October 20, 2011

The United States Supreme Court heard arguments on the religious clause of the First Amendment on Oct. 5 via the EEOC v. Hosanna-Tabor case, an important case highlighting our nation’s dedication to religious freedom, which also covers freedoms for faith-based institutions as well.

SEE: EEOC v. Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School, Michigan

Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church runs a school based on principles of the Bible. After one of its teachers was dismissed on grounds of insubordination, she sued the Church claiming discrimination. The significance of this case is that the Court will essentially be ruling on how involved, if at all, government can be when faith-based institutions have conflict with employment issues.

MPAC has been following the case intently as this is a matter of religious freedom, protected by the First Amendment. Moreover, the case holds such monumental significance that MPAC submitted an amicus curiae, or “friend of the court” brief, in support of the Church and upholding their right to manage their employees based on who they see fit for the positions.

On the day of the opening arguments, MPAC was invited to attend a reception by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, who brought the case to light and aided in defending the Church and maintaining religious freedom spelled out in the First Amendment.  

With the opening arguments heard on Oct. 5, religious freedom advocates continue to monitor the case and look forward to the Court’s judgment on one of the most important religious freedom cases.

-- Hoda Elshishtawy
(hoda@mpac.org)
Legislative & Policy Analyst