Introduction
The case of Corporation of the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints v. Amos (1987) concerned a First Amendment claim brought by Stephen A. Amos against the religious organization, The Corporation of the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At issue was a federal law which provided an exemption from civil rights protections for religious organizations.
Facts of the Case
Amos was a former employee of MTSU, a public university located in Tennessee. He had been hired to oversee the building and maintenance of its dormitories. In 1983, Amos was discharged from his job on account of his status as a member of The Corporation of the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Amos claimed that his discharge constituted employment discrimination and brought suit against MTSU under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
The Court’s Decision
At trial, MTSU argued that it was entitled to an exemption from civil rights protections under a federal law which provides an exemption for religious organizations. The district court granted summary judgment in favor of MTSU, and Amos appealed to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
The Sixth Circuit affirmed the lower court’s ruling, finding that MTSU was indeed entitled to the exemption provided by the federal statute. In its opinion, the court held that the exemption was not unconstitutional and did not violate Amos’ rights under the First Amendment.
MTSU First Amendment article about church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints case clarified the application of the First Amendment to religious organizations and provided an exemption from civil rights protections for them. The court’s decision reaffirmed that religious organizations may not be subject to rules that interfere with their internal structure, beliefs, or practices. Furthermore, this case demonstrated how a federal law can provide an exemption from certain civil rights laws for religious organizations. This exemption, while providing protection to religious organizations, must be carefully scrutinized in order to ensure that it does not trample on citizens’ First Amendment rights. The ruling in this case serves as a reminder of the importance of balancing civil rights protections with the right of religious organizations to practice their faith without interference.
Conclusion
The Sixth Circuit’s ruling in Corporation of the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints v. Amos (1987) confirms that religious organizations are entitled to certain exemptions from civil rights protections, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. This legal principle is an important one, as it allows religious organizations to exercise their right to free exercise of religion without fear of being penalized by laws that protect other groups from discrimination. Additionally, this ruling protects the rights of individuals who wish to work for a religious organization while still enjoying the benefits of non-discriminatory civil rights protections. This ruling serves as an important reminder of the importance of protecting both religious freedom and civil rights in the United States.