Supreme Court turns down chance to consider whether a Catholic hospital can be sued over transgender rights

Why did the Founders believe that religious liberty was an inalienable right? In this Homework Help video, we explore the history behind the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment and how the Supreme Court has interpreted it.

What were the arguments made during the Supreme Court Case Burwell v. Hobby Lobby (2013)? Examine the facts of the case and analyze the arguments made on both sides through primary source documents and preceding cases. Assess the majority and minority decisions for the case.

In August of 2011, the Obama administration announced an interim rule that requires all new private insurance plans to cover “several evidence based preventive services without … charging a copayment, deductible, or coinsurance.” Included in the definition of preventive services are “FDA approved contraception methods,” (including those which some consider to be abortifacients), and surgical sterilization. These medications and procedures go against the teachings of the Catholic Church.

The Court examined whether the federal anti-bigamy statute violated the First Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause, because plural marriage is part of religious practice. It unanimously upheld the federal law banning polygamy, noting that the Free Exercise Clause forbids government from regulating belief, but does allow government to punish activity judged to be criminal, regardless of an activity’s basis in religious belief. (Citation:98 US 145) BRI e-Lesson Available