SCOTUS Rules In Favor Of Catholic Social Services In Religious Freedom Case (MSNBC)

[ItsjustMe]

The Supreme Court has unanimously ruled in favor of Catholic Social Services who sued the city of Philadelphia after their contract to provide foster care services was not renewed because they would not place children in households with same-sex parents. Catholic Social Services argued that the decision violated their religious freedom. NBC's Pete Williams has details.

[HAB911]

1. does this mean I can

refuse to sell my photography to Catholics?

[Hugh_Lebowski]

2. Well that sucks ... unanimous?

Presumably it's properly based on the Law or our side would've rejected it, but it's surely disappointing that the Law allows this.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

3. Great, just great.

I will keep my other, very, very EX-Catholic, thoughts to myself.

[FBaggins]

4. The unanimous ruling kept the decision fairly narrowly-drawn

The concurring opinions make it pretty clear that there's a narrower majority willing to consider dispensing with Smith and saying that, at least in some cases, freedom of religion trumps some government interests even if the law is "generally applicable"

The court effectively dodged that question by deciding that Philadelphia's law was not, in fact, generally applicable.

[Sympthsical]

5. If I'm reading this right

The problem is, Phildelphia makes exceptions for other organizations contracted through the system. So, when they wouldn't make an exception based on religious belief, they violated the First Amendment.

At least, that's if I'm reading this right. Maybe a lawyer here can chime in.

The unanimity means there was a pretty clear-cut legal problem.

[abqtommy]

6. As far as I'm concerned, "an exception based on religious belief" is a non-starter. Laugh them

all out of court. After imposing a hefty fine.