Rep. Chris Corry: When the courts get religious freedom right
A recent unanimous ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit delivered something that has become far too rare in Washington: a clear, common-sense defense of religious freedom grounded in the Constitution.
At issue was the Yakima Union Gospel Mission – a faith-based organization that has served our community for decades by providing shelter, meals, addiction recovery, and a pathway to hope for people at their lowest moments. The mission serves everyone, regardless of background or belief. But it also exists for a specific purpose: to live out and share its Christian faith through service.
The court ruled that the mission has the right to hire employees who share and live out those beliefs. That may sound obvious, but in Washington state, it hasn’t been treated that way.
This case became necessary only because Washington lawmakers and, later, the Washington Supreme Court chose to narrow long-standing religious protections. By redefining the term “employer” and limiting religious exemptions almost exclusively to ordained ministers, the court exposed faith-based nonprofits to penalties and lawsuits simply for staying true to their mission. In effect, the state told religious organizations they could believe what they wanted but had to hire people opposed to those beliefs.
That approach was wrong, and the 9th Circuit rightly rejected it.
Religious freedom does not stop at the church door. It applies to the work churches and ministries do every day in homeless shelters, recovery programs, food kitchens, and outreach efforts. If a ministry’s purpose is religious, then the people carrying out that mission matter. Government has no business forcing faith-based organizations to choose between their beliefs and their ability to serve.
Unfortunately, this case also reflects a broader pattern. Time and again, the Washington Supreme Court has shown a willingness to stretch statutory language and constitutional boundaries in pursuit of ideological outcomes. When courts begin rewriting laws rather than interpreting them, trust in the judiciary erodes and fundamental freedoms are put at risk.
That’s why this ruling matters far beyond one case or one ministry.
For Yakima, the Union Gospel Mission isn’t an abstract legal principle. It’s a trusted partner in caring for people struggling with homelessness, addiction, and despair. It helps rebuild lives, restore families, and strengthen our community. The idea that the state could punish such an organization for hiring staff who believe in – and adhere to – its statement of faith, values, and doctrines should concern everyone, regardless of faith.
The 9th Circuit’s decision restores an important constitutional guardrail. It reaffirms that when religious organizations act on sincerely held beliefs, government interference has limits. That principle protects not just one ministry in Yakima, but faith-based organizations across Washington.
At a time when religious liberty is too often treated as a problem to be managed rather than a right to be protected, this ruling is a welcome reminder: the Constitution still means something, and courts still have a duty to defend it.
(Rep. Chris Corry, R-Yakima, is the House Republican Caucus Deputy Leader)
