Constitutional Law December 2, 2004

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Constitutional Law December 2, 2004

• Freedom of Expression
• Religion Clauses
• Introduction
• Free Exercise
• Overview
• Facially Neutral Laws
• Smith
• Aftermath
• Establishment Clause
• Overview
• Lemon and Its Critics
• Reconstituted Lemon

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A. Introduction

• Text (link)
• Establishment
• Free Exercise
• Historical Background
• Religious Persecution and Emigration
• Religious Colonies
• Interrelation
• Complementary
• Tension

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B. Free Exercise1. Overview

• Components of Free Exercise
• Beliefs (Absolute)
• Practices (Qualified)
• Regulation of Religious Practices
• Laws Targeting Religions/Practices
• Neutral Laws
• Relation to Other Areas

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2. Facially Neutral Laws

• Problem of Facial Neutrality
• Cases Upholding
• Reynolds (Ban on polygamy)
• Braunfield v. Braun (Sunday Closing)
• Cases Invalidating
• Sherbert v. Verner (Work Requirement)
• Yoder (Compulsory Education)

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3. Smith

• Factual Background
• SS Does Not Apply to Neutral Laws
• Distinguish Compound Rights
• Sherbert Narrowed
• Policy Arguments
• Valid Application of General Law

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4. Aftermath

• RFRA
• Designed to Reverse Smith
• Invalidated in City of Boerne
• Discriminatory Intent
• Church of Babalu Aye
• Relation to Broader Problem

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C. Establishment1. Overview

• Three Views
• Strict Separation
• Requirement of Neutrality
• Accommodation (Narrow Reading)
• Common Issues
• Public Displays
• School Prayer
• Aid to Religious Schools

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2. Lemon and Its Critics

• Lemon Test
• Secular Purpose
• Primary Effect Does Not Advance/Inhibit
• No Excessive Entanglement
• Criticism
• Alternative Rules
• Anti-Endorsement Principle
• Coercion Principle

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3. Reformulated Lemon

• Secular Purpose
• Does not have effect of
• Coercing
• Endorsing
• Fostering Excessive Entanglement
• Application in Zelmon (Vouchers)

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Religion Clauses
Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof.
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