Court Decision: Wisconsin City Attempts to End Religious Freedom By Force
Pro-homosexual forces are attempting to pass legislation in Congress to immediately end all Religious Freedom in America and many people say it will never happen. Now we have examples abounding with Texas cities and now a Wisconsin city actually ending religious freedom within their boundries, says Eugene Delgaudio, president of Public Advocate.
Christian News Wire post:
The Brown County Circuit Court has issued a written decision which harshly criticizes a city's attempt to impose sexual orientation and gender identity mandates on religious organizations.
The City of De Pere, which is near Green Bay, sought to categorize religious organizations as "places of public accommodation." As such, they would have been subject to non-discrimination mandates on gender identity and sexual orientation. The ordinance applied not only to public accommodations as traditionally defined but also applied to housing, employment, and advertising.
Before the ordinance took effect in March 2018, Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) filed suit on behalf of five churches and a Christian radio station located in De Pere. Following discovery, PJI moved for summary judgment and the City sought to dismiss the case. The City argued that any time a church opens to the public, outside of their "traditional role as a house of worship," the City has the right to impose its own values on that church.
In mid-December of last year, PJI's attorney, Kevin Snider, appeared in court and argued the case. The judge ruled against the City from the bench, noting that an immediate, oral decision was necessary to ensure the churches' religious freedom during the Christmas season. Last Friday, March 15, the Court followed up with an 18-page written decision detailing its reasoning, which followed closely the arguments PJI had presented. The judge labeled the City's ordinance an "egregious free speech violation" and stated, "The viewpoint discrimination in the ordinance is straightforward. Churches and religious entities may speak, advertise and otherwise publish their religious beliefs, including expectations of members, attendees and employees, and use of the facilities and services provided-so long as those beliefs are in agreement with the City's sexual orthodoxy."
Hat tip to Pacific Justice and Christian News Wire