Chicago | The Moody Bible Institute (MBI) filed suit against Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Nov. 4, claiming that refusal to allow Moody scholars to work as student teachers for religious reasons is damaging both to the students and to MBI.
“Moody Bible Institute should not be forced to choose between our faith and helping students advance in their educational opportunities,” Moody President Mark Jobe said in a statement to World magazine.
MBI’s elementary education degree program was approved by the Illinois State Board of Education in 2024, which should have allowed their enrollees to serve as student teachers in Chicago classrooms. But CPS demanded that MBI sign two documents saying they would not “discriminate” in their own hiring based on gender identity or sexual orientation. Support of LGBTQ rights would be in violation of MBI’s biblical beliefs. MBI asked for a waiver in July, similar to one granted to Trinity Christian University, but CPS refused.
“The case law is very clear that religious organizations have the right to participate in these programs,” said Ryan Tucker of Alliance Defending Freedom, which is representing MBI. “This isn’t new, but surprisingly, the Chicago Public Schools is insisting that the school lay down… its First Amendment protections.”
The U. S. Supreme Court has upheld the rights of religious institutions in three recent cases. Alliance Defending Freedom is an IBSA ministry partner.
MBI has an enrollment of 2,300 students.
–adapted from World magazine