Stop Disrespecting Our Faith

Oct 11

Remember that infamous day when, not only the Biden administration, but also the taxpayer-funded Fairfax County Board of Supervisors (BOS)—with a 9-0 vote!—decided to declare Transgender Day of Visibility on the holiest day of the Christian calendar—Easter Sunday?

What could be done?

The good news is courageous members of our Speak Up! Fairfax team came up with a creative, redemptive response: Last week, about 100 local citizens, church members and clergy leaders publicly challenged the Fairfax County BOS to demonstrate equal respect and “honor our faith community."

After waiting several months—due to the BOS roll-forward system of speaking slots—they asked the board to approve a proclamation declaring Thursday, November 21, as Church Heritage Recognition Day.

“I’m a husband, a father, and one of the nearly 40 percent of Fairfax County’s residents who are Christian,” said Tom Ferguson, explaining how the Board's actions "caused many in our faith community to consider how we might remind fellow citizens of the deep ties area churches have to this community, and the love shown by the church community through its many acts of service and compassion." (Read the proclamation, here.)

Also speaking was Dr. Marty Baker, Senior Pastor at Burke Community Church, representing at least 3,000 area parishioners. He provided examples of the “intrinsic value” of churches to the community, including charitable organizations “that assist the poor and are funded and staffed by members of area churches.”

“Honoring churches, who historically give wonderful values like this to our city, county, and culture, with a Church Recognition Day seems to be the honorable and logical thing for leaders like you to champion," he said.