Court Opinion

ID: 9636562
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 14:33:19.830988+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:09:46.891005
License: Public Domain

Morse, J.,
dissenting. I would affirm for the reason expressed by plaintiff’s counsel at oral argument — disagreement over the issue of abortion is not protected under the Act. Counsel stated:
If Regal Art Press had said at the time, “We decline to print your order because we perceive the content of that order to be pro abortion, and we are morally or even religiously opposed to abortion, therefore we won’t print your cards for you,” we wouldn’t be here today. Plaintiff would not have a complaint, and I want to make sure that’s clear from the outset.
The parties here disagreed over the issue of abortion, not Catholicism. Defendant did not refuse to print plaintiff’s membership cards because she was Catholic. Defendant’s owners, too, were Catholic. One Catholic may disagree with another Catholic’s political views and not *612offend the Act. Defendant refused to print plaintiff’s order because defendant believed Vermont Catholics for Free Choice was in the business of promoting abortion. Plaintiff made no allegation that Vermont Catholics for Free Choice is a religion, or that “free choice” is a religious creed. Rather, free (pro) choice is commonly defined as: political support of a woman’s choice whether to abort or continue a pregnancy. Defendant was motivated in its conduct toward plaintiff because she was pro choice, pure and simple. Had plaintiff wanted membership cards printed on behalf of, say, “Republicans for Free Choice,” would defendant have accommodated her?
The facts of this case show the folly that erupts when a political question is superficially intertwined with a religious label. I do not believe that the Legislature intended to extend the protection of 9 VS.A. § 4502 to political agendas, even if those agendas are pursued by religious groups. Vermont Catholics for Free Choice is a political group taking political action. Consequently, it should garner no greater protection than any other politically motivated group.
I am authorized to state that Justice Peck joins in this disent.