2018-03-26 Pryer & action

We want to share with you about some alarming upcoming legislation in the state of California. Within the past week, we have been made aware of three upcoming bills concerning same sex attraction and gender identity in children and nonminor dependents. You are receiving this email in an attempt to educate families and ministries connected across California that may be of like-mind on these issues. These bills are troubling to us. Therefore, we have made this uncommon step of broadcasting our concern and encouraging the faith-based community in California to research and contact your assembly members regarding these bills.

Bethel has submitted three formal letters (posted publicly at bethel.com/CAbills) in opposition to AB 1779, AB 2943, and AB 2119. We encourage you to research these bills and act according to the Holy Spirit’s prompting to you. If you still live in the state of California and would like to engage with this issue, please join us by doing the following:

1. Contact the California Assembly Members by this coming Monday, March 26 and lodge your respectful opinion regarding these bills. A brief description of these bills, who to contact, and full instructions are at bethel.com/CAbills. Sending written emails or scanned/faxed letters is most effective.

If sending an email or letter, a simple and effective statement is “My name is [FULL NAME], my address is [FULL ADDRESS]. I’m contacting you to voice my strong opposition against the proposed Assembly Bill [1779, 2943, or 2119].”

2. Also, contact your local California Assembly Member and lodge your opinion regarding these bills. Click here to find out who your local representative is.

3. Share this information with friends or family in California. We also have additional resources such as direct links to the bills and relevant legislation, resources for contacting and engaging with Assembly Members, and other helpful information at bethel.com/CAbills. Feel free to share this information on your social media sites or forward this email to those who may want to be aware and lend their voice.

4. Pray. If you do not live in the state of California, please pray for wisdom for the people of California and our elected officials.

Thank you very much for considering this request. We are grateful to live in this beautiful state where our opinion matters. We have a hope-filled anticipation for California and our prayers are that the Lord would continue to shine His favor on this land.

Blessings,

Bill Johnson, Kris Vallotton, and the Senior Leadership Team
Bethel Church
Redding, CA

P.S. As a 501(c)3 non-profit church and organization, Bethel does not endorse or advocate for any candidates running for local, state, or national offices per IRS guidelines. We are, however, permitted to speak out for or against legislation, as well as encourage people in their civic duties to speak up or vote on particular issues.

Learn More, Read Bills, Suggested Actions >

AB 1779 Relating to Sexual Orientation:
Proposed bill to ban mental health providers from assisting in sexual orientation change efforts for adults under a conservatorship or guardianship who express same sex attraction or gender dysphoria. The bill amends legislation that already prohibits mental health providers from any kind of effort to treat same sex attraction or gender dysphoria in children under the age of 18. (We oppose the bill and the existing legislation.)

AB 2943 Relating to Unlawful Business Practices:
Proposed bill to prohibit resources concerning treatment or ministry in order to reduce or eliminate same sex attraction or gender dysphoria. Essentially, conferences, counseling, teaching, books, or publications, where money is exchanged for the resource, would be prohibited.

AB 2119 Relating to Foster Care:
Proposed bill that mandates that any child in foster care expressing gender identity issues must only be provided counseling and medical services that affirm the gender identity that the child believes they have. Any professionally-guided exploration questioning that belief, or encouraging the child to embrace their biological gender would be prohibited.

Learn More, Read Bills, Suggested Actions >

Bethel Redding • 933 College View Dr • Redding, CA 96003