Reynolds V.

United States The Supreme Court of the United States of America May 5, 1879 Facts: The Mormons, believing that the law unconstitutionally deprived them of their First Amendment right to freely practice their religion, chose to ignore the Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act at the time. Procedural History: The Trial Court convicted Reynolds of bigamy and sentenced him to two years of hard labor. He then appealed to the Appellate Court, then the Utah Supreme Court, and finally to the US Supreme Court. Issues: Does the federal anti-bigamy statute violate the First Amendment's free exercise clause because plural marriage is part of religious practice? Judgment: The Court Ruled against Reynolds. Holding: Religious duty was not a suitable defense to a criminal indictment. Rule of law or Legal Principle Applied: The First Amendment protected religious belief, but it did not protect religious practices that were judged to be criminal such as bigamy. Reasoning: Because society is built upon the civil contract of marriage, the government can permissibly pass laws regulating marriage. Permitting a certain class of people to willfully defy the nation's laws without repercussions in the name of religious liberty would permit every citizen to become a law unto him and lead to the existence of a government in name only. While laws of the nation cannot interfere with religious beliefs and opinions, they can interfere with religious practices. Concurring/Dissenting Opinions: The decision of the court was by unanimous decision everyone agreed that the court cannot interfere with religious beliefs but they can interfere with certain illegal religious practice. Additional Comments / Personal Impressions: I agree with the decision of the court. Laws are made for government of actions and, while they cannot interfere with religious beliefs and opinions, they may with practices. Such as the court could never approve of a religious requirement for human sacrifice.