Now, more about our crucial work to defend religious freedom.
In 2023, the DOC terminated the Quest for Authentic Manhood, a popular, volunteer-led, Bible-based program at the St. Cloud prison. The DOC claimed that the program’s “biblical lens” conflicted with the Department’s DEI values. That is clear religious discrimination.
The Quest program provided a lifeline for male inmates, helping them to rehabilitate and reintegrate into society by teaching principles of authentic manhood through Christian teachings. Moreover, scores of inmates reported restored family relationships, resolved personal conflicts, and significant personal growth because of their participation. The Quest program graduated over 900 inmates before the DOC shut it down.
We’ve seen significant fruit from our efforts. Just this August, a preliminary injunction was granted to reinstate the Quest program. Moreover, under True North Legal’s questioning in deposition in early December, a DOC official admitted that the program could not continue because its biblical teachings conflicted with the DOC’s DEI values.
The case is now back for further proceedings at the U.S. District Court in Minnesota. While True North Legal’s expertise has helped to bring the victories above, we need your continued support to win this case and ultimately win for religious freedom.
This is the bottom line: the government cannot suppress religious speech and viewpoints because they conflict with state orthodoxy.
