RELIGION HEADLINES

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(SRN NEWS) – Ford has joined the ranks of companies that are pulling back on support for the LGBT agenda under pressure from Evangelicals and conservative groups.  Ford will no longer take part in external culture surveys and an annual survey by the Human Rights Campaign that measures workplace inclusion for LGBT employees. The automotive giant says it will put its resources into taking care of customers, employees and communities versus commenting publicly on polarizing issues.  Gay activists say the decision will hurt Ford’s bottom line.

The federal government will spend more money to try and protect synagogues and other Jewish institutions as anti-Semitism rises.  The Department of Homeland Security is allocating over 450 million dollars for the coming fiscal year to help Jews keep their property safe.  The money is also available to other religious organizations whose houses of worship and buildings might be threatened.  Anti-Semitism has surged in this country and around the world since last fall’s Hamas attack on Israel.

The American Center for Law and Justice is suing Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey over an initiative the state launched earlier this summer targeting pro-life pregnancy centers.  The federal lawsuit says the initiative, which warns women against seeking help from the pro-life clinics, violates their constitutional rights. The governor claims that the clinics pose real harm because they do not perform abortions or refer women for them.  Several other liberal states are campaigning against pro-life centers.

Hot-button social issues will be on the ballot in scores of states this fall.  At least nine states will consider constitutional amendments that would enshrine abortion.  Nebraska is the only state with a competing pro-life measure.  A proposed West Virginia amendment would prohibit physician-assisted suicide.  Voters in Florida, North Dakota and South Dakota will decide whether to legalize recreational marijuana. Missouri voters will decide whether to legalize sports gambling via a measure backed by its pro sports teams.