A federal court ruled in favor of a Christian-owned business who is suing the government to prevent the imposition of the controversial birth control mandate, making the lawsuit “scorecard” 26-6 in favor of conscience rights.
LifeNews.com is reporting that the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the Armstrongs, the Christian owners of Cherry Creek Mortgage Company in Colorado. The family sued to prevent the government from forcing them to provide insurance coverage for contraceptives, abortifacients and sterilizations because these practices violate their religious beliefs.
The case was originally filed in a federal district court in May of this year, but that court refused to issue a preliminary injunction that would protect the family from having to pay heavy fines for denying the coverage to their employees.
The Armstrongs appealed and the Tenth Circuit issued a ruling on September 11 reversing that decision. The case has been sent back to the district court for further action.
This latest ruling marks yet another win in dozens of cases pending in U.S. courts against the controversial mandate. According to The Becket Fund, which is keeping track of the lawsuits, there are currently 67 cases pending, with 37 of those cases involving for-profit business. Of those 37 cases, courts have ruled on 32 with 26 of those rulings being in favor of the businesses. Even though the cases are still in process, there is a clearly momentum in favor of freedom of conscience.
“Every American, including family business owners, should be free to live and do business according to their faith,” says Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel, Michael Norton.
“The court’s decision is a positive step in the right direction for the Armstrongs and for all family job creators across the country. As many other courts have found, the abortion pill mandate is an excessive burden on the religious freedom guaranteed by the Constitution to all Americans. That’s why we are seeking to stop enforcement of the mandate against Cherry Creek Mortgage Co., as well as for other family-run businesses.”
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