The United States District Court for the District of North Dakota ruled Monday that non-profit and for-profit religious employers and healthcare providers cannot be forced to violate their religious beliefs by paying for and performing harmful "gender transition" surgeries, procedures, counseling, and treatments.
The Christian Employers Alliance was represented by Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF). In a related press release, attorney Matt Bowman points out that all employers and healthcare providers "have the constitutionally protected freedom to conduct their business and render treatment in a manner consistent with their deeply held religious beliefs."
"The employers we represent believe that God purposefully created humans as either male or female, and so it would violate their religious beliefs to pay for or perform life-altering medical procedures or surgeries that seek to change one's sex," Bowman continues. "The court was on firm ground to stop the administration from enforcing these unlawful mandates that disrespect people of faith."
In a statement to AFN, Christian Employers Alliance President Shannon Royce said they are "overjoyed" knowing that members will not have to choose between the biblically based employee benefits and quality healthcare they provide amid "the threat of federal enforcement and massive costs" for practicing their faith.
"This victory is amazing; however, not universal," Royce noted. "There are thousands of other Christian-owned, -operated, or -led businesses and ministries that still endure intense pressure and scrutiny by agencies, financial firms, and even employees to acquiesce to the culture's attempt to redefine biology."
Liberty Counsel attorney Hugh Phillips applauds the ruling but expects it to be appealed up to the 8th Circuit.
"But we are very confident the 8th Circuit will make the right decision on this as well," he adds.
