Court Opinion

ID: 9424622
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-02 23:12:10.4744+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:22:51.462837
License: Public Domain

Mr. Justice Marshall,
with whom Mr. Justice Douglas and Mr. Justice Brennan join,
.concurring in the result. '
I agree that Florida may require state employees to affirm that they “will support the Constitution of the United States and of the State of Florida.” Such a forward-looking, promissory oath of constitutional support does not in my view offend the First Amendment’s com-, mand that the grant or denial of governmental benefits cannot be made to turn on the political viewpoints or affiliations of a would-be beneficiary. I also agree that Florida may not. base its employment deeisiotis, as -to state teachers or any other hiring category, oti an applicant’s willingness vel non to affirm “that I do.nbt believe - in the overthrow of the Government of the United States or of the State of Florida by force or violence.”
However, in' striking down the latter Oath, the Court has left the clear implication that its objection runs, .not-against Florida’s determination to exclude those who “believe in the overthrow,” but only against the State’s decision to regard unwillingness to take the oath as conclusive, irrebuttable proof of the proscribed belief. Due procéss may rightly be invoked to condemn Florida’s mechanistic approach to the question of pro. f. But in my view it simply does' not matter what kind of evidence .,a State can muster to show that a job applicant “believe [s] • in the overthrow.” For state action injurious to an individual cannot be justified on account of the nature of the individual’s beliefs, whether he “believe[s] in the overthrow” or has any other . sort of belief. “If *210there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion . . . Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U. S. 624, 642 (1943).
I would strike down Florida’s “overthrow” oath plainly and simply on the ground that belief as such cannot be the predicate of governmental action.