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.