If Bill Passes, Christians Could Be Imprisoned for This Act

A California bill with the aim of banning Christian books and resources which address issues of homosexuality and gender identity could pass in the California Senate as soon as late May, sources told CBN News.

Assembly Bill 2943 declares biblical books and Christian conferences dealing with biblical views on homosexuality or transgenderism as fraudulent, under the state's consumer fraud statute. Ultimately, penalizing those who share a traditional view on marriage.

"Whenever a pastor or a church or a parachurch ministry holds a conference or an event or sells a book or video about overcoming same-sex desires or gender confusion, that could indeed be banned," Thomasson, president of SaveCalifornia.com, told CBN News.

"This is because AB 2943 is only triggered when money is being exchanged for 'sexual orientation change efforts,' and there is no exemption for religious institutions or religious material," he continued. "Could that include selling Bibles? Possibly, but not likely; much more likely to be targeted are speakers, books, and videos helping people get out of homosexuality and transsexuality."

Thomasson and Anne Paulk, Executive Director of Restored Hope Network, says proceedings to pass the law are taking place quickly in the state.

"AB 2943 has two state Senate committees to go through before a floor vote," Thomasson told CBN News via email. "But the Democrat legislators seem to be fast-tracking this, so the Democrat-controlled California State Senate could pass AB 2943 as soon as late May."

Paulk, who oversees about 60 ministries that work to help people overcome unwanted same-sex attraction and gender identity issues said the intent of the bill was always toward the Church.

"There is a lot of power in California, and they are wielding that power," she said.

Thomasson says fighting this legislation on the national front is an uphill battle.

"Both Alliance Defending Freedom and Liberty Counsel have spoken out on AB 2943 and are likely to mount federal lawsuits if and when it passes," he said. "Such a lawsuit could take three years to get to the U.S. Supreme Court, and its success would very likely depend on one or two unconstitutional, liberal judges retiring or dying. The high court's votes have to change, and we need at least four judges who vote to accept the case since the court has repeatedly turned down taking cases like this.

Paulk warns that the church needs to wake up and take action.

"It is an essential part of the gospel, and we cannot surrender it," she expressed.

Thomasson adds that it is critical for pastors and church-goers to call their state senators.

"If people can meet and greet each other during service time, they can 'meet and greet' their state senator via voicemail and learn that serving Jesus Christ also means loving and protecting their neighbor's religious freedom," he said.

"SaveCalifornia.com urges concerned Californians to publicize via their social networking and other efforts what the anti-religious freedom Democrat politicians are doing," Thomasson added.

"It's an election year and people need education and motivation to vote right. Second, everyone who believes in God needs to protest this bill by calling their California state senator (we have action steps at SaveCalifornia.com)," Thomasson shared. "Third, SaveCalifornia.com urges former homosexuals and former transsexuals to open their mouths and publicly say that counseling to overcome sexual bondage is needed more than ever."