes a break on the Capitol Conversations podcast from our usual policy focused conversations to bring you a new series, August Profiles, where the team interviews leaders we admire. These men and women are shaping the world of Christian political engagement.

Featured Podcasts

On Signposts, Russell Moore is joined by Palmer Theological Seminary professor Ron J. Sider, founder and president emeritus of Evangelicals for Social Action. In this conversation, they talk about the importance of integrity for starting, maintaining, and ending a ministry. They also discuss the danger in viewing people based on what they can do for us, rather than through the lens of the gospel. Tune in here.

From The Public Square

Planned Parenthood pulls out of family planning program over Trump abortion rule
Alice Miranda Ollstein, Politico

Planned Parenthood made good Monday on months of threats to pull out of the Title X federal family planning program rather than comply with a new Trump administration rule barring federally funded clinics from referring patients to abortion providers.

Pro-Life and Pro-Choice Clinics Have the Same Adoption Referral Rate: 1%
Griffin Paul Jackson, Christianity Today

Why adoption has become a less popular option.

Assisted Suicide: The Ethics, the Laws, and the Dangers
Richard M. Doerflinger, Public Discourse

The people most harmed by this agenda are seriously ill people hearing from society and physicians that death by overdose will end their problems.

4 Questions: David Ayers on Sex and the Single Evangelical
Joe Carter, TGC

Despite the clear instruction in the Bible, sex outside of marriage has become increasingly morally acceptable among young evangelicals. That’s one of the findings in a new research brief for the Institute of Family Studies produced by sociologist David J. Ayers.