Venue: |
SCOTUS
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Facts: |
Building a road right through a sacred forest area. |
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Posture: |
Suit saying this interferes with free exercise. |
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Issue: |
Do the Indians' free exercise rights prohibit the construction of the
road? |
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Holding: |
No. |
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Rule: |
Free exercise affords protection from government compulsion; it doesn't
afford an individual the right to dictate government conduct. |
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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. |
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Dicta: |
Brennan (dissenting): significance of nature in religion. |
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