American Government / Unit 3 Gov 145 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Employment Division v. Smith (1990)
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The idea
Employment Division v. Smith (1990) held that a neutral, generally applicable law needs no religious exemption.
In practice
So long as a law does not target religion, courts do not weigh the believer's interest against the state's.
Where people slip
A law aimed at a religious practice is a different case — neutrality is the condition, not a formality.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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