Religious schools ask full 7th Circuit to protect their constitutional freedoms

The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel and Vice President of Appellate Advocacy John Bursch regarding a friend-of-the-court brief ADF attorneys filed Monday at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit in Garrick v. Moody Bible Institute in support of the legally and constitutionally protected freedom of religious institutions to make employment decisions in accordance with their beliefs:

“America is made up of a diverse religious landscape, and our laws protect the freedom of all Americans to practice their beliefs. This is true of both individuals and religious institutions. The fact that the lawsuit filed against Moody Bible Institute stems from a difference of religious beliefs means that the government has no legitimate role here. We urge the full 7th Circuit to hear this case, uphold Supreme Court precedent, and affirm the importance of protecting religious schools’ freedom to make employment decisions in accordance with their faith.”

In the case, Moody Bible Institute has asked the full 7th Circuit to hear its case after a split 2-1 panel of judges ruled to dismiss it. ADF attorneys filed the brief on behalf of the American Association of Christian Schools, Association of Christian Schools International, Association of Classical Christian Schools, Cardinal Newman Society, International Alliance for Christian Education, and Judson University.

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.

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