U.S. Supreme Court will hear case on home worship

• The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case brought by an Orthodox Jewish man, who claims city officials harassed him when he sought to hold a religious gathering in his home.
• Sutherland Institute joined a coalition on an amicus brief in the case.
• The Court could provide much-needed direction by deciding this dispute and providing protection to religious exercise.

On its last day of issuing decisions in the current term, the U.S. Supreme Court also announced it would hear an important religious freedom case in its next term.  

Sutherland Institute joined a coalition of organizations promoting religious freedom on an amicus brief encouraging the court to take this case, Grand v. City of University Heights, which I recently wrote about here.

The case was brought by Daniel Grand, an Orthodox Jew who invited a dozen friends to a religious gathering in his home. A neighbor objected and asked the city to prevent the meetings. City officials told Grand he needed a permit due to zoning regulations. In addition, the city surveilled and harassed Grand while he challenged the restriction. 

This restriction is not merely a nuisance. Grand’s faith specifically requires that he gather with at least 10 men for prayer. In other words, the city’s policy imposes a significant burden on a core tenet of his faith. 

He is asking the court to recognize that the city’s threats “chill” his ability to exercise his faith and that he should not be forced to wait until later to have his rights vindicated in continued litigation. 

These types of cases arise when government officials do not understand, or perhaps ignore, constitutional provisions protecting the free exercise of religion. The court should take this opportunity to respond to possible misunderstandings and to ensure that others in similar circumstances will be able to practice their faith without interference.