The Biden DOJ is suing a small Idaho town for denying a church permit in what appears to be a clear case of religious discrimination against a conservative evangelical congregation.
Key Takeaways
- The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Troy, Idaho for denying Christ Church a permit to hold services downtown, claiming violations of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).
- Public comments opposing the church’s permit revealed obvious religious bias, focusing on disagreement with the church’s conservative teachings rather than legitimate zoning concerns.
- After denying the permit, Troy passed a new ordinance specifically banning churches in the central business district, further strengthening the DOJ’s discrimination case.
- The city claims its decision was based on infrastructure concerns, but allowed other similar non-religious gatherings in the same area, suggesting unequal treatment.
- The DOJ is seeking to compel Troy to allow Christ Church to worship at the location and mandate training on federal religious discrimination laws for city personnel.
Federal Government Steps In to Defend Religious Liberty
The Department of Justice has taken legal action against the city of Troy, Idaho, alleging the small town violated federal law by denying a conditional use permit to Christ Church, an evangelical congregation seeking to establish a worship space downtown. The lawsuit, filed under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), marks a significant defense of religious liberty at a time when conservative Christian groups increasingly face discrimination from liberal-dominated local governments. The case centers on the purchase of a vacant former bank building by Matt Meyer, a Christ Church elder, which was intended to serve as a location for church services and office space.
“RLUIPA unequivocally forbids local governments from deciding zoning matters based on their dislike of certain religious groups. The Department of Justice will not hesitate to file suit against jurisdictions that discriminate in land use matters on the basis of the applicants’ religious beliefs,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon
Evidence of Religious Discrimination
According to the DOJ’s lawsuit, the Troy City Council’s decision to deny the permit was heavily influenced by community opposition based on disagreement with the church’s conservative theology rather than legitimate zoning concerns. Christ Church, which advocates traditional Christian values and gender roles, has faced significant opposition in the liberal college town of Moscow, Idaho, where it is headquartered. This ideological conflict appears to have spilled over into Troy, where public comments at city meetings focused overwhelmingly on objections to the church’s religious beliefs instead of practical considerations about the proposed use of the property.
“The content of things that I say should have nothing to do with whether a church is allowed to meet. You don’t approve a religious assembly based upon your disagreement with certain views expressed,” said Christ Church pastor Douglas Wilson
Trump Justice Dept takes on a city that denied a permit to Christ Church to hold services in its downtown zoning district, where nonreligious assembly uses such as clubs, museums, auditoriums, & art galleries were allowed. https://t.co/Cb6pwvynWx
— John R Lott Jr. (@JohnRLottJr) May 29, 2025
City’s Questionable Defense
Troy officials have attempted to justify their decision by claiming the church would overwhelm the downtown infrastructure and negatively impact business growth. City attorney Todd Richardson insisted, “We have no complaints about Christ Church being in town. We have concerns about overwhelming that zone.” However, the DOJ’s lawsuit points out that the city permits various non-religious assemblies in the same district that would create similar parking and traffic concerns, suggesting unequal treatment. Further undermining the city’s position, Meyer stated he was willing to address any legitimate concerns, but the city never requested conditions to mitigate potential issues.
New Ordinance Raises Additional Concerns
In what appears to be a direct response to Christ Church’s application, Troy recently adopted a new ordinance specifically banning churches and religious facilities in the central business district. This April 2025 change to permitted uses in the business district has further strengthened the DOJ’s case, as it suggests the city not only discriminated in this specific instance but has now codified religious discrimination into its zoning laws. The timing and specificity of the ordinance change raise serious questions about whether it was designed specifically to prevent Christ Church from finding alternative ways to establish a presence downtown.
Constitutional Implications
The case highlights the ongoing tension between local control and constitutional rights, particularly in smaller communities where ideological differences can easily influence governmental decisions. The DOJ’s intervention sends a clear message that religious freedom protections apply nationwide, regardless of a community’s size or political leanings. The lawsuit seeks not only to allow Christ Church to worship at its chosen location but also to mandate training on federal religious discrimination laws for city personnel, potentially setting an important precedent for other municipalities considering similar restrictions on religious organizations.
