Americans United for Separation of Church and State President and CEO Rachel Laser issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court today declining to review Synod of Bishops v. Belya:
“Religious freedom is not a license to harm others or prevent people from seeking justice in courts of law. This case is far from over, but Father Alexander Belya now has a chance to vindicate his rights.
“We are facing an aggressive movement working to recast religious freedom into a weapon that would allow religious institutions to discriminate without limit or consequence. AU believes religious freedom should be a shield, not a sword. Today, the Court let that principle stand.”
Americans United represents Father Alexander Belya, an Orthodox Christian priest who was publicly defamed by his colleagues. Belya is represented by AU Litigation Counsel Bradley Girard, Legal Fellow Gabriela Hybel, and Oleg Rivkin.
More information about the Belya case is available here.
Americans United is a religious freedom advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, AU educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.
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