First Liberty just filed a motion for preliminary injunction urging the U.S. District Court of Maine to halt a state law that discriminates against religious schools.

We’re defending Bangor Christian Schools (BCS), which is operated by Crosspoint Church. For more than 50 years, the school has provided students and families with an education grounded in biblical principles.

Despite our win at the U.S. Supreme Court last year, Maine persists in trying to exclude BCS and other religious schools from participating in the state’s tuitioning program.

Our Treat Children Fairly case (Carson v. Makin) was a major victory for religious education. The Court ruled that states cannot discriminate against parents who send their children to religious schools under government student-aid, or “tuitioning,” programs. It also held that government must treat religious organizations the same as everyone else.

In anticipation of this decision, however, the Maine legislature enacted a new law that penalizes Chrsitian schools for teaching religious beliefs. It put in place a provision saying that tuitioning schools cannot discriminate on the basis of religion, sexual orientation and gender identity.

These requirements prohibit BCS from teaching its religious perspective or admitting only students who agree to support the school’s statement of faith and religious educational mission.

Schools like BCS would be forced to violate their sincerely held religious beliefs in order to participate in the state’s tuitioning program.

This is unconstitutional. Maine wrongfully excluded religious schools for 40+ years. It lost at the highest court last year, and the direction from the Supreme Court was clear: this religious discrimination must end.

Our Treat Children Fairly victory was crucial. But the battle is not over. There are still many cases we must win to ensure state officials follow the Supreme Court’s direction.

Bangor Christian is counting on your support. Families should be free to choose the educational option that works best for them without the government’s interference.

Please donate to First Liberty today. With your support, we can continue restoring religious freedom in our nation’s schools.