Regardless of election results this past November 8, secular progressives in America remain intent on driving Christians out of the public square. Actions by the state of Connecticut last week prove it.
On Wednesday, November 30, 2016 the American Family Association received a letter from the State of Connecticut Comptroller’s Office. The letter alleged, "AFA may be in violation of the regulations governing the Connecticut State Employee Campaign for Charitable Giving that broadly prohibit discrimination."
The charitable giving program allows state employees to donate to the non-profit charity of their choice. Connecticut had already approved AFA as a legitimate charity.
In the letter, State Comptroller Kevin Lembo wrote, "[T]here are several indications that AFA may be violating these anti-discrimination prohibitions." Interestingly, the letter never cites any state or federal laws of which AFA might be in violation. (read full letter here)
To support his assertion that we "may be in violation," Lembo zeroed in on our biblical beliefs about human sexuality, marriage, and family – and especially our actions to uphold those values. He specifically mentioned our ongoing and successful boycott of Target over the company's dangerous and misguided policy allowing men in the same bathrooms and dressing rooms as women. The Connecticut official also mentioned AFA's One Million Moms division and its recent action alert denouncing Zales for promoting homosexuality in its advertising.
The letter demanded that AFA prove it was in compliance with all non-discrimination policies regarding homosexuality.
This is a state government official coming directly after your AFA, and the letter is nothing more than an attack on AFA for standing strong for biblical principles. Moreover, it is an unconstitutional attack on the First Amendment rights of all religious organizations. The government is not allowed to dictate to religious charities what they can believe in order to participate in the public square.
The intolerant actions of Lembo and the state of Connecticut must immediately cease, and we are asking you to let them know that this abuse of power is not acceptable.
Contact the Connecticut State Comptroller's Office and urge Mr. Lembo to retract his letter in full and issue a public apology to the American Family Association.
