The U.S. Supreme Court case Corporation of the Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints et al. v. Amos et al., 1986, revolved around a dispute over religious discrimination in employment practices under Title VII Civil Rights Act (1964). Mayson, an employee at a non-profit gymnasium owned by the LDS Church was fired for failing to qualify for a church-issued certificate verifying his compliance with LDS standards and principles. He sued on grounds that this constituted religious discrimination. The court ruled unanimously in favor of the LDS Church, stating that allowing religious organizations to employ individuals who uphold their beliefs does not violate the Establishment Clause or Free Exercise Clause as it doesn't promote religion nor coerce anyone into following any particular faith's doctrines or codes. This ruling upheld Section 702 exemption within Title VII which allows religious institutions to prefer employees based on religion without being accused of discriminatory practices.

In the dissenting opinion for Corporation of the Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints v. Amos, Justice William Brennan argued that religious organizations should not be exempt from anti-discrimination laws in secular activities. He believed that allowing such exemptions would violate the Establishment Clause by giving a government-endorsed advantage to religious groups over non-religious ones in secular endeavors. Furthermore, he contended that this exemption could potentially lead to widespread discrimination under the guise of religion and thus undermine civil rights protections. In his view, while it is essential to respect and protect religious freedom, it should not come at the expense or detriment of other fundamental rights and freedoms protected by law.