Employment Division, Department of Human Resources of Oregon v. Smith (1989)
- Docket
- 88-1213
- Decided
- 1989-01-01
Summary
Question: Can a state deny unemployment benefits to a worker fired for using illegal drugs for religious purposes? Conclusion: Yes. Justice Antonin Scalia, writing for the majority, observed that the Court has never held that an individual's religious beliefs excuse him from compliance with an otherwise valid law prohibiting conduct that government is free to regulate. Allowing exceptions to every state law or regulation affecting religion "would open the prospect of constitutionally required exemptions from civic obligations of almost every conceivable kind." Scalia cited as examples compulsory military service, payment of taxes, vaccination requirements, and child-neglect laws.