Today, the United States Supreme Court ruled unanimously that every child in need of a forever home deserves the chance to be adopted or cared for by a foster family. That’s what it means to keep kids first.

The decision in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia found that the city of Philadelphia discriminated against Catholic Social Services because of their religious views.

This is a win for religious freedom and every American benefits from today’s opinion – especially the children in Philadelphia, who now will have more options for a loving home.

In the decision, Chief Justice Roberts noted that, “Maximizing the number of foster families and minimizing liability are important goals, but the City fails to show that granting CSS an exception will put those goals at risk. If anything, including CSS in the program seems likely to increase, not reduce, the number of available foster parents.”

All Americans have the freedom to live according to their religious beliefs. Adoption and foster care providers are no different.

We live in a pluralistic society; we should not punish those who believe that the best home for a child includes a married mother and father, especially when punishment necessarily means more children with no home at all.

This is why Alaska Family Council and our national and state-based allies exist. We are a better as a community, state and nation when those with deeply held convictions animated by their faith are able to contribute to society.

For more details on this important case, click here.

The views expressed here are those of the author.

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