When Evelyn Smith, a Presbyterian landlady, discovered that a couple she had rented an apartment to were not married as they had led her to believe, she insisted that her religion would not permit her to rent them the apartment in her home. The couple sued, and the California State Supreme Court ruled that Mrs. Smith had violated the couple's right to "freedom from discrimination based on personal characteristics." Marian Johnston, the couple's attorney, commented: "We're not precluding [Mrs. Smith] from exercising her religion. We're just saying she can't bring it with her into the business world."

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