Insurer rejects church over stance

An insurance company headquartered in Fort Wayne has refused to offer a property policy to a Michigan church that belongs
to a denomination that backs gay rights.

Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Co., says the risk of insuring West Adrian United Church of Christ is too great because its national
governing body has approved gay marriage and ordination of homosexuals.

Controversial stances like support for gay rights could result in property damage or litigation, Brotherhood Mutual told the
Adrian church, which is near Ann Arbor and Toledo, Ohio.

In a story in todayâ??s Wall Street Journal, a Brotherhood Mutual spokeswoman said that while the company wasn’t aware of violence,
the controversies have caused expensive litigation when churches and other denominations split.

The spokeswoman added that Brotherhood Mutual also avoids churches for circumstances including support for militia groups
and picketing military funerals.

Did Brotherhood Mutual make the right call?