Lyng v. Northwest Indian Cemetary Association

1988

Venue: SCOTUS

Facts: Building a road right through a sacred forest area.

Posture: Suit saying this interferes with free exercise.

Issue: Do the Indians' free exercise rights prohibit the construction of the road?

Holding: No.

Rule: Free exercise affords protection from government compulsion; it doesn't afford an individual the right to dictate government conduct.

Reasoning: The government just couldn't operate if it had to satisfy every citizen's religious needs or desires. They've been pretty solicitous, but that's all they can do.

Dicta: Brennan (dissenting): significance of nature in religion.