After over 40,000 people signed a petition expressing outrage at the State of Georgia for demanding Seventh-day Adventist lay pastor Dr. Eric Walsh’s sermon notes, transcripts, and Bible, the state has withdrawn the subpoena.
Employment Law
“Ministerial exception” preempts discrimination lawsuit brought by injured church school teacher
On August 15, 2016, a Federal Court in Maryland upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by a 56-year-old injured music teacher at a Seventh-day Adventist school on the basis that, as a “minister,” she had no right to pursue federal claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Court rules Title VII parties can recover fees on procedural wins
The Supreme Court’s ruling in CRST Van Lines v. EEOC (5/19/16) allows potential award of attorney fees even if court does not reach merits.
Trump’s troubling evasion of basic religious liberty questions
Donald Trump evades questions about whether employers should have right to discriminate on basis of religion and the tax-exempt status of religious organizations.
New Supreme Court Case Could Stretch RFRA to Breaking Point
If Congress, which passed both RFRA and Obamacare, believes RFRA’s application goes too far, Congress could decide to repeal all or part of RFRA.
Catholic Hospitals Appeal Federal Court Decision Saying They’re Not Catholic Enough
Longstanding, agency-approved exemption of religious hospitals from federal pension law had been overturned, threatening Dignity Health chain of U.S. hospitals with ruinous penalties
Bill Would Ban Gov’t Discrimination Based on Religious Views of Marriage
Bills have been introduced in both houses of the U.S. Congress that would prohibit the Federal government from discriminating against individuals, associations, and businesses that act in accordance with their religious beliefs about marriage.
BREAKING NEWS: Supreme Court Decision a Victory for Religious Accommodation
The Supreme Court ruled that a prospective employer’s perceived need to accommodate religious beliefs as a “motivating factor” not to hire violates Title VII.
What Allen West Really Got Wrong About ‘Not Steve’
If there’s any doubt about the truth of the aphorism that you should not assume things, this is Exhibit A.
California Court Rules For-Profit Christian School May Require Teachers’ Faith Statements
In March 2015 a Ventura County Superior Court judge upheld the right of a for-profit Christian preschool to compel teachers to make a statement of faith and to obtain a statement by a pastor regarding how frequently they attend church, comment on their faith, and to endorse them as employees a Christian preschool.