Medical Groups Reverse Their Position on Transgender Surgeries for Minors
In future cases, the pertinent questions are whether the decisions by the American Medical Association and the American Plastics Surgeons to reverse their medical advice for minors and whether the work of psychologist Brooke Laufer should (1) inform and affect decisions by school boards to offer support plans for minors and socially transition students without parental input, and (2) whether school board decisions can pass muster with citizens, courts, and children in the long run.
Should Biological Reality Govern Who Participates in Women’s Sports?
The contested debate regarding the reality and recognition of the biological differences between men and women has now reached the United States Supreme Court. After a firestorm of social media controversy, on January 13, 2026, the Court heard oral arguments in two cases: West Virginia v. B. P. J. and Little v. Hecox. These cases are framed by recently passed statutes in Idaho and West Virginia that reserve girls’ sports for females.
Can Service Animals Attend Your Church?
We at Gideon Law recently received questions from several clients here in Tennessee regarding their obligations to admit service animals to their churches. Their concerns involved how to ensure their church is a welcoming place for visitors who use service animals, while also following the law and protecting all people and property involved.
We were glad to provide this guidance to our clients. If you or your church have a similar question, please contact us today. We’d love to begin working on your behalf – for the good of your church and the Church.
Conversion Therapy: The Supreme Court Decides. Part I.
The rights of Christians are under a continuing threat from the spirit of the age. This threat implicates the rights of individuals, parents, churches, and Christian schools.
This threat prompts a question: are parents, churches, counselors, and religious institutions, including schools, prepared to fight back and defend their institutions?
Comey Indicted
Nobody is above the law and nobody is below the law. It has become a common refrain for The Equipped family, and it is certainly relevant for this story.
Mocking Justice and Common Sense: A Federal Court Rules Against the Little Sisters of the Poor
For more than 150 years, the Little Sisters of the Poor have faithfully served the poor, motivated by a religious calling to surrender all for the sake of others. The nuns have been engaged in a long-running legal battle over the federal government’s contraception mandates. After several court victories, this battle has now taken an ominous turn since a federal court has ruled against an exemption that permitted the religious order’s opposition to the mandate to take shape.
National Guard in the Nation’s Capital
The National Guard has been authorized to deploy to the streets of the nation’s capital, Washington, DC. Let’s together pray that all of DC’s leaders, both federal and local, act with the wellbeing of DC residents in mind.
Can Church Sanctuary Status Shield Illegal Immigrants from Arrest?
Any encounter with ICE within the context of immigration and border enforcement exposes churches and, more particularly, church personnel to the risk that they will be charged with a crime if they continue to provide sanctuary to illegal aliens, particularly aliens who ICE seeks. For churches that intend to continue such a policy, the Trump Administration’s decision to rescind the Biden Administration's rules raises a flood of questions that place such behavior in harm’s way.
Fixing the Issue of Church Political Speech
For decades, there has been a fierce debate about the constitutionality and general legality of the Johnson Amendment. This little-known amendment has been used to restrict the First Amendment rights of churches and faith-based organizations for more than 60 years. But the mission of the church demands that it be encouraged to speak truthfully to America’s postmodern generation. How should the church respond?
100 Years of Monkey Business
It is fascinating that so many people do not know the longstanding impact of the Scopes Trial in 1925 in the town of Dayton, TN. This month marks the centennial anniversary of one of the most impactful trials to have occurred in the history of the United States. Ultimately, the trial had its genesis as a publicity stunt but would end with a schism that has not managed to heal a century later.
Department of Education Resumes Closure
The U.S. Supreme Court has lifted a lower court’s injunction that had temporarily blocked the Trump administration from dramatically scaling back the U.S. Department of Education. The decision allows the administration to move forward with its plan to reduce the footprint of the agency—a plan that contains both elimination of programs and personnel as well as reorganization of certain programs to other federal agencies.
Church Endorsements
Birthday Bill Signing
America’s 249th birthday—July 4, 2025—was celebrated with fireworks, BBQs, and the signing of the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” After months of negotiating and drafting, the U.S. House and U.S. Senate finally approved joint language just in time for the bill to be signed into law on Independence day. The bill-turned-law makes significant changes to U.S. tax law, as well as spending programs.
Can Churches Discriminate - Beyond the Employment Context?
In church matters, for example, like the matter of church discipline, churches can “discriminate” in how they apply their internal rules to addressing sin, behavioral issues, etc. They can for example determine that certain individuals are not qualified for ministry, or eligible to work with children, or eligible to serve in leadership roles.
Coexistence Without Consistency
At Gideon Law Group, we believe in true diversity—the kind that honors thought, not just appearance. It’s not enough to preach coexistence while engaging in destruction when others choose a different path.
Can Churches Discriminate in Their Hiring Practices?
For decades, our society has accepted the premise that discrimination is wrong. However, we need to qualify this.
The Devil’s in the Details
More and more these days, churches are being involved in legal actions. Denominations are suing local congregations over ownership of the church property. Former staff members are suing churches, challenging what they feel was an unlawful termination. Every week it seems we’re reading about a sexual abuse case that has caused a family to bring a case against the church.
It’s Okay to Say Merry Christmas!
The First Amendment and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protect your right to express faith-based greetings like "Merry Christmas" and accommodate religious practices at work, ensuring the joy of the season can be shared confidently and respectfully.
Building with Purpose: Why Vision Matters More Than Facilities in Church Growth
While new buildings can address practical needs, they cannot fix a church’s vision problem. A clear, compelling mission must be the foundation of any building project, as facilities alone won't sustain growth or solve deeper issues.
Free Speech or Aiding and Abetting
The tenuous relationship between government and social media is once again on full display, this time in France as Pavel Durov, CEO of the app Telegram, was arrested (but not yet charged) on suspicion the company is engaged in illegal activity (including trafficking, fraud, illegal material involving minors, and abetting organized crime). Under French law, Durov must be either formally charged or released after four days in custody. Elon Musk, owner of X, is publicly defending Durov, posting “#FreePavel” on the X platform…