A federal judge in Knoxville ruled that Tennessee can’t keep religious groups out of its charter school program. The case was brought by Wilberforce Academy, a Christian nonprofit that wasn’t allowed to even apply in Knox County.
The ruling
Judge Charles Atchley wrote that once Tennessee opened charter schools to private participants, it “cannot condition participation on the surrender of a constitutionally protected right.” He found the nonsectarian requirement violates the Free Exercise Clause, leaning on the Supreme Court’s 2022 Carson v. Makin decision. He didn’t award the nominal damages the school asked for.
My take
Expect an appeal, and expect this fight to keep moving state by state. I’m glad for the families who want a Christ-centered option. But a court win isn’t the goal. The goal is kids who actually meet Jesus. “Start children off on the way they should go” (Proverbs 22:6). Pray for Wilberforce to build something worth the fight.
God Bless, and Use the Source!
