Generally Applicable Law and the Free Exercise of Religion

Authors

Douglas Laycock, University of Virginia School of LawFollow
Steven T. Collis, Holland & Hart LLP, Greenwood Village, ColoradoFollow

Abstract

I. Introduction

II. Free Exercise of Religion in the Age of Smith

III. Two Requirements with Distinct Content ... A. Neutrality ... B. General Applicability

IV. Elaborating General Applicability ... A. Arguments for Minimizing the Requirement of General Applicability: Stormans v. Wiesman ... B. Reasonable Exceptions ... C. Circular Categories and Circular Government Interests ... D. Secular Exceptions Not Stated in the Law’s Text ... E. Rules That Apply to Most but Not All Analogous Secular Conduct ... F. Laws with a Single Secular Exception That Undermines the State’s Interests

V. Underlying Reasons ... A. Value Judgments about Religion ... B. Vicarious Political Protection for Religious Minorities ... C. The Level of Protection

VI. Conclusion

Recommended Citation

Douglas Laycock and Steven T. Collis, Generally Applicable Law and the Free Exercise of Religion, 95 Neb. L. Rev. 1 (2016)
Available at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/nlr/vol95/iss1/2