Iowa Civil Rights Group Issues Apology to Church After First Liberty Demand About Religious Rights

By Julie Brown Patton
Cary Gordon
Pastor Cary Gordon at Cornerstone World Outreach in Sioux City, Iowa, wants to be able to teach from the Bible without having the state government control what he can and cannot say. Cornerstone reps and Iowa Civil Rights Commission officials were at odds regarding whether religious activities by a church are exempt from the Iowa Civil Rights Act.  First Liberty Institute

Iowa Civil Rights Commission (CRC) officials issued a response to a demand letter sent by national legal entity First Liberty Institute earlier this week on behalf of Cornerstone World Outreach church in Iowa. The question being debated was whether religious activities by a church are exempt from the Iowa Civil Rights Act. 

"I accept the Iowa Civil Right Commission's public apology, with clear reservations. We will continue to monitor their activities and stand ready to defend all churches at any time," said Cary Gordon, senior pastor of Cornerstone World Outreach.  

As reported by The Gospel Herald, representatives of the church filed a 32-page lawsuit against the Iowa CRC, charging the church's freedom of religion was being violated with the commission's interpretation of the 2007 Iowa Civil Rights Act, known as Iowa Code Chapter 216. The lawsuit came after commission staffers released a brochure, titled "Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity - A Public Accommodations Provider's Guide to Iowa Law," stating that churches are public accommodations, and therefore generally subject to the Iowa Civil Rights Act.

On Friday, Iowa CRC representatives announced they had produced a revised Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Public Accommodations brochure. In a news release, Iowa CRC stated the revised publication replaces the previous version, which had not been updated since 2008 and clarifies that religious activities by a church are exempt from the Iowa Civil Rights Act. 

"The Iowa Civil Rights Commission has never considered a complaint against a church or other place of worship on this issue," said director Kristin Johnson.

"This statute was amended to add these protected classes (sexual orientation and gender identity) in 2007 and has been in effect since then. The Iowa Civil Rights Commission has not done anything to suggest it would be enforcing these laws against ministers in the pulpit, and there has been no new publication or statement from the ICRC raising the issue. The Commission regrets the confusion caused by the previous publication." 

"We're taking the state at its word that it will not encroach on the church in any way," said Chelsey Youman, First Liberty Institute counsel and chief of staff. "However, if it does in the future, we stand ready to use the full force of the law to protect the church's free exercise of religion and free speech under the Constitution." 

In the 32-page lawsuit, the church representatives claimed the commission was forcing places of worship to censor their teachings on Biblical sexuality by demanding they open their restrooms and showers to members of the opposite sex.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.

Top Stories