Religion Clause
Freemasonry Is "Religion" Under RLUIPA, But Masonic Temple Loses RLUIPA Claim
Monday, October 08, 2007
Posted by Howard Friedman --PermaLink: 6:38 AM
In Scottish Rite Cathedral Association of Los Angeles v. City of Los Angeles, (CA Ct. App., Oct. 3, 2007), a California court of appeals rejected a RLUIPA challenge by the Los Angeles Scottish Rite Cathedral Association to the revocation of its certificate of occupancy for its Masonic Temple. The appellate court rejected the trial court's holding that Freemasonry is not a religion. The appellate court found "no principled way to distinguish the earnest pursuit of these [Masonic] principles ... from more widely acknowledged modes of religious exercise." However the court held that the Masonic Temple, which was now largely being rented out for commercial as well as non-profit events, was not protected under RLUIPA. It concluded: "a burden on a commercial enterprise used to fund a religious organization does not constitute a substantial burden on 'religious exercise' within the meaning of RLUIPA."
2 comments:
http://religionclause.blogspot.com/2007/10/freemasonry-is-religion-under-rluipa.html
Jason Cosminsky said...
Well, the appellate court is clearly in error and has ignored over 300 years of precedent regarding this organization. About what one would expect out of a California Banana Court.
Mon Oct 08, 07:56:00 AM EDT
Anonymous said...
Indeed it is in error. If you look at just about any Masonic website, you will find a statement to the effect that "Freemasonry is NOT a religion." Thus, by the orgainizations own self-identification, its buildings should not fall under RLUIPA. It is that simple.
Sat Dec 08, 10:08:00 AM EST
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