Federal court supports Catholic farmer removed from farmer’s market due to beliefs on traditional marriage.

Federal Court Rules in Favor of Michigan Farmer Banned from Farmer’s Market Over ‍Religious Beliefs

A federal district court has made a significant ruling in favor of a Michigan farmer, Steve Tennes, who was banned‍ from participating in a city-run farmer’s market due to his ‍Catholic views on marriage. The court’s decision allows Tennes and his farm, Country ⁣Mill Farms, to continue selling their‍ produce at ⁣the East Lansing farmer’s market.

In ‍2017, Tennes was barred from​ the market by city officials after he expressed his adherence to the Catholic Church’s teachings on marriage, which include opposition to same-sex weddings. Despite never receiving any complaints from customers,⁢ the city used a discretionary system to‌ ban Tennes and his farm from participating in the market.

Tennes and his farm took legal ⁢action ‍against the city of East Lansing, and on Monday, U.S. ⁣District Judge Paul Maloney⁢ ruled that the city’s ban on Tennes violated his ‌religious beliefs. The court stated that denying Tennes an equal share of rights and‍ benefits due⁣ to his faith discourages religious activity.

It is worth⁣ noting that​ Tennes’ farm is located 22 miles ‌away from East Lansing, ‌outside the city’s jurisdiction. In 2017, ‍the ⁣same judge issued a preliminary injunction,⁤ allowing Tennes to participate in the farmer’s market while the ⁢litigation proceeded. Since then, Tennes‍ has had‌ no issues⁢ with his farm’s involvement in the market.

Tennes’ attorney, John Bursch, emphasized that his client serves and welcomes everyone to his⁢ stand, never turning ​anyone away. Tennes was ​represented by Alliance Defending Freedom⁣ (ADF), a conservative legal ​group.

ADF Senior Counsel Kate Anderson, who argued​ on behalf of Tennes,⁤ expressed gratitude for the court’s decision and stated ‍that Tennes and Country Mill ‌Farms are eager to mend fences with current city officials and continue their mission of glorifying God by ⁢facilitating family fun on the farm and feeding families.

Supreme Court Cases on Religious⁢ Grounds and Same-Sex Marriage

This ruling adds ⁢to the list of high-profile cases involving business ‌owners who oppose⁤ same-sex‌ marriage on religious‌ grounds. In June, the Supreme Court struck down‍ a Colorado law that would⁢ have penalized a Christian‍ graphic designer for refusing to design a website for a same-sex wedding that conflicted with her religious beliefs.

Another notable Supreme Court ⁢case from Colorado occurred in 2018 when the court narrowly ⁢ruled ‌in ‍favor ⁢of a Colorado baker who declined ⁤to make a ⁢wedding ​cake for a same-sex couple. The court determined that the state had failed to maintain religious neutrality in its decision against ⁤Jack Phillips, the owner⁤ of Masterpiece Cakeshop.

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