Faith-based advocate: Being pro-parental rights does not mean being anti-trans | Opinion
The Rocklin Unified School District’s recent decision to stand up for parental notification and strong family values is part of a growing political movement across California that has, in large part, been due to the success of a Placer County-based Evangelical advocacy group.
The American Council has seen enormous success in engaging people of faith in the political process, supporting candidates, and advocating for family-focused public policy.
The work of the American Council and other faith groups around the state has drawn passionate opposition from liberal activists, claiming politically-engaged Evangelicals in America are a part of a dangerous movement that violates the separation of church and state. They are wrong.
The founders of America erected a wall between Church and State, and for very important reasons. Separation is a principle that groups like the American Council support as a critical feature of our nation’s institutional design. But having a church that engages in social issues only seems to be wrong when it doesn’t align with some people’s political views. A democracy should not exclude those with religious convictions. They should have the same privilege to engage in politics as those with secular moral standards. What is unhealthy in any democracy is the concerted effort to silence select voices that we are seeing today.
Regardless of the opposition, one thing is true: what we are doing is working. The American Council has recruited, endorsed, and supported candidates via effective church outreach, digital advocacy, and legislative engagement. The Council has reached parishioners, parents, and pastors; and re-engaged historically apathetic communities.
There is a reason why our candidates win and our policies are implemented: because the majority of voters agree with them. It’s a reminder that elected officials (emphasis on elected) reflect the local community.
Our priorities are simple: represent a community that is increasingly ostracized and neglected in public discourse. We are appealing to voters across political parties because we value family, religious freedom, and building a healthy society.
At the school board level, the application of those values advance parental rights, local control, and a historically-accurate, politically-neutral curriculum.
These are not extreme positions. A recent statewide Rasmussen poll showed an overwhelming majority of Californians agree with parental rights and support parental notification policies like the ones currently being proposed and implemented by our endorsed elected officials in Placer County.
While the naysayers and separation activists foment outrage over fictitious violations of church and state, we continue to advocate for our values to be represented in local decision-making.
Just like any voter uses their own moral standard to advocate for policy, we’re exercising that same right. This isn’t some theocratic takeover or Christian nationalist movement. These are moms and dads, pastors and parishioners, working to improve their local communities.
The reality is we’ve struck a chord with millions of fed up Californians. We aren’t winning because of some secret political machine or unethical practice.
We’re winning because voters overwhelmingly side with us. We’re just getting started.
This story was originally published September 22, 2023 at 5:00 AM.