CAP: Same-Sex "Marriage" Spreads Across the U.S., CAP and ADF Defend Religious Freedom in Yuma

In this issue:

(1) Same-Sex "Marriage" Spreads Across the U.S.
(2) CAP and ADF Defend Religious Freedom in Yuma
(3) Chandler Truth Project Training Event!


(1) Same-Sex "Marriage" Spreads Across the U.S.

The ripple effects from the California decision redefining marriage to include same-sex unions have begun. California announced yesterday that marriage licenses would be issued to same-sex couples starting June 17. New York Governor David Paterson recently directed New York government agencies to recognize same-sex "marriage" licenses from other states and countries, a unilateral action effectively changing over 1,300 state laws and regulations.

The New York development shows one example of what we can expect following the California Supreme Court's decision. Time is short before an Arizona couple will travel to California, get "married," then come back and ask Arizona courts to overturn our state laws and recognize their "marriage."

That's why the marriage amendment pending in the Senate is so very critical. Our laws could be changed by a judge - or even by an executive order or Attorney General directive - until Arizona voters adopt the amendment to our state constitution saying specifically that "only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state." If you haven't contacted your state Senator to ask him or her to support the marriage amendment, please do so today.

(2) CAP and ADF Defend Religious Freedom in Yuma

On Wednesday, CAP's attorneys teamed up with attorneys from the Alliance Defense Fund to file a federal lawsuit on behalf of a church in Yuma. Centro Familiar Cristiano Buenas Nuevas is a vibrant, bilingual congregation in the city of Yuma. In order to continue its growing ministry, the church bought a building in downtown Yuma. The building, a former J.C. Penney department store, has been vacant since 1993. But the city of Yuma denied the church's request for a permit to use the building as a church.

Federal law prohibits cities from making land-use decisions that discriminate against churches. In Yuma, however, nonreligious "assembly" land uses - such as theaters and private clubs - are treated more favorably than churches.

Centro Familiar's exciting cross-cultural mission has a lot to offer downtown Yuma! Please be in prayer for the church's ministry in Yuma and for this case as it moves forward. You can read more about this case in ADF's media release.

(3) Chandler Truth Project Training Event!

Join CAP as we host a 4-hour Truth Project Training Event on Saturday, July 19, at Chandler Christian Church. Partner Training events are designed for those who are already committed to leading The Truth Project as a small group. The agenda focuses on training and vision components, your role as a leader, the expectations of your small group, and a sampling of the curriculum via DVD. The cost is $89 per individual or couple and includes the 7-disc DVD set. Register online today!