First Presbyterian Church of Schenectady v. United Presbyterian Church in United States

In my view, application of the “neutral principles of law” approach to resolution of the intrachurch property dispute at issue here requires affirmance of Trial Term’s judgment and, therefore, I dissent.

The State has a legitimate interest in resolving property disputes, and a civil court is a proper forum for that resolution (Presbyterian Church v Hull Church, 393 US 440, 445). A civil court’s role, however, in resolving church property disputes is severely circumscribed by the First Amendment, but “[cjivil courts do not inhibit free exercise of religion merely by opening their doors to…