News Release
For Immediate Release: 12.16.24
Contact: Peyton Drew, media@firstliberty.org
Direct: 972-941-4453
Diverse Groups Urge Supreme Court to Hear University’s Appeal
for Religious Autonomy
Appeal to the Supreme Court is a key religious liberty case with implications
for all faith-based organizations.
Washington, DC—Several religious institutions and leaders including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Coalition for Jewish Values, Patrick Henry College, and the Association of Christian Schools International have filed “friend-of-the-court” briefs urging the Supreme Court of the United States to reverse a lower court decision that forced Bethesda University to include board members who do not follow their firmly held, religious beliefs.
“How religious organizations choose leaders to direct their mission is a sacred right protected by the First Amendment,” said First Liberty CEO Kelly Shackelford. “We are hopeful the Supreme Court will protect the religious independence of Bethesda University and all such religious institutions to operate their ministries according to their beliefs.”
Additional amici include Manhattan Institute, National Religious Broadcasters, Brigham Young University, Wagner Faith and Freedom Center, Heartbeat International, Foundation for Moral Law, and Christian Legal Society.
Bethesda University is a Pentecostal institution that requires its Board members to share its religious faith and to act consistently with its Pentecostal beliefs. Consistent with these requirements, Bethesda removed purported Board members who were not Pentecostal. Nonetheless, a California state court claimed it could determine the religious qualifications for the university’s board, thus allowing one religious faction to usurp control over the other.
Links to all the briefs are available here.
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About First Liberty Institute
First Liberty Institute is a non-profit public interest law firm and the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom for all Americans.
To arrange an interview, contact Peyton Drew at media@firstliberty.org.
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