• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy Appellate court sides with Amish community in religious freedom septic tank case
Economy

Appellate court sides with Amish community in religious freedom septic tank case

by July 11, 2023
by July 11, 2023 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

Members of a deeply conservative Amish community in Minnesota don’t need to install septic systems to dispose of their ‘gray water,’ the state Court of Appeals ruled Monday in a long-running religious freedom case that went all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court.

A three-judge panel ruled that the government ‘failed to demonstrate a compelling state interest’ to justify overriding the religious freedom of the Amish families that challenged state regulations governing the disposal of gray water, which is water that’s been used for dishwashing, laundry, and bathing, but not toilet waste.

The Swartzentruber Amish in southeastern Minnesota are among the most traditional Amish groups in the country, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch noted in a 2021 ruling. It sent the case back to Minnesota courts for reconsideration in light of a high court decision a month earlier in a different religious freedom case. That ruling went in favor of a Philadelphia-based Catholic foster care agency that said its religious views prevented it from working with same-sex couples.

A Minnesota district court last September concluded that the government showed that it had a compelling state interest ‘of the highest order’ in requiring the Swartzentruber Amish to use septic tanks to protect groundwater supplies in the area. The families then appealed again. The Court of Appeals sided with them Monday, and sent the case back to the lower court for an order in favor of the Amish.

Fillmore County in 2013 started requiring homes to have modern septic systems to dispose of gray water. The Swartzentruber Amish sought an exemption, saying their religion prohibits that technology. They sued in 2017. For years they had discharged their gray water directly onto the ground. They offered instead to use mulch basins filled with wood chips to filter the water, as allowed in some other states, but the government argued that mulch basins would be ineffective.

The federal religious freedom law that was at issue in the Philadelphia case ‘prohibits governments from infringing sincerely held religious beliefs and practices except as a last resort,’ Gorsuch explained at the time, urging the Minnesota court and local authorities to swiftly resolve the dispute.

‘In this country, neither the Amish nor anyone else should have to choose between their farms and their faith,’ Gorsuch said.

The Court of Appeals noted that the Swartzentruber Amish use some technology, but don’t own or drive automobiles, and don’t use telephones, electric lights or modern flush toilets. They supply water to their homes from cisterns and have always prohibited septic systems.

<!–>

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

–>

You Might Also Like
  • Jeffries shuts down McCarthy claim that Dems are ‘upset’ over debt deal: ‘Have not been able to review’
  • GOP rebels plunge House into chaos amid mutiny over government shutdown deal
  • Indiana ACLU sues over state’s ban on ‘human sexuality’ lessons through 3rd grade
  • Trump facing more heat for calling six-week abortion ban ‘a terrible thing’ as big names pile on
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
Monica Tranel announces bid for congressional seat, aims to challenge Rep. Ryan Zinke in 2024
next post
Late CT political titan Lowell Weicker remembered as maverick unbound by partisan politics

You may also like

Wisconsin judge dismisses case against embattled GOP elections official

January 17, 2023

Woman identified as State Department employee accuses Biden admin of...

November 6, 2023

CDC, FDA warn Florida surgeon general over his COVID-19 vaccine...

March 12, 2023

Schiff, Swalwell, Omar respond after Speaker McCarthy keeps them off...

January 25, 2023

UN agencies demand humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza as Israel-Hamas war...

November 7, 2023

Biden admin reverses Trump-era action making it easier to build...

September 16, 2023

Michigan passes statewide ban on handheld phone use in cars

June 8, 2023

DeSantis to make case at debate for his ‘proven conservative...

August 23, 2023

Just 1 in 4 Michigan Democrats enthusiastic about Biden being...

December 15, 2023

DOJ reaches settlement with ex-FBI ‘lovebirds’ caught in anti-Trump text...

May 30, 2024

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Week Ahead: NIFTY Stays In A Defined Range; Moving Past This Level Crucial For Resumption Of Upmove

      May 31, 2025
    • Breakouts, Momentum & Moving Averages: 10 Must-See Stock Charts Right Now

      May 31, 2025
    • Leadership Rotation Could Confirm Corrective Phase

      May 30, 2025
    • Run Your Stock Portfolio Like a Pro Sports Team

      May 30, 2025
    • U.S. foreign tax bill sends jitters across Wall Street

      May 30, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,765 views
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,472 views
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 2,451 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,432 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,308 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,106)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,582)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • Week Ahead: NIFTY Stays In A Defined Range; Moving Past...

      May 31, 2025
    • Breakouts, Momentum & Moving Averages: 10 Must-See Stock Charts Right...

      May 31, 2025
    • Leadership Rotation Could Confirm Corrective Phase

      May 30, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,106)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,582)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    Trump turns conviction into cash, with...

    May 31, 2024

    New York’s legal bid to redraw...

    June 9, 2023

    Disastrous polls prove Democrats need a...

    January 2, 2024
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here