Following the post below on the situation regarding JONAH, I have heard from Scott Maxwell, Executive Director of FCDF. Coincidentally, the American President has threatened just in the last day, those who counsel individuals with same-sex attraction. Far be it from the current President of the United States to uphold the Constitution. After all, he has a pen and a phone.
Here is their press release:
Obama's Call to Ban Counseling Therapy would
Violate Constitutional Rights
Refusal to recognize the rights of Americans to seek help is nothing new, but in this case it is also unconstitutional
Rancho Santa Fe, California – Today, President Obama injected his views into the personal decisions of private individuals seeking counseling, calling for a ban on conversion therapy for minors.
“President Obama and politicians in Washington have no place prohibiting teens and parents across America from seeking counseling. Dictates from Washington that prevent free people from exercising their First Amendment rights to make these personal decisions without government interference are repulsive,” said Maggie Gallagher, Chairman of the Board of Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund.
The Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund will defend these First Amendment rights in court this summer by defending JONAH (Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing), a Jewish group which helps those who deal with unwanted same-sex attractions by providing a community with educational outreach services, including counseling referrals, for affected individuals and their families.
“Seeking counseling is a very private and personal decision people make and coercive tactics to shut down all alternatives for people with same-sex attraction is simply wrong. The President’s refusal to recognize the rights of Americans to seek help is nothing new, but in this case it is also unconstitutional,” Gallagher noted.
The Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund is a nonprofit, public-interest law firm which defends the conscience rights and religious freedom of those of all faiths and no faith. The Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund's mission is to defend religious freedom by providing protective legal services at the trial level to persons whose religious liberty and free-speech rights have been attacked. Located in San Diego and led by experienced trial attorney Charles LiMandri, FCDF assists individuals and organizations nationwide with pro bono services.
Maggie Gallagher, Chairman of the Board of Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund, is available for commentary. Please contact Ryan Hughes at RHughes@SBPublicAffairs.com, by phone at (703) 739-5920 or by cell at (224) 723-8688 for more information.
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Thank you for your continued support and prayers!
For Life and Freedom,
Scott Maxwell
Executive Director
Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund
858-759-9948
www.ConscienceDefense.org
