The right of faith-based adoption agencies like Catholic Charities to make decisions that are consistent with their religious beliefs must be respected and preserved by the state.  Forcing religious organziations to forfiet their religious values / beliefs would be an unjust and unprecedented violation of religious freedom in Virginia, which would a have dampening effect on the work of faith-based charitbale organizations across the state. Moreover, where would such a sweeping revision to the law lead to next? Religious freedom is a fundamental right that must be vigorously defended.

 

Faith-based agencies must be allowed to continue their great work free from the threat of religious discrimination.  On April 20th, the State Board of Social Services upheld the fundamental right of faith-based agencies to continue their work without threat to their constitutional and civil rights.  The government must continue to protect the religious freedom of all faith-based adoption agencies in the state of Virginia.