Evil.
Michigan Tries to Force Christian School to Hire Anti-Christian Teachers, But the School is Fighting Back
Several groups from diverse religious and philosophical backgrounds have united in support of a Grand Rapids-based parish, its Catholic school, and several of the schoolâs families in friend-of-the-court briefs filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit in Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish v. Nessel. Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys representing Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish and its school, Sacred Heart Academy, are asking the 6th Circuit to protect the schoolâs constitutionally protected freedom to operate as a religious school.
The Michigan Legislature recently amended the Michigan Civil Rights Act to cover sexual orientation and gender identity but provided no protection for religious organizations that believe marriage between one man and one woman and the immutability of sex support human flourishing. The missing protections mean that the change to the law requires Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish and its school, Sacred Heart Academy, to hire faculty and staff who lead lives in direct opposition to the Catholic faith, speak messages that violate Church doctrine, and decline to articulate Catholic beliefs in teaching students and when advertising the school to prospective students or job applicants. The amendment also threatens the rights of parentsâincluding the three families who have joined the lawsuitâwho specifically chose to send their children to Sacred Heart Academy because the school aligns with their values and religious beliefs.
âAs a federal court concluded in another case involving a Catholic social-service organization, this sort of illegitimate targeting creates a âstrong inferenceâ that the stateâs âreal target is the religious beliefsâ of the Catholic Church âand not discriminatory conduct,ââ said ADF Senior Counsel and Vice President of Appellate Advocacy John Bursch. âHere, Michigan is forcing Sacred Heart to make an unconstitutional and unconscionable choice between teaching and practicing the Catholic faith or closing their doors forever, while denying parents the right to direct the upbringing and education of their children. Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish has faithfully served Grand Rapids families for more than a century, and its school provides a rich academic and spiritual environment for hundreds of children. We and the groups that have filed briefs in support of our clients are urging the 6th Circuit to allow their lawsuit to continue so they can take steps toward serving their community without fear of government punishment.â
More at: https://www.lifenews.com/2023/11/24/michigan-tries-to-force-christian-school-to-hire-anti-christian-teachers-but-the-school-is-fighting-back/