SCOTUS: Members of the Military Have No Religious Liberties

The Supreme Court on Monday effectively announced that those who put on the uniform of the U.S. military and swear an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States themselves have no support or defense from one of the document’s greatest protections against government overreach.

Former Marine Lance Cpl. Monifa Sterling and her attorneys at the First Liberty Institute were hoping the high court would take up her case after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces returned a decision that upheld her court-martial for refusing to take down a Bible verse from her workspace. By refusing to take the case, the lower court decision remains in place for all members of the military.

Click here to learn more about Sterling’s case.

“Because the Supreme Court did not decide to review the case, the travesty below by the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces will now stand,” President, CEO, and Chief Counsel for First Liberty Institute Kelly Shackelford said. “The military court’s outrageous decision means federal judges and military officials can strip our service members of their constitutional rights just because they don’t think someone’s religious beliefs are important enough to be protected. Our service members deserve better.

“We had hoped the Court would review this case, but we will now work even harder to ensure our nation’s brave service members do not lose their religious freedom.” {eoa}