COMMENTARY BY The Supreme Court declined to hear the case of a religious organization claiming it had the right to refuse to hire individuals who did not share its religious beliefs. The case of Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission v. Matthew Woods centers on an employment discrimination claim against a religious nonprofit in Washington state. The state Supreme Court set up an “inevitable” confrontation on whether the right of religious employers to hire coreligionists for any position is required. The court may decide to take up this case, or one like it, at a future date and decide this important religious liberty question once and for all. On Monday, the Supreme Court declined to hear the case of a religious organization claiming it had the right to refuse to hire individuals who did not share its religious beliefs. In denying the case on technical grounds, Justice Samuel Alito indicated that if it or a similar case came before the court in the future, the justices could likely find in favor of such a right for religious employers. The case of Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission v. Matthew Woods centers on an employment discrimination claim against a religious nonprofit in Washington state […]
