Religion Law Quiz #9

Today's Quiz talks about whether the Government can silence a religious viewpoint to prevent an Establishment Clause issue.  Let's see how you do.

 

Today’s Religion Law Quiz is a simple “Yes” or “No” question.  Let’s see how you do. 

 

Yes or No:  In an effort to encourage diverse express the government has created a forum for debate.  Many viewpoints are expressed in the forum (e.g., pro-police; anti-police; Pride celebration; Support of Ukraine; etc.).  However, one of the participants begins articulating various Christian beliefs.  Concerned about that, the government official in charge of monitoring the forum excludes the Christian speaker to make sure that there is not Establishment Clause violation.  Was the government official correct in the actions taken? 

 

 

(Scroll down for the answer)

 

Answer: No.  “When the government encourages diverse express—say, by creating a forum for debate—the First Amendment prevents it from discriminating against speakers based on their viewpoint.” Shurtleff v. City of Boston, 142 S.Ct. 1583, 1587 (2022) (holding that the City of Boston’s refusal allowing a group to fly a “Christian flag” on a flag pole which was used for the expression of many different groups violated the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment because the decision constituted impermissible discrimination based on a religious viewpoint.) 

 

 

Disclaimer: The Religion Law Quizzes are provided as a service to you. They are intended only for educational purposes. Nothing in the Quizzes is intended to be legal advice and they should not be relied upon as conclusive on any issue discussed therein.