Mennonite Farmer Wins

While everyone else is properly concerned about the two U.S. Supreme Court case decisions of yesterday, I thought I would discuss a Mennonite Farmer who stood up for his religious freedom and won.

You see, this particular farmer had been providing ducks to New York for several decades without incident. He participated in all the federal avian health screening requirements for the same period of time.

Then, in an attempt to regulate and keep track of individuals and farmers who are in business, the state decided to require a federal identification number (just like I have) in order to continue legally selling ducks to New York. The problem? This kind of identification goes against the religious teachings of his church.

Fortunately, a settlement was reached after a long struggle for this farmer. Perhaps there is a bit of religious freedom left in the country. Not just private worship and prayer, but religious choice within the context of a business arrangement.

Oh, if only this would lead to faithful people being able to legally choose other faithful people to be their employees, tenants, and such. Discrimination. That is the problem.

I am glad for the various farmers and others who will benefit from the arrangement between the
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and this
Mennonite farmer.

And, I am glad for the intervention of the
Alliance Defense Fund, once again.