Document: 374 U.S. 398 83 S.Ct. 1790 10 L.Ed.2d 965 Adell H. SHERBERT, Appellant,v.Charlie V. VERNER et al., as members of South Carolina Employment Security Commission, and Spartan Mills. No. 526. Argued April 24, 1963. Decided June 17, William D. Donnelly, Bethesda, Md., for appellant. Daniel R. McLeod, Columbia, S.C., appellees. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered the opinion Court. 1 Appellant, a member Seventh-day Adventist Church was discharged by her employer because she would not work on Saturday, Sabbath Day faith.1 When unable to obtain other employment from conscientious scruples take Saturday work,2 filed claim unemployment compensation benefits under Unemployment Compensation Act.3 That law provides that, be eligible benefits, claimant must 'able * is available work'; and, further, that ineligible '(i)f he has failed, without good cause accept suitable when offered him office or *.' The appellee in administrative proceedings statute, found appellant's restriction upon availability brought within provision disqualifying insured workers who fail, cause, 'suitable Commission's finding sustained Court Common Pleas Spartanburg County. court's judgment turn affirmed Supreme Court, which rejected contention applied her, provisions statute abridged right free exercise religion secured Free Exercise Clause First Amendment through Fourteenth Amendment. State held specifically ineligibility infringed no constitutional liberties such construction 'places freedom nor does it any way prevent observe religious beliefs accordance with dictates conscience.' 240 286, 303—304, 125 S.E.2d 737, 746.4 We noted probable jurisdiction appeal.371 938, 321, 9 273. reverse remand further inconsistent this opinion. I. 2 door stands tightly closed against governmental regulation such, Cantwell v. Connecticut, 310 296, 303, 60 900, 903, 84 L.Ed. 1213. Government may neither compel affirmation repugnant belief, Torcaso Watkins, 367 488, 81 1680, 6 982; penalize discriminate individuals groups they hold views abhorrent authorities, Fowler Rhode Island, 345 67, 73 526, 97 828; employ taxing power inhibit dissemination particular views, Murdock Pennsylvania, 319 105, 63 870, 87 1292; Follett McCormick, 321 573, 64 717, 88 938; cf. Grosjean American Press Co., 297 233, 56 444, 80 660. On hand, challenges certain overt acts prompted principles, 'even action accord one's convictions, (it) totally legislative restrictions.' Braunfeld Brown, 366 599, 603, 1144, 1146, 563. conduct actions so regulated have invariably posed some substantial threat public safety, peace order. See, e.g., Reynolds United States, 98 145, 25 244; Jacobson Massachusetts, 197 11, 358, 49 643; Prince 158, 438, 645; Cleveland 329 14, 67 13, 91 12. 3 Plainly enough, objection constitutes principles kind reach state legislation. If, therefore. decision withstand challenge, either disqualification beneficiary represents infringement rights exercise, incidental burden justified 'compelling interest subject State's regulate NAACP Button, 371 415, 328, 341, 405. II. 4 first question whether imposes religion. think clear does. In sense consequences practices only an indirect result welfare legislation general competence enact; true criminal sanctions directly appellant six-day week. But beginning, end, our inquiry.5 For purpose effect impede observance one all religions invidiously between religions, constitutionally invalid even though characterized being indirect.' supra, U.S., at 607, S.Ct., 1148. Here apparent declared derives solely practice religion, but pressure forego unmistakable. ruling forces choose following precepts forfeiting abandoning order work, hand. Governmental imposition choice puts same fine imposed worship. 5 Nor saved infirmity ground are 'right' merely 'privilege.' It too late day doubt expression denial placing conditions benefit privilege.6 Communications Ass'n Douds, 339 382, 390, 70 674, 679, 94 925; Wieman Updegraff, 344 183, 191—192, 215, 218—219, 216; Hannegan Esquire, Inc., 327 146, 155—156, 66 456, 461, 90 586. example, Flemming Nestor, 363 611, 1367, 1373, 1435, recognized respect Federal Social '(t)he covered employee Act sufficient substance fall protection arbitrary afforded Due Process Clause.' Speiser Randall, 357 513, 78 1332, 1460, we emphasized cannot if operate, whatever their purpose, deter freedoms. there struck down condition limited tax exemption those exempted class loyalty government granting exemption. While surely obligation afford exemption, gratuitous inevitably deterred discouraged thereby threatened 'produce could command directly.' 1342. 'To deny claimants engage forms speech them speech.' Id., 518, 1338. Likewise, willingness violate cardinal principle faith effectively penalizes liberties. Significantly expressly saves Sunday worshipper having make here infringes Sabbatarian's liberty. times 'national emergency' textile plants authorized Commissioner Labor operate Sunday, 'no shall required conscientiously opposed work; should refuse account objections jeopardize his seniority refusal discriminated manner.' S.C.Code, § 64—4. No likely arise, since suppose will discharge violation statute. unconstitutionality Sabbatarian thus compounded discrimination Carolina's statutory scheme necessarily effects. III. 7 next consider compelling enforced eligibility justifies right. basic showing rational relationship colorable suffice; highly sensitive area, '(o)nly gravest abuses, endangering paramount interest, give occasion permissible limitation,' Thomas Collins, 323 516, 530, 65 315, 323, 89 430. abuse danger been advanced present case. appellees suggest more than possibility filing fraudulent claims unscrupulous feigning might dilute fund also hinder scheduling employers necessary work. apposite appears made before unwilling assess importance asserted court. Nor, had below, record appear sustain it; proof warrant fears malingering deceit respondents now advance. Even consideration evidence foreclosed prohibition judicial inquiry into truth falsity beliefs, States Ballard, 322 78, 882, 1148—a intimate view us—it doubtful spurious did threaten disrupt plainly incumbent demonstrate alternative combat abuses infringing rights.7 Cf. Shelton Tucker, 364 479, 487—490, 247, 251—253, 231; Talley California, 362 60, 64, 536, 538, 559; Schneider New Jersey, 308 147, 161, 150, 155; Martin Struthers, 141, 144—149, 862, 863—866, 1313. 8 these respects, then, case wholly dissimilar interests were justify less direct supra. closing undoubtedly served 'to (the Orthodox Jewish merchants') expensive,' 605, 1147. nevertheless countervailing factor finds equivalent instant case—a strong providing uniform rest workers. secular objective achieved, found, declaring rest. Requiring exemptions Sabbatarians, while theoretically possible, appeared problem magnitude, great competitive advantage, requirement rendered entire unworkable.8 justifications underlie determination court makes receive benefits.9 IV. holding do, fostering 'establishment' Carolina, extension Sabbatarians common worshippers reflects nothing neutrality face differences, represent involvement institutions object Establishment forestall. See School District Abington Township Schempp, 203, 1560. recognition serve abridge person's do we, today, declare existence part persons whose convictions unemployment. This employee's nonproductive society. note 2, Finally, say today constrains adopt form compensation. Our apply constrain worker abandon respecting reaffirms announced decade half ago, namely 'exclude individual Catholics, Lutherans, Mohammedans, Baptists, Jews, Methodists, Non-believers, Presbyterians, faith, lack it, receiving legislation.' Everson Board Education, 330 1, 16, 504, 512, 711. reached Amendments' guarantee deprived equal laws 11 reversed remanded ordered. 12 Reversed remanded. 13 DOUGLAS, concurring. 14 seems me small dimensions, profoundly important. denies Adventist, who, declined Sabbath, 'prohibiting exercise' words used obvious run afoul clause. 15 Religious Moslems require attend mosque Friday pray five daily.1 Sikh carry regular symbolic sword. Rex Singh, 39 A.I.R. 53 (Allahabad, 1952). Jehovah's Witness teach colporteur, going door, town town, distributing pamphlets. 1292. Quaker refrain swearing affirm instead. King Fearson, Fed.Cas. 7,790, 520; U.S.C. 1; Rules Civil Procedure, Rule 43(d); Schwimmer, 279 644, 655, 448, 451, 889 (dissenting opinion). Buddhist partaking flesh, fish.2 16 examples multiplied, including advised eat meats.3 17 These suffice, however, show many people alien majority society—beliefs protected easily trod guise 'police' 'health' regulations reflecting majority's views. 18 Some thought community can, action, minority long rule can said perform valid function. essence Court's Blue Law Cases (Gallagher Crown Kosher Market, 617, 1122, 536; 563; McGowan Maryland, 420, 1101, 393), I then dissented (McGowan pp. 575—576, 1225—1226) still dissent. Arlan's Dept. Store Kentucky, 218, 277, 264. 19 travels distance asks us go now. She comes conform benefits. 20 turns degree injury, indeed nonexistent ordinary standards. harm interference individual's conscience—an important area privacy fences off government. plain Soviet Russia, where churchgoer given second-class citizenship, resulting perhaps measurable damages. 21 resolvable terms what demand government, scruples. fact exact surrender iota my not, course, mean sum money, better them. written individual, 22 Those considerations, relevant here. If otherwise qualified payments unemployed worker. Conceivably indirectly church, salary employee. Thus, involve problems assistance organization—matters Clause, issue 23 STEWART, concurring result. 24 Although fully agreeing reaches case, join presents double-barreled dilemma, candor succeeded papering over. dilemma ought resolved. Twenty-three years ago 1213, both applicable intervening several cases involving abridgment decided here—most recently 563, 982. During period 'cases dealing specific arising 'Establishment' few number.'1 most recent last Term's Engel Vitale, 370 421, 82 1261, 601, Schempp Murray cases, 26 am convinced liberty essential continued vitality society Constitution guarantees explicit imbedded Fourteenth. And regret occasion, shown seemed distressing insensitivity appropriate demands guarantee. By contrast approach Engel, Murray, insensitive, positively wooden, accorded meaning words, history, intention authors remotely suggests. 27 correctness decisions beside point books. situations legitimate head-on collision insensitive sterile Clause.2 controversy clearly 28 Because refuses jobs Saturdays, pay her. Her Saturdays based tenets faith. says circumstances 'available work' its 29 Yet about lead diametrically opposite indolence, compulsive desire watch television programs, so, construed permits affirmatively requires equally creed. For, 509, 711, bespeaks 'a stripped support, assist *,' 'can pass aid 15, 511. Rutledge's adopted p. 217, 1568, forbids 'every support religion.' 32, 519. 431, 1267, reaffirmed 221, 1571, 'financial government' 'placed behind belief.' 30 To administer money poses me, mechanistic concept historically unsound wrong. process relationships considerably invocation broad-brushed rhetoric quoted. embodied create atmosphere hospitality accommodation belief disbelief. short, commands positive freedom—not minority, however small—not majority, large—but each us. 31 mother unavailable get babysitter.3 situation generally, singles out grounds. operates such. holds prefer over financial 'the differences 32 decreed otherwise. blind itself differing traditions people. With respect, duty up conflict interpreted duty, submit, owe people, Nation, ourselves. resounding fallacious fundamentalist opinions remains books, disregarded undiscriminatingly invoked 1560, consistent perceptive difficult delicate impeded impaired. long, fear, pluralistic uncertain insecure. 33 My second difference agree day's stand consistently 'less practices' this. mistaken, simply matter fact. involved undisputed pointed dissenting "Plaintiff, Abraham Braunfeld, continue business stay open lose capital investment.' case—and understand contend otherwise—is put 1150. 34 impact onerous. deal particularized administration Act. unlikely assumption find non-Saturday employment,4 worst denied maximum weeks payments. enough infringe conclusion explicitly reject reasoning Brown. wrongly overruled, accordingly concur 35 HARLAN, whom WHITE joins, dissenting. 36 Today's disturbing rejection existing precedent implications future. significance best understood after examination 37 enacted 1936 response grave social economic arose during depression period. As stated itself: 38 'Economic insecurity due serious menace health, morals State; involuntary therefore concern *; achievement security greatest hazard life; provided encouraging provide stable systematic accumulation funds periods unemployment, maintaining purchasing limiting poor relief assistance.' 68—38. (Emphasis added.) Thus legislature tide over, avoid chaos, unavailable. time intent purely personal reasons became design, provided, 68—113, '(a)n week Commission (h)e able uniformly conformity expressed purpose. resulted inability industry job rather circumstances, how compelling. reference 'involuntary unemployment' statement policy, sociologist, philosopher, theologian say, embrace circumstances. Judson Mills Comm., 204 S.C. 37, 535 (claimant 'unavailable third shift, two, need care four children); Stone Mfg. Co. 219 239, 644; Hartsville Cotton Mill 224 407, 79 381. 40 done accepted principles. Since virtually mills operating week, work,' considerations prevented accepting full-time basis locality worked. sprang relevance application law. proper Adventist. just reasons.1 41 background, clearer focus. What chooses applicant's compelled carve exception—and benefits—for unavailability convictions.2 Such two respects. 42 First, despite protestations contrary, overrules offend 'Free Exercise' forbid Sunday. Braunfeld. Braunfeld—where exceptions achieve case-by-case beliefs—so here, exception rules necessitate odds smooth economy industrial instability. far Forcing store owner close well depriving satisfactory livelihood well. temporary amounting fraction weekly wages running weeks. §§ 68—104, 68—105. Clearly, cut appellant.3 43 Second, troublesome apparently narrow dimensions indicate glance. today's holding, already noted, furnish stems convictions. State, single behavior religiously motivated, others identical (in Saturdays) motivated. 44 suggested singling special treatment limitations action. Kurland. Of U. Chi.L.Rev. Cammarano 358 498, 515, 524, 534, 462 (concurring own view, least chose requirements like 'neutrality,' see 372 222, channel slightest deviation absolutely straight course leads condemnation. There instances charted, areas pervasive activities submerged all-embracing secularism. violates when, mandates daily schools, attendant pressures school children entails. 601; is, believe, flexibility permit accommodating appellant's. 45 very much reasons, subscribe are, between, amply supported litigation area. supra; 12; 244. compulsion particularly inappropriate light indirect, remote, insubstantial below requires. 46 respectfully dissent Court.4 Appellant 1957, employer, textile-mill operator, permitted five-day until 1959 changed six days, three shifts employer's mill. raised concerning sincerity beliefs. labor tenet creed, religion's interpretation Holy Bible. After discharge, sought mills. mills, another industry, required. indicates 150 Adventists employment. pertinent sections (S.C.Code, Tit. 68, 68—1 68—404) follows: 68—113. Conditions benefits.—An that: '(3) He considered engaged self-employment nature return promise remuneration excess amounts received time. 68—114. Disqualification benefits.—Any benefits: '(2) Discharge misconduct.—If misconduct connected prior request status initiation series established year, beginning effective date request, continuing twenty-two consecutive addition waiting period), determined according seriousness Failure work.—(a) (i) directed (ii) (iii) customary (if any) failure occurred period) *. '(b) determining risk safety morals, physical fitness training, experience earnings, length prospects securing local occupation residence.' entitled layoff matters conscience 535; 644. prevents basing 'personal reason' gives working Saturday. Where consequence affects rights, conclude every absence language Nothing cited decisions, Lee Mills, CCH Ins.Rep.S.C. 8156 (C.P. 1944), certainly construes Indeed, contrary assumption, limited, unnecessary challenge Clause. disqualified 'discharged misconduct'—by reason absences—within 68—114(2). urge rests ground. closely analogous context, said: '* restraint punishment assembly determine question. Under 'discouragements' coercive imprisonment, fines, injunctions taxes. A adherents faiths political parties wear identifying armbands, obviously nature.' 402, 686, 925. Smith 361 153—155, 205. qualifications privileges invalidated tendency activity, Steinberg 163 F.Supp. 590, 143 Ct.Cl. Syrek California Ins. Board, 54 Cal.2d 519, Cal.Rptr. 97, 354 P.2d 625; Fino Maryland 218 Md. 147 A.2d 738; Chicago Housing Authority Blackman, Ill.2d 319, 122 N.E.2d 522; Los Angeles Cordova, 130 Cal.App.2d Supp. 883, 215; Lawson Milwaukee, 270 Wis. 269, N.W.2d 605; Danskin San Diego Unified District, 171 885; Liberties Union 55 167, 647, 359 45; City Baltimore A. S. Abell 273, 145 111. Willcox, Invasions Through Conditioned Public Spending, Cornell L.Q. (1955); Emerson, Toward General Theory Amendment, 72 Yale L.J. 877, 942—943 (1963); N.Y.U.L.Rev. 1052 (1961); Kan.L.Rev. 346 Note, Unconstitutional Conditions, Harv.L.Rev. 1595, 1599—1602 (1960). decision, supreme courts had, exception, granted physically E.g., re Miller, 243 N.C. 241; Swenson Michigan 340 Mich. 430, 709; Tary Review, 161 Ohio St. 251, 119 56. Kut Albers Super Markets, 146 522, 643, appeal dismissed sub nom. Bureau Compensation, 669, 86, 590. One author observed, settled unsuitable objectors unconstitutional, strongly held, impelling constitute refusal. refers observers excluded work.' Altman, Availability Work: Study (1950), 187. Sanders, Insurance, Vand.L.Rev. 307, 327—328 N.C.L.Rev. 591 (1956); Freeman, Able Work Available Work, 123, 131 (1945). 47 similar rulings Twenty-two although exclusively federal decision. 111 Pa.L.Rev. 253, n. (1962); 591, 602, (1956). Laws Guarantees Constitution, 729, 741—745 distinguish quite different rely. underlay Congress impose class. 612, 1373. compare undoubted ensuring veracity trustworthiness Notaries insufficient applicants position oath God. 74 612 613 109 614—616 (1961). Shorter Encyclopaedia Islam (Cornell Press, 1953), 336, 493. Narasu, Essence Buddhism (3d ed. 1948), 52—55; Religion Ethics (1913), 63—65. Answer Questions Doctrine (1957), 149—153, 622—624; Mitchell, Seventh-Day (1st 1958), 127, 176—178. 442, 1114, 393. potentiality studiously ignored escaped perception commentators. Katz, Freedom Neutrality, 426, 428 (1953); Kauper, Prayer, Schools 61 Mich.L.Rev. 1031, 1053 (1963). 'The employment.' Ante, 399, 2. completely loss Certainly unsupported supposition day, disqualify relief. event, submit perfectly compensate reason, distinguished layoffs regarded manifest requirements. Not means 'if (South Carolina) suggest, startling disclaimer, ante, 409-410, applicability 'nonproductive' society, noting employed. disclaimer taken seriously, come differently none gainfully employed, Tuesdays instead Saturdays. suggesting value 'productive.' function perform. reliance Code, 64—4, 406, misplaced. Section Law, extremely becomes operative national emergency bearing 'Sunday law' derive setting aside states, 410, 'equal protection' argument, Sunday-work provisions, 64—6, so.

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