Religion Clauses

Amendment I.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . . .

Current Issues

Same Sex Marriage v. Religious Liberties (also posted under Speech).  National Public Radio reported on June 16, 2008, on a coming "collision" between equal treatment of same-sex couples and freedom to exercise religious beliefs.  The story focuses on the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association's denial to a same-sex couple of the use of its pavillion for a civil union.  (Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association is a Methodist organization.)  The New Jersey Division on Civil Rights ruled against the Association, distinguishing Hurley v. Irish-American Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Group of Boston, Inc. and Boy Scouts of America v. Dale.