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Texans Respond to Liberal #BanTheBible Bill Efforts

February 7, 2019

Austin, Texas – After Texas Values Action sounded the alarm on Democrat bills filed before the Texas Legislature that would effectively #BanTheBible, conservatives from across Texas and around the country have responded in force. Through our action center at NoBibleBan.com Texans have sent over 37,000 messages and phone calls to the Governor, Lt. Governor, State Senators, and State House members. These efforts have garnered attention from national news agencies and high profile bloggers. Conservative commentator Erick Erickson discussed the issue, The Federalist and Empower Texans published blog pieces about it, PJ Media, LifeSite News, CBN, One News Now, The Stream and many others also wrote about these highly controversial bills.

Despite this overwhelming support to stop #BanTheBible Bills, some are not getting the message. More #BanTheBible bills; such as HB 978 and HB 1190 were introduced shortly after Texas Values Action called attention to the first round of #BanTheBible bills. And just this week Carrolton, Texas passed a #BanTheBible ordinance.

Hiding under the disguise of “sexual orientation and gender identity” these bills would create new government power and protections which ban the free expression of Biblical beliefs, especially it’s teaching on marriage and sexuality. Numerous bills seek to ban religious beliefs and force people of faith to conform to the personal and political activities of others. Those who do not comply will face fines, possible jail time, or other criminal charges.

Jonathan Saenz, President of Texas Values, said “These ‘Ban the Bible’ bills at the Texas Legislature are an aggressive effort to create excessive government control over peoples’ lives. Creating more government control and threatening Christians with jail time or fines is putting personal politics over constitutional liberty.”

Ann Hettinger, State Director for CWALAC of Texas, said “Any inclusion of men in women’s private spaces is a gross violation of their privacy and safety. It is the job of every legislator to protect Texas women and we strongly oppose these ‘Ban the Bible’ bills.”

Many of the #BanTheBible bills before the Texas Legislature are authored by members of the new LGBT Caucus, which has claimed to unveil a “transformative” agenda. This agenda doesn’t seem to include any of the bi-partisan issues Gov. Abbott and State Leaders are ready to work on, like school finance or property tax reform. Instead, they bring divisive legislation to criminalize Christians and people of faith.

HB 978 by Rep. Beckley continues the attacks on Christian views of the family by:

  • Eliminating the words man and woman throughout the Family Code when discussing marriage.
  • Eliminates the words husband and wife when discussing marriage.
  • Eliminates mother and father when discussing both parents in a male/female marriage.
  • Deletes “father child relationship” in relation to a section of code that says father child relationships may not be determined at birth when issuing a birth certificate. Instead, the code will read that “parent child relationship” may not be determined at birth.
  • Deletes the term “husband” from the Health and Safety Code Section 2.06, in regards to female patients, and instead adds the term “male spouse.”

HB 1190 by Rep. Hernandez

  • Allows the government to punish counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists or other mental health providers who work with people from a Christian perspective.
  • If these providers in any way discourage homosexual behavior or the desire for a gender transition surgery- including at the request of the client- they face disciplinary action by a regulatory committee.
  • It could force a therapist to disclose intimate details of private counseling sessions that are revealed in public court.

Full List of all #BanTheBible bills at this time:
HB 244 by Rep. Farrar, HB 254 by Rep. Bernal, and SB 151 by Sen. Rodriguez

  • Amends the Civil Practices and Remedies Code, the Labor Code, and the Property Code to create “sexual orientation,” gender identity,” and “gender expression” protected classes.
  • Administer punishments including a Class A misdemeanor and an administrative penalty of $100 per day if there is a violation.
  • Forces everyone to “support” an individual undergoing a gender transition
  • Forces businesses and owners who believe marriage is between one man and one woman, including wedding vendors (photographers, cake bakers, graphic artists) to use their artistic talents for marriage ceremonies that violate their sincerely held religious beliefs.
  • Forces government contractors to endorse beliefs contrary to their religious views in order to serve their communities.
  • Forces religious homeless shelters, colleges, and universities to allow biological men to sleep next to women in abuse shelters or dormitories.
  • Forces private property owners to allow men access to women’s showers, locker rooms, bathrooms, and vice versa.

HB 188 by Rep. Bernal

  • Amends the Property Code to create “sexual orientation,” “gender identity,” and “gender expression” protected classes.
  • Forces religious homeless shelters, colleges, and universities to allow biological men to sleep next to women in abuse shelters or dormitories.
  • Forces property owners and religious groups to allow men access to women’s showers, locker rooms, and bathrooms and vice versa.

HB 517 by Rep. Israel

  • Allows the government to punish counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists or other mental health providers who work with people from a Christian perspective.
  • If these providers in any way discourage homosexual behavior or the desire for a gender transition surgery- including at the request of the client- they face disciplinary action by a regulatory committee.
  • It could force a therapist to disclose intimate details of private counseling sessions that are revealed in public court.

HB 850 by Rep. Johnson

  • Amends the Labor Code to create “sexual orientation,” “gender identity,” and “gender expression” protected classes.
  • Forces Christian business to pay for same-sex benefits.
  • Forces Christian business owners to allow men into women’s private facilities.

HB 978 by Rep. Beckley

  • Eliminating the words man and woman throughout the Family Code when discussing marriage.
  • Eliminates the words husband and wife when discussing marriage.
  • Eliminates mother and father when discussing both parents in a male/female marriage.
  • Deletes “father child relationship” in relation to the section of code that says father child relationship may not be determined at birth when issuing a birth certificate. Instead, the code will read that “parent child relationship” may not be determined at birth.
  • Deletes the term “husband” from the Health and Safety Code Section 2.06, in regards to female patients, and instead adds the term “male spouse.”

HB 1190 by Hernandez

  • Allows the government to punish counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists or other mental health providers who work with people from a Christian perspective.
  • If these providers in any way discourage homosexual behavior or the desire for a gender transition surgery- including at the request of the client- they face disciplinary action by a regulatory committee.
  • It could force a therapist to disclose intimate details of private counseling sessions that are revealed in public court.

SB 154 by Sen. Rodriguez

  • Forces doctors to make a sworn statement to allow an individual to receive a new birth certificate and other official documents- even if it violates the doctor’s conscience and religious beliefs on best practices and gender.
  • Creates a myriad of other legal issues which arise from the issuance of new official documents relating to one’s gender including fraud, escaping criminal prosecution, disruption of records, obtaining of licenses, passports, social security numbers, and proof of identity.

SJR 9 by Sen. Rodriguez

  • Repeals the Texas Marriage Amendment which defines marriage as between one man and one woman in the Texas Constitution.
  • Over 75% of Texans voted to implement the Texas Marriage Amendment.

 

 

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About Texas Values Action

Texas Values Action is the advocacy and legislative action arm of Texas Values. Texas Values is the largest statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to standing for faith, family, and freedom in Texas. More information is available at txvaluesaction.org.

 

 

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