On the Ballot: Equal Rights?
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On the Ballot: Equal Rights?
Democrats in the New York State Assembly are counting on inattentive or confused voters to pass an ill-conceived and poorly written amendment to the state constitution this coming November, according to the GOP.
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New York State Assembly Democrats drafted the amendment, called the Equal Rights Amendment, in hasty reaction to the U.S. Supreme Courtâs decision striking down national abortion in the Dobbs v. Jackson County Womenâs Health Organization in June 2022.
Proposal 1 would rewrite the existing equal protection clause [Section 11 of Article 1] of the New York State Constitution to include ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, or sex â including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, reproductive health, and autonomy.
Codifying Abortion?
Many, including the Catholic Bishops of New York State, oppose the proposed amendment. In a statement published on July 22, 2024, the Catholic Conference, which represents New York State bishops, wrote that the amendment âwould enshrine the right to abortion in the state Constitution, as well as potentially restricting parentsâ rights to make medical and other decisions for their minor children, including so-called âgender affirmingâ procedures.â
Penalizing Women?
Debbie Jantzen, one of New York Stateâs IFA Prayer Leaders, agrees, saying the gender identity provision would result in safety issues for women and girls by opening womenâs bathrooms and locker rooms to men who claim to be women. Further, the provision could economically penalize girls trying to secure college scholarships if males identify as female in order to join female sports teams.
Hear more from Jantzen on the Sept. 4 webcast of Pray the Vote Live.
Destroying Children?
Particularly dangerous is the inclusion of age in the category of those to be protected from discrimination. It could slam open the door â already ajar â to minors opting to pursue hormone or surgical procedures to change their sex without parental notification or consent. Further, though parents would remain legally and financially liable for their childrenâs choices, they would be helpless to stop any such life-altering procedure.
Funding Illegal Migrants?
Proposal 1 prohibits discrimination based on national origin, although such is already prohibited in New York State and federal Human Rights laws when applied to U.S. citizens. According to the New York State Republican Committee, Proposal 1 would provide a constitutional basis for New York Governor Kathy Hochulâs already substantial subsidies for illegal migrants. Further, if passed, Proposal 1 could further stress the shelter system in Right-to-Shelter New York City since migrants could claim discrimination if denied housing.
Clogging Courts?
Proposal 1, if passed, will certainly land in the already clogged court system as its implications and effects on the Civil Rights Law, the Human Rights Law, and numerous other laws already on the books are worked out.
According to Cam Macdonald of the Empire Center for Public Policy, Proposal 1 will have no effective impact on any civil rights in New York, including abortion rights, because these are governed by other statutes. But he writes, âProp One does not enhance any rights but has potential to detract by throwing the law into chaos.â
When asked if Proposal 1 includes any religious exemptions to protect any religious organizations from being forced into actions contrary to their faiths, sponsor Rebecca Seawright said to the New York State Assembly, âSo weâre not changing any of those laws [such as the Insurance Law or Domestic Relations Law that contain religious exemptions]; it would be a matter of litigation.â
This stance would throw the responsibility for defining nuancing, and balancing the conflicting civil liberties of various classes into the courts, rather than the legislature, where law is to originate constitutionally. Courts, Macdonald writes, will need to choose among protected classes or adopt constitutional tests that vary, thereby obviating the sponsorsâ presumed aim of equal rights for all.
A Sneak Attack?
New Yorkâs GOP fact sheet claims that though the amendment was finished in 2023, New York legislators are sneaking this onto the ballot in the midst of a hotly contested presidential race. The GOP implies that Democrats hope voters will overlook the amendment, which will appear on the back of the ballot, and either fail to vote or fail to research its implications amidst other electoral issues.
Curses Continuing on Many States?
At least eight states have ballot initiatives focusing on preserving abortion access. While the national curse associated with abortion was lifted with the Dobbs decision, key states are subjecting or attempting to subject themselves and their citizens to continuing curses related to this child sacrifice.
The Bible, which adjures all to revere life and protect the most vulnerable, also renders the Lordâs judgment over the land on which innocent blood is shed. Let us pray Proposal 1 in New York and the other ballot initiatives fail.
Lord, have mercy upon the children in the state of New York, Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, Montana, Maryland, Missouri, South Dakota, and Nevada and any others considering codifying abortion. Rally Your people and enable Your pastor servants to overcome any reluctance and resistance to leading the sheep righteously in these matters. Overcome these evil initiatives by the Blood of Jesus and the direction of the Holy Spirit. In Jesusâ Name.
Is your state considering a similar ballot initiative? How are you praying?
New York Cityâbased Joyce Swingle is an intercessor and a contributing writer for IFA. With her husband, Rich, also a contributing writer for IFA, Joyce shares the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world through theater, speaking, writing, and film. Prior to going into full-time ministry, Joyce worked for about 20 major magazines and now works in pastoral ministry and Christian counseling. www.Richdrama.com. Photo Credit: studioroman via Canva Pro.
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Comments
Dear Father in Heaven – we beseech You for the complete abolition of human abortion. Embolden us to speak out in our churches, communities, and on-line platforms about protecting the most innocent and helpless among us. May we not compromise on the truth that human life, bearing Your image, begins right from conception (when else?). Show us how to elect the very best candidates on this urgent issue. Remind us that voting is crucial, particularly to minimize the number of torturous late-term abortions. Let us be your effective instruments to end this most grievous holocaust ever – once and for all. Ultimately, transform hearts and minds to recognize the truth by Your Holy Spirit. So be it, in the name of our precious Lord Jesus!
WOW. The democrats to follow satan further into hell. I have gone away from calling them demonrats but the title justly fits in this case. I know God wants all souls to come to him and I know that there are prayer warriors praying for those souls to repent and follow Godâs laws. All the demonrats need to do is ask for forgiveness and return to Godâs ways the choice is theirs since God gave us all a free will to choose. May the demonrats return to being democrats who worship and follow Godâs way before it is too late. The clock is running. Trust in God.
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Father these issues are overwhelming and only YOU can protect our nation at this point. Father firgive and cleanse your church and those called by your name as many are still engaged in spiritual compromise, not fightingthe good fight but laying their spiritual weapons and responsibilities aside due to apathy,
ignorance, weakness, weariness of warfare and many other reasons. Father the stories of the bibke show us that You dont need a huge army to defeat enemies you only need a handpicked army of a select few who are fully engaged with you and uncompromising with sin and foolishness. Father raise up that army and prevail with them. Make the necessary leadership changes in churches, synagogs, politics and cvarious media and national
influencers that will be led and FULL of of YOUR Holy Spirit such that they have great mass effect with conviction and sreading the gospel or at least influencing proper fear of the Lord and Godliness without denying your power. In Jesus name we ask believing you to ado as we ask.
Great article Joyce!
Lord, cause this amendment to be defeated by New York State voters. Block any confusion about these types of ballot initiatives that might allow enactment in any state. EXPOSE THE CORRUPT DEMOCRAT PARTY WHO IS COMMITTING TREASON AND MURDER, CHILD MUTILATION AND THE IMPORTING OF CRIMINAL GANGS, TERRORIST MUSLIMS, DRUGS, SLAVERY OF ALL KINDS. PLEASE LAY THIS CRIME AT THE DOORS OF THE GUILTY.
I ASK IN JESUSâ NAME
AMEN
Florida’s Amendment 4 goes in the same direction.If you vote in FL JUST SAY NO!
I agree with your prayer, Joyce. Our land continues to suffer violence because of the violence unleashed upon the unborn.
Many thanks to you, Joyce, for your work on this article.