For its modest size and relatively apolitical ethos, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod seems to be having more than its share of days in court. Three years ago the Supreme Court unanimously vindicated one of its congregations in Hosanna-Tabor v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which recognized that churches have broad autonomy over whom they hire. This fall the justices will take up Trinity Lutheran v. Pauley, a dispute over whether states can deny funds to schools with religious affiliations.<\/p>\n
Now the synod\u2019s two million members may have reason to anticipate yet another day in court. Last week in Milwaukee the church\u2019s triennial convention passed a resolution, by a 946-89 vote, committing to support \u201cthose who have a religious and moral objection to women participating in the selective service system and being subject to a possible draft.\u201d\u009d The text of the final resolution built on proposals by more than three dozen congregations, circuits, districts, or commissions of the synod.<\/p>\n
That such a measure was even brought to a vote indicates how swiftly the country\u2019s legal and political culture has been changing. A similar proposal mooted only three years ago was dismissed as unnecessary.<\/p>\n