1. Freedom of religion (Part 2)
GOVT Notes 6-2

2. Review What kind of rights do Americans have? Relative rights
Which clause said Congress can’t favor one religion over another?
Establishment Clause
1981 (Widmer v. Vincent) grants religious groups right to hold meetings on school grounds during non-school hours
1971 (Lemon v. Kurtzman) Can students give example of a Church affiliated School?? (EX: Salpointe Catholic School) SC said aid to church affiliated schools, must neither promote or harm religion, and must avoid excessive entanglements
Could get money and use for new football field, could not use state money for a new statute of Jesus in the endzone

3. Free Exercise Clause
“Congress shall make no law…prohibiting the free exercise of religion…”
Gov’t cannot restrict people’s religious practices (usually)
Goal of 1st Amendment could be to reduce religious conflicts in USA. Got country full of Puritans, Separationists, Quakers, Catholics, and those are just a few Christian groups
Guarantees right to believe and worship as you wish, as liong as…it does not infringe on rights of others (RELATIVE RIGHTS)
When examining issues SC looks at what limits govts can place on religious actions

4. Limits on Free Exercise Clause
Can gov’t ever restrict religious practices?
Religious beliefs cannot infringe on health, safety, welfare, or morals of society
Examples of limits on religious beliefs
Snake handling at Pentecostal Church of God in Kentucky 1940s
- danger due to the fact that they would have children in audience with the poisonous snakes
-baby girl contracts whooping cough, dies of pnemonia, parents did not visit a doctor.
Family believed in divine healing, parent convicted of misdemeanor for failing to provide medical care for daughter
Court said you need to provide healthcare in cases of serious illness
You can accept divine healing if you are an adult, but not a child.need to protect health and welfare of a child

5. Limits on Free Exercise Clause
(1903) People v. Pierson
Must provide medical treatment to children
(1949) Bunn v. North Carolina
Cannot use poisonous snakes in church (Video)
Video
Examples of limits on religious beliefs
Snake handling at Pentecostal Church of God in Kentucky 1940s
- danger due to the fact that they would have children in audience with the poisonous snakes
-baby girl contracts whooping cough, dies of pnemonia, parents did not visit a doctor.
Family believed in divine healing, parent convicted of misdemeanor for failing to provide medical care for daughter
Court said you need to provide healthcare in cases of serious illness
You can accept divine healing if you are an adult, but not a child.need to protect health and welfare of a child

6. Religion and Schools (1981) – Widmer v. Vincent
Religious groups can hold meetings on school grounds during non-school hours
1981 (Widmer v. Vincent) grants religious groups right to hold meetings on school grounds during non-school hours
1971 (Lemon v. Kurtzman) Can students give example of a Church affiliated School?? (EX: Salpointe Catholic School) SC said aid to church affiliated schools, must neither promote or harm religion, and must avoid excessive entanglements
Could get money and use for new football field, could not use state money for a new statute of Jesus in the endzone

7. Religion and Schools
Give me an example of a religiously affiliated school
1971 – Lemon v. Kurtzman
aid to church affiliated schools, must neither promote or harm religion, and must avoid excessive entanglements
1981 (Widmer v. Vincent) grants religious groups right to hold meetings on school grounds during non-school hours
1971 (Lemon v. Kurtzman) Can students give example of a Church affiliated School?? (EX: Salpointe Catholic School) SC said aid to church affiliated schools, must neither promote or harm religion, and must avoid excessive entanglements
Could get money and use for new football field, could not use state money for a new statute of Jesus in the endzone

8. Groupies! Groups of 3, read about your case
Your group will explain basics of case in front of the class
Answer these 4 questions on paper
What was the issue your case addressed?
Did this relate to Establishment Clause or the Free Exercise Clause? Why?
How did the Supreme Court rule?
Does this promote or restrict religion?
Examples of religion
1981 (Widmer v. Vincent) grants religious groups right to hold meetings on school grounds during non-school hours
1962 (Engel v. Vitale) school or teacher led prayers or recitation of bible verses is unconstitutional
Moment of silence is Constitutional