October 2023 Persecution Magazine

The Tennes Family’s Stand for Religious Freedom
A federal appeals court ruled in favor of a Christian
family in Michigan that was allegedly discriminated
against by a local government policy.
The Tennes family farm, known as Country Mill
Farms, is well known for its apples, cider, and
generous donations to local food banks. Their goods
have become a staple in the market in East Lansing,
so when a new government policy designed to
exclude Country Mill Farms was created, attention
was drawn to the absence of the beloved member of
the community.
The policy was created in response to a social media
post Steve Tennes made on his farm’s account which
affirmed the Catholic view of marriage.
A federal court ruled in August in favor of the Tennes
family, saying they “forced to choose between
following their religious beliefs and a government
benefit for which they were otherwise qualified.” This
decision has allowed the Tennes family to continue
pursuing their mission statement: “glorifying God
by facilitating family fun on the farm and feeding
families.”
Photo of Steve Tennes courtesy of the ADF
Denmark’s Move to Safeguard
Sacred Texts
Government leaders in Denmark recently said they will propose a law that
will make it illegal to desecrate any holy book in Denmark.
This proposal comes after global outrage sparked by several burnings of the
Quran and instances of retaliation in both Denmark and Sweden. Historically,
Denmark has been viewed as a country the facilitates the denigration of
cultures, religions, and traditions.
The new law Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard explained that “the bill will
make it punishable, for example, to burn the Quran or the Bible in public. It
will only aim at action in a public place or with the intention of spreading in
a wider circle.”
Hummelgaard further explained that these actions will become punishable
by fines or up to two years in prison. While freedom of expression is regarded
with utmost importance in Danish society, government officials including
Hummelgaard believe this law to develop guidelines, but not restrictions,
for the standards their culture has upheld.
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