Free+Exercise+Clause


 * __SECTION II: FREE EXERCISE CLAUSE __**


 * 1. ** **__FREE EXERCISE CLAUSE:__**

The **Free Exercise Clause** states: “Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion” (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 757, School Law § 36:3). It “addresses the freedom of individual belief and religious expression” (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 757, School Law § 36:3). This clause is “also applicable to the states and their political subdivisions, and prohibits government from restricting the right of an individual to believe in whatever he or she may choose” (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 757, School Law § 36:3).


 * United States **** Supreme Court: **
 * According to the courts this right “may not be read to require the Government to conduct its own internal affairs in ways that comport with the religious beliefs of particular citizens” (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 757, School Law § 36:3).
 * //Bowen v. Roy //, 476 U.S. 693 (1986)
 * //Lyng v. Northwest Indian Cemetery Protective Assn //, 485 U.S. 439 (1988)
 * Although “government may accommodate the free exercise of religion, it may not supersede the fundamental limitations imposed by the Establishment Clause” (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 757, School Law § 36:3).
 * //Lee v. Weisman //, 505 U.S. 577 (1992)
 * //BOE // //Kiryas Joel Village // //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Sch. Dist. v. Grumet //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">, 512 U.S. 687 (1994)


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">2. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;"> **__FREE EXERCISE CLAUSE: STANDARDS USED TO DETERMINE__**


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Federal Appellate Courts: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Claims of violations of the Free Exercise Clause in an educational context traditionally have been measured by balancing the states interest in providing public education against the right of the parent, student, or employee to freely exercise or practice his or her religion” (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 758, School Law § 36:6). However, the “right to exercise ones religion freely is not burdened simply by mandating one to be exposed to ideas with which that person disagrees” (NYSSBA, 2010, p. 758 School Law § 36:6).
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Leebaert v. Harrington //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">, 332 F.3d 134 (2d Cir. 2003)
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Brown v. Hot, Sexy & Safer Prods. //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">, 68 F.3d 525 (1st Cir. 1995)
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mozert v. Hawkins Cnty. BOE //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">, 827 F.2d 1058 (6th Cir. 1987), //cert. denied//, 484 U.S. 1066 (1988)
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Parker v. Hurley //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">, 474 F.Supp.2d 261 (D. Mass. 2007), //affd//, 514 F.3d 87 (1st Cir. 2008)