Con Law Exam on Religion, Establishment Clause, and Free Exercise

2.

Which case dealt with a 7th day Adventist's refusal to work on saturdays and her subsequent denial of unemployment compensation?

Explanation
Sherbert v. Verner was a landmark case that dealt with the refusal of a 7th day Adventist to work on Saturdays and her subsequent denial of unemployment compensation. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the 7th day Adventist, stating that the denial of unemployment benefits violated her First Amendment right to free exercise of religion. The case established the Sherbert Test, which set a high standard for the government to justify any infringement on an individual's religious freedom.

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3.

What is significant about Boerne v. Flores?

Declared the display of nativity scenes to be unconstitutional
Declared that congress exceeded its 14th amend. enforcement powers by enacting RFRA and, in effect, telling supreme court how to interpret it
Declared that reimbursement of parents who send kids to parochial schools is okay
Declared use of illegal drugs, even for religious purposes, is not allowed

Correct Answer

A. Declared that congress exceeded its 14th amend. enforcement powers by enacting RFRA and, in effect, telling supreme court how to interpret it

Explanation

Boerne v. Flores is significant because it declared that Congress exceeded its 14th amendment enforcement powers by enacting RFRA (Religious Freedom Restoration Act) and effectively telling the Supreme Court how to interpret it. This decision limited Congress's ability to expand the scope of constitutional rights and highlighted the importance of separation of powers between the legislative and judicial branches of government.

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4.

What did the Edwards V. Aguillard case decide?

That the Balanced Treatment for Creation-Science and Evolution-science act violated Establishment Clause
That the supplementation of salaries for teachers of secular subjects in religious schools violates separation of church and state
That the requirement for the Amish to send kids to high school would "gravely endanger" the free exercise of their faith

Correct Answer

A. That the Balanced Treatment for Creation-Science and Evolution-science act violated Establishment Clause

Explanation

The Edwards v. Aguillard case decided that the Balanced Treatment for Creation-Science and Evolution-science act violated the Establishment Clause. This means that the act, which required public schools to teach creationism alongside evolution, was found to be unconstitutional because it promoted a specific religious viewpoint. The court ruled that the government should not favor one religion over another or promote religious beliefs in public education.

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5.

What case deals with compulsory flag saluting and freedom of speech?

Engle V. Vitale
Lee V. Weisman
Davis V. Beason
W. Virginia V. Barnette

Correct Answer

A. W. Virginia V. Barnette

Explanation

W. Virginia V. Barnette is the correct answer because it deals with compulsory flag saluting and freedom of speech. In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that forcing students to salute the flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance violated their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and religion. The Court held that individuals have the right to express their beliefs and cannot be compelled to engage in patriotic acts against their will. This landmark case established that the government cannot require individuals to participate in patriotic rituals if it goes against their sincerely held beliefs.

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6.

Which case dealt with state officials composing a non-denominational, voluntary prayer to be said in school?

Correct Answer

Explanation
The case that dealt with state officials composing a non-denominational, voluntary prayer to be said in school is Engel v. Vitale. In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that the prayer violated the First Amendment's Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from establishing or promoting a religion. The Court concluded that the state's involvement in composing and encouraging the prayer was a violation of the separation of church and state.

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7.

Which case does Allegeheny City V. Greater Pitts ACLU hold significance for?

Correct Answer
Lynch V. Donnelly

Explanation
Allegeheny City V. Greater Pitts ACLU holds significance for the case Lynch V. Donnelly.

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8.

Why was Zelman V. Simmons-Harris significant?

It developed a three pronged test to determine whether or not a law violates the establishment clause
It established a 5 part test outlining the requirements of voucher programs
It offered a simpler test dealing strictly with government's endorsement or perceived endorsement of a particular religion

Correct Answer

A. It established a 5 part test outlining the requirements of voucher programs

Explanation

Zelman v. Simmons-Harris was significant because it established a 5 part test outlining the requirements of voucher programs. This means that the case provided a clear framework for evaluating the constitutionality of government-funded voucher programs, which provide financial assistance for students to attend private schools, including religious institutions. The 5 part test likely outlines criteria such as whether the program has a secular purpose, whether it primarily advances or inhibits religion, and whether it creates excessive entanglement between government and religion.

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9.

What three requirements must a law meet in order to pass the lemon test?

Correct Answer
must have secular purpose, neither advancing nor harming religion (neutral), no excessive entanglement
neither advancing nor harming religion, must have secular purpose, no excessive entanglement
no excessive entanglement, must have secular purpose, neither advancing nor harming religion (neutral)

Explanation
The lemon test is a legal principle used by the Supreme Court to determine if a law violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. According to the lemon test, a law must meet three requirements in order to pass. These requirements are: 1) the law must have a secular purpose, meaning it cannot have a religious motive; 2) the law must neither advance nor harm religion, meaning it cannot favor or discriminate against any particular religion; and 3) the law must not result in excessive entanglement between government and religion. The correct answer states these requirements in the correct order.

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10.

What are the two issues in the Good News Club V. Milford Central School case?

Correct Answer
did Milford violate 1st amendment free speech rights of the club in excluding it? if a violation occurred, was it justified by Milford's concern that permitting the club's activities would violate the establishment clause?
if a violation occurred, was it justified by Milford's concern that permitting the club's activities would violate the establishment clause? did Milford violate 1st amendment free speech rights of the club in excluding it?

Explanation
The correct answer suggests that there are two issues in the Good News Club v. Milford Central School case. The first issue is whether Milford violated the club's 1st amendment free speech rights by excluding it. The second issue is whether, if a violation occurred, it was justified by Milford's concern that permitting the club's activities would violate the establishment clause.

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CON Law Exam On Religion, Establishment Clause, And Free Exercise

In what case did Justice O'Connor establish her "Perceived Endorsement Test"?

Quiz Preview

Which case dealt with a 7th day Adventist's refusal to work on saturdays and her subsequent denial of unemployment compensation?

What is significant about Boerne v. Flores?

What did the Edwards V. Aguillard case decide?

What case deals with compulsory flag saluting and freedom of speech?

Which case dealt with state officials composing a non-denominational, voluntary prayer to be said in school?

Which case does Allegeheny City V. Greater Pitts ACLU hold significance for?

Why was Zelman V. Simmons-Harris significant?

What three requirements must a law meet in order to pass the lemon test?

What are the two issues in the Good News Club V. Milford Central School case?