Anyone needing another reason to abandon all hope in a political savior, here’s one: a federal judge has now ruled that Christian parents cannot opt their children out of LGBTQ lessons in public schools. For now, the ruling applies to Maryland parents, but unless the Supreme Court overturns this ruling, precedent will be set in every state.

The curriculum being forced upon Kindergarten-aged children includes books and lessons promoting transgenderism, drag queens, and alternative family structures as normal and acceptable. These lessons are designed to introduce very young children to complex and controversial topics, often without parental knowledge or consent.

The dispute began in March when Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) approved 22 “LGBTQ+ inclusive texts” for grades pre-K through 8. Parents were informed that starting next year, “no notice will be given and no opt-outs tolerated because their kids must learn to be more ‘LGBTQ-Inclusive.’”

The parents, represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, noted in their suit that “Maryland law and the School Board’s own policies require parental notice and opportunity to opt out of any instruction concerning ‘family life and human sexuality.’” However, on March 23, MCPS reversed its previous position of allowing parents to opt out by categorizing the LGBT-themed books as “inclusive” and not sexual in nature.

One of the books approved for pre-K, according to one report, entitled “Pride Puppy,” invites three- and four-year-olds to look for images of things they might find at a pride parade, including an “intersex [flag],” a “drag king” and “drag queen,” “leather,” “underwear,” and an image of a celebrated LGBTQ activist and sex worker, “Marsha P. Johnson.” Pre-K teachers assigned to read the book are provided a resource guide from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) for “defining LGBTQ+ words for elementary students.”

According to the report, another book, “Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope,” depicts a mother telling her daughter who expresses interest in being a boy that “today you’re my teacher.” The lawsuit notes that the book “advocates a child-knows-best approach to gender transitioning,” telling students that a decision to transition doesn’t have to “make sense” and that students are the best “teacher” on such matters, not parents or other adults.

This decision, handed down by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, is a reminder that the world’s system is increasingly antagonistic toward Christians. Despite the efforts of thousands of parents and the glaring superciliousness of the ruling, the court has determined that parents have no right to shield their children from indoctrination that conflicts with their religious beliefs. This is not merely a local skirmish but a broader battle that reveals the relentless encroachment of secular creeds into the most sacred territories of faith and family.

Judge G. Steven Agee’s decision, which dismissed the parents’ claims for “lack of evidence,” is spellbinding in its disregard for religious liberty. The federal lawsuit, brought forth by a coalition of Christian and Muslim parents, sought to protect their children from being force-fed a curriculum that promotes ideas fundamentally opposed to their faith. Yet, the court’s response was a resounding endorsement of the very doctrines these parents find objectionable.

The ruling is more than a legal defeat—it’s ultimately a call for Christians to realize that our ultimate hope cannot rest in the decrees of human institutions or superficial alliances with members of false religions—be it Judaism, Catholicism, or Islam. Governments and courts, in their lofty wisdom, have proven time and again that they are not allies of Christians. In a world that increasingly despises Christ, His bride, and His statutes, we have nowhere to run but to the risen Lord Himself.

Consider the implications of this ruling. Parents are now being told that they cannot know in advance when these controversial lessons will be taught, nor can they opt their children out. This tactic ensures that children are exposed to teachings about transgenderism, drag queens, and other abhorrent sexual topics. This is a blatant attempt by freaks and sex activists to normalize these behaviors from a young age, undermining the biblical teachings Christian parents strive to impart at home.

Judge Deborah Boardman, a Biden-appointed U.S. District Court Judge, ruled last August that the school district was not infringing on religious freedom—her decision was a slap in the face to religious liberty. She claimed that these lessons do not constitute indoctrination and do not coerce children into activities that violate their beliefs. Her suggestion that parents should merely discuss these lessons at home afterward is a woefully inadequate answer. It’s akin to telling parents to mop up after the floodwaters of secularism have already inundated their homes.

We must confront the harsh reality: society, government, and political “figures”heroes” will not save us. These institutions, often hailed as protectors of liberty, have become vehicles for forced secular ideologies. The ruling against Maryland parents is not an isolated incident but part of a broader trend to erode religious freedoms and silence Christians under the guise of “inclusivity” and “diversity.” The non-refundable cost of placing our trust in political saviors has become glaringly apparent.

While we must stand up for our God-given rights and freedoms, including the right to raise our children according to biblical principles, we must do so with the full understanding that our true hope lies elsewhere. Jesus Christ is the only sure foundation in a world that is increasingly hostile to His followers. The world may mock, marginalize, and even persecute us, but we know the end of the story.

The ruling against Maryland parents is a reminder that the world will continue to push against the truth of the Gospel. It will use every trick in its book to make us conform to its ways. The secular agenda, endorsed by many in power, is relentless in its pursuit to reshape society according to its values. But as Christians, we are called to stand firm. We are to be in the world but not of it, holding fast to the teachings of Scripture even when they put us at odds with the prevailing culture.

In these trying times, our response must be unwavering faith in Christ. The judges and lawmakers may hold power now, but their rule is temporary and their destiny is destruction. The Bible tells us that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Our hope is not in the fleeting promises of political leaders or the shifting sands of societal approval. Our hope is in the eternal, unchanging truth of God’s Word.

Ultimately, this ruling serves as a decisive reminder of where our allegiance must lie. We fight the good fight, we stand for truth, but we do so with the knowledge that our victory is already secured in Christ. The world may rage and plot in vain, but we stand on the unshakable rock of our salvation. In Christ alone, we place our trust—He is our refuge, our strength, and our ever-present help in trouble.