In 2021, Nemours Children’s Hospital fired Marin, an HVAC technician, because he refused the COVID-19 shot based on his sincerely held pro-life Christian beliefs, because of which he could not take any drug or vaccine associated with abortion.

But there was something especially troubling about what happened next.

Nemours granted religious accommodations to other employees whose theological objections the hospital considered valid, as long as those beliefs did not mention abortion — but categorically rejected every employee’s religious beliefs that were based on opposition to abortion.

Religious freedom cannot depend on whether an employer approves of your theology.

Nemours acknowledged that the COVID shots used aborted fetal cells in the testing and/or development stage. But Nemours also rejected that belief.

Liberty Counsel has filed an amicus brief with Florida’s Sixth District Court of Appeal arguing that Nemours violated the Florida Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination “because of” religion.

Florida law does not contain the same “undue hardship” language found in federal Title VII employment law.

Under the 1972 amendment to the federal Title VII, Congress weakgened religious protection by adding the “undue hardship” language.

Florida law rejected this liberal antireligious trend of the 1970s. Under the Florida Civil Rights Amendment, intentional discrimination because of religion is unlawful — the same as race and the other protected categories. 

Liberty Counsel argues that Florida courts should apply the plain language of state law rather than importing a weakened federal standard that the Florida Legislature never adopted.

And even under federal law, Liberty Counsel argues that Nemours’ position fails.

This case is about much more than one man’s job.

It is about whether Americans can hold — and act upon — sincerely held Christian beliefs without having their secular employers dictate “acceptable” tenets of the employee's religion.

Will you help Liberty Counsel defend religious freedom in court?

Your gift helps provide the legal resources necessary to take cases like Christian Marin’s to court and hold employers accountable when they violate religious liberty.

Please make a generous gift today, and let the Challenge Grant DOUBLE your impact.

We cannot allow employers to decide which religious beliefs deserve protection — and which do not.

Christian Marin stood by his convictions.

Now Liberty Counsel is standing on the side of religious freedom. Will you stand with Liberty Counsel?

Mat Staver
Chairman
Christians in Defense of Israel

TAKE ACTION

One EASY and AFFORDABLE way to support life, religious liberty, and the family is by scheduling a recurring monthly donation to our legal fund. Your recurring donation would be so helpful to our ministry! Schedule YOUR recurring monthly donation today!

SOURCE:

“FL Children’s Hospital Fired Employee Over COVID-19 Shot.” Liberty Counsel, January 28, 2026. LC.org/newsroom/details/012826-fl-childrens-hospital-fired-employee-over-covid19-shot.