The U.S. Supreme Court overturned an appeals court decision that found the state of Washington discriminated against a college student who was denied state money because he chose pastoral ministries for his major.

"Training someone to lead a congregation is an essentially religious endeavor. Indeed, majoring in devotional theology is akin to a religious calling as well as an academic pursuit," Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist wrote for the majority in Locke v. Davey.

CNS News reports that public interest law firm American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) called the ruling very disappointing and clearly a sanction for religious discrimination.

The ACLJ represented Joshua Davey, who attended Northwest College in Kirkland, Wash. He was awarded the Promise Scholarship by the state for his academic achievement and financial need. But after he declared a double major in pastoral ministries and business management the money was withdrawn.

The state claimed religious studies from a religious perspective were not covered by state scholarship funds. In July 2002, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit overturned a district court ruling and declared the Washington policy unconstitutional.

Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the ACLJ, presented oral arguments before the Supreme Court challenging the Washington state policy.

"It is troubling that the decision is irreconcilable with more than half a century of Supreme Court precedent regarding the free exercise of religion," Sekulow said.

Justices Scalia and Thomas dissented.