Iowa Church Holds Civil Rights Commission's Feet to the Fire: Minor Change Doesn't Cut It—Still Unconstitutional!

Bob Eschliman : Jul 21, 2016
Charisma News

"Cosmetic changes to the alarming language in one brochure won't fix the unconstitutionality of the Iowa Civil Rights Act. Churches should be free to communicate their religious beliefs and operate their houses of worship according to their faith without fearing government punishment. The Iowa Civil Rights Commission had no constitutional basis for including explicit threats against houses of worship in any of its materials." -Christiana Holcomb, Alliance Defending Freedom

(Des Moines, IA)—[Charisma News] A lawsuit filed on behalf of a Des Moines, Iowa, pastor will continue to move forward, despite assurances from the Iowa Civil Rights Commission that it will not interfere in the religious liberty of churches in the state. (Photo: Iowa Statehouse/Public Domain)

Alliance Defending Freedom attorney Christiana Holcomb said the commission's release of a minor revision to its publication titled A Public Accommodations Provider's Guide to Iowa Law fails to alleviate concerns regarding the state law in question. In the lawsuit Fort Des Moines Church of Christ v. Jackson, she argues the law is too vague and could harm religious liberty in the state.

"Cosmetic changes to the alarming language in one brochure won't fix the unconstitutionality of the Iowa Civil Rights Act," she said. "Churches should be free to communicate their religious beliefs and operate their houses of worship according to their faith without fearing government punishment. The Iowa Civil Rights Commission had no constitutional basis for including explicit threats against houses of worship in any of its materials."

Holcomb added that...

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