Pleasant Glade Assembly of God v. Schubert

Chief Justice JEFFERSON,

joined by Justice GREEN, and by Justice JOHNSON as to Parts II-A, III, and IV, dissenting.

After today, a tortfeasor need merely allege a religious motive to deprive a Texas court of jurisdiction to compensate his fellow congregant for emotional damages. This sweeping immunity is inconsistent with United States Supreme Court precedent and extends far beyond the protections our Constitution affords religious conduct. The First Amendment guards religious liberty; it does not sanction intentional abuse in religion’s name. Because the Court’s holding precludes recovery of…