1. Freedom of Religion Civil Rights & Civil Liberties Gov Unit 6 Ms. Ramos

2. http://www.freemasonrywatch.org/pics/bill.of.rights.gif

3. Bill of Rights Why? Who? Civil Liberties: Condition of ratification James Madison Basic individual rights and freedoms protected from government violation

4. Freedom of Religion

5. Establishment Clause Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of a religionCongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of a religion

6. Religion & Schools McCollum v. Board of Education 1948McCollum v. Board of Education 1948 Engel v. Vitale 1962Engel v. Vitale 1962 Religious classes cannot be school sponsoredReligious classes cannot be school sponsored Officially sponsored prayer in schools violates establishment clauseOfficially sponsored prayer in schools violates establishment clause

7. Equal Access Act of 1984Equal Access Act of 1984 Release Time Allows all student groups to use public school buildings for mtgnAllows all student groups to use public school buildings for mtgn Allows students to leave class to attend religious sessions

8. Government Aid to Religion Lemon v. Kurtzman – 1971 (Lemon test)Lemon v. Kurtzman – 1971 (Lemon test) secular, nonreligious purposeLaw must have secular, nonreligious purpose Neither advance nor limit religionNeither advance nor limit religion Not result in excessive gov involvement w/ religionNot result in excessive gov involvement w/ religion

9. Taxes & Religion Walz v. Tax Commission – 1970Walz v. Tax Commission – 1970 help government take a neutral approachTax exemptions help government take a neutral approach Neither supporting it nor restricting itNeither supporting it nor restricting it

10. Custom & Religion symbols and customs involve religionMany US symbols and customs involve religion Court has ruled these do not support religion - they recognize Americans’ deeply held beliefsCourt has ruled these do not support religion - they recognize Americans’ deeply held beliefs

11. Free Exercise Clause Reynolds v. US- 1879 Right to believe as one wishes Prohibit bigamy