Five months after the world’s eyes were opened to the dark business of baby organ trafficking, a grand jury is finally holding someone accountable. Unfortunately, that someone isn’t Planned Parenthood. It’s David Daleiden, the man behind the undercover videos that exposed the nation’s largest abortion provider.

In a shocking turn of events, a grand jury in Harris County, Texas, has indicted the Center for Medical Progress (CMP) chief as part of an investigation that started as a probe into Planned Parenthood’s wrongdoing. Now, instead of throwing the book at Cecile Richard’s group, Daleiden and one of his associates is being charged. According to the report, he’s been implicated in two crimes: tampering with a government record (using a fake ID) and a misdemeanor for attempting to buy fetal tissue.

Experts like Heritage’s Hans von Spakovsky could only shake their heads. “In other words, a private individual whose only intent is to expose possible illegal activity is under indictment for actions in connection with an undercover video operation, but the illegal actor itself — Planned Parenthood — is off the hook. This backward situation will undoubtedly chill journalistic activity in Texas and elsewhere.” To pro-lifers, who had hoped Planned Parenthood would finally be brought to justice for its leaders’ admissions, the news was a jolt. Rep. Diane Black (R-Tenn.), who has been front and center in the debate to defund Planned Parenthood, couldn’t believe her ears. “It is a sad day in America when those who harvest the body parts of aborted babies escape consequences for their actions, while the courageous truth-tellers who expose their misdeeds are handed down a politically motivated indictment instead,” she said in a statement. But, she vowed, the findings “will not deter our efforts in Congress to hold Planned Parenthood accountable.”

In most people’s eyes, Daleiden is a hero — not a criminal — for revealing what more than $550 million U.S. tax dollars make possible every year. Even Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a champion of the unborn, was clear that CMP’s footage has done Americans a great service. “The fact remains that the videos exposed the horrific nature of abortion and the shameful disregard for human life of the abortion industry.” He’s right. Regardless of what the court finds, the bottom line is this: No grand jury can make Americans unsee the gruesome images of lifeless babies or unhear the laughter of Planned Parenthood’s doctors as they joke about harvesting tiny hearts.

For his part, Daleiden is adamant. “The Center for Medical Progress uses the same undercover techniques that investigative journalists have used for decades in exercising our First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and of the press, and follows all applicable laws. We respect the processes of the Harris County District Attorney, and note that buying fetal tissue requires a seller as well.” He went on, “Planned Parenthood still cannot deny the admissions from their leadership about fetal organ sales captured on video for all the world to see.”

Planned Parenthood may cheer the grand jury’s findings now, but some think their celebration will be short-lived. After all, the more this case is prosecuted, the more dirt Texas officials may uncover. For Richards’s group, it’s a double-edged sword. Sure, they have the temporary PR victory of these headlines, but, as Steve Berman warns, Harris County may have just done pro-lifers a huge favor. “The videos will be – finally — examined in a court of law for veracity. Whatever laws may have been broken by CMP’s investigative methods won’t amount to a hill of beans if the videos are entered as evidence, examined by a jury, and the truthfulness of that record is established. It’s going to be very uncomfortable for [Planned Parenthood] executives on the witness stand, under direct and cross-examination by CMP’s defense counsel.” At some point, Planned Parenthood will have to face the truth — and in this case, it’s unlikely that the truth will set them free.

Originally published here.

O, Little Talk of Bethlehem…

Several members of the FRC team escaped the D.C. snow piles and were happy to participate in the Bethlehem Conference for Pastors and Church Leaders this week in Minneapolis. The team enjoyed meeting and hearing from many pastors and leaders who share our concern for the American people.

A few of those remarks stood out, including D.A. Carson’s of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He recognized that we need to prepare for the cultural conflicts by being ready to take a stand for our consciences — like Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis. Also, Renovation Church Pastor Leonce Crump II used the example of “gay rights” as a temptation for many to compromise as he discussed proclaiming gospel truth in our culture. He said the temptation is subtle, and we must hold strong to the truth.

FRC’s own Travis Weber had the chance to present on the sexual revolution and how religious freedom is a major flash point now, primarily because orthodox Christian views held by large segments of our culture are conflicting with the LGBT and abortion rights agendas. He talked about the many religious liberty battles on the doorstep of nonprofits, wedding vendors, public employees, and others. And while these conflicts haven’t hit most congregations, the advance of these agendas will ultimately target churches and aim to shut down those not complying with the “permitted” view of sexuality. Pastors need to understand the existential threat (how will they proclaim the gospel if their doors are not open to do so), and the pastoral concern (they need to understand that they will inevitably have someone in their congregation facing one of these dilemmas — “Do I issue the same-sex marriage license or not?”). Such situations will only become more likely in the future.

All in all, our team enjoyed hearing from speakers who, while very aware of the trials that are before the church today, are likewise aware that we hope in a Christ who surpasses any hardship. Thanks to the Bethlehem Conference staff for their warm hospitality!

Originally published here.