The Center for Law & Religious Freedom

Spencer v. World Vision

Summary

This case involves the scope of Title VII religious exemption protecting the ability of a religious organization to make staffing decisions based on the organization's shared faith commitments.

The Center participated in an amici curiae brief urging the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to affirm the district court decision in favor of World Vision, which the district court found to be a protected religious organization.

The amici brief articulates a legal framework for determining whether an employer qualifies as a religious organization protected by the Title VII religious exemption and argues that World Vision qualifies for this protection.

L. Martin Nussbaum of Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons LLP and counsel for the Center for Law & Religious Freedom represented amici curiae Association of Gospel Rescue Missions, Center for Public Justice, Christian Legal Society, National Association of Evangelicals, Samaritan's Purse, and Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America.

Litigation Documents

Amici Curiae Brief for Association of Gospel Rescue Missions, Center for Public Justice, Christian Legal Society, National Association of Evangelicals, Samaritan's Purse, and Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America in Support of Affirmance - November 24, 2008