Document: 483 U.S. 327 107 S.Ct. 2862 97 L.Ed.2d 273 CORPORATION OF THE PRESIDING BISHOP CHURCH JESUS CHRIST LATTER-DAY SAINTS, et al., Appellants,v.Christine J. AMOS, al. UNITED STATES, Appellant, v. Christine Nos. 86-179, 86-401. Argued March 31, 1987. Decided June 24, Syllabus Appellee Mayson, who had been employed at a nonprofit facility, open to the public, that was run by religious entities associated with The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints (Church), discharged because he failed qualify for certificate member and eligible attend its temples. He, other individuals purporting represent class, brought an action in Federal District Court, alleging discrimination violation Title VII Civil Rights Act 1964. defendants moved dismiss on ground they were shielded from liability under § 702 Act, which exempts organizations VII's prohibition employment. plaintiffs contended if construed allow employers discriminate grounds hiring nonreligious jobs, it violated Establishment Clause First Amendment. Finding Mayson's case involved activities, court held that, test set out Lemon Kurtzman, 403 602, 91 2105, 29 745, unconstitutional as applied secular activity primary effect advancing religion. Held: Applying 702's exemption organizations' activities does not violate Clause. There is ample room benevolent neutrality will permit exercise exist without sponsorship interference. Section satisfies first requirement three-part challenged law serve "secular legislative purpose." This aimed preventing relevant governmental decision-maker abandoning acting intent promoting particular point view matters. It permissible purpose (as here) alleviate significant interference ability define carry their missions. also Lemon's second have principal or neither advances nor inhibits A simply allows churches advance religion, very purpose. For forbidden "effects," Government itself must advanced religion through own influence. Court's reliance facts singles benefit, unsupported long historical tradition, unpersuasive. Moreover, there no merit contention offends equal protection principles giving less employers' employees than thus be strictly scrutinized. Where, here, statute among religions and, instead, neutral face motivated limiting proper inquiry whether Congress has chosen rational classification further legitimate end. As employers, rationally related alleviating third part satisfied since impermissibly entangle church state. Rather, effects more complete separation two. Pp. 334-340. Reversed remanded. WHITE, J., delivered opinion REHNQUIST, C.J., POWELL, STEVENS, SCALIA, JJ., joined. BRENNAN, filed concurring judgment, MARSHALL, joined, post, p. ----. BLACKMUN, ----, O'CONNOR, opinions judgment. Rex E. Lee, Washington, D.C., appellants No. 86-179. William Bradford Reynolds, appellant David B. Watkiss, Salt Lake City, Utah, appellees. Justice WHITE Court. 1 1964, 78 Stat. 255, amended, 42 U.S.C. 2000e-1, against employment basis religion.1 question presented applying violates Court does, these cases are here direct appeal pursuant 28 1252.2 We reverse. 2 * Deseret Gymnasium (Gymnasium) Corporation Presiding Bishop (CPB), President (COP). CPB COP unincorporated association sometimes called Mormon LDS Church.3 3 Mayson worked some 16 years assistant building engineer then engineer. He 1981 temple recommend, is, temples.4 4 others class alleging, things, 703 2000e-2.5 this claim shields them liability. 5 considered require decision plaintiffs' constitutional argument. Starting premise can permissibly exempted 702, developed determine religious.6 situation, found: first, intimately connected financially matters management; second, clear connection between function performs beliefs tenets administration;7 third, none duties "even tangentially any conceivable belief ritual administration," 594 F.Supp. 791, 802 (Utah 1984). concluded involves activity.8 6 next challenge 702. 745 (1971), "assuring government remains meddle affairs interfering decision-making process religions. . ." 812.9 concluded, however, fails provision religion.10 Among considerations mentioned were: rather benefiting broad grouping only part;11 supported tradition;12 burdens free rights institutions work jobs. sponsors granting "an exclusive authorization engage conduct directly immediately practices," id., 825, declared activity. entered summary judgment favor Rule Procedure 54(b) ordered him reinstated backpay.13 Subsequently, vacated so United States could intervene defend constitutionality After briefing argument affirmed prior determination reentered final Mayson. II 7 "This recognized may (and must) accommodate practices do violating Clause." Hobbie Unemployment Appeals Comm'n Fla., 480 136, 144-145, 1046, 1051, 94 190 (1987) (footnote omitted). well established, too, "[t]he limits state accommodation means co-extensive noninterference mandated Free Exercise Walz Tax Comm'n, 397 664, 673, 90 1409, 1413-1414, 25 697 (1970). "benevolent interference." Id., 669, S.Ct., 1412. At point, devolve into unlawful fostering religion," Hobbie, supra, ---- U.S., 145, but such cases, our view. 8 private contend we should apply approach, assertedly unsuited judging statutes Brief Appellants pp. 24-26. always hence invalid (effects) test, result claimed inconsistent upheld property tax exemptions organizations. two three factors, taken pre-Walz decisions, 612-613, 2111, did purport depart except adding consideration became element test. 613, 2111. In event, need reexamine context, way questionable analysis. 9 requires issue 612, mean law's unrelated religion—that would amount "that show callous indifference groups," Zorach Clauson, 343 306, 314, 72 679, 684, 96 L.Ed. 954 (1952), never interpreted. "purpose" aims decisionmaker—in case, Congress—from 10 Under analysis, Appellees argue provided adequate 1972 amendment, when statutory ban discrimination. assume sake pre-1972 sense required more. Nonetheless, burden organization it, pain substantial liability, predict consider religious. line hardly bright one, might understandably concerned judge understand mission.14 Fear potential affect carried what understood mission. 11 detailed examination history Congress' minimize "interfer[ence] religions." F.Supp., 812. agree 12 "a religion." Undoubtedly, better able now purposes amendment But groups account many laws passed muster: example, loans schoolbooks school-children, including parochial school students, Board Education Allen, 392 236, 88 1923, 20 1060 (1968). "effects" Lemon, fair say observed Walz, "for men wrote Religion Clauses Amendment 'establishment' connoted sponsorship, financial support, active involvement sovereign activity." 668, 1411. Accord, 13 appeared fear sustaining resources extend influence propagate faith entering commercial, profit-making world. 825. before us, involve instituted over 75 ago hope "all assemble come benefit health, physical blessings, [may] feel house dedicated Lord." Dedicatory Prayer Gymnasium, quoted, 800-801, n. 15. These therefore implicate apparent concerns find persuasive evidence record us Church's doctrine greater passage circumstances, see how advancement achieved fairly attributed Government, opposed Church.15 14 unpersuasive fact benefit. Although given weight past 11, indicated give special per se invalid. That contrary teaching See acts lifting regulation reason comes packaged benefits entities. 15 unpersuaded tradition. scope until 1964 passed, after eight original unnecessarily narrow entitled deference, suspicion. employers.16 rely Larson Valente, 456 228, 246, 102 1673, 1684, 33 (1982), proposition drawing distinctions indicates discriminating subject strict scrutiny, ibid., "affording uniform all religions" analyzed 252, 1687. these, where justification scrutiny passes already acted expanding cover employers. Supra, To dispose appellees' argument, suffices hold—as do—that 17 cannot seriously entangles state; effectuates avoids kind intrusive engaged case. easily muster test.17 18 reversed, remanded proceedings consistent opinion. 19 ordered. whom MARSHALL joins, 21 I write separately emphasize my concurrence rests application categorical organization. believe character makes inappropriate case-by-case nature secular. 22 present confrontation those individuals. Any proscription necessarily burdening liberty prospective current employees. An says person put choice either conforming certain losing job opportunity, promotion, or, itself.1 coercion created serious tension commitment individual freedom conscience belief.2 23 same time, interest autonomy ordering internal affairs, to: 24 "select leaders, doctrines, resolve disputes, institutions. includes important communal elements most believers. They organizations, protected [Free Exercise] [C]lause." Laycock, Towards General Theory Clauses: Case Labor Relations Right Autonomy, 81 Colum.L.Rev. 1373, 1389 (1981). Serbian Eastern Orthodox Diocese Milivojevich, 426 696, 2372, 49 151 (1976) (church effecting binding resolution governance disputes); Kedroff Saint Nicholas Cathedral, 344 94, 73 143, 120 (1952) (state transfer administrative control one authority another Clause). individuals, derives meaning large measure participation larger community. Such community represents ongoing tradition shared beliefs, organic entity reducible mere aggregation individuals.3 Determining furtherance organization's mission, committed mission them, defines itself. Solicitude church's reflects idea often furthers well. 26 self-definition inevitably normally regard infringement rights, condition subscription tenets. willing countenance imposition deem vital constitute community's practice, members perform activities. 27 rationale suggests ideally, respect made each results conditioning performance upon defended necessary self-definition. Furthermore, circumstances enables gain normal prescribing terms membership seek participate furthering puts disposal added advantages economic leverage realm. result, goes beyond reasonable accommodation, (1971). What religious-secular distinction difficult self-evident. determining searching considerable entanglement affairs. prospect intrusion raises concern chilled While functions integral disagree. incentive characterize about likely dispute, even genuinely believed performing tasks shaped prospects litigation. analysis both produce excessive create danger chilling risk arise operation organized commercial enterprise colorable purely orientation. contrast for-profit corporation, non-profit utilize earnings finance continued goods services furnishes, distribute surplus owners. generally Hansmann, Role Nonprofit Enterprise, 89 Yale L.J. 835 (1980). plausible operated order generate revenues church, themselves infused unlike corporations, nonprofits historically specifically provide services, commerce. Churches fulfilling duty providing example life seeks foster.4 30 characterization close question. If deterred classifying actually regards religious, domain.5 organization, justifies demarcates sphere deference permits employee instances reflect every purposes, likelihood rule suitable avoid religion.6 31 Sensitivity dictates permitted Concern demands chill expression produce. escape tension. Because enterprises appropriately balances competing concerns. concur avail automatic 32 Essentially reasons forth O'CONNOR'S opinion, particularly paragraphs thereof, fully drawn seems "to obscure far enlighten," O'CONNOR states, 347, surely, "question open," 349. 34 35 note once again illustrates difficulties inherent use articulated Wallace Jaffree, 472 38, 67, 105 2479, 2496, 86 (1985) (O'CONNOR, judgment); Lynch Donnelly, 465 687, 104 1355, 1366, 79 604 (1984) concurring). problematic while holding extends reasoning acknowledge amended different questions profit 36 noted evaluate efforts religion: 37 "On hand, rigid invalidate legislation exempting observers applicable obligations. 38 By definition, On judicial purports facilitate completely vitiate pertaining viewed 'accommodation' rights." 82, 2503. 39 view, leans toward unacceptable options described above. acknowledging "[u]ndoubtedly, 702," suggest prong implicated characterized "allowing" Ante, 337. me enlighten. Almost recharacterized itself, unless perhaps actual proselytization agents. nearly take advantage benefit; subsidy make funds. little significance observation penalized refusal adhere doctrine. 337, power qualifying recommend his lifted general regulatory imposed 40 step evaluating recognize separate constitutionally unjustifiable awards assistance suggested earlier opinions, framed "whether government's endorse conveys message endorsement." Wallace, 69, 2496. ascertain endorsement, perceived objective observer, acquainted text, history, implementation statute. 76, 2500. Of course, perceive identifiable said action. observer endorsement "is simple fact. evidentiary submissions help answer like racial sex-based classifications communicate invidious message, legal answered interpretation social facts." 693-694, 1370. 41 above framework, believe, helps clarify why BRENNAN observes concurrence: "The orientation." (opinion judgment). lift demonstrating refraining probability clear, conducted solely express issue, appropriate open. provides part: subchapter [i.e., 2000e seq.] shall association, educational institution, society carrying activities." 1252 party interlocutory decree, civil party. "corporations sole" Utah various behalf Church. Both corporations tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) Internal Revenue Code. contest Temple recommends issued observe standards regular attendance, tithing, abstinence coffee, tea, alcohol, tobacco. certify class. below, whose claims appeal, initially included former Beehive Clothing Mills, manufactures garments members. complaint add plaintiff Industries, division Welfare Services Department. rulings 13, infra. follows: "First, look tie areas day-to-day operations management. Second, two, examine nexus rituals administration. administration close, proceed declare However, remote tenuous non-existent, inquiry. relationship employee's tenets, substantial, religious." 799 found "nothing running [the Gymnasium] intended spread teach sacred administration." 800. emphasized doctrines treat ritual. 801. rejected possibility exempt involving 803-804. examined detail 805-812. Prior extending sponsored Senators Allen Ervin. Senator Ervin explained "take political hands Caesar off God, place be." 118 Cong.Rec. 4503 (1972). defendants' arguments 814-820. Cf., e.g., Mueller 463 388, 397, 103 3062, 3068, 77 721 (1983) (provision spectrum index effect); Committee Public & Religious Liberty Nyquist, 413 756, 794, 93 2955, 2976, 948 (1973) (narrowness benefited factor Cf. 676-679, 1415-1416, (1970) (relying part, upholding groups, exemptions). regarding "applies force [similar] relates case." 798. deferred ruling Due Process Equal Protection Constitution, 828, state-law wrongful discharge intentional infliction emotional distress, 828-830. disputed issues material precluded (see 5, supra ). 618 1013, 1016 1985). complaint, Ralph Whitaker, impermissible position truckdriver Industries (Industries) based failure recommend. Department, runs workshop program handicapped, retarded, unemployed, sort items refurbish donated sale Industries' thrift stores. Relying emphasis charity work, "there intimate Church." 1027. granted appeal. illustrative difficulties: fine. basis, appreciate expressive values. 6-8, 19. impinged upon, (through CPB), changing job. Estate Thornton Caldor, Inc., 703, 2914, 557 (1985). struck down Connecticut prohibiting employer requiring day designated Sabbath. effect, designation Sabbath regardless constituted (1987). appellee legally obligated steps "impermissibly delegates discrimination." 31. leeway appellees standing interests event practically speaking, merely restatement point. occasion pass creates divisiveness along lines. stated 1365, (1984): "[T]his alone otherwise conduct. And decline hold today. church-sponsored schools colleges, institutions, for, 403-404, 3071, (1983)." permitted, required, impose irrelevant; exemption. behavior, stopped examining regulations placed others. See, 455 261, 1057, 71 127 (1982) ("Granting security taxes operates employer's employees"); 674, 1414, (legislative determinative; "[w]e sure end result—the effect—is religion"); Wisconsin Yoder, 406 205, 220-221, 92 1526, 1536, (1972) ("The ignore exception obligation citizenship afoul Clause"). approach impact others, awareness that: "Government promotes effectively fosters identification powers responsibilities any—or all—religious denominations attempts inculcate specific doctrines. core violated." Grand Rapids School Dist. Ball, 473 373, 389, 3216, 3226, 87 267 cogently her concurrence, [appellee] 702." Post, 374. James Madison expressed it: "[W]e fundamental undeniable truth, 'that owe Creator Manner discharging directed conviction, violence.' man left conviction man; right dictate." Madison, Memorial Remonstrance Against Assessment, Writings 184 (G. Hunt ed. 1901) (quoting Virginia Declaration Rights, Art. 16). 50, 2487, ("[T]he identified individual's central unifies Amendment"). K. Barth, Christian Community Community, State 149 (1960); Cover, Supreme 1982 Term—Foreword: Nomos Narrative, Harv.L.Rev. (1983). Perry, Authority Text, Tradition, Reason: Constitutional "Interpretation," 58 S.Cal.L.Rev. 551, 558 (tradition narrative, motif aspiration form life, projects, goals, [and] ideals, discourse cultivated revised"). Until quite recently common incorporate formed limited purposes. 835, 839 Many States, formation corporation lawful Ibid. possible transform substance form, signal regarded forgo hire persons experience proved incorporation frequently used evade VII, reconsider cases. notes excellent activity, "the character, justified organization; authorizing entities, possess dimension especially colorable.

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