Actress Challenges State's Alleged Decision to Ban Foster Parents Over Biblical Views: 'Violates Our Constitutional Rights'

Actress Jen Lilley is a passionate advocate for adoption and foster care who recently shared her powerful and multifaceted journey with CBN News. "The journey for me started as a child," Lilley said. "My parents were kind of what I call unofficial foster parents. My dad was a judge and my mom was a director of a women and children's charity."   Because of these roles, the family couldn't legally foster children, but that preclusion didn't "stop them from having compassion," she said. "Our home was kind of a rotating door at times for people that maybe just needed help transitioning and bridging in their life," she said. "So, the idea of a child living in my home who wasn't in my immediate family was not scary to me." The actress said her Christian faith motivated her to foster and adopt. "When love is your motive, you have to look at these kids," Lilley said. "You can't look away."   Lilley also spoke out against Vermont allegedly blocking Christian families from adopting over their biblical beliefs — a story that made headlines last year after two families filed a lawsuit. At the time, the actress warned that the decision by Vermont's Department for Children and Family Services to ax two families licenses was a constitutional violation.   "This action not only violates our Constitutional rights but also jeopardizes the well-being of children in dire need of safe, loving homes," she said. "The government is deciding that it's safer for a child to remain in a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation than to live in a home with Christian beliefs? Make it make sense." In a recent interview with CBN News, Lilley revealed a conversation she had with the Vermont governor’s office last year — a discussion she wanted to pursue to better understand the issues on the table. Lilley approached fairly and with an open mind to understand the state’s position. Listen to her explain. Watch the weekly "Newsmakers" TV show each week on CBN News Watch the weekly "Newsmakers" TV show on CBN's YouTube channel Download the free CBN News App