Evangelist Franklin Graham says the U.S. Supreme Court exceeded its authority and may have infringed on religious liberty with its decision Monday expanding the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include sexual orientation and gender identity.
The high court, in a 6-3 decision, ruled employers cannot fire someone merely for being gay or transgender under federal law.
In comments on social media, Graham said he’s concerned how the decision will impact Christian ministries.
“As Justice Alito has pointed out, the majority went too far – he called it a ‘brazen abuse of our authority.’ The Supreme Court exists to interpret the law, not to make new laws – making laws is the job of our Representatives in Congress, elected by the people,’ Graham wrote. “I believe this decision erodes religious freedoms across this country.
“People of sincere faith who stand on God’s Word as their foundation for life should never be forced by the government to compromise their religious beliefs. Christian organizations should never be forced to hire people who do not align with their biblical beliefs and should not be prevented from terminating a person whose lifestyle and beliefs undermine the ministry’s purpose and goals.”
Justice Neil Gorsuch, writing for the majority, acknowledged the justices were “deeply concerned with preserving the promise of the free exercise of religion enshrined in our Constitution” and that other cases may arise with “free exercise arguments that merit careful consideration.”
“But how these doctrines protecting religious liberty interact with Title VII are questions for future cases,” Gorsuch wrote.
Religious liberty organizations are hopeful the court eventually will carve out religious exemptions.
“As a Bible-believing follower of Jesus Christ, my rights should be protected,” Graham said. “Even if my sincerely held religious beliefs might be the minority, I still have a right to hold them. The same holds true for a Christian organization. These are the freedoms our nation was founded on.
“The Supreme Court does not override and will never overturn the Word of God,” Graham added. “One day we will all have to stand before God, the Righteous Judge, whose decisions are not based on politics or the whims of culture. His laws are true and are the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Related:
Supreme Court's LGBT Decision Could Pose 'Grave Threat to Religious Liberty,' Christian Leaders Say
Landmark: Supreme Court Rules 1964 Civil Rights Act Protects LGBT Employees
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Pool
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
