by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday accusing the City of Troy, Idaho, of religious discrimination over its denial of a land use permit to Christ Church, a small evangelical congregation.
According to a DOJ press release, the lawsuit—filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho—claims the city violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) when it denied the church’s application for a conditional use permit (CUP) to hold worship services in a zoning district where other nonreligious assemblies such as clubs, museums, and art galleries are permitted.
Christ Church reportedly outgrew its current facility and was unable to find a suitable rental space. The church submitted a CUP to use a property within a zone that legally allowed for other types of community gatherings. However, the City of Troy denied the request, citing opposition from a “great majority of the city residents.”
The DOJ argues the city’s actions imposed a “substantial burden” on the church’s religious exercise and were motivated by “the community’s discriminatory animus against the church.” Officials claim Troy’s zoning code unfairly treats religious assemblies less favorably than secular ones, thus violating RLUIPA’s substantial burden, equal terms, and non-discrimination provisions.
“RLUIPA unequivocally forbids local governments from deciding zoning matters based on their dislike of certain religious groups,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division. “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.”
In conjunction with the lawsuit, the DOJ also issued a letter to state and local officials across the country, reiterating their obligations under RLUIPA. The letter emphasized that the law protects religious communities from unjustified zoning burdens and ensures equal treatment under land-use regulations.
“The freedom to practice religion according to the dictates of one’s conscience is among our most fundamental rights,” the DOJ stated. “The Department continues to steadfastly defend this basic freedom to ensure that all people may live according to their beliefs, free of discrimination, harassment, or persecution.”
The DOJ concluded by affirming its commitment to upholding RLUIPA and ensuring that religious institutions are not unfairly excluded or encumbered by discriminatory local policies.
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
More Worthy News
Romania faced more political turmoil Wednesday as a nationalist presidential candidate said he would contest Sunday’s election’s declared outcome.
Delaware Governor Matt Meyer signed the End-of-Life Options Act into law Tuesday, making the state the 11th in the U.S. to legalize physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients. Supporters call the measure a compassionate step toward honoring personal choice, while critics warn it opens the door to abuse and undermines the sanctity of life.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday accusing the City of Troy, Idaho, of religious discrimination over its denial of a land use permit to Christ Church, a small evangelical congregation.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned lawmakers Tuesday that Syria may be just weeks away from collapsing into a new civil war, citing fears that the fledgling transitional government in Damascus could soon fall apart without urgent international support.
Iran’s parliament on Wednesday ratified a sweeping 20-year strategic partnership with Russia, signaling a significant deepening of ties between the two heavily sanctioned nations.
Israel’s High Court of Justice ruled Wednesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acted unlawfully in his effort to dismiss Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, citing procedural violations and a conflict of interest tied to a corruption investigation involving Netanyahu’s close associates.
Oman’s foreign minister announced that a fifth round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States is set for Friday in Rome, continuing Oman’s quiet role as a mediator between the two rivals. The announcement, made on X, has yet to be confirmed by either Tehran or Washington.