US court backs homeless mission’s right to only hire Christians

A US mission cannot be forced to hire workers who do not agree with its Christian beliefs on sexual ethics, judges have ruled.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed that Yakima Union Gospel Mission (YUGM) has the constitutional right to only hire people who “agree with and live out” the Christian belief that sex should only take place within a heterosexual marriage.

In a unanimous decision, judges upheld a lower court injunction prohibiting Washington State officials from interfering with the homeless mission’s appointment of only evangelical Christians.

Gospel ministry

Since its founding, YUGM has existed “to bring the unique hope of Christ to people struggling on the streets”. The mission’s statement of faith explains that all have sinned, and that forgiveness “is available because of Christ’s substitutionary, sacrificial and atoning death on the cross”.

It also states that for humanity’s “joy and well-being, God commanded human sexual expression to be completely contained within the marriage of one man to one woman, equally naming every other expression sinful”.

But according to Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), YUGM’s legal representatives, the Washington Supreme Court threatened its constitutionally protected religious autonomy by prohibiting it from only hiring individuals who share its religious beliefs.

Summarising the Appeal Court decision, Judge Patrick J Bumatay said: “Under the church autonomy doctrine, Union Gospel may decline to hire as non-ministerial employees those who do not share its religious beliefs about marriage and sexuality.”

Religious liberty

ADF Senior Counsel Jeremiah Galus said: “Religious organizations shouldn’t be punished for exercising their constitutionally protected freedom to hire employees who are aligned with and live out their shared religious beliefs.

“Yakima Union Gospel Mission exists to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ through its homeless shelter, addiction-recovery programs, outreach efforts, meal services, and health clinics.

“The 9th Circuit correctly ruled that the First Amendment protects the mission’s freedom to hire fellow believers who share that calling.”

In 2003, the UK Government introduced new regulations banning sexual orientation discrimination in employment, implementing an EU Directive. After a long campaign by organisations including The Christian Institute, an exemption was added so that religious bodies were not forced to employ people in same-sex relationships. This protection is now part of the Equality Act 2010, after an attempt by the Government to exclude it was defeated in a series of votes in the House of Lords.

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