religious freedom

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.

Related articles and resources:

My Choice Network

I’m Pregnant, Now What?

Dealing With Unplanned Pregnancy

Become an Option Ultrasound Life Advocate

New Insights on the Dangers of the Abortion Pill

The Power of Prayer to Defeat the Darkness of Abortion

Photo from Becket.

President Trump: “I think God is very proud of the job I’ve done.”

At Tuesday’s White House briefing marking the one-year anniversary of the second Trump administration, a reporter asked President Trump the following question:

“Last year, you told me that you believed that the reason you won the election is because God put you in this place so that you could save the world. Looking back [after] one year, do you feel like God is proud of the effort that you’ve [given]?”

To be clear, it was during President Trump’s second Inaugural address that he stated, “Just a few months ago, in a beautiful Pennsylvania field, an assassin’s bullet ripped through my ear. But I felt then and we believe even more so now that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again.”

President Trump didn’t quibble with the reporter’s premise, but did answer with a bit of a chuckle.

“I do actually,” he said. “I think God is very proud of the job I’ve done.” He then added, “We’re protecting a lot of people that are being killed. Christians, Jewish people, and lots of people are being protected by me that wouldn’t be protected …”

Assessment and admiration are in the eye of the beholder, of course. 

Less than 24 hours after Mr. Trump touted his track record for protecting the First Amendment rights of Americans, the Interfaith Alliance’s Reverend Paul Brandeis Raushenbush released a statement decrying “One Year of The Trump Administration’s Attacks on Faith Communities and Abuse of Religion.”

The Interfaith Alliance began in 1994 and has been a constant critic of social conservatism, regularly championing the reimagination and redefinition of biblical Christianity itself.

“This White House uses faith for power,” Reverend Raushenbush has stated. “This is all from a Christian nationalist playbook. They don’t have wide support. They have support from a very narrow slice of American Christianity which is white, Protestant, Christian nationalists who are on a quest for power.”

The Christian nationalism trope is a favorite go-to for progressives who regularly confuse patriotism with unhealthy idol worship. Hillsdale College professor Wilfred M. McClay has provided a helpful distinction and definition:

Patriotism, in the American context, is an intricate latticework of ideals, sentiments, and overlapping loyalties. Since its founding, America has often been understood as the incarnation of an idea, an abstract and aspirational claim about self-evident truths that apply to all of humanity. There is certainly some truth to this view, but to focus on it exclusively ignores the very natural and concrete aspects of American patriotism: our shared memories of our nation’s singular triumphs, sacrifices, and sufferings, as well as our unique traditions, culture, and land.

But the suggestion that President Trump and his administration are an enemy of religious freedom? In fact, Reverend Raushenbush concludes:

“The most pressing threat to religious liberty in our country today is the Trump administration itself.”

Last fall, the Trump administration laid out the “Top 100 Victories for People of Faith.”The list included:

The establishment of a White House Faith Office, the creation of “Centers for Faith” with Faith Directors or Faith Liaisons in every department and agency, the establishment of the “Religious Liberty Commission,” and the “Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias.”

Additional faith-based accomplishments highlighted:

• The Department of Justice supported religious charter schools and tax exemptions for religious groups at the U.S. Supreme Court.

• The Department of Justice found that speech from a house of worship to its congregation in connection with religious services through its usual channels of communication on matters of faith does not run afoul of the Johnson Amendment.

• The U.S. Office of Personnel Management issued guidance supporting religious accommodations and protecting religious expression in the federal workplace.

• The Department of Health and Human Service has launched multiple investigations into health care facilities that violated healthcare workers’ conscience rights.

• The Department of Veterans Affairs rescinded a Biden-era speech code that censored the sermons of military chaplains.

• The Small Business Administration eliminated a Biden-era ban on disaster relief for faith-based organizations.

President Trump issued and signed numerous executive orders designed to protect people of faith: 

• An executive order ending the weaponization of the federal government against all Americans, including people of faith. 

• An executive order restoring free speech and ending federal censorship.

• An executive order combating the debanking of Americans based on their political affiliations, religious beliefs, and lawful business activities.

God’s Word is clear we’re to pray for our leaders. Wrote Paul to Timothy: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Tim. 2:1-2). 

Regardless of your party or your political persuasion, please join us in praying for President Trump and all our elected leaders.

Sidewalk Evangelist Wins Right to Share Good News

Thanks to our friends at First Liberty Institute, evangelist Ernest Giardino is once again free to share the Good News of Jesus Christ while walking the sidewalks of Chapin, South Carolina.

After eight months of carrying around signs that declared, “Trust Christ He paid the price,” “He saved others — Jesus” and “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found,” Giardino had been told by local police that he was required to obtain a permit to continue his silent witnessing.

But not only was the evangelist required to file for a permit – but he needed to do so at least 14 days in advance and could only stay in the same place for upwards of 30 minutes at a time. Worse yet, the mayor had final say – and could decline his request for no reason at all.

When Ernest pushed back on his own citing his First Amendment rights, the Chapin city manager told him, “Our permit supersedes the Constitution because it’s a local ordinance.”  

First Liberty, which stepped in to represent the sidewalk evangelist, pushed back. In a letter to city officials, attorneys wrote, “Permit schemes, like the one found in Chapin, have the effect of freezing speech before it is uttered. Permit schemes are thus viewed skeptically, being the most serious and least tolerable infringement on First Amendment rights.”

The U.S. District Court of the District of South Carolina agreed, filing a consent order effectively blocking enforcement of the ordinance.

Nate Kellum, First Liberty Institute’s senior counsel, applauded the decision.

“Mr. Giardino just wants to share his Christian faith with others. We commend the Town for revising the ordinance language so Mr. Giardino can live out his faith in the public sphere.”

According to reports, Giardino will be paid “a symbolic $1 in damages” and the city has agreed to pay his $35,000 in legal fees.

Most importantly, Ernest Giardino will be proclaiming God’s truth via his signs. We may sometimes wonder how effective sidewalk evangelism is. Some Christians may even be tempted to raise an eyebrow at some of the tactics employed by fellow believers.

Yet, God uses His people in all kinds of ways to reach all kinds of people. On X the other night, Them Before Us founder Katy Faust shared a classic story from the life of the evangelist, D.L. Moody.

A woman was critiquing Moody’s evangelism methods. The preacher replied, “I agree with you. I don’t like the way I do it either. Tell me, how do you do it?” The woman replied, “I don’t do it.”

In response, D.L. Moody said, “Then I like my way of doing it better than your way of not doing it.”

May God bless Ernest Giardino and the faithful fighters at the First Liberty Institute who are “doing it” – and working tirelessly to preserve and protect our hard-fought religious freedom.

Image credit: First Liberty

Supreme Court Hears Colorado ‘Conversion Therapy’ Censorship Case

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments yesterday, asking if a Colorado law unconstitutionally censors the free speech of licensed counselors.

Colorado passed HB19-1129, the “Prohibit Conversion Therapy for a Minor Act,” in 2019, prohibiting licensed mental health professionals from offering therapy “to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attraction or feelings toward individuals of the same sex.”

Kaley Chiles, a licensed professional counselor in Colorado, challenged the ban based on her and her clients’ Christian beliefs. Some individuals with unwanted same sex attractions or sexual identity confusion want to live in line with their faith – and they seek help to do so.

The oral arguments ranged over a variety of topics, including Chiles’ motivation for wanting to help people, her clients’ desire for help living according to their faith values, whether “conversion therapy” has been proven to be harmful and why Colorado pushed a one-way agenda on therapists and clients.

Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) filed the initial lawsuit on Chiles’ behalf, explaining how her faith informs her counseling work:

Chiles views her work as an outgrowth of her Christian faith. Many of her clients are also Christians who seek her help because of their shared religious beliefs. These clients often believe “that God determines their identity according to what He has revealed in the Bible rather than their attractions or perceptions determining their identity.”

“Chiles has counseled minor clients who want to discuss their gender, sexuality, and identity. Some believe they are living ‘inconsistent with their faith or values” on these issues, resulting in “internal conflicts, depression, [or] anxiety.'”

They desire counseling – sometimes based on their faith – “to reduce or eliminate unwanted sexual attractions, change sexual behaviors, or grow in the experience of harmony with [their] physical body.”

But Colorado’s talk therapy ban prevented Chiles from working with these minors who simply want to live according to their faith.

“This law prophylactically bans voluntary conversations, censoring widely held views on debated moral, religious, and scientific questions,” ADF Chief Legal Counsel James A. Campbell argued before the court,

“Aside from this law and recent ones like it, Colorado hasn’t identified any similar viewpoint-based bans on counseling. These laws are historic outliers.”

Campbell pointed to a similar free speech case where a California law was challenged because it forced pregnancy resource centers to promote abortion. He also pointed to the decision in that case where “this Court protected professional speech, highlighting the dangers of censoring private conversations between professionals and their clients.” 

Shannon W. Stevenson argued on behalf of the state of Colorado, pointing to two recent studies used to justify the ban. She told the justices:

And then I would direct you specifically to the Green study and the Turban study. The Green study looked at 34,000 13- to 25-year-olds who had gone through conversion therapy and, after controlling for other factors, found there was a two times rate of attempted suicides among that group.

And in the Turban study, Dr. Turban looked at 27,000 participants. This was specifically on gender identity change efforts, including people who had received those efforts under the age of ten. He looked specifically at childhood exposure and found association with adverse mental health outcomes in adulthood, including suicide ideation and attempts.

But in his closing arguments, Campbell debunked both studies.

“On the issue of studies, there was a reference to the Green and Turban studies. All of those studies relied on biased sampling [and] self-reporting. They conflated aversive techniques with voluntary counseling. They did not isolate licensed counselors, and they did not purport even in their own study to prove causation.”

He’s right.

Amy Green, the lead researcher in the first “study” mentioned, works with The Trevor Project, an LGBT activist group that strives to keep young people trapped in homosexual or transgender identities and behaviors.

The “study” was an “online survey conducted by The Trevor Project,” so not a random group of people or an analysis of individuals in a controlled setting.

While Stevenson said more than 34,000 people had undergone what the survey called “Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Change Efforts (SOGICE),” that was not true. Only 1,088 of those surveyed said they had “ever undergone reparative therapy or conversion therapy.”

But the survey never defined this type of therapy or explained the therapeutic techniques “asking them more broadly whether anyone had ever attempted to convince them to change their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

Convincing someone to change their “sexual orientation” or “gender identity” – both of which are subjective, political, non-scientific social constructs, is not “therapy.”  

LGBT activist Jack Turban took “data” from the “2015 Transgender Survey,” conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality – hardly an unbiased group. It relied on “recalled lifetime exposure” to “gender identity conversion efforts (GICE).”

Stevenson said that 27,000 people had received “conversion therapy,” but, again, this was misleading, as only 3,869 “reported exposure to GICE in their lifetime.” Of those, 35% reported that this was from a religious advisor – not a licensed therapist.

The survey asked participants to recall, “Did any professional (such as a psychologist, counselor, or religious advisor) try to make you identify only with your sex assigned at birth (in other words, try to stop you being trans)?”

The study never clearly defined “GICE.” It never clarified key issues such as the length of time a transgender-identified person was involved in such efforts, who worked with them, what their credentials where, what kind of therapy was involved or how old they were.

Those surveyed were just asked if they remember someone, somewhere, sometime, somehow telling them they shouldn’t “be trans.”

Poor “studies” from LGBT activist groups don’t justify trampling on free speech.

In his final rebuttal, Campbell pointed out a key flaw in Colorado’s assault on the First Amendment: The law discriminates on the basis of a person’s views on homosexuality and transgenderism, delegitimizing people with a biblical view of sexuality.

This law’s viewpoint discrimination is even worse than we’ve heard so far this morning because the State of Colorado would allow a 12-year-old without their parents’ consent to enter into counseling that would go the opposite way on these issues of gender identity and sexual orientation, but if that same 12-year-old with their parents’ consent want to seek counseling in the opposite direction, the kind that my client would provide, they are not able to do that. That kind of viewpoint discrimination must survive strict scrutiny.

Chiles’ case against the state of Colorado has important ramifications, as 23 states, Washington, D.C. and dozens of local jurisdictions have similar counseling censorship laws in place.

Please pray with us that the Supreme Court sees Colorado’s law for what it is: censorship of free speech, an assault on religious freedom and the imposition by the state of a sexualized, secular worldview on people of faith.

A decision in the case is expected by the end of June 2026.

Related Articles and Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling with homosexuality or transgenderism, Focus on the Family offers a one-time complimentary consultation with our ministry’s professionally trained counseling staff. The consultation is free due to generous donor support.

To reach Focus on the Family’s counseling service by phone, call 1-800-A-Family (232-6459) weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time). Please be prepared to leave your contact information for a counselor or chaplain to return a call to you as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can fill out our Counseling Consultation Request Form.

We also offer local referrals for licensed counselors who align with the mission and values of Focus on the Family.

Read more about Chiles v. Salazar at ADF.

Appeals Court Permits Colorado’s Counseling Censorship Law to Stand

Are People Born Gay? A look at what the research shows and what it means for you

Colorado Counselor Asks U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Free Speech Case

Colorado Lurches to the Far Left

Focus on the Family’s Position: Counseling for Unwanted Homosexuality

Is Therapy to Leave Homosexuality Damaging? New Review Says, ‘No Proof of Harm’

Judge Rules Against Challenge to Colorado Therapy Ban for ‘LGBT Minors’

New Study: Even Failed Efforts to Leave Homosexuality Are Not Harmful

New Study Shows Therapy to Leave Homosexuality Can Be Effective and Helpful

Opening Brief Filed at SCOTUS Defending Christian Counselor’s Free Speech

Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Case on Colorado’s Counseling Censorship Law

What Is ‘Conversion Therapy’?

Why We Support Therapy for Unwanted Homosexuality

International Rugby Star and His Wife Endured Attacks for Biblical Beliefs  

Israel Folau was one of the top rugby players in the world when his contract with Rugby Australia was terminated.

His crime? He posted on social media his opposition to same-sex marriage. He later posted that homosexuality was a sin that would lead to hell – listing it with other sins such as drunkenness, adultery, idolatry, lying and stealing.

Israel told those ensnared in sin that Jesus Christ loved them and they should turn from their sin and come to Him.

The termination launched Israel and his wife, Maria, into “one of the most significant free speech and freedom of religion controversies Australia has ever known,” wrote New Zealand reporter Peter Williams.

Most Americans probably haven’t heard of Israel and Maria. But the couple’s response to the vitriol and anger unleashed against them, as they grew in character and in dependence on God, is an inspiring story that’s worth hearing.

The Folau’s spoke out for the first time about the cost of standing for biblical truth in an exclusive interview with Bob McCoskrie, of Family First New Zealand, a pro-life, pro-family organization. The interview has more than 90,000 views on YouTube.

Now I’ll admit that I know next to nothing about rugby. But I was fascinated by their story. While Israel was an internationally known rugby star, Maria was a world-renowned athlete in her own sport, netball (think basketball without running, dribbling or a backboard behind the net).

Here’s a look at their remarkable story and the interview where they describe their reactions to the attacks on their beliefs and God’s sustaining power through it all.

Israel and Maria

Israel Folau played for the Rugby Australia Wallabies, the country’s national team. He also played for the New South Wales Waratahs, a team based in Sidney. He’d won multiple awards during his career.

Israel, an Australian of Tongan descent, was raised Mormon. He and his family left Mormonism to join the Assemblies of God in 2011, when he was 22 years old.

Maria played netball for different New Zealand teams and was also a member of the national team, the Silver Ferns. She led her team to three gold medals and one silver medal at the international Commonwealth Games. Born in New Zealand, Maria has a Samoan heritage.

Social Media Posts

In 2017, Australia held a referendum on “same-sex marriage,” and Rugby Australia publicly supported the initiative. Folau disagreed with that position in a post on X, saying, “I love and respect all people for who they are and their opinions. but personally, I will not support gay marriage.”

McCoskrie asked Israel, “That really was the time when you became public enemy number one, wasn’t it?”

Israel responded, “Yeah … I was voicing my opinion, and it was from my heart. At that time, you know, being a Christian, I thought it was so important to voice that and having a public platform to really, you know, [show] where I stand. And it’s still the same now. We still have that love for people.”

Israel and Maria were newlyweds at the time, and she was a new convert to Christianity. Maria told McCoskrie she began to receive death threats after the post received attention in Australia.

Two years later, as GQ Australia reported, “He Instagrammed a post that would lead to one of the greatest free speech debates of the decade.”

The post listed different types of sinners, with Israel giving a warning, “Those that are living in Sin will end up in Hell unless you repent. Jesus Christ loves you and is giving you time to turn away from your sin and come to him.”

Public Enemy Number One

This led to Israel’s termination. Israel told McCoskrie, “I had no idea that, as I was about to post this, that I was going to get my contract terminated. That was the truth. But I just felt really convicted in my heart to really share that.”

Prior to the post, Israel said he’d been asking God “to put me in a position to test my faith … always a dangerous prayer.”

Israel refused to take the post down. He had just signed a new contract with the Wallabies – one without the usual social media clause, a mistake on Rugby Australia’s part. He’s also informed the management he wouldn’t compromise on his religious views about sexuality, sin and salvation.

Maria explained that she looked at the post and thought, “Oh yeah, what’s wrong with that? That’s a biblical message.”

A Heart for the Lost

McCoskrie asked what Israel would say to someone who argued, “Look, it may be biblical, but it’s too confrontational. It’s not loving.”

Israel replied, “Well, I would say that’s untrue. I think the most loving thing that a Christian can share is exactly that. [It] is the message of the Gospel and that’s what the Gospel is all about. Sometimes it’s really confronting.”

He went on to explain that affirming someone in their sin is “the most unloving thing to do.” Then he explained his heart for others to come to salvation – just as he had:

The reason why I’m really passionate about Jesus [is] because I used to live a lifestyle that was exactly that. And so I when I share this message, I tell people that I struggle with those things. I actually, you know, was big on alcohol, drugs, all these sorts of things … It didn’t give me the satisfaction that you think it would.

It wasn’t until I encountered Jesus that He gave me purpose and fulfillment [and] peace that this world can’t give you, as the Word says.

Israel called on believers “to stand strong and be bold and not be ashamed of who you represent.”

Maria’s Response

Maria said this was a challenging time for her. She was angry that other players on the team, who said they supported Israel, wouldn’t stand up for his right to express his faith.

As a young Christian, she was enduring vitriol and death threats. She was playing netball internationally, under enormous pressure while commentators and fans called for her to be pulled from the team. And she described running to her car after games, “just in case, you know, someone would do something to me.”

Israel said that was the hardest part, watching Maria struggle and seeing the challenges she faced because of his stand for his faith. He said, “I wish I could have just taken all that weight off her and carried it for her.”

Then he added, “But the fruit that we had received out of the whole situation, what God had taught us and built inside of us in our character is something that we would have never gotten from not going through it.”

Maria agreed, saying that even though it was hard, it drew her closer to God.

“Yeah, it was rough. It was full on. Like I had no choice but to go to God. I was at that point where I was still new in the faith, and Izzy was just such a great example for me to believe but also action as well.”

An Example for Others

Looking back, Maria and Israel believe their story has emboldened other believers to express their faith. Israel said, “And I believe a big reason why we had to go through what we had to go through is to encourage other believers, you know. It’s just part of the assignment that I believe God has had on us.”

Maria also pointed out how God helped sustain her during this ordeal. She said:

We were going through all that stuff, and I just had enough, and I was sitting in the car … and I said, “Lord, I cannot do this. I’m done. Can you just be rid of this situation?”

Then I got out of the car, was walking to the cafe, and I met this English guy, and he stopped me, and he said, “You need to bask in God’s love.”

The man didn’t know who she or her husband were, Maria said, adding,

“I turned around like within seconds and he was gone. And I truly do believe that God sends angels in human form. And he was there to remind me, ‘You’re going to be okay.'”

Maria said it was a reminder that God had chosen her to stand by Israel and “go through the storm and this fire,” that God was saying, “You will do this, and I’ll be with you all the way. You’ll be fine.”

May their testimony of God’s goodness and presence in the storm inspire more believers to speak the truth in the face of opposition.

Related Articles and Resources

Watch the exclusive interview: “Israel & Maria Folau – Their Side Of The Story”

Learn more about Family First New Zealand

Watch Truth Rising, a documentary about how ordinary people can make an extraordinary impact—by boldly choosing courage over fear.

Five Courageous Christians

A Flood of Faith: Surge of Athletes Publicly Glorify God

Helping Teens Respond to Homosexuality With Love, Truth and Courage

Honor Charlie Kirk’s Memory, ‘Don’t Let Your Voice Get Softer’

How to Build Moral Courage in Your Kids

Men and Women Respond to Courage

Pastors Should Be Bolder than Politicians

Raising Bold Children With Courage and Confidence VP Vance: ‘Better to Be Persecuted Than Deny the Kingship of Christ’

Image credit: Family First New Zealand, YouTube