Seventh-day Adventist Church Sues Maryland Over Employment Discrimination Law

The Seventh-day Adventist Church has initiated a lawsuit against the state of Maryland, challenging a recent interpretation of the Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act (MFEPA). The General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Church, based in Silver Spring, Maryland, argues that the state supreme court’s decision restricts its right to hire individuals who share its religious beliefs.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, disputes the court’s reinterpretation of the religious exemption under MFEPA. The complaint asserts that the church’s right to hire employees who support its religious mission is a constitutional right, not dependent on proving that an individual directly furthers the organization’s core mission.

The Adventist Church requires employees to be baptized, tithing members in regular standing with the denomination and to adhere to specific moral standards, including abstaining from sex outside of marriage, alcohol, homosexuality, and immodest dress. These policies are central to the church’s identity and operations.

The legal dispute centers on the Maryland Supreme Court’s decision in *Doe v. Catholic Relief Services*, which clarified that the religious exemption under MFEPA bars claims of religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity discrimination against religious organizations by employees whose duties directly further the core mission of the entity. The Adventist Church contends this interpretation conflicts with its hiring practices.

According to the lawsuit, the church fears that continuing its current hiring policies could expose it to liability under the new interpretation of MFEPA. The complaint notes that while the law has recently changed, there is no established history of enforcement. However, the defendants have made statements and taken actions that suggest they intend to enforce the new interpretation.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church is represented by Becket, a religious liberty law firm known for its successful advocacy in First Amendment cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. The complaint names several Maryland officials as defendants, including the state’s attorney general and the head of the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights.

The case highlights the tension between religious freedom and anti-discrimination laws, as the church seeks to protect its hiring practices while facing legal challenges from state authorities. The outcome could have significant implications for religious organizations operating in Maryland.

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