WASHINGTON UPDATE 10/02/2015

October 02, 2015 | Permalink Something We Should Politicize... Last night as our family gathered for our evening prayers, we prayed for the injured and the families of those killed yesterday at Umpqua Community College in Oregon by an anti-Christian gunman. We didn't know the names or all the details at the time only that Christians were specifically targeted. According to witnesses the gunman asked his victims what their religion was. If they responded they were Christians, he shot them in the head. If they did not answer, he shot them in the leg. Those details were not discussed yesterday by President Obama when he spoke to the media about the shooting. Nor did he mention the heroic actions of 10-year Army veteran and 30-year-old father, Chris Mintz, who was shot multiple times when he tried to stop the shooter. Rather, he immediately began using the tragic shooting that claimed the lives of nine people to advance his agenda for more laws restricting gun ownership.  In his press conference, the President said some would claim he was politicizing the shooting, "Well, this is something we should politicize." I agree. We should politicize the fact that the "security guards" were unarmed. That the college campus was a "gun-free" zone that prohibits law abiding citizens from protecting themselves and others. We should politicize the toxic environment that President Obama's policies have fostered toward Christians. We should politicize the fact that the President continues to not just tolerate, but fights for policies that further coarsen our culture and devalue human life. Where Tour' More are Gathered... It is essential that we continue to urge Congress to defund Planned Parenthood and reallocate the over $500 million in taxpayer funding it receives to other comprehensive healthcare clinics. An additional and important component of this effort is raising awareness about exactly what's going on. Many have not watched the videos released by Center for Medical Progress and remain unaware of Planned Parenthood's horrific business practices. To get the word out, FRC Action is partnering with Students for Life of America, the nation's largest pro-life youth organization, for a week-long bus tour next week October 5th through 9th -- the Planned Parenthood Project Bus Tour. The tour will visit Clemson University, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, University of Virginia, University of Pittsburgh and Ohio State University. College-aged women are Planned Parenthood's largest clientele and 79% of Planned Parenthood facilities are within five miles of a college campus. However, SFLA's 2012 polling found that 59% of 18-24 year olds didn't know Planned Parenthood provided abortions (not to mention the harvesting and sale of baby body parts). If you live near one of these campuses and are looking for a way to keep the pressure on Planned Parenthood, we encourage you to join us at one of our bus stops. You can find more information and register for these free events here. If you can't attend, we welcome you to follow and support this event on social media at @FRCAction. Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem This Sunday, October 4, marks the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem. As you know, praying for the peace of Jerusalem is a responsibility and a privilege shared by all of God's people (Ps. 122:6, 7). We hope you will join millions of Christian believers from 175 nations in raising their voices in fervent intercession on behalf of Jerusalem and all her inhabitants -- Jew, Arab, Christian, and otherwise. The DPPJ is co-chaired by Dr. Jack Hayford and Dr. Robert Stearns, and I have signed onto the effort with over 1,200 global leaders, including Bishop Harry Jackson, Ravi Zacharias, Kay Arthur and many others. To help your church participate, there are a host of helpful tools available on the website: DaytoPray.com, even some for kids. In light of all the threats to Israel, inside and outside from radical Jihadists, we need to follow Scriptures call to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Tony Perkins' Washington Update is written with the aid of FRC senior writers.