Freedom of Religions
Look at the scenario and decide if the scenario is constitutional. List any related Supreme Court cases, with a link to the case facts.
1. Using government money to pay for lunches for poor kids in parochial schools
Constitutional? Yes (so long as this act of welfare is regarded only as such; for the need of children)
Court Case(s): LEMON v. KURTZMAN (1971)
2-Erecting a manger scene at town hall with private money
Constitutional? Yes (Although the nature of the Nativity scene having substantial historical value is debatable)
Court Case(s): LYNCH v. DONNELLY (1983)
3-Encouragement of prayer by school authorities (for example, at graduation or football games)
Constitutional? No
Court Case(s): ENGEL v. VITALE, ABINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT v. SCHEMPP & MURRAY v. CURLETT (1963)
4-Posting the Ten Commandments on the wall of a public school classroom
Constitutional? No
Court Case(s): STONE v. GRAHAM (1980)
5-Teaching Creationism or intelligent design in a public high school biology class
Constitutional? No (Violates the rule of removing religion from government, as a school is a government funded institution)
Court Case(s): EPPERSON v. ARKANSAS (1968), EDWARDS v. AGUILLARD (1986)
6-A public university giving money to students to start a religious newspaper
Constitutional? Yes (As long as other student activities are
Court Case(s): ROSENBERGER v. UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA (1994)
7-Rastafarians smoking pot as part of their religion
Constitutional? No
Court Case(s): EMPLOYMENT DIVISION v. SMITH (1989)
8-The practice of polygamy
Constitutional? No
Court Case(s): DAVIS v. BEASON (1889)
9-Bible Study after school at a public high school
Constitutional? Yes (So long as this is a separate club or activity not during official school hours and does not function as part of curriculum)
Court Case(s): BOARD OF EDUCATION OF WESTSIDE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS v. MERGENS (1989)
10-Flying a Christian flag in a public park
Constitutional? No (Although it could be amended to be constitutional so long as all other religions have the ability to do so as well as a Christian community)
Court Case(s): None