Farmers' Case at Trial

4 min read: They were banned because of their beliefs. Now their case goes to trial …  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

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Their case is on trial. And so is your religious freedom. Will you help defend them?    Dear webmaster220, Do you remember the retired veterans from Michigan? You know, the couple who is raising their family on a small farm? Steve and Bridget Tennes, the owners of Country Mill Farms, sell their organic apples and other goods at local farmers' markets. Inspired by their love for God, the Tenneses serve everyone. They host hayrides on the farm for other families in the fall. Every year, they invite the community to come to the farm, pick as many apples as possible, and donate them to a local food bank. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they donated what food they had stored from the farm to places like local schools so children wouldn't go hungry. But none of that is enough for city officials in East Lansing, Michigan to leave the Tennes family alone. So, Steve and Bridget are back in court today. It all started when Steve and Bridget, who are both U.S. military veterans, responded to a question on their family farm's Facebook page and stated their beliefs about marriage. East Lansing officials disagreed with the Tennes' beliefs. First, they decided to target the couple by not inviting them back to the city's farmer's market. They then changed the market policies to exclude Country Mill—and only Country Mill—from participating in future markets. They did this even though Country Mill Farms is located 22 miles outside the East Lansing city limits. The Tennes' beliefs were called "ridiculous," "horrible," and "hateful" by a city official. And several city officials suggested that the Tenneses must change their religious beliefs and practices if they wanted to continue participating in the Farmer's Market. The city's banning of this Catholic family from the market kicked off an ongoing legal battle. And it highlights the dangers of what happens when government officials discriminate against people of faith. Today, the Tennes family heads to a trial, hoping to permanently protect their freedoms.   What's happened to the Tennes family is wrong. Your tax-deductible gift helps fight this injustice against them and protect religious freedom for all Americans! DONATE They never thought this could happen in America For years, the Tennes family participated in the East Lansing Farmer's Market. They provided excellent service and were such a hit that the city of East Lansing repeatedly asked them to return. But that abruptly changed in 2016 after Steve and Bridget's response to a Facebook post. Even though Country Mill Farms happily serves everyone, and even though the Facebook post had nothing to do with the farmer's market, East Lansing officials decided to punish the Tennes family because they disagreed with their beliefs on marriage. The Tennes family was shocked. Both Steve and Bridget served our country in the armed forces. They have been willing to sacrifice to protect our most cherished freedoms. And they've seen what happens when government is unchecked. They just never thought it would happen here in America. That a city would target them for simply saying what they believe. That's why Steve and Bridget decided to take a stand for their—and your—religious freedom. With the help of Alliance Defending Freedom, Country Mill Farms was able to file a complaint against the City. But today, the Tennes family is still awaiting justice as their case heads to trial. Will you help provide a winning legal defense for the Tennes family—and others like them—with your tax-deductible gift today? Government is supposed to be freedom's greatest protector—not its greatest threat webmaster220, sadly, government officials who oppose religious liberty are all too common. And they continue to increase their efforts to undermine your God-given right to religious freedom. But the government doesn't have the power to force you to say or do something you believe to be morally wrong—or punish you for simply expressing your deeply held beliefs. Even if it tries to, as it has in Steve and Bridget's case. Their case is yet another example of government officials weaponizing the law as a form of cancel culture. That's why it's so important that Steve and Bridget have pursued this matter in court. But people like the Tennes family rely on your generosity, webmaster220. Across America, these brave individuals are waking up to a world that has rejected their right to freely live out their faith, and they need help. They need you. Every year, ADF receives thousands of legal requests. Many of these calls come from people of faith who are being punished for living out their beliefs. They are small-business owners like the Tennes family, church members, and students—everyday people like you who simply want to honor God with their life and work. They desperately need help to defend their God-given freedoms. And because ADF doesn't charge clients for the legal defense we provide, their fight for freedom isn't possible without you. That's why your tax-deductible gift today is so important. webmaster220, this work is only possible with God's provision (John 15:5) and your prayers and support. Year after year, we've seen God's blessing when people of faith stand together to defend religious freedom. And we're trusting God to move in the hearts of people like you right now to stand against government overreach and protect people like Steve and Bridget Tennes. The Tenneses shouldn't have to go to court to guarantee their fundamental freedoms. Because of the government's actions, they do. But the government can't exclude you from making a living because of your beliefs. Will you rise to the challenge and stand with them today? Your tax-deductible gift will help defend the Tennes family and protect your right to freely live out your faith. Thank you for giving generously. DONATE NOW    ADF Blog | Contact Us  | Text Alerts | Donate Alliance Defending Freedom is a registered 501(C)(3) Charity. View Our Financials Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Don't want to receive this email anymore? Click here to *UNSUBSCRIBE. © 2021 Alliance Defending Freedom 15100 N. 90th Street, Scottsdale ~ Arizona 85260 All donations are secure, private, and tax-deductible. Member ECFA.   *View this email online This email was sent to Webmaster220 Bible Study Blog   *the blog owner has deleted the hyperlink intentionally