First Amendment: Freedom of Religion - AP US Government and Politics

Identify a case that allowed funding to religious schools.

Zelman v. Simmons-Harris (2002). Upheld school voucher programs including religious schools.
What is the significance of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA)?

Restores strict scrutiny for laws affecting religious freedom. Congressional response to Employment Division v. Smith.
What is the 'coercion test' in religious freedom cases?

Assesses whether government action coerces religious participation. Focuses on whether government forces religious participation.
What is the Establishment Clause?

Prohibits government from establishing an official religion. First part of the Religion Clauses in the First Amendment.
What case involved a nativity scene in a public space?

County of Allegheny v. ACLU (1989). Distinguished between permissible and impermissible religious displays.
Which case established the 'endorsement test'?

Lynch v. Donnelly (1984). Applied endorsement test to Christmas display case.
What was decided in Good News Club v. Milford Central School?

Excluding religious clubs violates free speech. Religious speech deserves same access as secular speech.
What does 'excessive entanglement' mean in the Establishment Clause context?

Too much government involvement with religion. Third prong of Lemon Test preventing administrative oversight.
Which test determines if a law violates the Establishment Clause?

Lemon Test. Three-prong test from Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971).
What is the 'endorsement test' related to religion?

Evaluates if government action endorses religion. Alternative to Lemon Test focusing on government endorsement.
Which case challenged the RFRA's application to states?

City of Boerne v. Flores (1997). Limited RFRA to federal government only.
Identify a case where the Supreme Court upheld a legislative prayer.

Marsh v. Chambers (1983). Upheld legislative chaplains based on historical tradition.
What is the 'compelling interest test' in religious cases?

Determines if government interest justifies burden on religion. Government must show vital need to burden religion.
What is the significance of Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)?

Exempted Amish from compulsory schooling past 8th grade. Protected Amish religious practices from state education laws.
Identify the case where the Supreme Court ruled on state aid to parochial schools.

Everson v. Board of Education (1947). First major case on state funding of religious education.
Identify the Supreme Court case that ruled against polygamy.

Reynolds v. United States (1879). First major case limiting religious practice for secular law.
What was the decision in Employment Division v. Smith?

States can deny benefits for illegal activities, even if religious. Applied neutral law standard over religious exemptions.
How does the Free Exercise Clause protect religious practices?

Prevents laws that unduly restrict religious practices. Requires compelling interest to burden religious exercise.
Which case is known for applying the coercion test?

Lee v. Weisman (1992). Found school graduation prayer coercive to students.
Which case involved the use of peyote in religious ceremonies?

Employment Division v. Smith (1990). Lowered protection for religious practices under neutral laws.
What was the outcome of Everson v. Board of Education?

State aid for transportation to parochial schools allowed. Indirect aid to religious schools can be constitutional.
Which Founding Father is associated with the 'wall of separation' metaphor?

Thomas Jefferson. Coined the wall of separation metaphor in 1802.
What does the term 'secular purpose' refer to in the Lemon Test?

A non-religious reason for legislation. First prong requires law to have non-religious motivation.
What is the significance of the term 'neutral laws' in free exercise cases?

Laws that apply equally without targeting religion. Standard from Employment Division v. Smith requiring neutrality.
What is the Free Exercise Clause?

Protects the right to practice one's religion freely. Second part of the Religion Clauses in the First Amendment.
What does the term 'entanglement' refer to in the Lemon Test?

Excessive government involvement with religion. Third prong of Lemon Test preventing church-state mixing.
What principle did Cantwell v. Connecticut (1940) establish?

Incorporated free exercise to states via the 14th Amendment. Applied Free Exercise Clause to state governments.
What did the Supreme Court decide in Lee v. Weisman?

School prayer at graduation is unconstitutional. Students felt pressured to participate in religious exercise.
Define 'strict scrutiny' in the context of religious freedom.

Laws must serve a compelling interest and be narrowly tailored. Highest level of judicial review for constitutional rights.
Which clause could be violated by a law favoring one religion over another?

Establishment Clause. Prohibits government preference for any particular religion.
Which Supreme Court case set the precedent for the Lemon Test?

Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971). Established three-prong test for Establishment Clause violations.
What is the importance of Sherbert v. Verner (1963)?

Established the Sherbert Test for religious exemptions. Required strict scrutiny for laws burdening religious practice.
What ruling did the Supreme Court make in County of Allegheny v. ACLU?

Nativity display violated the Establishment Clause. Nativity scene alone was too explicitly religious.
Identify the Supreme Court case that ruled school prayer unconstitutional.

Engel v. Vitale (1962). Banned state-composed prayers in public schools.
What is the 'wall of separation' metaphor?

Metaphor for separation of church and state. Jefferson's phrase describing church-state separation.
Which case ruled on the Pledge of Allegiance in schools?

West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette (1943). Protected Jehovah's Witnesses from compelled speech.
What was the decision in West Virginia v. Barnette?

Compulsory flag salute unconstitutional. Cannot force participation in patriotic exercises.

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