Everson

Lauren O'Grady Everson v. Board of Education (1942)

A law in New Jersey allotted reimbursements of money to parents who sent their children to school on buses funded by public transportation, including children who attended Catholic schools. The case was introduced by a New Jersey taxpayer who believed that this law violated the Constitutional prohibition against state support of religion. This taxpayer also believed that by using taxpayers money, the law was violating the Constitutions Due Process Clause.

Does this New Jersey law violate the idea of Separation of Church and State? No, the law did not force direct support of the school. It was a law that regarded a general program to help parents of any religion to get their children to school. A divided court ruled that the law did not violate the Constitution.

Sherbert v. Verner (1963)

Adeil Sherbert was fired from her job because she refused to work on Saturdays. She was a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. and Saturdays were the Sabbath Day of her faith. Sherbert could not find any other work and applied for unemployment compensation. Her claim was denied, and the Employment Security Commission's decision was affirmed by a state trial court and the South Carolina Supreme Court.

Did the company violate the first amendment by firing Sherbert? Yes, the court ruled that because Sherbert was fired, the company was imposing restrictions on her ability to exercise her faith freely. The supreme court ruled in Sherbert's favor.