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Defamation Privilege In Internal Affairs Of Religious Societies, Howard A. Shelley Jr.

Cleveland State Law Review

Defamation privilege in religious societies is burdened in interpretation by the strong doctrine of separation of church and state coupled with the courts' reluctance to become involved in the internal affairs of private associations. That over the years this has resulted in establishment of a philosophy regarding defamation privilege in church controversies broader in scope than that available even to other private associations is apparent.