Buddhist Center Apprentice Was Minister, Loses Job Bias Appeal

The largest Soto Zen Buddhist temple in North America was properly granted dismissal of a former resident work practice apprentice’s disability discrimination lawsuit, the Ninth Circuit ruled Wednesday.

Alexander Behrend was a “minister” for purposes of the First Amendment-derived ministerial exception, despite his contention that he mostly performed menial tasks during his time as an apprentice at the San Francisco Zen Center, the court said. The exception allows religious organizations to decide who serves them as ministers free from government interference, such as antidiscrimination laws. It broadly reaches those who have a role in preaching an organization’s beliefs, teaching its ...