David Hacker of First Liberty Institute explains that when Bethesda University's board of directors was taken over by individuals who do not subscribe to the Pentecostal faith, the dispute ended up in court.
When a lower court forced Bethesda to include board members that do not follow the school's firmly held religious beliefs, Muslim, Jewish, and Christian groups stood up for the institution's right to choose its own leaders.
"So many different faith backgrounds and people think it's critical that the court resolve the questions involved in the case," says Hacker. "Hopefully they'll take a closer look at it in considering to take the case."
Groups asking for Supreme Court intervention include the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Coalition for Jewish Values, Patrick Henry College, and the Association of Christian Schools International. Additional briefs are from Manhattan Institute, National Religious Broadcasters, Brigham Young University, Wagner Faith and Freedom Center, Heartbeat International, Foundation for Moral Law, and Christian Legal Society.
Justices are not required to take cases. In fact, many do not go that far through the court system. But Hacker says having a diverse array of religious groups and faith backgrounds coming together really helps the school's chances.
It could be March or April before the Supreme Court decides whether to take the case.
