By Christy Barritt

Montana Passes Parental Notification Law 

Voters in Montana approved a law in November that requires parents to be notified if their underage daughter is receiving an abortion.

Seventy percent of Montanans voted to pass Referendum 120. The law requires that abortionists notify parents 48 hours in advance before performing an abortion on girls under 16 years of age.

Any physician who violates the law can face criminal prosecution and civil liability—including fines of $500 and/or six months in prison. Those who coerce a minor into getting an abortion can receive a $1,000 fine, a one-year prison sentence, or both.

Thirty-seven other states have similar laws.

Human Traffickers to Receive Harsher Sentences in California

Eighty-one percent of voters approved Proposition 35 in California in November, which increases fines and prison sentences for human traffickers.

Convicted human traffickers can now face a maximum prison sentence of 12 years—more than double what was previously given. Those whose crimes involved children could face a life sentence. The maximum fine for a first time offense also increased from $100,000 to $1.5 million.

The new law also required convicted human traffickers to register as sex offenders and disclose Internet activities and identities, though a judge blocked this only days after voters made their decision known.

Proposition 35 also expanded its definition to include the distribution of child pornography.

Man Sues Church After Cross Accident

A man is taking a New York church to court after a 600-pound marble crucifix fell on him, crushing his leg and requiring a subsequent amputation.

After finding out that his wife was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, David Jimenez began praying outside of St. Patrick’s Church in Newburgh, New York. His wife eventually beat cancer and Jimenez credited God—and his devotion to that cross—with his wife’s recovery. As a way of showing gratitude for her healing, he began to routinely clean the cross.

While washing the piece one day, the crucifix became dislodged and fell on him. He said the accident was caused because the cross was barely held in place by a single “useless” screw. Jimenez, who delivered pizzas for a living, said he’s unable to work and is suing the church for $3 million.

Coalition Creates Event Aimed at Loving Others

The Mission America Coalition/U.S. Lausanne Committee has launched a national campaign aimed to encourage Christians to show the love of Christ to every person in America by the end of the decade.

The event is called LOVE2020. Organizers are calling this a grassroots movement of Christians adopting a “prayer-care-share lifestyle.” The organizers are hoping that ministries, churches, denominations, and individuals will get on board. Part of what they’d like people to do is pray for those who don’t know Jesus, show them love through acts of kindness and meeting needs, and share the gospel with them.

“We pray that by the year end of 2020, every person in America would be authentically loved by at least one Christian,” said Paul Cedar, chairman of MAC.

For more information, visit their website.

Christy Barritt is an award-winning author, freelance writer, and speaker living in Chesapeake, Virginia. She and her husband Scott have two sons.
www.christybarritt.com