Aldersgate United Methodist Church of Montgomery v. Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church…

Summary

The Alabama Supreme Court affirmed the trial court's dismissal for lack of subject‑matter jurisdiction, holding that the churches' dispute over disaffiliation and property rights required interpretation of religious doctrine and therefore is barred by the Establishment Clause. The Court also held that the neutral‑principles‑of‑law approach cannot be applied when the case hinges on ecclesiastical questions.