Liberty University (in Lynchburg, Virginia) finds itself on the front lines again in the battle to preserve religious liberty. A federal judge has ruled against the university in a dispute with an employee who claims to have “transitioned” to a woman.
Before he was hired, the employee agreed to abide by Liberty’s doctrinal statement and policies. Later, he announced he had been taking female hormones for months prior to being hired and wanted to be called “Ellenor.”
The university fired him. Their lawyers point out that the school’s doctrinal statement “… clearly states that human beings were directly created in the very image of God as either biologically male or female from the womb, and it is a sinful act prohibited by God to deny one’s birth sex by self-identification with a different gender.”1
Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver argued that Liberty has “… the right under the First Amendment and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act to uphold its sincere Christian religious beliefs and require its employees to do the same. Zinski intentionally and deceptively set up Liberty University in an attempt to undermine its religious beliefs and mission,” Staver continued, adding that the case “must be dismissed.”2
Unfortunately, U.S. District judge Norman Moon rejected the university’s argument and has ruled the lawsuit against Liberty can move forward.
JDFI stands with Liberty University. Our constitutional First Amendment freedom of religion must be protected, or our country will cease to be “a shining city upon a hill.” Please join us in praying for Liberty University’s leadership and their legal team as they fight to preserve our rights.
1. “Liberty University To Appeal Meritless Title VII Lawsuit,” Liberty Counsel, February 25, 2025, https://lc.org/newsroom/details/022125-liberty-university-to-appeal-meritless-title-vii-lawsuit-1
2. Ibid.
