5 min read: They never thought this could happen in America
Case Updates
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Today you can help defend the Tennes family and protect your right to freely live out your faith!
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Dear John,
You’ve heard it before—you’re free to believe whatever you want, but not really free to act on those beliefs.
This is a common (and false!) narrative from hostile government officials and activists. They push for a world where people of faith are marginalized and true religious expression is limited to homes and houses of worship.
But city officials in East Lansing, Michigan, took things even further by targeting a Catholic family in a neighboring city for simply expressing their faith. It all started when Steve and Bridget Tennes, who are both farmers and U.S. military veterans, stated their beliefs about marriage on their farm’s Facebook page in response to a question about their faith.
East Lansing officials didn’t agree with the Tennes’ beliefs and decided to target the couple by not inviting them back to the East Lansing Farmer’s Market. They then changed the market policies to exclude Country Mill—and only Country Mill—from participating in future markets. Officials even publicly criticized the Tennes’ beliefs, calling their Catholic views on marriage ridiculous, horrible, hateful, and wrong.
The city’s targeting of this Catholic family kicked off an ongoing legal battle that highlights the dangers of what happens when government officials discriminate against people of faith.
If you feel strongly that America must remain a nation that protects and celebrates religious freedom, please take your stand today. Your tax-deductible gift helps fight the injustice against the Tennes family and others like them!
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DONATE
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They never thought this could happen in America
For years, the Tennes family participated in the East Lansing Farmer’s Market. They provided excellent service and were such a hit that the city of East Lansing continually asked them to return.
But that abruptly changed in 2016 after Steve and Bridget’s Facebook post.
Even though Country Mill Farms happily serves everyone, and even though the Facebook post had nothing to do with the farmer’s market, East Lansing officials decided to punish the Tennes family because they disagreed with their faith.
First, East Lansing pressured the family to leave the farmer’s market. Then, the city crafted a new policy aimed directly at keeping Steve and Bridget out of future markets.
The Tennes family was shocked.
Both Steve and Bridget served our country in the armed forces. They have always been willing to sacrifice to protect our most cherished freedoms. And they’ve seen what happens when government is allowed to abuse its power unchecked.
They just never thought it would happen here in America. That a city 22 miles away would target them for simply saying what they believe.
So Steve and Bridget decided to take a stand for their religious freedom.
With the help of Alliance Defending Freedom, Country Mill Farms was able to file a complaint against the city. But today, the Tennes family is still awaiting justice in their case.
Will you help provide a winning legal defense for the Tennes family—and others like them—with your tax-deductible gift today?
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Government is supposed to be freedom’s greatest protector—not its greatest threat
John, government officials who oppose religious liberty—like those in East Lansing—will not stop challenging religious freedom. They’re doubling down on efforts to undermine our God-given right to live out our faith according to our conscience.
But the government should never have the power to force you to say or do something you believe to be morally wrong. Or punish you for simply expressing your deeply held beliefs!
That’s why Steve and Bridget have taken the government to court.
But people like the Tennes family rely on your generosity, John. Across America, these brave individuals are waking up to a world that has rejected their right to freely live out their faith, and they need help—they need you.
Every year, ADF receives thousands of legal requests. Many of these calls come from people of faith who are being punished for living out their beliefs. They are small-business owners like the Tennes family, church members, and students—everyday people like you who simply want to honor God with their life and work.
They desperately need help to defend their God-given freedoms. And because ADF doesn’t charge clients for the legal defense we provide, their fight for freedom isn’t possible without you.
That’s why your tax-deductible gift today is so important.
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John, if America is going to remain a free society, we must act now to protect our most cherished liberties—before things get even worse.
But please know this work is only possible with God’s provision (John 15:5) and your prayers and support.
Year after year, we’ve seen God’s blessing when people of faith stand together to defend religious freedom. And we’re trusting God to move in the hearts of people like you right now to stand against government overreach and protect people like Steve and Bridget Tennes.
Already a generous family has given a $1 million challenge grant to help defend religious freedom for the Tennes family, and people like them. Will you rise to the challenge today?
Your tax-deductible gift of $20, $50, $100, or more will be added to the challenge grant to further the impact for freedom and protect your right to freely live out your faith.
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Thank you for giving generously.
DONATE NOW
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