Rise of Corporate Religious Liberty

What are the rights of religious institutions? Should those rights extend to for-profit corporations? Houses of worship have claimed they should be free from anti-discrimination laws in hiring and firing ministers and other employees. Faith-based institutions, including hospitals and universities, have sought exemptions from requirements to provide contraception. Now, in a surprising development, large for-profit corporations have succeeded in asserting rights toreligious free exercise. The Rise of Corporate Religious Liberty explores this "corporate" turn in law and religion. Drawing on a broad range perspectives, this book examines the idea of "freedom of the church," the rights of for-profit corporations, and the implications of the Supreme Court's landmarkdecision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby for debates on anti-discrimination law, same-sex marriage, health care, and religious freedom.

The twenty-two contributors to The Rise of Corporate Religious Liberty expose philosophical tensions and offer practical insights for lawyers, curious lay readers, and others who are concerned about corporate religious liberty., The Rise of Corporate Religious Liberty is an excellent collection of articles addressing the many facets of group religious freedom as well as the related issues that have arisen in our recent debates. The collection grew out of a conference hosted by the DePaul University College of Law, and its contributors include top scholars from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. The quality of their contributions is exceptionally high, and together the book's chapters provide a representative and balanced sampling of the varied viewpoints that make debates about corporate religious liberty some of the richest and most interesting in religion clause., The Constitution and various statutes protect the right of individuals to practice their religion. Do institutions also enjoy such protection? If so, which institutions? Only worship communities or for-profit corporations as well? This fascinating collection from an all-star cast of diverse scholars tackles questions dating back at least as far as the Enlightenment, made timely by the latest legal conflicts between egalitarian government programs and new claims of religious liberty." -Michael C. Dorf, Robert S. Stevens Professor of Law, Cornell University Law School, The important questions addressed in this book are deeply challenging and greatly controversial. The range of views defended by the contributors to this volume-contributors who are among this generation's most respected scholars of religious freedom-is impressively broad. Moreover, the depth of discernment evident throughout the book is truly remarkable. Essential reading for anyone who cares about the state of religious freedom in the United States today." -Michael J. Perry, Robert W. Woodruff Professor of Law, Emory University, The Rise of Corporate Religious Liberty is an excellent collection of articles addressing the many facets of group religious freedom as well as the related issues that have arisen in our recent debates. The quality of their contributions is exceptionally high, and together the books chapters provide a representative and balanced sampling of the varied viewpoints that make debates about corporate religious liberty some of the richest and most interesting in religion clause jurisprudence.

Micah Schwartzman is the Edward F. Howrey Professor of Law at the University of Virginia School of Law.Chad Flanders is Assistant Professor of Law at the St. Louis University School of Law.Zoë Robinson is Professor of Law at the DePaul University College of Law.