2. Supreme Court Case 

Issue…

Let’s be Supreme Court Judges (Justices)- This is a real case that went before the

US Supreme Court. Today you are going to decide what the ruling should be. Read the facts from the case. 

Then based on what we learned about the first amendment- make a decision. 

Then we will find out if you made the correct decision.

Freedom of Religion 1st Amendment

Torcaso v. Watkins, 367 U.S. 488 (1961)

The state of Maryland had a law saying that everyone who wanted a

job in the state government had to swear that he or she believed in God.

A man named Torcaso applied for a job as a government official.

He was denied the job because he would not say that he believed in God.

Mr. Torcaso said that the Maryland law was unconstitutional because it limited his

freedom of religion.

He said that freedom of religion meant the freedom to believe in God or

not to believe in God, as a person wishes.

What do you think the Supreme Court decided? Why? List your reasons and post on the blog.