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Religion
Reynolds v. United States
Decided: 1879
In brief
Upheld a ban on polygamy, holding religious belief does not excuse violation of neutral criminal laws.
The Court's ruling in depth
A Mormon defendant argued that his federal bigamy conviction violated his free exercise of religion. The Court held that while belief is absolutely protected, conduct is not: religious duty cannot excuse violation of a neutral criminal law. Reynolds remains the ancestor of Employment Division v. Smith's 'neutral, generally applicable law' framework.