Dear Friend of the Family,
Last week, we told you about a victory we were able to achieve for a young mom whose infant daughters were going to be kicked out of their pediatrician’s office because of their family’s religious beliefs about vaccines. This week, we are happy to report a similar religious liberty win.
A nursing student reached out to MFI a few months ago and told us about how she had applied to a Massachusetts community college’s nursing program but had encountered discrimination because of her Christian religious beliefs. The program’s director had informed her that because she had not taken the COVID vaccine for religious reasons, she would not be able to enroll in the program. When the student pointed out that the college’s own website stated that the college’s vaccine mandate was no longer in effect, the director incorrectly stated that nursing students still had to get the shot – no exceptions, even for deeply held religious convictions.
This nursing student was especially dismayed because she had been forced to drop out of the same program back in 2022, when the vaccine mandate was in effect, and was now facing that same choice: violate her conscience or give up on her dream of becoming a nurse. She was so conflicted, she even considered taking out $50,000+ in loans to go to a school where they would accept her religious beliefs.
When we heard this student’s story, we immediately sent the college a demand letter explaining that the student had a right to a religious accommodation under state law and that the college’s actions had violated its own policies. The college’s legal counsel quickly contacted us and confirmed that there had been a misunderstanding and that the student would be enrolled for this fall.
Now, this student will be able to get her degree without facing religious discrimination and without having to go into major debt. If you or someone you know is facing discrimination because of your religious beliefs, reach out to MFI – we would love to see if we can help you.
For our Families,
Sam Whiting, Staff Attorney
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