Professor Brownstein Comments for Christianity Today
Professor Alan Brownstein commented for Christianity Today on constitutional law issues connected with the case of a couple who were fined by the City of San Juan Capistrano for holding regular bible study classes in their home. San Juan Capistrano requires a conditional use permit for religious, fraternal, or nonprofit organizations that meet in residential areas, which the couple did not acquire.
Professor Brownstein said that unless it can be demonstrated that the city has treated religious classes differently from other regular meetings or gatherings held at someone's home, the couple cannot successfully challenge the fine on free exercise grounds. "Unless you can show that religion is being singled out for discriminatory or disfavored treatment, you don't have a free exercise claim anymore," he said.
Professor Brownstein, a nationally recognized Constitutional Law scholar, teaches Constitutional Law, Law and Religion, and Torts at UC Davis School of Law, where he holds the Boochever and Bird Endowed Chair for the Study and Teaching of Freedom and Equality.