Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Religion & Law Blogs -> Religion Clause

Religion & Law

: Religion Clause

Suit Challenges Regulation of Spiritual Counsellors As Fortune Tellers

By Howard M. Friedman

Yesterday's Richmond (VA) Times-Dispatch reports on a lawsuit filed in federal district court in Virginia challenging the constitutionality of a Chesterfield County (VA) law that regulates "spiritual counsellors" in the same way that fortune tellers are regulated. This includes a requirement to obtain a permit after a background check and character references, as well as zoning restrictions and a $300 license tax. Spiritual adviser Sophie King says she is engaged in a religious activity. She says she is not a fortune teller because she merely relays information she receives without knowing how it relates to her individual client. The county, in a motion to dismiss filed this week, says that King is engaged in a business that may be regulated. The motion to dismiss also argues that the federal court lacks jurisdiction over challenges to the county's business license tax or zoning ordinance.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on January 22, 2010 (boomark / email).