The Ministerial Exception Exists… Says Supreme Court

Catholic San Fransisco reported on this important Supreme Court decision that some say is the “most significant religious liberty decision in many years”. Basically, the court ruled that churches can fire ministers for whatever reason they want. They can legally discriminate against their ministers and exercise their discrimination by firing the pastor. This sounds extremely harsh, especially if you are Cheryl Perish who has sued a Lutheran school in Michigan for firing her.

But, I believe this is the only just opinion the court can support considering the First Amendment. One person in the article sumarized it by saying

whoever chooses the minister chooses the message

Basically, if the government can allow a church to suffer legal penalties for firing their ministers, then the ministers are in some way supported by the government. Thinking of this to an extreme, you might imagine the government forcing a church to keep a pastor even though they don’t trust them anymore. This would naturally destroy the congregation and the government would be responsible. This is a great example of freedom of religion being extended to churches for clear separation even if churches are acting against commonly held norms.

And now for my necessary question, so Tumblr will allow you to provide your answers: Great decision, don’t you think?