© 2024 New England Public Media

FCC public inspection files:
WGBYWFCRWNNZWNNUWNNZ-FMWNNI

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact hello@nepm.org or call 413-781-2801.
PBS, NPR and local perspective for western Mass.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

'Treading Into Dangerous Territory': Mass. High Court Considers Appeal From Christian College

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
CMH2315FL
/
CREATIVE COMMONS / FLICKR.COM/PHOTOS/21953562@N07
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court heard arguments on Monday about whether a Christian college has to abide by anti-discrimination laws.

In 2016, Margaret DeWeese-Boyd was teaching at Gordon College north of Boston. She applied to be a full professor but was denied. She alleged she was discriminated against for speaking out about the college’s anti-LGBTQ policies.

Pushing back, the college argued that under the First Amendment’s religious protections, the court had no place to review the school’s decision because DeWeese-Boyd was required to advance the evangelical Christian faith among her students.

Last May, a superior court judge ruled that she didn't have religious duties and was free to proceed with her suit. Gordon College appealed.

Supreme Judicial Court Justice Scott Kafker said he and his colleagues face a challenging task.

"I feel like we’re treading into dangerous territory here if we start deciding what her secular aspects are and what her religious aspects are in a school that doesn’t draw those distinctions," Kafker said.

A decision from the court is expected within four months or so.

Before joining New England Public Media, Alden was a producer for the CBS NEWS program 60 Minutes. In that role, he covered topics ranging from art, music and medicine to business, education and politics.
Related Content