9th Circuit hears dispute over church rights

The AP reports:

Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church is appealing a 2006 decision by U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy of Missoula, who ruled against the church and its lawsuit challenging a decision by the state commissioner of political practices.

The commissioner, Gordon Higgins, found that Canyon Ferry violated state law by not reporting its in-kind support of a 2004 constitutional initiative defining marriage as between a man and a woman . . .

The Alliance Defense Fund, which is representing Canyon Ferry, said the case is significant because it will determine whether common nonprofit groups – such as churches, services clubs and charities – must register with the state as political committees when they speak about important moral and societal issues . . .

Related:

9th Cir. arguments: Mont. church labeled a political committee after speaking on social issues