Professor Barry McDonald Quoted in "Understanding Religious Exemptions" -- World Magazine

Professor Barry P. McDonald is quoted in the World article, " Understanding Religious Exemptions." The article examines the legal issues surrounding COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

Excerpts from "Understanding Religious Exemptions"

For those working for the federal, state, or local government, what determines whether an employer will grant a religious exemption? Legally, a constitutional law analysis will apply. The First Amendment states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Courts have interpreted the word "religion" to mean a sincerely held belief. "You have to demonstrate you have a system of moral or ethical beliefs that are important to your life," said Barry McDonald, a constitutional law professor at Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law.

Ultimately, the employers will be the ones tasked with discerning if an individual's ­religious belief is asserted in good faith, McDonald said.

The complete article, authored by Pepperdine Caruso Law alumna Jenny Rough (JD '99), may be found at World News Group.