religious freedom

Moody Bible Institute Wins Religious Freedom Case for Student Teachers

The Chicago Board of Education settled a lawsuit with the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago that allows student teachers from Moody to train in the city’s public schools.

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) had excluded Moody’s elementary education students from its student teaching program unless the college agreed to hire employees who disagreed with the school’s biblical views on sex, sexuality and marriage.

The school district asked Moody to sign a “Vendor Agreement” and a “Student Teaching Internship Agreement” saying the college would not discriminate in hiring on the basis of “gender identity/expression (or) sexual orientation.”

This would have violated the college’s religious beliefs, which include that God made humans in His image male and female, marriage is between a husband and wife, and sexual activity outside of marriage is prohibited.

Attorneys for Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), who had filed the lawsuit on Moody’s behalf in November 2025, announced the settlement in a press statement, with ADF Senior Counsel Jeremiah Galus explaining the importance of the victory:

Chicago desperately needs more teachers to fill hundreds of vacancies, but public school administrators are putting personal agendas ahead of the needs of families.
Moody holds its faculty and students to high standards of excellence and is more than qualified to participate in Chicago’s student-teaching program. By excluding Moody for its religious beliefs, Chicago Public Schools is illegally injecting itself into a religious non-profit’s hiring practices, which the Constitution and state laws expressly forbid. 

The lawsuit explained that the Christian college hires people who agree with and live by its religious beliefs. It stated that the Illinois State Board of Education had approved the school’s teacher preparation program in January 2024, so graduates could sit for the state’s teaching licensure exam.

It’s not like CPS can afford to turn away good teachers.

The Illinois Policy Institute reported at the start of the 2025-2026 school year that Chicago’s schools are failing to educate students:

The most recent test scores for Chicago Public Schools show fewer than 1-in-3 students could read at grade level. Fewer than 1-in-5 could do math at grade level.
Each year the district gets more money to educate fewer [students], and proficiency is still far behind where it should be compared to spending.

Moody tried to work with the Chicago Board of Education, asking it to accommodate the school’s religious beliefs, since “the United States Constitution and federal, state, and local laws all permit and protect Moody’s employment practices.”

The suit also pointed out that the district seemed to single out Moody and did not enforce its policies evenhandedly:

Chicago Public Schools has allowed other universities and colleges to participate in the Pre-Service Teaching Program even though they have similar hiring practices to Moody.

ADF attorneys argued that such favoritism toward other religious schools violated the First Amendment’s establishment clause.

Public government programs cannot discriminate against participants because of their religion, the suit explained, pointing to the 2022 U.S. Supreme court decision Carson v. Makin, a case from Maine where the state created a tuition assistance program for families to send their children to private schools, prohibiting the money from being used at religious schools.

The court ruled that this violated the free exercise clause of the First Amendment.

Similarly, CPS cannot exclude Christian students from participating in the teaching program because of their or their college’s religion.

As a result of the settlement, ADF said that the school district “modified its Student Teacher Internship Agreement” and “has now listed Moody as an approved university partner on its website.” The Board also agreed to pay $100,00 in attorney’s fees.

Moody Provost Dr. Tim Sisk applauded the agreement, saying:

We are deeply grateful that a resolution has been reached affirming our constitutional right to hire individuals who are aligned with our core mission and biblical values.

The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago was founded in 1886 by evangelist Dwight L. Moody as a training center “where men and women could be transformed by the clear, practical teaching of God’s Word.”

In addition to its Chicago undergraduate campus, the college started a seminary in Chicago with a satellite campus in Plymouth, Michigan, and it operates Moody Aviation, in Spokane, Washington.

The Daily Citizen is grateful for this important victory.

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HHS Tells States Not to Remove Children From Parents Who Affirm Biological Reality

The Trump administration is protecting parental rights and warning states not to remove children from their parents’ custody solely because they do not affirm their child’s self-professed “gender identity.”

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) sent a letter to all 50 states reminded them that “state child welfare agencies must base child removal decisions on objective evidence of abuse or imminent risk of harm” under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.

The letter warns states “not to interpret federal definitions too broadly in ways that infringe on parental rights or lead to unnecessary foster placements by removing children for reasons that do not constitute abuse and neglect.”

Furthermore, the letter informs states “that removing a child based solely on a parent’s sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions” may violate the Constitution’s free exercise clause and that “removing a child for these reasons may harm both the child and the parents.”

ACF Assistant Secretary Alex J. Adams said in a statement announcing the letter, “Parents have the right to raise their children according to their sincerely held religious beliefs and moral convictions.”

Assistant Secretary Adams and HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Brian Christine released a video announcing the letter.

Assistant Secretary Adams also appeared on Newsmax to discuss the development.

HHS said the letter is a part of the Trump administration’s effort to “defend parental rights and children’s health.”

“Acknowledging biological reality and exercising sincerely held religious beliefs should not constitute child abuse or neglect under federal law,” the agency said.

Think ACF’s letter is unnecessary? Think again.

Two years in a row, Colorado lawmakers have introduced legislation threatening parents’ rights if they don’t immediately support their child’s “transition” to a new “gender identity.” California lawmakers introduced similar legislation in 2023.

Colorado’s Senate Bill 26-018, in its original form, would have required courts to consider whether or not a parent supports a child’s “identity as it relates to a protected class” when “determining parenting time and allocation of decision-making responsibilities.”

These protected “identities” include a child’s “gender identity” and “gender expression.”

The bill is so radical that Colorado Governor Jared Polis intervened to kill the provision for a second year in a row. But if past is prologue, the legislation will surely be introduced again.

Across the nation, children have already been removed from their parents’ custody solely because they affirmed biological reality and would not affirm their child’s “gender identity” – even in red states like Indiana, Montana, Texas and Arizona.

Mary and Jeremy Cox, residents of Indiana, had their 16-year-old son – who began identifying as a female – removed from their custody because the state’s Department of Child Services argued he needed to be in a home that accepted his “gender identity.” One where “she [would be] accepted for who she is,” the state claimed.

So yes, states kidnapping children from parents who won’t affirm their sexual identity confusion is a large and growing evil. One that, thankfully, ACF is paying attention to and addressing.

The agency said it “will continue to monitor states’ compliance with federal child welfare requirements” and “ensure federal funds are used consistent with the law.”

Assistant Secretary Adams said,

When states overstep their bounds, ACF will take action to deter inappropriate policies that drive unnecessary interactions with child welfare systems.

To speak with a family help specialist or request resources, please call us at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).

Related articles and resources:

Colorado Bill Would Force Parents to Accept Child’s New ‘Gender Identity’

Focus on the Family Testifies Against Nightmare Bill, Colorado’s Radical ‘Trans’ Legislation Advances

Photo from Getty Images.

Teacher Wins $650,000 After Being Fired for Refusing to Use ‘Trans’ Pronouns

An Indiana school district will pay $650,000 for firing a music teacher who refused to use students’ incorrect and antiscientific “preferred pronouns” in violation of his sincerely held religious beliefs.

John Kluge taught orchestra and music theory at Brownsburg High School for several years, until the school district demanded he use students’ names and pronouns that aligned with their “gender identity,” rather than biological reality.

Kluge is a Christian, and he can’t in good conscience affirm “transgenderism” or speak in a way that violates his faith. His religious beliefs “are drawn from the Bible” and he believes “God created mankind as either male or female” and that “he cannot affirm as true ideas and concepts that he deems untrue and sinful.”

He requested a religious accommodation under Title VII, volunteering to refer to all students by their last name as a compromise. His accommodation was granted – at first.

The arrangement went smoothly until a few students and teachers complained about the compromise. As a result, the school district decided no exceptions would be allowed. The district revoked Kluge’s accommodation and forced him to resign, ending his teaching career.

Kluge filed a lawsuit arguing that Brownsburg Community School Corporation officials violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act which prohibits discrimination against employees based on their religion. Kluge is represented by Alliance Defending Freedom.

Last August, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled that Kluge’s case should go to a jury trial. However, Brownsburg decided to settle the lawsuit and agreed to a joint stipulation of dismissal.

Brownsburg agreed to pay $650,000 in the settlement and will also train its senior staff on how Title VII protects employees from discrimination based on their religious beliefs.

“After almost five and a half years, common sense has prevailed at Brownsburg,” said ADF Senior Counsel and Vice President of U.S. Litigation David Cortman. “This settlement confirms what the law has always said: Public schools cannot force teachers to violate their religious beliefs.”

Cortman added,

Title VII requires employers to accommodate their employees’ religious beliefs and practices. When they fail to do so – or worse, announce that they will grant no religious accommodations, as Brownsburg did – they can be held accountable.

You can learn more about the case below:

Kristen Waggoner, president and CEO of ADF, celebrated the settlement, saying, “One case at a time, we’re taking free speech back from the pronoun police.”

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita also lauded the decision.

Brownsburg isn’t the first school district that has had to learn the hard way teachers don’t forfeit their free speech rights or freedom of religion after stepping on school grounds. And it probably won’t be the last.

Last year, Oregon’s Grants Pass School District 7 agreed to pay over half a million dollars for violating two educators’ free speech, religious freedom and equal protection rights. After the educators, Rachel Sager and Katie Medart, publicly opposed the district’s “Gender Identity, Transgender, Name, and Pronoun Guidance,” the school district fired them.

Hopefully, school districts nationwide will soon learn they must protect their employees’ constitutional rights.

Cortman said,

We hope this settlement shows teachers that they do not have to bow the knee to ideological mandates that violate their religious beliefs. And schools should learn that refusing to accommodate religious employees can be illegal and expensive.

The case is Kluge v. Brownsburg Community School Corporation.

To speak with a family help specialist or request resources, please call us at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).

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Chloe Cole: Transgender Surgery Regret

Understanding “Transgenderism”

Responding to a Transgender-Identified Family Member

Oregon School District Pays $650,000 for Firing Teachers Opposed to ‘Trans’ Policy

Photo from Alliance Defending Freedom.

Indiana Protects Religious Freedom of Adoptive and Foster Care Families

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed a bill on Wednesday protecting families and faith-based adoption and foster care organizations from discrimination based on their sincerely held religious beliefs.

The bill (HB 1389) stipulates that state government agencies may not discriminate against any adoptive or foster parent “who raises, or intends to raise, a child in a manner consistent with [their] sincerely held religious beliefs.”

The Indiana Senate passed the bill by an overwhelming 44-5 margin on Feb. 17; the state House passed the legislation by an 84-12 margin on Feb. 19.

“Every child deserves a loving home that can provide them stability and opportunities to grow,” Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Greg Chafuen said in a statement after the governor signed the bill.

“The sad reality is that the government in some states has discriminated against people of faith, allowing vulnerable children to suffer,” he added.

The bill’s enactment comes as thousands of families have had their right to religious freedom eroded. Multiple states have adopted policies requiring foster and adoptive parents to affirm a child’s “sexual orientation,” “gender identity” or “gender expression” as a condition for adopting or fostering.

These policies have led to other states – including Arkansas and Kansas – to enact legal protections for faith-based foster and adoptive families; while other states – like Vermont – have reversed their discriminatory policies after being sued.

Policies that discriminate against Christian families are especially foolhardy because they eliminate potential families who are most likely to want to foster or adopt.

As the Daily Citizen has previously reported, Christians are far more likely to foster or adopt than the rest of the population; 65% of foster parents attend church weekly compared with 40% of Americans generally.

Chafuen added,

Thankfully, Indiana has taken critical steps to prioritize the well-being of kids by prohibiting state and local government officials from discriminating against adoption and foster care providers and parents simply because of their religious beliefs and moral convictions. …
By signing this law, Gov. Braun is ensuring that Hoosier children benefit from as many adoption and foster care agencies as possible – faith-based and non-faith-based.

Last year, Gov. Braun declared November Adoption Month in Indiana, thanking the Hoosiers who opened their hearts and homes to adopt over 1,200 children last year alone.

We applaud Gov. Braun and the Indiana state legislators who recognize the importance of Christians being involved in the foster care and adoption system and chose to protect their First Amendment right to religious freedom.

To speak with a family help specialist or request resources, please call us at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).

Through Wait No More’s Suitcase Bundle ministry, children in foster care are provided their own suitcase — for their belongings — as well as a teddy bear, handwritten letter and age-appropriate Bible. The suitcase bundle is a simple way to offer dignity, comfort and hope to children in scary, lonely situations.

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Photo from Getty Images.

New York Ends Fight to Force Nuns to Pay for Abortions

The state of New York has spent a decade attempting to force nuns and other religious ministries to cover the cost of abortions. But no longer.

In 2017, New York created a statewide abortion mandate requiring employers to cover abortifacients and even surgical abortions in their health plans.

According to Becket, a religious freedom legal firm, New York initially planned to respect conscience rights by exempting employers with religious objections. But under pressure from abortion activists, the state greatly narrowed the exemption to protect only religious organizations that “primarily employ and serve people of their own faith.”

“For nearly a decade, New York bureaucrats tried to strong-arm nuns into paying for abortions because they serve all those in need,” said Lori Windham, senior counsel at Becket and an attorney for the religious groups.

“At long last, the state has given up its disgraceful campaign,” Windham added. “This victory confirms that the government cannot punish religious ministries for living out their faith by serving everyone.”

A coalition of religious groups from a variety of streams of Christian faith sued New York “arguing that the law forced them to violate their deeply held religious beliefs about the sanctity of life,” Becket notes. “The groups include Roman Catholic dioceses, an order of goat-herding Anglican nuns, Baptist and Lutheran churches, and Catholic ministries.”

However, when New York courts failed to protect the organizations’ religious freedom rights, the ministries asked the U.S. Supreme Court to take up their case. In 2021, the Court reversed the lower courts and asked them to reconsider the case in light of the Court’s decision in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia.

In that case, the Supreme Court upheld Catholic Social Services’ (CSS) constitutional right to refuse to place children in foster homes with same-sex couples. The Court held Philadelphia’s refusal to contract with CSS because of the organization’s religious beliefs violated the First Amendment’s free exercise clause.

However, the New York courts once again sided against the religious organizations, forcing the ministries to again seek relief from the Supreme Court.

In 2024, the Court again sent the case back down to the New York courts for reconsideration in light of the Court’s unanimous ruling in Catholic Charities. In that case, the Supreme Court ruled the First Amendment prohibits states from requiring organizations to meet certain theological criteria to qualify for exemptions from unemployment taxes.

Considering that ruling, New York agreed that its abortion mandate ran contrary to the Supreme Court’s decision in Catholic Charities and decided to end the case.

“The Supreme Court has made it abundantly clear that religious groups shouldn’t be bullied for staying true to their faith,” said Windham. “We are glad that New York finally agreed to settle this case and protect religious objectors from discrimination.”

The case is Diocese of Albany v. Harris.

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Photo from Becket.