Supreme Court Justice Alito: 'Those Who Value Religious Freedom Have Cause for Great Concern'
By Kelsey Harkness Published on June 28, 2016
https://stream.org/supreme-court-jus...great-concern/
The Supreme Court's decision not to hear a case challenging a Washington state law that forces a family-owned pharmacy to dispense emergency contraceptives is an "ominous sign" for those who value religious freedom, Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. said.
"If this is a sign of how religious liberty claims will be treated in the years ahead, those who value religious freedom have cause for great concern," Alito said Tuesday in a critical dissent.
Alito was joined in his dissent by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Clarence Thomas, falling one justice short of the four needed for the court to accept a case....
...Alito, in his dissent, suggested the 2007 law, which is unique to Washington state, was designed specifically to target Christian believers.
"There are strong reasons to doubt whether the regulations were adopted for—or that they actually serve—any legitimate purpose," Alito wrote, adding:
And there is much evidence that the impetus for the adoption of the regulations was hostility to pharmacists whose religious beliefs regarding abortion and contraception are out of step with prevailing opinion in the State. Yet the 9th Circuit held that the regulations do not violate the First Amendment, and this court does not deem the case worthy of our time.
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