RELIGION HEADLINES 4-22

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(  )  A federal court has ruled against a Republican lawmaker from Maine who sued the state’s Democratic House speaker after being censured for a social media post about a transgender athlete.  Representative Laurel Libby posted about a high school boy who won a girls’ track competition.  House Speaker Ryan Fecteau (FECK-toe) accused Libby of violating the state’s legislative ethics code and the Maine House of Representatives censured her in February.  Libby filed a federal lawsuit arguing that the censure violated her right to free speech.

(  )  The Mississippi Supreme Court has upheld a ruling denying a transgender teen’s name-change petition.  The ruling comes nearly two years after a then 16-year-old girl who was living as a boy filed a petition to change her name to fit her “gender identity”.  A judge denied the petition in 2023, citing the teen’s lack of maturity.  The Mississippi Supreme Court voted 8-to-1 to uphold the ruling.  A growing number of similar cases are cropping up around the country and some analysts predict the U.S. Supreme Court will eventually have to weigh in.

(  )  Alabama lawmakers have approved several bills that would expand the use of Christian texts in public schools and roll back the LGBT agenda.  Those measures, which passed with overwhelming majorities, would mandate the display of the 10 Commandments in public schools, ban drag shows, prohibit teachers from displaying gay pride flags and allow chaplains to volunteer as school counselors.  Alabama joins at least 20 states that have considered legislation in 2025 that would mandate the display of the 10 Commandments.

(  )  LGBT groups are praising the late Pope Francis for moving the Catholic Church away from Biblical doctrine on the issue of homosexuality.  When asked about a purportedly gay priest in 2013, Francis made headlines by saying, “Who am I to judge?”  The comment sent shockwaves through the Catholic Church and encouraged LGBT pressure groups to try and get local parishes to bless gay weddings, amongst other things.  Church-watchers are wondering whether the College of Cardinals will select a more conservative man to replace Pope Francis, or a more liberal one.