Yesterday, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals released an opinion, styled Coral Ridge Ministries Media, Inc., dba D. James Kennedy Ministries v. Amazon.com, Inc., Southern Poverty Law Center, Inc., Amazon Smile Foundation (USCA11 Case: 19-14125, 7/28/2021). It is an opinion that is newsworthy for Christians. First of all, let me say that I do not disagree with the opinion itself. From my reading and limited understanding of the law on such matters, it appears the Court reached the right decision. Also, I know NOTHING about Coral Ridge Ministries. It may be a good ministry; it may not be.
Despite this, the opinion is significant to us as Christians because of the background facts. Coral Ridge, described as “a Christian ministry and media corporation", sued Amazon and the SPLC. Amazon has a charity arm, where it will give a portion of its proceeds to charitable organizations as selected by buyers. (Of note, my charitable organization I chose was the Alzheimer’s Association.) “To be an eligible charity for the AmazonSmile program, an organization must be registered and in good standing with the [IRS] as a nonprofit organization …; must agree to a Participation Agreement; and cannot ‘engage in, support, encourage, or promote INTOLERANCE, HATE, terrorism, violence, money laundering, or other illegal activities.’”
The Court noted: “In relation to the last requirement, organizations that SPLC designates as hate groups are not eligible to participate in the AmazonSmile program.” The SPLC publishes a “Hate Map,” which is a “list of entities the organization has characterized as hate groups … on its website.” Coral Ridge’s application to be an eligible charity under the AmazonSmile program was denied by Amazon “because Coral Ridge is listed on the Hate Map as being anti-LGBTQ.”
Coral Ridge conceded that, based upon religious grounds, it opposes homosexual conduct, but it “denied that it is a hate group.” Coral Ridge argued that a “hate group [is] commonly understood as ‘groups that engage in violence and crime,’” which it does not do. Coral Ridge argued that it was on the SPLC’s Hate Map solely because it was opposed to homosexuality on religious grounds and argued that Amazon discriminated against it by relying upon the Hate Map as a basis to deny its application.
I have not taken time to look at the SPLC’s Hate Map. I would assume that every church who openly professes that homosexuality is opposed to the tenets of the faith are or will be on this Hate Map. Granted, as the Church, we should care less what the SPLC does (or does not do). We should continue to profess the truth IN LOVE, including that homosexuality, according to the word of God, is a sin. Imagine if the Church was deemed a hate group because it teaches that adultery (cheating on one’s spouse) is a sin; or that stealing is a sin; or that murder is a sin. The Church does not choose what to teach in regard to sin. If it is in the will of God, it simply teaches the TRUTH. The Church does not determine what is and what is not sin; God has done that for us.
The gay community has become one of the most powerful lobby groups in this country. I love all people, including those who are gay. If a man or woman chooses to be gay in this country, they have the “right” to do so. And I am commanded to love them regardless of their sexuality. BUT I have a greater command as a Christian and that is to obey God. Psalm 40:6-8 provides: "In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.'”
The final decision in this case was rendered by three federal appellate judges, who upheld a trial court judge. Again, it may very well be an appropriate decision. I still expect this case to be resubmitted for an en banc ruling, and I expect if that fails that a petition for writ of certiorari will be filed with the US Supreme Court.
I hate that we are at a point in this nation where it appears that Christians can no longer speak the Truth and where a group the Church deems sinful leads us to being deemed “hateful.” It is not hate to speak Truth. But take heart, Believers. The Lord said: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” (John 15:18.) And: “You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22.)
My prayer is that all sinners, including gays, will repent of their sins. The Lord does not desire that any should perish. (2 Peter 3:9.) I do not desire that you perish either. Lord, please open the eyes of the blind. In Jesus’ precious, holy name, Amen.
Despite this, the opinion is significant to us as Christians because of the background facts. Coral Ridge, described as “a Christian ministry and media corporation", sued Amazon and the SPLC. Amazon has a charity arm, where it will give a portion of its proceeds to charitable organizations as selected by buyers. (Of note, my charitable organization I chose was the Alzheimer’s Association.) “To be an eligible charity for the AmazonSmile program, an organization must be registered and in good standing with the [IRS] as a nonprofit organization …; must agree to a Participation Agreement; and cannot ‘engage in, support, encourage, or promote INTOLERANCE, HATE, terrorism, violence, money laundering, or other illegal activities.’”
The Court noted: “In relation to the last requirement, organizations that SPLC designates as hate groups are not eligible to participate in the AmazonSmile program.” The SPLC publishes a “Hate Map,” which is a “list of entities the organization has characterized as hate groups … on its website.” Coral Ridge’s application to be an eligible charity under the AmazonSmile program was denied by Amazon “because Coral Ridge is listed on the Hate Map as being anti-LGBTQ.”
Coral Ridge conceded that, based upon religious grounds, it opposes homosexual conduct, but it “denied that it is a hate group.” Coral Ridge argued that a “hate group [is] commonly understood as ‘groups that engage in violence and crime,’” which it does not do. Coral Ridge argued that it was on the SPLC’s Hate Map solely because it was opposed to homosexuality on religious grounds and argued that Amazon discriminated against it by relying upon the Hate Map as a basis to deny its application.
I have not taken time to look at the SPLC’s Hate Map. I would assume that every church who openly professes that homosexuality is opposed to the tenets of the faith are or will be on this Hate Map. Granted, as the Church, we should care less what the SPLC does (or does not do). We should continue to profess the truth IN LOVE, including that homosexuality, according to the word of God, is a sin. Imagine if the Church was deemed a hate group because it teaches that adultery (cheating on one’s spouse) is a sin; or that stealing is a sin; or that murder is a sin. The Church does not choose what to teach in regard to sin. If it is in the will of God, it simply teaches the TRUTH. The Church does not determine what is and what is not sin; God has done that for us.
The gay community has become one of the most powerful lobby groups in this country. I love all people, including those who are gay. If a man or woman chooses to be gay in this country, they have the “right” to do so. And I am commanded to love them regardless of their sexuality. BUT I have a greater command as a Christian and that is to obey God. Psalm 40:6-8 provides: "In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.'”
The final decision in this case was rendered by three federal appellate judges, who upheld a trial court judge. Again, it may very well be an appropriate decision. I still expect this case to be resubmitted for an en banc ruling, and I expect if that fails that a petition for writ of certiorari will be filed with the US Supreme Court.
I hate that we are at a point in this nation where it appears that Christians can no longer speak the Truth and where a group the Church deems sinful leads us to being deemed “hateful.” It is not hate to speak Truth. But take heart, Believers. The Lord said: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” (John 15:18.) And: “You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22.)
My prayer is that all sinners, including gays, will repent of their sins. The Lord does not desire that any should perish. (2 Peter 3:9.) I do not desire that you perish either. Lord, please open the eyes of the blind. In Jesus’ precious, holy name, Amen.