The U.S. Supreme Court recently demonstrated a surprising degree of unity in expanding the freedom of religious institutions as employers, Professor Lisa McElroy said during an interview Jan. 13 on Oregon Public Radio’s Think Out Loud program.

The court ruled unanimously on Jan. 11 that a Lutheran church had the right to fire a disabled teacher, because religious groups must be allowed to choose who can or cannot convey their messages about faith, McElroy said.

By affirming a “ministerial exception” to employment discrimination law in Hossanna-Tabor Church v. the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, McElroy said, the court greatly expanded religious freedom.

McElroy, whom program host Dave Miller called “our go-to Supreme Court watcher,” also discussed a fresh ruling in a case involving eyewitness testimony and a pending decision concerning indecency on television.