“Your Voice Could Impact Whether Or Not These Bills Pass”: Bethel Church Asks Followers To Oppose Two New California Bills

A screenshot of a July 6 Instagram post by the Bethel-connected ministry known as CHANGED, that claims to help individuals “let go of LGBTQ identification” to “honor Jesus’ vision for sex.”

Editor’s Note 7.15.23 6:04 pm: We have updated this story to include an explainer box on the term “gender affirming care.”

“Our heart is that every child would thrive according to God’s design,” Bethel Church leaders wrote in an email sent out Friday, July 7 which asked followers to learn more about “troubling” California bills “concerning parental rights and the well-being of children.” Both bills reflect the majority of scientific research which shows that gender-affirming care for youth reduces suicide and self-harm.

“We want to encourage the faith-based community in California to learn more about the potentially harmful impact of these bills and contact your representatives accordingly,” they wrote, in an email sent out to all Bethel California contacts and signed as coming from “Bethel Leadership.”

Church leaders say they’re concerned about two new California bills that would extend legal protections for California minors who are experiencing significant mental health challenges or seeking gender-affirming care. Both bills have passed California’s Assembly and are now moving to the Senate for further consideration.

The first, AB 665, would eliminate some barriers for minors over the age of 12 to consent to  mental health services or in-patient residential treatment without the consent of a parent. Among other changes, it would require mental health providers to consult with those minors on whether they feel safe having their parents contacted regarding their concerns, before contacting the parents.

The second bill, AB 957, says that child custody decisions can be impacted by whether or not parents or guardians affirm the child’s gender identity or gender expression.

Bethel’s email contained significant bias and misinformation and links to the California Family Council’s information on the bills which contains similarly false content, informing parents that AB 957 could allow “gender-confused” children to be “taken from their parents,” simply for the parents’ choice to “follow their religious beliefs.”

What the bill actually requires is that California courts consider whether parents affirm their child’s gender identity as one aspect of making custody determinations that are in the best interest of children’s health, safety and welfare. 

Many laws already restrict parental religious beliefs in favor of protecting the bodily autonomy of a child. In California, for example, it’s already illegal to use physical punishments that cause internal or external injuries and to subject a child to female genital mutilation, although both practices are culturally and religiously appropriate for some Americans. 

Bethel also states that AB 665 would allow “a sixth grader to be persuaded by a ‘licensed professional’ to receive treatment for a personal mental health issue and the parents don’t have to consent or be notified unless the professional considers it appropriate.” 

Minors over the age of 12 are already eligible to receive mental health treatment without parental consent if they’re the victims of abuse or at serious risk of harming themselves or others. The bill would extend the reasons a minor can seek out mental health treatments on their own, without parental consent. 

Bethel also suggested and linked to a number of organizations that church leaders say are “working to support religious freedom.”  

Those organizations including the Alliance Defending Freedom, which, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, has previously supported the recriminalization of sexual acts between consenting adults in the United States and claims that a “homosexual agenda” will destroy Christianity and society.

They also linked to one of Bethel’s own ministries, CHANGED, which, according to the ministry’s website, was “birthed in response to California legislation that discriminated against Christians with an LGBTQ background.” 

Information on the CHANGED website indicates the ministry’s goals include helping people “let go of LGBTQ identification” to “honor Jesus’ vision for sex.”

The political lobbying email was passed on to Shasta Scout by several local community members who said they do not attend the church and didn’t realize the church had their contact information. Bethel’s Communications Director, Brad Everett told Shasta Scout the email was sent out to “California residents in our database who at some point connected with us and provided their contact information” 

Bethel used the email to instruct readers to “ask your senator to vote no” and said “we encourage you to prayerfully research these bills and act. Thank you for taking advantage of this opportunity as citizens to make your voice heard.” The email also links to forms on the California Family Council’s site that offers to call legislators on citizens behalf.

Broad distribution of an email with such explicit instructions on political actions deepens concerns about Bethel leaders’ use of nonprofit church funds for political lobbying, an activity nonprofits are discouraged from engaging in under federal tax law. Everett did not respond to a request for comment on the church’s political lobbying and its potential impact on nonprofit tax status.

The email from Bethel leadership also and linked to the church’s statement on sexuality which  says that Bethel leaders want “all who identify as LGBTQ to experience (their) love expressed in honor, compassion, respect and safety” and indicates that they find all people valuable although they may disagree with those in the LGBTQ community on “what is best for them.”

What church leaders believe is best for people, the statement makes clear, is following God’s will for sexuality, as interpreted by the church. 

A section of Bethel Church’s Statement on Sexuality.

Bethel Church followers face significant pressure to follow the teachings of their leaders based on two well-known church teachings.  One, known simply as “favor”, teaches that while God loves everyone, the spiritual, physical and financial favor he bestows on individuals flows from their decisions to be obedient to his will. Another, known as the “culture of honor,” says individuals should be honored and respected, rather than being confronted for their mistakes.

Disclosure: Annelise Pierce is a former member of Bethel Church.

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