The underlying religious beliefs f the "I Am" movement did not matter. This made the prohibition against the state or even juries determining the validity of religious beliefs explicit, stating that not only were they immaterial but that they were unallowable for consideration under the law.
Minersville School District v. Gobitis
310 U.S. 586 (1940)
Facts: Two children (10 and 12) were suspended from school for refusing to salute the flag on religious grounds (the children were Jehova's Witnesses).
Issue: Were the children's due process denied because of their exercise of religious freedom?
Holding: The suspension stood; the right of the school district to promote national unity was determined more at issue than the freedom of religious exercise limited by the act of saluting the flag
Reasoning: Freedom of religion was never meant to guarantee freedom from other laws that do not prohibit or prevent the exercise of religion, therefore when laws exist for other compelling reasons they can be upheld even in the face of religious opposition. This broadened the situations in which authority wins out over liberty in religious cases
Board of Education of the Westside Community Schools v. Mergens
496 U.S. 226 (1990)
Facts: Students attempting to form a Christian Club were denied the opportunity when the school decided that a faculty sponsor -- a requirement for all clubs -- would constitute an endorsement of a specific religion (i.e. Christianity).
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