Los Angeles denies Christians the same religious exemption given to Muslims

When Eric Batman asked for a. religious accommodation from mandatory LGBTQ “Pride” initiatives, the County of Los Angeles told him to get counseling, effectively declaring his Christian beliefs to be a mental illness.

Liberty Counsel is suing Los Angeles on Eric’s behalf.

Don’t let Los Angeles treat Christianity as a mental illness! Support our legal fund today and a special Challenge Grant will DOUBLE the impact of your donation!

For most of his adult life, Eric Batman went to work each day believing in three things: doing his job well, respecting others, and living according to his walk with Jesus.

For 24 years, he served Los Angeles County as a civil engineer. He helped protect communities from flooding. He supervised vital public infrastructure. He earned promotions, responsibility, and trust. By every measure, he was a model public servant.

Until he quietly asked for something the law had long promised to every American: a reasonable accommodation for his sincere religious beliefs.

Eric is a Christian. He does not mistreat others, deny anyone dignity, or interfere with his colleagues’ lives. He simply believes that certain messages promoted by the government conflict with his faith. When the County required its employees to participate in overt workplace LGBTQ “Pride” celebrations during the month of June, Eric found himself forced into an impossible position.

So, he did what many of us were taught to do — he spoke respectfully and asked for a modest solution: the religious accommodation rights due him under federal law.

Eric requested permission to work remotely during one month of the year, performing the same job he had successfully performed from home before. His work could be done remotely without difficulty. In fact, other employees were already doing the same thing.

LA County said NO!

What makes this especially troubling is that the same accommodation was granted to employees of different faiths, namely Muslims, when their religious observances conflicted with workplace requirements. The door was open for some — but closed for a Christian like Eric.

Instead of offering equal treatment, LA County told him to seek counseling if his beliefs caused him distress. After decades of service, Eric's faith was not accommodated — it was effectively dismissed. Worse yet, in asking Eric to seek counseling over his religious beliefs, the county is effectively stating that Eric's Bible-based Christian beliefs are a mental illness!

Christianity is NOT a mental illness! Help us fight for Eric and every other Christian working for the County of Los Angeles with your gift today.

For generations, Americans have understood a simple principle: the government does not get to decide which religious beliefs are acceptable and which are not. The Constitution promises equal protection, not selective tolerance. Religious freedom does not belong only to the popular or the powerful; it belongs to everyone — or to no one at all.

Eric did not ask to be in court. He did not seek attention or confrontation. But when his conscience was ignored and his rights were treated as trash, he chose to stand firm — not only for himself but also for others who may one day face the same pressure. 

Legal battles like this are costly and demanding. The County is backed by taxpayer resources; Eric relies on ordinary Americans who believe fairness still matters.

If you have spent your life valuing faith, conscience, and equal treatment under the law, we ask you to consider helping Eric now. Your support will help ensure that religious liberty remains a reality for future generations — not just a promise written on paper.

Without your prayers and support, we would not be able to help people like Eric. Every dollar you give goes directly to the program, not fundraising or administration. DOUBLE YOUR GIFT today with our Challenge Grant.