Freedom of Religion Freedom of Expression The First Amendment: a. Protects 6 rights or Freedoms 1. The Government may not support religion 2. Freedom to practice religion 3. Freedom of Speech 4. Freedom of Press 5. Freedom to Assemble 6. Right to petition the government Freedom of Expression

Freedom of Religion – The Religion Clauses The Government may not support religion The Establishment Clause 2. Freedom to Practice your own religion The Free Exercise Clause

THE FREE EXERCISE CLAUSE The First Amendment: “ Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;”

Church of Lukumi Babalu Aye v. The City of Hialeah 508 US 520 (1993)

The city of Hialeah has a law against cruelty to animals The city of Hialeah has a law against cruelty to animals. The city makes it a crime to purposely kill an animal within city limits. The Church of Lukumi Babalu Aye is a blend of West African beliefs and Roman Catholicism. It has existed as an organized religion for over 500 years and there are about 22,000 members of the church in the United States. As part of the ceremonies of the religion, animals are sacrificed. The city warned the leaders of the church that they would be arrested if they continued their practices. They refused. The city arrested the church leaders. Should the Church of Lukumi Babalu Aye be allowed to sacrifice animals? Yes or No

Snake Handling in Appalachia

Snake handling is a practice that exists in certain fundamentalist Christian churches in the Appalachian region of the United States stretching from Georgia to Ohio. The belief is that if a member is a true follower of the church then they will not be harmed by the snake. Important fact: The snakes are poisonous Approximately 80 people have died during Snake handling ceremonies since the founding of the practice. Should the Snake Handling churches be permitted handle poisonous snakes during their ceremonies? Yes or No

The Native American Church and Drug Use

Native American Church is a Christian Church that blends Native American spirituality and Christian beliefs. During certain ceremonies members ingest peyote, a hallucinogenic drug. Peyote is specifically used by teenagers in the church when they engage in a “coming of age” ceremony and go on a vision quest. Peyote is a controlled substance and use of it is a crime like marijuana. Members of the church who use peyote have been prosecuted. Should adult Native American Church members be permitted to use peyote in their ceremonies? Yes or no Should teenage Native American Church members be permitted to use peyote in their ceremonies? Yes or no

Wisconsin v. Yoder 406 US 205 (1972)

The state of Wisconsin has a truancy law that requires students to attend school until the age of 16. The Amish in Wisconsin stop sending their children to school after the eighth grade. . The state of Wisconsin prosecuted the parents of the Amish under the truancy law for failure to send their children to school. Should the Amish students be allowed to stop going to school after eighth grade? Yes or No

Goldman v. Weinberger 475 US 503 (1986)

Should Goldman be allowed to wear his yarmulke? Yes or No Goldman was an officer and chaplain in the United States Air Force. He was an orthodox Jew. He wore a yarmulke Air Force regulations forbid the wearing of any headgear except official Air Force headgear. Goldman wore his yarmulke. He was court-martialed Should Goldman be allowed to wear his yarmulke? Yes or No

THE FREE EXERCISE CLAUSE TEST THE TEST: The Government can interfere with the practice of religion only when it has a compelling reason. A compelling reason means a really, really good reason.

Really Good Reason Religious Practice