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Church Dissolution and Constitutional Limits | Charleston News
House Judiciary Chairman J.B. Akers warns lawmakers that meddling in church dissolution could trigger a constitutional minefield, as neither the Legislature nor courts have the authority to dictate how churches operate—any law could backfire and erode religious autonomy. A stalled bill last year, HB 4515, aimed to resolve disputes over church property when congregations leave denominations, but failed to gain traction amid deep legal and First Amendment disagreements. With the state Supreme Court set to hear a high-stakes case this fall involving 33 United Methodist congregations seeking to…
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