Hobby Lobby Lawsuit Update: Supreme Court to Hear Case Citing Freedom of Religious Expression Against HHS Contraceptive Mandate

The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the Hobby Lobby founders' case against the Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate on March 25. The Justice Department appealed to the Supreme Court after the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals had ruled in favor of the Green family's for-profit business in September of last year.

Hobby Lobby employs 28,000 people in over 500 stores nationwide. Its Christian founders operate their business with a faith-based mindset and are known for treating their employees very graciously. The HHS mandate for businesses to provide abortive contraception measures in employee health benefit plans puts the Greens in a difficult position: they must either deny their faith or be fined in excess of $1 million per day if they do not comply with the legislation.

In a short video, the Greens explain how their business came to be and why it is so closely associated with their faith. CEO David Green relayed the family's Christ-exalting hopes for the company in its earliest stages: "Our faith was very important in our starting this company, because we had a real sense - Barbara and I - that God had this purpose in our life," he says. His son Steve, who serves as president of Hobby Lobby, agrees - "We believe that the principles that are taught Scripturally are what we should operate our lives by, so it naturally flows over into the business," he says.

Hobby Lobby is closed on Sundays, and only operates 66 hours per week in order to give employees a better work-life balance. Because it is a for-profit business, the Greens are subject to the HHS mandate which goes against their Christian beliefs. "This is an issue of life," Steve says - "We cannot be a part of taking life, and so to be in a situation where our government is telling us that we have to be is incredible."

The main argument that the case will settle is whether the freedom of religious expression applies to for-profit businesses, as well as individuals. The Green family believes that they are protected under the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which guarantees persons - whether individuals or businesses - the right to the free exercise of religion. It reads:

"Government shall not substantially burden a person's exercise of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability," which includes "any exercise of religion, whether or not compelled by, or central to, a system of religious belief."

Government lawyers argue that the RFRA "does not entitle [Hobby Lobby] to any exemption for the corporations based on their individual religious belief." The Green's lawyers assert that there is no clause exempting businesses from having freedom of religious expression, however. For instance, the freedom of speech is given to both individuals and to The New York Times.

The National Catholic Register reports that there are 46 additional for-profit businesses that have also filed suit, which includes "Family Talk" radio host Dr. James Dobson and the University of Notre Dame.

"The government is forcing us to choose between following our faith and following the law. I say that's a choice no American and no American business should have to make," says Hobby Lobby's CEO.

Hobby Lobby
Hobby Lobby
    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.