Description

The First Amendment contains two clauses on religion–the “free exercise” clause and the “establishment” clause. Both clauses involve issues that are relevant to our daily lives as we come into contact with people with diverse religious beliefs, and as our public schools continue to confront questions regarding prayer, clergy at graduations and the appropriateness of religious songs or displays at Christmas assemblies. How should the Supreme Court have ruled on a law that banned Mormons from practicing polygamy, one of their religious obligations? Should there be limits on our freedom of religion? Should children of Jehovah’s Witnesses have been forced to say the Pledge of Allegiance under state laws even though their religion forbids it? Should a Seventh Day Adventist be denied unemployment benefits because she refuses to accept jobs that require her to work on Saturdays, which is against her religion? Should Native Americans be denied unemployment benefits when they are fired for using peyote at religious services? Should a Christian bakery be able to refuse to make a wedding cake for a gay couple? These are among the issues we will discuss.