LYNCHBURG, Va. — The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has offered to support Jerry Falwell — usually a foe — in his challenge to Virginia laws restricting ownership of church property.
Despite their frequent placement on opposing sides of issues, Falwell’s son welcomed the offer. Jerry Falwell Jr., one of the lawyers representing his father in the case, said he hopes other groups will come forward, especially churches, the Associated Press reported.
The ACLU offered to file a friend-of-the-court brief in the federal suit against the state and the city of Lynchburg. The suit, filed Nov. 9, stemmed from plans for a new sanctuary at the elder Falwell’s Thomas Road Baptist Church.
It challenges state laws prohibiting churches from owning more than 15 acres in a city and 250 acres in a county, as well as laws prohibiting incorporation of churches and requiring court oversight for their land transactions.
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