Generations Yet Unborn Are Counting on Us

I have waited until now to respond to events surrounding the Presidential Election.

The Bible says in James 1:19-20:

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” (KJV)

I have been listening and waiting to speak. I am no longer angry—just very sad.

No matter how frustrated we are with the election, the media, the cancel culture, the riots all year long, and what happened at our Capitol on Wednesday, violence and destruction are not the answer. We must maintain the rule of law; otherwise our republic will fall. The people who committed violence in and around our nation’s Capitol will have to answer to the rule of law, and I expect justice to be served.

Holding lawbreakers accountable is much easier than restoring confidence in our institutions such as honesty in our elections, integrity in those we elect, trust in the news we hear, and the belief that God-given human rights will be protected by our government rather than trampled by it. This will take work.

Those who enlist in the military, members of congress, and others pledge an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies both foreign and domestic. That oath is not to any person, political party, or group. As Americans, that Constitution belongs to each of us, and its principles guide our laws and protect our God-given rights. Defending it is not just a nice thing to do—our very survival as a people, a culture, and a nation depends on it.

America has been under constant attack from the day our forefathers signed the Declaration of Independence until today. Foreign powers have tried to destroy us. Internal forces have tried to change us. We all know that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance. When those before us handed us this republic, it wasn’t on a silver platter. Instead it was on a platter stained with blood, sweat, and tears from thousands of patriots down through the years. Indeed, they left it up to us to keep it.

Over 30 years ago I was led by God to launch Family Council. I saw the decay in our culture, our nation, and our government. As today, there was a need to promote traditional family values—defend the unborn—support religious liberty—and bring biblical values into the halls of government. By the grace of God, I have done so, and by His grace I plan to continue.

Now is the time for good people, especially Christians, to stand up and be heard, to be counted, to be strong, and to take action. The halls of government need you. Our institutions need our honesty and integrity. Freedom is only found in Jesus Christ. Please don’t hide that light under a bushel. Let is shine everywhere so all can see. Nothing else will do. It will take sacrifice, but it will be worth it. Generations yet unborn are counting on us.

Image Sourced From C-SPAN.

Legislation We’re Watching: Hate Crimes, Contraceptives, Abortion, and More

A number of bills have been pre-filed ahead of the 2021 legislative session in Arkansas.

Here are a few of the bills that Family Council is watching.

Good Bills Filed

S.B. 6 (Prohibiting Abortion): This good bill by Sen. Jason Rapert (R – Conway) and Rep. Mary Bentley (R – Perryville) prohibits abortion in Arkansas, except in cases when the mother’s life is in jeopardy. Family Council fully supports this good bill. Read The Bill Here.

Bad Bills Filed

S.B. 3 (Enacting Hate Crimes Legislation): This bad bill by Sen. Jim Hendren (R – Gravette) and Rep. Fred Love (D – Little Rock) enacts hate crimes legislation by enhancing penalties for crimes committed against certain protected classes of people listed in the bill. The bill is virtually identical to H.B. 1020. Family Council has opposed hate crimes legislation for more than 20 years, and we oppose this bill as well. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1020 (Enacting Hate Crimes Legislation): This bad bill by Rep. Fred Love (D – Little Rock) and Sen. Jim Hendren (R – Gravette) enacts hate crimes legislation by enhancing penalties for crimes committed against certain protected classes of people listed in the bill. The bill is virtually identical to S.B. 3. Family Council has opposed hate crimes legislation for more than 20 years, and we oppose this bill as well. Read The Bill Here.

H.B. 1069  (Contraceptives): This bill by Rep. Aaron Pilkington (R – Clarksville) and Sen. Breanne Davis (R – Russellville) lets pharmacists dispense oral contraceptives to women without a prescription from a doctor. Oral contraceptives carry a number of health risks — which is why women currently need a prescription from a doctor — and they can cause the death of an unborn child by preventing the unborn child from implanting and growing inside the mother’s womb. Family Council opposes H.B. 1069. Read The Bill Here.

Other Bills We’re Watching

H.B. 1066 (Alcohol): This bill by Rep. Aaron Pilkington (R – Clarksville) would let microbrewery operators ship beer directly to private residences anywhere in the state of Arkansas or to residences in other states that allow direct shipment of alcohol. Read The Bill Here.

S.B. 32 (Alcohol): This bill by Sen. Jane English (R – North Little Rock) and Rep. Karilyn Brown (R – Sherwood) would let retail liquor permitholders — such as liquor stores — deliver alcoholic beverages to private residences in the county where the store is located. Read The Bill Here.