Oregon revoked funding for a youth ministry in 2023 because the group requires employees and volunteers to share in its mission to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and sign a statement of faith.
According to Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), Youth 71Five Ministry’s legal counsel, the state changed grant rules to bar grantees from hiring only people who share an organization’s faith. After an anonymous person complained that the ministry’s site contained that language, Oregon revoked Youth 71Five’s funding.
As ADF stated, a government can’t ban a religious organization from participating in a public-benefit program because the organization won’t give up its religious rights.
After losing in the lower court, Youth 71Five appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. A three-judge motions panel issued an injunction pending appeal, restoring the funds while the lawsuit was pending. The panel contended that Oregon treated comparable secular groups more favorably than Youth 71Five.
The merits panel of the Ninth Circuit, however, ruled in Oregon’s favor.
Youth 71Five has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case. The ministry is doing important work serving at-risk youth, and the people it helps do not have to be Christians.
“By depriving 71Five of funding, Oregon is holding religious ministries and organizations to an unconstitutional choice: Hire those who reject your beliefs to receive grants or go without funding,” said John Bursch, ADF senior counsel and vice president of Appellate Advocacy.
Photo credit: Alliance Defending Freedom
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