Deck 12: Freedom of Religion

Question 1

Government aid to parochial school children is likely to be held unconstitutional if

A)given to the children directly as opposed to the school.
B)similar aid is not available to public school children.
C)used for textbooks.
D)It is always unconstitutional.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

The theory of interpretation of the Establishment Clause holding that the government cannot prefer religion over secularism or favor one religion over others is known as

A)the strict separation theory.
B)the neutral theory.
C)the accommodation theory.
D)the symbolic endorsement theory.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

The Courts rely heavily on history in interpreting the First Amendment.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Giving tax exemptions to religious institutions is unconstitutional because it is a form of state-sponsored religion.

Question 5

The Supreme Court held that a clergy-led prayer at a high school graduation ceremony was unconstitutional.

Question 6

Regarding the theory of evolution, the Supreme Court

A)has said that it cannot be taught in public schools because it interferes with the exercise of the religion of those who believe in the Bible.
B)has said that public schools cannot prohibit teaching the theory of evolution, even though it may conflict with the religious beliefs of some.
C)has said that it can be taught in public schools, but only if equal time is given to the creation theory.
D)has never ruled on this issue.

Question 7

Tax benefits to religious organizations are

A)constitutional if the religious organization benefits society as a whole, not just the members of the religion.
B)always constitutional, because to hold otherwise would violate the Free Exercise Clause.
C)generally unconstitutional because they violate the Establishment Clause.
D)generally unconstitutional because they violate the Free Exercise Clause.

Question 8

Which of the following is not one of the criteria required for a belief or creed to be considered a religion?

A)There must be a belief in an orthodox God.
B)The religion must incorporate a moral code that goes beyond individual belief.
C)There must be some associational ties, some group of people brought together by common beliefs.
D)The belief must be sincere.

Question 9

The voluntary recitation of a prayer by children in public schools at the beginning of each day has been held unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

Question 10

Under Lemon v.Kurtzman, the government violates the Establishment Clause if

A)the government's primary purpose is to advance religion.
B)the principal effect of government action is to inhibit or aid religion.
C)there is government entanglement with religion.
D)Any of the above.

Question 11

The Supreme Court has said that it is unconstitutional for students to pray at school.

Question 12

Religion is defined as any belief in God.

Question 13

A tax exemption available only to a religious organization is unconstitutional.

Question 14

Denial of unemployment benefits by the state was allowed

A)when an individual was terminated from work for refusing to work on the Sabbath.
B)when an individual was terminated for religious use of peyote.
C)when an individual quit a job rather than work in an armament section of a factory, which was against his religious beliefs.
D)Denial of unemployment benefits was allowed in all of the above.

Question 15

The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment

A)establishes Christianity as the religion of the United States.
B)establishes belief in God as an important aspect of the Constitution.
C)prohibits the government from establishing any religion.
D)prohibits the government from interfering in the exercise of any religion.

Question 16

The Supreme Court found that reimbursing the parents of Catholic school students for the cost of busing their children to school

A)was an unconstitutional violation of the Free Exercise Clause.
B)was an unconstitutional violation of the Establishment Clause.
C)was constitutional because it was primarily public welfare legislation, not direct assistance to religion.
D)was constitutional because it did not involve the federal government.

Question 17

The doctrine of separation of church and state stems from

A)the Establishment Clause.
B)the Free Exercise Clause.
C)Neither a nor b; it comes entirely from Supreme Court decisions.
D)legislation related to the First Amendment.

Question 18

The purpose of the Free Exercise Clause is to secure religious liberty for individuals through the prohibition of governmental restraints on the free exercise of religion.

Question 19

The Supreme Court held that laws cannot interfere with mere religious beliefs or opinions but they may with religious practices such as polygamy.

Question 20

The Supreme Court allows less government assistance to the religious institutions of higher education than to elementary and high schools because elementary and high schools need more aid.