ADF, Geneva College to reveal lawsuit against Federal mandate

BEAVER FALLS, PA (02/20/2012)(readMedia)-- WHO: Geneva College President Ken Smith, ADF Senior Counsel Gregory S. Baylor

WHAT: Press conference announcing new lawsuit against the birth control/abortifacient mandate of President Obama's administration

WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 1:30 p.m. EST

WHERE: Geneva College, 3200 College Ave., Skye Lounge Student Center, Beaver Falls

BEAVER FALLS, Pa. - Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel Gregory S. Baylor will join Geneva College President Ken Smith Tuesday at a press conference to announce a new federal lawsuit against the Obama administration's unconstitutional mandate that religious employers provide abortifacients, sterilization, and contraception to employees regardless of religious or moral objections.

"People of faith shouldn't be punished by the state for following that faith in making decisions for themselves or their organizations," said Baylor. "Every American should know that a government with the power to do this to anyone can do this--and worse--to everyone."

"At Geneva College, we only have one Lord, and he does not live in Washington, D.C.," Smith said. "The First Amendment protects Americans from mandates that require us to act against our own convictions. We find the mandate to provide our faculty, staff and students with insurance that provides pills to abort babies totally abhorrent and unacceptable. The government shouldn't be able to force anyone to buy or sell insurance that subsidizes morally objectionable treatments."

The lawsuit, Geneva College v. Sebelius, will be filed in federal court Tuesday.

Geneva College is a comprehensive Christian college of the arts, sciences, and professional studies founded in the tradition of the Reformed Presbyterian faith. Geneva provides an academically rigorous education comprised of distinctive and innovative courses. Geneva offers over 40 undergraduate majors and seven master's degree programs.

ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith. Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.

CONTACT CHERYL JOHNSTON AT GENEVA COLLEGE: (724) 847-6577 or pr@geneva.edu

CONTACT ADF MEDIA RELATIONS: (480) 444-0020 or www.adfmedia.org/home/contact