The judge in our case Zinski v. Liberty University recently delivered a ruling that almost certainly will send this case to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

At its core, this case is an insidious attempt to destroy Christian doctrine with LGBTQ gender ideology. The case will decide whether a religious institution may be forced to employ someone who intentionally lies and defiantly refuses to comply with the institution’s biblical doctrine. The implications of this case are huge, as it will decide whether religious institutions will be allowed to keep their religious freedom right to carry out their sincerely held beliefs and Christian mission.  

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This case was a setup from the beginning. Jonathan Zinski had been taking female hormones for four months before he applied for a job and signed and agreed to abide by Liberty University’s doctrinal statement. The clear language therein states that God created two sexes — male and female — and that to live in a way that contradicts His design is sinful.

The fact that he was actively preparing to “identify” as “female” BEFORE he applied proves that Zinski never had any intention of abiding by the university doctrinal statement he signed. By his own admission, Zinski signed in bad faith with the intention of suing the school at his first opportunity — which, in this case, was as soon as his 90-day probationary period ended. 

In a response rejecting Liberty Counsel’s motion to dismiss Zinski’s discrimination lawsuit, Judge Moon wrote, “Liberty cannot erect a shield against antidiscrimination laws by asserting that mere acceptance of a member from a particular group would impair its message.” 

But that ruling makes no sense, as it completely ignores Liberty University’s religious freedom rights, as guaranteed by the First Amendment as well as the Title VII Civil Rights Act. In fact, Title VII explicitly states that religious corporations, associations, educational institutions, or societies are exempt, therefore, they are protected in carrying out their core Christian mission.

If the court’s ruling held true, it would mean that religious organizations could be forced to hire people who do not believe in and who refuse to follow or promote a religious organization’s doctrine.

But Judge Moon’s ruling sets up this appeal in our favor — one that will almost certainly take this case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The First Amendment requires that religious institutions must have the right to hire people who live a life guided by the institution’s doctrine. Religious institutions have a right to carry out their core mission. And if an employee’s actions do not comport with that mission, the religious institution must have the right to fire that person.

We need your help to stop the LGBTQ’s attempts to corrupt Christian doctrine and eradicate biblical truth. Support our legal fund today.

Judge Moon further concluded that Liberty University’s employment of Zinski does not significantly burden its ability to maintain its views, nor does it offend its freedom of expressive association. 

But that’s not true either. Zinski was hired for a role in information technology. As such, he has daily interaction with students and staff members alike. What message does it send to students, parents, and staff if university doctrine says one thing, but the university staff’s actions and appearance say the exact opposite?  

Zinski’s attempt to “set up” Liberty University for a lawsuit goes far beyond the LGBTQ sideshow he is desperately trying to pull off. Should churches be forced to hire atheists to preach from the pulpit? Should Jewish synagogues be forced to hire hog farmers to preside over Shabbat, or Catholics be forced to appoint abortionists as priests?

The simple fact is a religious institution has the absolute right to hire people who carry out the institution’s doctrinal mission. By the same measure, a religious institution has the absolute right to fire employees whose actions and behaviors compromise that mission. 

Judge Moon did note that there is no existing case law in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals or at the U.S. Supreme Court that effectively addresses some of the nuances of this case. That means our case will likely be the case the High Court uses to decide if religious schools will be allowed to protect their doctrine from outside corruption. 

We are preparing our appeal now to the higher courts. Zinski is represented by the ACLU and its multimillion-dollar endowment fund. As of the ACLU’s 2023 fiscal report, the organization has over a half billion-dollar endowment to fuel its anti-Christian legal attacks. We need your financial support to ensure we have the resources to win this landmark case.

Thankfully, a special Year-End Challenge Grant has been established that will DOUBLE the impact of every gift made today, and even every recurring monthly donation for as long as the grant is in effect. Please, help us defend religious freedom with your gift today.

We look forward to the next phase of this litigation. We will not allow the ACLU to steamroll this Christian school, or any other — because if the LGBTQ agenda wins, no Christian institution will be safe. If we lose, Christian universities, schools, and yes, even churches will be forced to hire drag queens and promote the LGBTQ agenda. We cannot allow this to happen.

In our 36-plus years, Liberty Counsel has won 40 cases we argued or briefed before the U.S. Supreme Court and countless other cases before state and federal courts.

Liberty Counsel is in an elite class when it comes to use of donor funds. Our non-donor income covers all administrative and fundraising expenses. This means 100% of every dollar goes directly to Liberty Counsel programs. And Liberty Counsel operates on a debt-free basis.

That’s why a generous supporter has extended a special Year-End Challenge Grant to support our work. Every donation made by midnight, December 31, will be DOUBLED in impact. The Year-End Challenge Grant will even double every recurring monthly donation for the duration of the grant! Please, help us fight for America’s future with your 100% deductible gift today.