Regulating Religion & Speech Flashcards
What scrutiny is applied to a government program preferring one religion, or one religious sect, over another?
Strict Scrutiny Analysis.
What triggers the non-establishment clause?
Government action that results in the preference of one religion or religion generally.
What test is applied to legislation or a government program is neutral on its face, but benefits religion?
- *Lemon test:** is the government favoring religion or treating like other organizations?
1. Statute must have a secular purpose+
- The primary effect must neither advance nor inhibit religion+
- There cannot be excessive government entanglement with religion.
What is the constitutionality of school prayer?
Per se uncontitutional.
What is the constitutionality of a period of silence for school prayer?
Unconstitutional because there is a religious motive.
What is the constitutionality of having the Ten Commandments in a classroom?
Unconstitutional.
What is the constitutionality of clergy giving prayers at a public school graduation?
Unconstitutional.
What is the constitutionality of student led prayer at a public high school football game?
Unconstitutional.
What is the constitutionality of a religious club holding its meetings in a public school?
Constitutional if there are a broad range of organizations using the facilities.
Can a public school require creationism be taught alongside evolution?
No, the government cannot teach creationism as truth.
Can a city celebrate christmas?
Yes, if the religious symbols are surrounded with other symbols.
What is the constitutionality of placing the Ten Commandments on the walls of courthouses?
Unconstitutional, unless they are surrounded by other monuments.
Can a city grant a license permitting a private group to put up a cross in a city park near a statehouse?
Yes, as long as the park is similarly open to others.
What is the constitutionality of government delegation of authority to religious organizations?
Unconstitutional.
What government aid can be given to religious private schools?
The government can aid if treating like school like non-religious school. They can fund:
- Bus fair
- Secular textbooks
- Standardized tests
- Lunch
- Library and media materials and computers; and,
- Interpreters for deaf students.
What government aid can NOT be given to religious private schools?
Direct funding of religious instruction:
- No money for religious instruction
- No money for secular teachers at religious schools (excessive entanglement).
What is the constitutionality of tax deduction given to all parents based on actual expenditures for children attending any public, private, or religious school?
Constitutional.
What is the constitutionality of a voucher program that allows parents to send their children to parochial or religious schools with state aid instead of to failed public school?
Constitutional
Where an individual’s conduct is motivated by his religious beliefs, the state may regulate or prohibit the activity under what circumstances?
The regulation is neutral in respect to religion and is of general applicability.
What does the free exercise clause protect?
Belief in religion.
Courts can decide what in respect to religious beliefs?
The sincerity of the beliefs held.
If a government has a general law that burdens religious activity are they violating the establishment clause?
No if the government does not mean to discriminate against religion.
Which party will win in a suit over a religious regulation?
- If regulating a belief, citizen wins.
- If regulating conduct, and does not single out religion, the government wins.
What is the principal behind the freedom of expression?
Prohibiting the government from distorting the marketplace of ideas.
What test is applied for freedom of expression regulations?
Strict scrutiny if it engages in content-based discrimination.
List the five exceptions to content-based discrimination.
The government can prohibit speech if:
- It passes strict scrutiny (child pornography);
- Unprotected or low value speech
- Government is the speaker
- The regulation is a conduct regulation; or,
- Using a time place and manner regulation.
Unprotected and low-value speech regulations recieve what type of scrutiny?
Rational Basis Review.
List the types of unprotected speech.
- Hostile audience
- Unlawful advocacy
- Obscene Speech
- Fighting Words
- Defamatory Speach