American Government / Unit 3 Gov 143 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Sherbert Test
Captions available
The idea
Sherbert v. Verner (1963) held that a law burdening religious practice must serve a compelling governmental interest and be narrowly tailored.
In practice
A worker denied unemployment benefits for refusing Saturday work won because the state could not meet that burden.
Where people slip
This standard protects practice strongly, which is why the Court later narrowed its reach.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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