by Jorge Gomez • 1 minute
On Tuesday, First Liberty and volunteer attorneys at Consovoy McCarthy argued in federal appeals court on behalf of our clients, Crosspoint Church and Bangor Christian School.
Our legal team urged the 1st Circuit to reverse a lower court decision that prevents religious schools from participating in the state’s school choice program. Maine enacted the discriminatory law after it lost at the U.S. Supreme Court in Carson v. Makin. First Liberty’s landmark Supreme Court victory in Carson held that states cannot discriminate against parents who want to send their children to religious schools under government student-aid programs. The ruling made clear faith-based organizations must be treated the same as everyone else.
In spite of the court’s correction, Maine officials have maintained an attitude of hostility and anti-religious bias against families and schools.
“Maine excluded religious schools from its school choice program for over 40 years, but the U.S. Supreme Court made it clear in Carson v. Makin that such religious discrimination is unconstitutional,” said First Liberty Senior Counsel Jeremy Dys. “Now, our clients would be punished with heavy fines if they hold to their religious beliefs. We hope the court puts an end to these tactics.”
Dys joined First Liberty Live to recap this week’s argument and how the outcome could set an important precedent for the whole country. Watch below:
Please continue to pray for our clients as they await the court’s decision. Please also pray for the judges as they deliberate and write their opinion. This is a major case that will impact Bangor Christian and other religious schools in Maine, as well as faith-based schools, parents and children all across the country.
A win for our clients would be a win for all Americans, ensuring that families are free to choose religious schools and the educational option that’s best for them without the government’s interference. Religious Americans should not be penalized or discriminated against because they choose a religious education. The Supreme Court made it clear families have a right to equally participate in state programs without facing religious discrimination.
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