Oregon Mother Wins Right to Adopt Without Compromising Faith

Adoption, Unsplash

In a major win for religious freedom, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit recently ruled that an Oregon mother, Jessica Bates, may begin the process of adopting children from the foster care system—without being forced to abandon her religious beliefs about gender and sexuality. 

Jessica Bates, a mother of five, applied two years ago to become a foster parent. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) denied her application because she said she would not take children to pride parades or refer to a child by their preferred pronouns. Bates made it clear that she would welcome and love any child in her care, but she could not promote ideas that go against her Christian beliefs. Even so, ODHS blocked her from adopting—even children who may share her faith. 

Court Protects Religious Rights 

The 9th Circuit Court disagreed with Oregon’s decision. In their ruling, they wrote: 

“No one thinks, for example, that a state could exclude parents from adopting foster children based on those parents’ political views, race, or religious affiliations. Adoption is not a constitutional law dead zone.” 

The court also stated that the government cannot hide behind a general idea of what’s “best for the child” in order to ignore the rights of religious people. History, as well as America’s founding fathers show that the courts were meant to defend virtue and place restrictions against immorality, such as we have seen in the transgender movement. Supreme Court Justice James Kent once said: 

“It is requisite that the courts of justice should be able, at all times, to present a determined countenance against all licentious acts; and, to give them the firmness to do it, the judges ought to be confident of the security of their stations.” (Joseph Story’s commentaries, page 466, foot notes, quoting James Kent, volume 2) 

The courts should be the defenders of Americans and their children, not their enemy.  

The Bigger Battle Over Beliefs 

Across the country, courts have been wrestling with the rights of religious parents who do not want their children involved in LGBT events or ideology. Many parents feel pressured to stay silent or go along with the culture, even when it goes against their faith. 

This national tension was one reason Donald Trump won back the White House in 2024. During his campaign, he promised to stop the growth of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring across the federal government and to push back on transgender ideology. Since taking office, he’s followed through. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSokUR43nP8 

ADF Defends the Rights of Families 

Jessica Bates was represented by Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF). Their lead attorney, Jonathan Scruggs, stated: 

“Every child deserves a loving home, and children suffer when the government excludes people of faith from the adoption and foster system. Because caregivers like Jessica cannot promote Oregon’s dangerous gender ideology… the state considers them unfit. That is false and incredibly dangerous.” 

Scruggs emphasized that adoption systems should prioritize what is best for children—not what aligns with the state’s political agenda. 

A Trend Toward Protecting Children 

While some states continue to push progressive gender policies, others are taking a stand to protect children. In 2023, Tennessee passed Senate Bill 1, banning medical gender-transition procedures for minors. In 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld that law. States like Indiana, Iowa, Wyoming, and even politically moderate New Hampshire have taken similar action. 

These developments show a growing movement, both among lawmakers and everyday citizens, to protect children from harmful ideology and provide loving, stable homes. When the founding fathers wrote the Preamble of the Constitution, they meant it when they said, “…for ourselves and our posterity.” Future generations are crucial to a thriving church, and a thriving nation.  

How Christians Can Respond

America is in a culture war, and that matters because a culture is defined by its customs, traditions, and laws, and all of those historically have were rooted in Christianity. Therefore, Christians must stay engaged in the cultural and legal battles that shape the lives of children. You can take action by: 

• Visiting your state legislature’s website. 

• Searching for bills with keywords like “gender,” “modification,” or “adoption.” 

• Contacting your local representatives to express your views. 

• Praying for wisdom and courage as we seek to lead with truth and love. 

Scripture reminds us: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.”(Proverbs 31:8, NLT) 

Let’s be faithful to that calling. Children’s futures are worth the fight. 

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