"The other side unsuccessfully tried to circumvent the ministerial exception by claiming fraud, when in reality, they were challenging the church's decision to fire the plaintiff based on her lifestyle and her ministerial role."
Travis Weber, director of the Center for Religious Liberty at the Family Research Council, said this ruling has far-reaching implications not just for churches but for all Americans.
"It is impermissible for the government to interfere in religious affairs. If it did, we would have an authoritarian state that would abolish religious freedom," Weber told CNA.
"Churches, as well as private individuals, should be allowed to publicly affirm and live out their religious beliefs without government interference. Every American should support this," he said.
"The government cannot dictate what churches or citizens should or should not believe. Thankfully, the court rightly ruled that the First Amendment prohibits this kind of authoritarian government rule."
Weber also said that churches face a growing threat to their religious freedom because of a philosophical shift in the culture and changes in non-discrimination laws.
"Philosophically there has been a shift in our culture, which can be seen most prominently on college campuses, that rejects a biblical and traditional understanding of marriage, human sexuality and gender," Weber said.
"Churches face a growing threat to their religious freedom because they maintain this biblical worldview. These threats are coming under non-discrimination laws, which thanks to the Obama administration now include sexual orientation and gender identity," Weber explained.
He said that churches need knowledge and legal resources to thwart potential threats.
"Churches must be aware of these issues and when faced with a situation like in Kansas, must seek good legal counsel. This is the best way to ward off potential threats and protect their First Amendment freedoms," Weber said.
"The reality is that churches and individuals are going to believe and live different things, and that is a good thing – not a source of contention or litigation. That is what democracy and America is all about."
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