Monday, January 30, 2012

Supreme Court: Churches Protected From Bias Suits

 WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that certain employees of church-run schools and other religious organizations cannot sue for job bias. The unanimous decision stresses the need of religious groups to carry out their mission without government interference.

 In one of the most important church-state cases in years, the justices recognized a "ministerial exception" to federal protections against job discrimination, a stance that had been adopted by several lower federal courts.

Wednesday's decision did not fully define who would be covered but suggested that any people connected to the religious mission of the institution, even with minimal related duties, would be covered.

"The interest of society in the enforcement of employment discrimination statutes is undoubtedly important," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the court. "But so too is the interest of religious groups in choosing who will preach their beliefs, teach their faith and carry out their mission." (emphasis mine)

5 comments:

John Patrick Donovan said...

Praise the Lord!

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Amen to that Gregg,

Have a good day,

Yvonne,

Anonymous said...

Its just for this reason why I avoid certain churches. I love the mid-week home groups as this is where its easiest to be fed.

Arlee Bird said...

Sounds like the Court is leaning in the correct direction in this case. It would be absurd to require churches to have to hire people who did not adhere to their beliefs.

Lee
Tossing It Out

Derrick Boyd said...

Great!
Encouraging Thoughts for Life