Indiana court rules Christian groups lack standing to challenge state RFRA

An Indiana state trial court judge has ruled that several conservative family advocacy groups lack standingThe legal right to bring a lawsuit. A party must show that it faces enough harm or is permitted by law to pursue a case. Without standing, a case can be dismissed without a decision on the merits of the case. to challenge Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act which expressly excludes a free exerciseThe ability to practice one's religion without hindrance as expressed in the 1st Amendment. Can be limited depending on how it affects other people. right to discriminate because of sexual orientation or gender identity. The Indiana Family Institute, Indiana Family Action, and American Family Association of Indiana had filed suit to attack the exclusion. Still, no active cases were being decided on the issue1. The disputed point between parties in a lawsuit; 2. To send out officially, as in a court issuing an order..

For a court to decide on an issue, the party bringing the suit must have a right that they are actively defending.  Otherwise, the case is not "ripe" for adjudicationGiving or pronouncing a judgment or decree. Also the judgment given.. The courts do not make decisions based on hypothetical situations that might arise, even if a law is on the books.

In 2015, Indiana Governor Mike Pence signed a state-level Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRAThe Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 is a federal law that protects the free exercise of religion rights of individuals and corporations (Hobby Lobby) against encroachment by the federal government.) into law, which would, in general, protect the free exercise of religion. After LGBT rights groups and other organizations objected that it provided a pretext for discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, the law was amended the following month to exclude sexual orientation and gender identity.  (WIBC website covers this history.)

The conservative groups filed a complaint asking the court to provide injunctive reliefinjunctive relief - The decision of a court to use its authority to address a problem directly by ordering someone to stop, or refrain, from doing a particular action. It is not a judgment for money but applies where money won't solve the problem. A court can order injunctive relief before a case is decided with finality. For instance, an order that disputed artwork cannot be  destroyed until a final judgment is rendered.   to prevent its enforcement against people of faith whose ordinary conduct might be considered discriminatory under the state RFRA and several local ordinances.

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