Lesson 4 Discussion

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Do you think American Civil Religion violates the 1st Amendment? Do you think that  it can be dangerous?

minimum 400 words

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the document attached is the second part of the assignment due 10/1/2020

Wikipedia* provides the following selective list of 1st Amendment religious issues addressed by the U.S. Supreme Court:

1. Standing to sue

2. Tax exemption to religious institutions

3. Legislative chaplains

4. Government-sponsored religious displays

5. Religion in public education

6. Prayer in public schools

7. Teaching of creationism in public schools

8. Governmental aid to church-related schools

9. Blue laws

10. Religious institution functioning as a government agency

11. Unequal government treatment of religious groups

12. Polygamy

13. Religion and the right to work

14. Religious tests for public service or benefits

15. Religion and free speech

16. Religion and public education

17. Religion and public property

18. Solicitation by religious groups

19. Religion and eminent domain

20. Ritual sacrifice of animals

21. Government intervention in church controversies

The list provides a quick thumbnail sketch of how many different types of cases have been litigated as the Court continually refines the meaning of freedom of religion—and freedom from religion.

Choose two of these areas–one dealing with free exercise and one with establishment–and for each of them, do the following:

Identify: whether this issue involves free exercise or establishment.

Research: the history of the issue in terms of court cases. Write at least a few substantial paragraphs on questions such as:

How has it been interpreted over the years?

Have there been reverses in later decisions?

What is the currently accepted interpretation?

Where do we stand today on this issue?

Analyze: the pros and cons of the issue, using your own interpretations, backed with research (properly cited.) This is the meat of your paper, so don’t skimp. Deal with such questions as

What are the relevant questions involved?

What were the positions on either side?

Is the issue now favoring a more conservative or more liberal interpretation?

Do you agree with what the courts have decided, especially the current interpretation? Why or why not? Give the arguments for both sides, and analyze the pros and cons, citing cases or other research as relevant.

Do you think public opinion has had an effect on the decisions? Do you think this is good? Why or why not?

What do you predict will happen with regard to this issue in the future? Are there important cases coming up through the lower courts? Is there an interpretive trend? What factors in the public arena might influence future decisions?

Do not simply answer these questions one by one. Use them as a guide to how to shape a thoughtful, informed analysis of the issues. You will be evaluated in large part on how thoughtfully you go beyond these questions in your analysis.

*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_Supreme_Court_cases_involving_the_First_Amendment

5-6 pages in length. APA or MLA format.