by Jorge Gomez • 2 minutes
First Liberty recently filed an appeal asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear our case involving Bethesda University, a Pentecostal college based in Anaheim, California. The case deals with the important issue of church autonomy and the right of religious institutions to choose who will preach their beliefs.
As the Supreme Court deliberates whether to hear this case, Americans are coming together to support our client in this important legal battle.
We’re happy to announce that 10 friend-of-the-court briefs were filed supporting Bethesda University’s case. That’s a tremendous and encouraging outpouring of support! The organizations are urging the Supreme Court to reverse a lower-court decision that forced Bethesda University to include board members who do not follow their firmly held, religious beliefs. The diverse coalition includes:
California courts got involved in interpreting religious doctrine and determining who should sit on the university’s board. The California Court of Appeals ultimately made a decision about the leadership and doctrinal direction of a religious institution, which is unconstitutional.
Bethesda University’s religious identity is at stake. But the outcome of this case won’t just affect one university. It could impact religious institutions across the country.
The legal issues presented by this case affect every church, synagogue and faith-based organization. Protecting religious institutions from government interference is foundational to who we are as Americans. It’s the point of the church autonomy doctrine that the Supreme Court has recognized for nearly 150 years.
Religious freedom is in danger if the government is allowed to weigh in on decisions over who should lead churches and religious institutions. If a court can evaluate the religious character and leadership of a university, how long will it be until it tells local churches who they must hire to communicate their beliefs, teach their doctrine and carry out their mission?
If religious liberty under the Constitution means anything, it surely means at least this much: the government cannot tell churches, religious schools or faith-based organization who their leaders will be.
“How religious organizations choose leaders to direct their mission is a sacred right protected by the First Amendment,” said First Liberty President and 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.”
Multiply Your Impact with a Special $500,000 Matching Grant
Thank you for your continued prayers and support. All year long, you have been the true difference-maker in securing the future of religious freedom.
December is your opportunity to deliver more landmark and historic victories in the fight for faith. Your gift this month will help First Liberty replenish our resources for the battles ahead—including our two cases pending at the U.S. Supreme Court and the hundreds of cases we’ll handle in the coming year.
This is a make-or-break moment for religious freedom. We need your support to win more cases that will protect our clients and the freedom of you, your children and grandchildren.
Thanks to our $500,000 Matching Grant, your gift before midnight December 31 will have a multiplied impact in the fight to secure the future of faith and freedom.
Will you join us in the fight to protect religious freedom?
 |
|
|
