Chinese Pastor’s Anti-Asian Job Bias, Harassment Lawsuit Barred

A Baptist church association and a California church defeated a Chinese man’s lawsuit alleging he was subjected to discrimination and harassment while working to become an ordained pastor.

Ping Gui’s claims against Transformation Ministries, First Baptist Church of Yorba Linda, and individual defendants was barred by the “ministerial exception,” the US District Court for the Central District of California said. That was so even though under Ninth Circuit precedent, hostile work environment claims can fall outside the reach of the exception, which generally applies to employment-related claims so that religious groups are free from government interference when deciding who ...