‘Major intrusion’: State tries to force Christian church to hire non-believers

(Photo by Joe Kovacs)

A panel of judges at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has heard arguments from the state of Washington, where officials want to force a church organization to hire and employ workers who refuse to follow its faith standards.

The case involves Union Gospel Mission of Yakima, which sued the state for a “Washington Law Against Discrimination” that it explains violates its constitutionally protected religious rights.

The state’s intent is to prevent ministries...