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Update on Appeal to SCOTUS

Here is a statement from Joshua Hershberger, IFI’s General Counsel:

Though SCOTUS denied the Petition of Mary and Jeremy Cox yesterday, we did accomplish the goal of placing this fact pattern in front of SCOTUS as a real and growing threat to parental rights, freedom of religion, and free speech. These constitutional principles represent a cause–not just a case–and we will continue to advocate for that cause in law and culture. Full statements below:

Mary and Jeremy Cox:

“No other loving parents should have to endure what we did. The pain of having our son taken from our home and kept from our care because of our beliefs will stay with us forever. We can’t change the past, but we will continue to fight for a future where parents of faith can raise their children without fear of state officials knocking on their doors and taking their children.”

Lori Windham, Vice President and Senior Counsel at Becket, and Joshua Hershberger:

“What Indiana officials did to Mary and Jeremy was a shocking attack on parental rights. Loving parents should not lose custody of their children because they disagree with the state about gender. We are confident that the Supreme Court will ultimately protect this basic right and ensure that parents can raise their children consistent with their religious beliefs.”

The fight for parental rights is far from over in Indiana.

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IFI’s Legislative Session Update

The 2024 “short” legislative session, which ended this past Friday, was a busy one. Our legislative team was at the Statehouse daily tracking bills, testifying in committees, pushing legislation, organizing meetings, and more.  Thank you for your support and engagement! We pulled out all the stops for you to advance Hoosier values forward. In particular, we want to highlight the two great bills below that PASSED and are currently awaiting the governor’s signature.
SB 17: Age Verification for Adult Websites An area that public policy has not caught up with technology is protecting children from hardcore pornographic websites. Today, a child can easily access the most hardcore pornography online and the companies that own these websites are not held accountable. SB 17 would subject these companies to fines and legal action if they do not have a method for denying minors access to their site.

HB 1137: Religious Release Time Instruction for Public Schools  HB 1137, introduced by Rep. Kendell Culp, is a promising bill that would require principals at public schools to allow students to attend religious classes during the school day, provided the classes are off school property, privately funded, and parent-permitted. This concept is protected by a 1952 U.S. Supreme Court ruling but was never brought to fruition in Indiana law. We believe HB 1137 would revolutionize Indiana schools for the better and positively impact countless lives. Again, we thank you for your prayers and activism during the legislative session! Our staff continues to tirelessly work behind the scenes to defend the rights and values of Hoosier citizens. Your support strengthens Indiana families!

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Urge your senator to support parental rights

1/11/24

Even in Indiana, there is mounting evidence demonstrating the need for legislation to elevate parental rights to the status of a fundamental right! Sadly, many parents feel that they may jeopardize their rights to raise their children as they see fit. This is unacceptable. Good parents who want the best for their children should not fear the loss of custody of their children by the government.

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Senate Bill 46 is a bill that seeks to establish parental rights as fundamental, which elevates the legal protections parents have in how they raise their families. It’s alarming that the ACLU, the Indiana Teacher’s Union, and the Judge’s Association are opposing legislation to protect parental rights. Unfortunately, these groups are gaining traction in opposing a parent’s right to direct their children’s religious instruction, education, and healthcare.

SB 46 was heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday, January 10th. IFI was there standing up for parental rights on your behalf. IFI General Counsel Josh Hershberger, IFI national ally Matt Sharp from Alliance Defending Freedom and others gave great testimony on behalf of Hoosier parents. We are hopeful that the bill will be voted out of committee next week, and we will keep you updated on any progress.

Please stand up for your family and reach out to your state senator to let him or her know that you support parental rights. Click here to contact your senator in support of parental rights.

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Good news for the new year

1/5/24

Through the generous contributions of our faithful members, we made IFI history by raising over $800,000 in 2023. We are immensely grateful to each and every person who contributed to this achievement. These funds will enable us to fight for your rights and represent your values at the Statehouse as our legislators begin the new session in just three days. 

Here are a few topics you can expect to hear about in the upcoming session:

Strengthening Parental Rights

We know parental rights are fundamental rights that deserve the highest level of protection from our government. In 2023, we fought for the Cox family, who experienced one of a parent’s worst nightmares: their son was taken from them after they refused to acquiesce to his new “gender identity” as a female. The bill HB 1407, “Strengthening Parental Rights and Protecting Parents from Trans Activist Bureaucrats,” unfortunately did not pass through the legislature in 2023, but we are mapping out a similar bill to propose in the upcoming session. We have high hopes for its success. 

Banning Pornography Access for Minors

We believe Indiana should follow in the footsteps of the seven states that have already banned pornography access for minors, requiring adult content websites to verify the age of its users before granting access. These bipartisan bills are sweeping the nation – because if there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that kids shouldn’t be exposed to pornography.

Fifteen states have declared pornography consumption a public health crisis due to its links to stunted brain development and depression and suicide. We know that the porn industry targets susceptible minors; the average child is exposed to porn at least once between the ages of 7 to 13. 

We must protect our children from the evils of the porn industry. This is the first step to doing just that.

Protecting Kids from the LGBT agenda

If “Pride Month” taught us anything this year, it’s that the LGBT agenda is after our children. Not only did they shout it in the public square (“We’re here, we’re queer, we’re coming for your children”), they proved it with their contradictory “kid-friendly drag shows.” 

Kids should never be exposed to adult sexuality – full stop. Not through porn, not through drag shows, and not through Pride festivals. Let’s put an end to all the above in Indiana, once and for all.

We believe that God can and will do great and mighty things in the political realm this year. Please pray with us as we enter into the 2024 session of the Indiana General Assembly on Monday, January 8th. We will be standing alongside our lawmakers every step of the way on your behalf, advocating for faith, family and freedom.

We will continue to update you on legislative developments as they come. Remember to follow us on social media for daily updates!

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Merry Christmas from IFI

12/24/23

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6 KJV

This Christmas Eve, we’re taking time to reflect on the gift of Christ and all He means to us. Let’s lift up His name this Christmas season – above all the hustle and bustle, presents, and travel plans – and rejoice in His birth, which made His saving death and resurrection possible. We would be nowhere without Him, and we are humbled to call Him Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. 

President Harry Truman’s words from his Christmas Eve Address in 1949 still ring true today:

“Since returning home, I have been reading again in our family Bible some of the passages which foretold this night. . . . We miss the spirit of Christmas if we consider the Incarnation as an indistinct and doubtful, far-off event unrelated to our present problems. We miss the purport of Christ’s birth if we do not accept it as a living link which joins us together in spirit as children of the ever-living and true God. In love alone – the love of God and the love of man – will be found the solution of all the ills which afflict the world today.” 

Merry Christmas to you and your family! We hope you enjoy a restful holiday centered on celebrating the birth of Christ.

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