All Cases
Sorted by Case Name Click here to sort by Year.

Case Name	Year	Decision of the Court	Topic Group(s)
Agostini v. Felton, 521 U.S. 203	1997	Public employees may deliver remedial educational services on the parochial school campus.	Government Benefit to Religious Entities Religious Schools and Colleges
Aguilar v. Felton, 473 U.S. 402	1985	Disallowed practice of providing and monitoring federally funded Title I remedial services at private schools.	Government Benefit to Religious Entities Religious Schools and Colleges
Americans United for Sep. of Church & State v. Blanton, 434 U.S. 803 ( summarily aff'd)	1977	Tennessee program of aid to students in colleges, public and private, including religiously affiliated schools, does not violate Establishment Clause.	Government Benefit to Religious Entities Religious Schools and Colleges
Ansonia Bd. of Educ. v. Philbrook, 479 U.S. 6	1986	Employer not required to accept employee's preferred religious accommodation.	Employers and Religious Workers
Arlan's Dep't Store of Louisville v. Kentucky, 371 U.S. 218 (appeal dismissed for want of a substantial federal question)	1962	Exemption from Sunday closing law for sabbatarians does not violate Establishment Clause.	Sunday Law and Other Religious Feasts
Attorney General v. Federal Street Meeting-house, 66 U.S. (1 Black) 262	1862	In dispute between Presbyterians and Unitarians over title to church meetinghouse in Boston, held that there was no subject matter jurisdiction to permit an appeal from state court.	Church Property
Baker v. Nachtrieb, 60 U.S. (19 How.) 126	1856	Defecting member of Harmony Society cannot recover share of property from the society.	Church Property
Ball v. United States, 140 U.S. 118	1891	Although a judgment entered on Sunday is void, the Sunday return of a verdict in a federal criminal case is not cause for reversal.	Sunday Law and Other Religious Feasts
Bartels v. Iowa, 262 U.S. 404	1923	Reversing conviction on the basis of Meyer v. Nebraska (1923).	Religious Schools and Colleges
Bassett v. United States, 137 U.S. 496	1890	Conviction for polygamy reversed where wife permitted to testify against husband contrary to testimonial privilege between spouses.	Polygamy
Bd. of Educ. of Methodist Episcopal Church v. Illinois, 203 U.S. 553	1906	State could only constitutionally exempt from inheritance tax only those charitable bequests to charities that were chartered in Illinois.	Tax Exemptions
Bd. of Educ. v. Grumet, 512 U.S. 687 (plurality in part)	1994	Creation of new public school district coterminous with boundaries of a religious sect's village enclave violates Establishment Clause.	Delegation of Sovereign Power to Religious Entity/Group
Bd. of Trs. of Vill. of Scarsdale v. McCreary, 471 U.S. 83 (aff'd by equally divided Court)	1985	Privately sponsored Christmas nativity scene permitted in village park.	Religious Symbols/Creches/Ten Commandments
Beatty v. Kurtz, 27 U.S. (2 Pet.) 566	1829	Although legal title in unincorporated Lutheran church land, now used as cemetery, was deficient, nevertheless equity permitted settlement of title in the church out of religious sensibilities and sentiments for kindred of the deceased.	Church Property
Bell v. Presbyterian Church, 126 F.3d 328 (4th Cir.)	1997	First Amendment barred executive director who was an ordained minister from suing a religious corporation for tortious contractual interference and interference with prospective advantage, outrageous conduct, breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, wrongful termination and breach of pledge to make financial contributions.	Church Autonomy Ministerial Exception
Bender v. Williamsport Sch. Dist., 475 U.S. 534	1986	School board member, in his individual capacity as a parent, has no standing to appeal a decision concerning his child's religious rights.	Standing
Berea College v. Kentucky, 211 U.S. 45	1908	Criminal prosecution of religious college upheld for violating state segregation laws; state may lawfully limit the power to teach of an incorporated college.	Religious Schools and Colleges
Bishop and Diocese of Colorado v. Mote, 716 P.2d 85 (Colo. 1986)	1986	The judgment of the court of appeals was reversed and remand to that court with directions to return it to the district court for entry of judgment in favor of the plaintiffs consistent with the views expressed in this opinion and for a determination of any further relief that may be appropriate.
Board of Airport Comm'rs v. Jews for Jesus, Inc., 482 U.S. 569	1987	Airport regulation banning all "first amendment activities" within a public or non-public forum is a violation of overbreadth doctrine.	Religious Speech
Board of Educ. v. Allen, 392 U.S. 236	1968	Upheld state law requiring secular textbooks be provided to private and public schools.	Government Benefit to Religious Entities Religious Schools and Colleges
Bob Jones Univ. v. United States, 461 U.S. 574	1983	Upheld IRS revocation of tax exempt status on the basis of racially discriminatory policies.	Race and Religion Tax Exemptions
Bollard v. California Province of the Society of Jesus, 196 F.3d 940 (9th Cir.)	1999	*First Amendment did not bar Jesuit novice from suing Jesuits for sexual harassment, where Jesuits disapproved such conduct.	Church Autonomy Ministerial Exception
Bouldin v. Alexander, 82 U.S. (15 Wall.) 131	1872	Courts will not go behind stated reasons for excommunication of trustees and members, but will determine if ouster was act of the church or merely persons purporting to have authority to act for church.	Church Autonomy Intra-Church Disputes
Bowen v. Kendrick, 487 U.S. 589	1988	Upheld, on its face, federal funding for faith-based counseling centers promoting teen chastity.	Government Benefit to Religious Entities Standing
Bowen v. Roy, 476 U.S. 693 (plurality in part)	1986	Federal agency's internal use of social security number in administering programs does not violate the Free Exercise Clause, notwithstanding parent's belief that use of the number would impair his child's spirit.	Social Security
Boy Scouts of America v. Dale, 530 U.S. 640	2000	*As a values-inculcating organization, the Boy Scouts have a right of expressive association which is founded upon the Speech Clause and which ensures that the organization may enlist and engage exclusively like-minded individuals in their service even when doing so would otherwise violate a civil rights act.	Expressive Association
Bradfield v. Roberts, 175 U.S. 291	1899	Upholding use of federal funds for construction at religious hospital.	Government Benefit to Religious Entities
Braunfeld v. Brown, 366 U.S. 599 (plurality)	1961	Statute proscribing Sunday retailing did not violate free exercise of Jewish owners.	Free Exercise Exemptions-Miscellaneous Sunday Law and Other Religious Feasts
Brown v. Payton, 544 U.S. 133	2005	In sentencing phase of jury deliberations, it was error to not admit as mitigating evidence defendant’s religious conversion.	Prisoners' Religious Liberty
Brusca v. Bd. of Educ., 405 U.S. 1050 (summarily aff'd)	1972	Provision of free public school education does not constitutionally compel the state to provide an equal benefit to parochial school parents.	Church Autonomy Government Benefit to Religious Entities Religious Schools and Colleges
Bryce v. Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Colorado, 289 F.3d 648 (10th Cir. 2002)	2002	*First Amendment Doctrine of Church Autonomy bars Title VII and constitutional tort claims brought by youth minister and her partner against church entities and church officers and which arose from reduction in minister's duties and parish dialogues regarding sexual orientation. Judge need not recuse himself because he belongs to same denomination as defendants.	Church Communications Expressive Association Ministerial Exception Religious Tests for Public Office
Bucher v. Cheshire RR. Co., 125 U.S. 555	1888	In action for personal injury, federal courts are bound to follow state law denying claim to railroad passenger harmed while traveling on Sunday, without necessity or for charity, in violation of a state Sabbath law.	Sunday Law and Other Religious Feasts
Bunn v. North Carolina, 336 U.S. 942 (appeal dismissed for want of substantial federal question)	1949	Upheld law prohibiting handling of poisonous reptiles as applied to a church.	Discrimination Against Religion Snake Handling
Busey v. Dist. of Columbia, 319 U.S. 579	1943	Conviction of Jehovah’s Witness for unlicensed selling of magazines on public sidewalks is vacated and remanded in light of Jones v. Opelika (1943), and Murdock v. Pennsylvania (1943).	Religious Literature Distribution
Byrne v. Public Funds for Pub. Schs., 442 U.S. 907 (summarily aff'd)	1979	State income tax deduction for parents of children enrolled in nonpublic schools is unconstitutional.	Government Benefit to Religious Entities Religious Schools and Colleges Tax Deductions/Credits
California v. Grace Brethren Church, 457 U.S. 393	1982	Tax Injunction Act prohibited federal court taking jurisdiction over case involving state tax.	Tax-Others
Cannon v. United States, 116 U.S. 55	1885	Meaning of "cohabit" in criminal statute is "living together as husband and wife," and does not require proof of sexual relations.	Polygamy
Cannon v. United States, 118 U.S. 355	1886	Cannon v. United States, 116 U.S. 55 (1885), was vacated for want of jurisdiction.	Polygamy
Cantwell v. Connecticut, 310 U.S. 296	1940	State may not unduly suppress communication of religious views under guise of conserving public peace, or deciding what is a legitimate "religion" for solicitation purposes; Free Exercise Clause applied to state and local governments through Fourteenth Amendment.	Incorporation by Fourteenth Amendment Religious Speech
Capitol Sq. Review & Advisory Bd. v. Pinette, 515 U.S. 753 (plurality in part)	1995	State's refusal to allow display of religious symbol in public forum is speech discrimination not justified by Establishment Clause	Equal Access in Schools Religious Speech Religious Symbols/Creches/Ten Commandments
Catholic Bishop of Nesqually v. Gibbon,158 U.S. 155	1895	Grant of small tract of public land, within administration of federal agency, to a church in possession dating back to British Hudson Bay Co., was held conclusive.	Church Property
Chamberlin v. Bd. of Pub. Instruction, 377 U.S. 40 (per curiam)	1964	Reading of Bible and recitation of Lord's Prayer in public school unconstitutional.	Prayer/Religion in Public Schools
Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire, 315 U.S. 568	1942	Cursing a public officer is not an exercise of religion or protected speech.	Religious Speech
Chatwin v. United States, 326 U.S. 455	1946	Defendant who persuaded minor female to join him in "celestial" marriage is not guilty of kidnapping.	Polygamy
Chicago Theological Seminary v. Illinois, 188 U.S. 662	1903	State’s narrow interpretation of tax statute so as to deny exemption to investment real estate held by seminary is permissible.	Tax Exemptions
Christ Church Hospital v. Philadelphia, 65 U.S. (24 How.) 300	1861	It was within city’s authority to partially revoke exemption following a partial repeal of the property tax exemption statute.	Tax Exemptions
Christian Union v. Yount, 101 U.S. 352	1879	As a matter of statutory construction, out-of-state religious corporations can receive a conveyance of property in Illinois.	Church Property
Church of Lukumi Babalu Aye, Inc. v. City of Hialeah, 508 U.S. 520	1993	*Municipal ordinance targeting Santerians ritual sacrifice of animals violates Free Exercise Clause.	Discrimination Against Religion Zoning/Land Use Regulation
Church of Scientology v. United States, 506 U.S. 9	1992	Unlawful search claim not moot upon return of tapes to the church.	Discovery Mootness
City of Boerne v. Flores, 521 U.S. 507	1997	Freedom Restoration Act to state and local law exceeds Congress' power under § 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment, which is limited to remedial or preventive legislation.	Incorporation by Fourteenth Amendment Religious Freedom Restoration Act Zoning/Land Use Regulation
Clapper v. Chesapeake Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists, 166 F.3d 1208, (4th Cir.)	1998	*Dismissing age and race discrimination claim of elementary school teacher, because court found that the teacher's primary duties consist of teaching and spreading the faith and supervising and participating in worship.	Church Autonomy Ministerial Exception
Clawson v. United States, 114 U.S. 477	1885	Upholding indictment for cohabitation and polygamy notwithstanding exclusion of Mormons from serving on grand jury.	Polygamy Religious Tests for Public Office
Clay v. United States, 403 U.S. 698 (per curiam)	1971	Conviction of Black Muslim for refusing induction is reversed when government conceded pacifism and sincerity.	Military Service
Cleveland v. United States, 329 U.S. 14	1946	The transportation across state lines of plural wives by members of polygamous sect was for an "immoral purpose" within meaning of the Mann Act.	Polygamy
Cochran v. Louisiana State Bd. of Educ., 281 U.S. 370	1930	Upheld state law providing secular textbooks to all students, including religious school students.	Government Benefit to Religious Entities Religious Schools and Colleges
Cohnstaedt v. INS, 339 U.S. 901 (rev’d mem.)	1950	Reaffirming Girouard v. United States, 328 U.S. 61 (1946).	Naturalization and Foreign Workers
Coit v. Green, 404 U.S. 997 (summarily aff'd)	1971	Upholding IRS revocation of tax exemption on basis of racially exclusionary policies.	Race and Religion Statutory Exemptions for Religious Persons/Entities Tax Exemptions
Coleman v. City of Griffin 302 U.S. 636 (appeal dismissed for want of substantial federal question)	1937	Upholding conviction of Jehovah's Witness under ordinance requiring prior written permission for literature distribution issued at discretion of city manager.	Religious Literature Distribution
Combs v. Cen. Tex. Annual Conf. of the United Methodist Church, 173 F.3d 343 (5th Cir.)	1999	*First Amendment bars ordained female minister's claims of sex and pregnancy discriminations. Minsterial exception survives Employment Div., Dep't of Human Resources of Oregon v. Smith, 494 U.S. 872 (1990) and City of Boerne v. Flores, 521 U.S. 507 (1997).	Church Autonomy Ministerial Exception
Committee for Pub. Educ. & religious Liberty v. Regan 444 U.S. 646	1980	Upheld religious school reimbursement for actual costs of state-mandated tests and reporting.	Government Benefit to Religious Entities Religious Schools and Colleges
Committee for Pub. Educ. v. Nyquist, 413 U.S. 756	1973	Disallowed state law authorizing reimbursement to low income families for portion of parochial school tuition; disallowed sliding scale tax deductions for families with students in religious schools; disallowed direct grants to private schools serving low income students for cost of maintenance and repair.	Government Benefit to Religious Entities Religious Schools and Colleges Tax Deductions/Credits
Cooper v. Eugene Sch. Dist. No. 4J, 480 U.S. 942 (appeal dismissed for want of substantial federal question)	1987	White clothing and turban worn by Sikh special education teacher could be banned out of desire to keep public schools religiously neutral.	Employers and Religious Workers Prayer/Religion in Public Schools
Cooper v. Pate, 378 U.S. 546	1964	Black Muslim prisoner's claim that he was denied religious publications is entitled to hearing on the merits.	Prisoners' Religious Liberty
Corp. of Presiding Bishop of Church of Latter-Day Saints v. City of Porterville, 338 U.S 805 (appeal dismissed for want of substantial federal question)	1949	Upheld exclusion of churches from area reserved for single family homes.	Zoning/Land Use Regulation
Corporation of Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints v. Amos, 483 U.S. 327	1987	Upheld religious discrimination exemption in Title VII for religious organizations.	Statutory Exemptions for Religious Persons/Entities
County of Allegheny v. ACLU, 492 U.S. 573 (plurality in part)	1989	Disallowed practice of displaying nativity scene; upheld practice of displaying Menorah as part of a holiday display.	Religious Symbols/Creches/Ten Commandments
Cox v. New Hampshire, 312 U.S. 569	1941	It is constitutional to charge a parade fee limited to the purpose of meeting the expense incident to the administration of licensing and the maintenance of public order	Meeting Permits Religious Speech
Cox v. United States, 332 U.S. 442	1947	Courts have limited scope of review over board's classification of Jehovah's Witness as conscientious objector rather than minister.	Military Service
Crane v. Johnson, 242 U.S. 339	1917	Conviction of nonreligious "drugless practitioner" of medicine for failure to obtain license was not violative of Equal Protection Clause notwithstanding Christian Science practitioners rendering " treatment by prayer" were not licensed.	Statutory Exemptions for Religious Persons/Entities
Cruz v. Beto, 405 U.S. 319	1972	Reasonable opportunities must be afforded to prison inmates to exercise religion.	Prisoners' Religious Liberty
Cummings v. Missouri, 71 U.S. (4 Wall.) 277	1866	Priest cannot be deprived of right to function as cleric for failure to take expurgatory oath.	Oaths Religious Tests for Public Office
Cutter v. Wilkinson, 544 U.S. 709	2005	Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act requiring states to accommodate religious practices of prison inmates not a preference for religion that violates Establishment Clause.	Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act Statutory Exemptions for Religious Persons/Entities
Davis v. Beason, 133 U.S. 333	1890	Upheld conviction for falsely taking oath to the effect that one was not member of polygamous organization.	Polygamy
Davis v. United States, 495 U.S. 472	1990	Treasury regulation governing charitable contribution does not allow taxpayers to claim deductions for expenses incurred by son on church mission.	Tax Deductions/Credits
Dewey v. Reynolds Metals Co., 402 U.S. 689 (aff'd by equally divided Court)	1971	Decision below rejects a job accommodation claim of a sabbatarian.	Employers and Religious Workers
Dickinson v. United States, 346 U.S. 389	1953	Classification as minister is not available to all members of a sect notwithstanding doctrine that all are ministers; but part-time secular work does not, without more, disqualify member from satisfying the ministerial exemption.	Military Service
Diffenderfer v. Central Baptist Church, 404 U.S. 41 (per curiam)	1972	Challenge to property tax exemption for church parking lot used for commercial purposes is moot due to change in statute.	Statutory Exemptions for Religious Persons/Entities Tax Exemptions
Donner v. New York, 342 U.S. 884 (appeal dismissed for want of substantial federal question)	1951	Teacher certification law upheld as applied to Jewish day school.	Free Exercise Exemptions-Miscellaneous Religious Schools and Colleges
Doremus v. Bd. of Educ., 342 U.S. 429	1952	Taxpayers do not have standing to challenge Bible reading in public school; case is moot because pupil has graduated.	Mootness Standing
Douglas v. City of Jeannette,3 19 U.S. 157	1943	Case was not properly in federal court; same ordinance was dealt with in Murdock.	Religious Literature Distribution Tax on Religion
Durhan v. McLeod, 413 U.S. 902 (app'l dismissed for want of substantial federal question)	1973	Upheld state loan program whereby students could attend college of their choice.
Eagles v. United States ex rel. Horowitz, 329 U.S. 317	1946	Draft board was within its discretion in denying a Jewish objector's claim to be exempt divinity student.	Military Service
Eagles v. United States ex rel. Samuels, 329 U.S. 304	1946	Neither use of advisory theological panel to assist draft board nor panel's asking religious questions are reasons to overturn board's discretion in denying a Jewish objector's claim to be an exempt divinity student.	Military Service
Edwards v. Aguillard, 482 U.S. 578	1987	Disallowed state law requiring teaching of creation whenever evolution is taught.	Evolution
EEOC v. Arabian American Oil Co., 499 U.S. 244	1991	Nondiscrimination in employment rules of Title VII do not apply outside United States.	Employers and Religious Workers
EEOC v. Catholic University of America, 83 F.3d 455 (D.C. Cir.)	1996	*First Amendment bars sex discrimination claim against Catholic University after it denied tenure for nun teaching canon law. The ministerial exception survives Employment Div. v. Smith, 494 U.S. 872 (1990). Religious Freedom Restoration Act also bars Title VII discrimination claim. Two-year EEOC investigation of matter violates Establishment Clause.	Church Autonomy
EEOC v. Roman Catholic Diocese of Raleigh, 213 F.3d 795 (4th Cir.)	2000	*First Amendment bars sex discrimination and retaliation claims of lay music minister even though her replacement is not of the same denomination as the defendant church. The ministerial exception survives Employment Div., Dep't of Human Resources of Oregon v. Smith, 494 U.S. 872 (1990). Court also opines that music is a vital means of expressing religious faith.	Church Autonomy Ministerial Exception
EEOC v. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 651 F.2d 277 (5th Cir.)	1981	*First Amendment bars EEOC from enforcing EEO-6 reporting requirement to the extent it related to seminary's faculty and certain administrative personnel.	Church Autonomy Discovery Ministerial Exception Ministerial Exception
Elk Grove Unified Sch. Dist. v. Newdow, 542 U.S. 1	2004	Non-custodial father of minor does not have standing to challenge his daughter’s voluntary recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag.	Flag Salute Prayer/Religion in Public Schools Religious Speech
Employment Div. v. Smith, 485 U.S. 660	1988	State court must determine whether religious use of peyote is legal under state law.	Unemployment Compensation
Employment Div. v. Smith, 494 U.S. 872	1990	Upheld denial of compensation where workers were fired after using peyote for sacramental purposes; Sherbert v. Verner, 374 U.S. 398 (1963), compelling interest test rejected.	Native American Religious Liberty Unemployment Compensation
Engel v. Vitale, 370 U.S. 421	1962	Disallowed state program of daily classroom prayer.	Prayer/Religion in Public Schools
Epperson v. Arkansas, 393 U.S. 97	1968	Disallowed prohibition on teaching theory of evolution in public schools.	Evolution
Essex v. Wolman, 409 U.S. 808 (summarily aff’d)	1972	State tuition grants to parents enrolling children in nonpublic schools violates Establishment Clause.	Government Benefit to Religious Entities Religious Schools and Colleges
Estate of Thornton v. Caldor, Inc., 472 U.S. 703	1985	Disallowed state law guaranteeing private sector employee a right not to work on Sabbath.	Employers and Religious Workers
Estep v. United States, 327 U.S. 114	1946	Draft board's refusal to classify Jehovah's Witness as minister is, after exhausting administrative remedies, subject to judicial review.	Military Service
Everson v. Bd. of Educ., 330 U.S. 1	1947	Upheld law providing reimbursement to parents for cost of transporting children to religious schools; Establishment Clause applied to state and local governments through Fourteenth Amendment.	Government Benefit to Religious Entities Incorporation by Fourteenth Amendment Religious Schools and Colleges
Ex Parte Hans Nielsen, 131 U.S. 176	1889	Mormon who pleaded guilty of cohabitation (living together as husband and wife when married to another) could not also be tried for adultery.	Polygamy
Falbo v. United States, 320 U.S. 549	1944	Draft board's alleged error in classifying Jehovah's Witness as conscientious object rather than minister is no defense to board's order to report for national service; post-reporting review of the classification is sufficient due process.	Military Religious Liberty Military Service
Farrington v. Tokushige, 273 U.S. 284	1927	Invalidating overbearing regulation of private nonsectarian schools.	Religious Schools and Colleges
First Unitarian Church v. County of Los Angeles, 357 U.S. 545	1958	Striking down loyalty oath requirement to obtain property tax exemption as violative of due process.	Oaths Tax Exemptions
Flast v. Cohen, 392 U.S. 83	1968	Federal taxpayer had standing to sue to prevent federal funds for religious schools.	Standing
Follett v. Town of McCormick, 321 U.S. 573	1944	Disallowed flat license tax on minister distributing religious material.	Religious Literature Distribution Tax on Religion
Fowler v. Rhode Island, 345 U.S. 67	1953	Ordinance prohibiting religious speech in public park but not church services, violates First Amendment.	Discrimination Against Religion Religious Speech
Franchise Tax Bd. v. United Americans for Pub. Schs., 419 U.S. 890 (summarily aff'd)	1974	State income tax reduction for parents enrolling children in nonpublic school is unconstitutional.	Government Benefit to Religious Entities Religious Schools and Colleges Tax Deductions/Credits
Frazee v. Illinois Dep't of Empl. Security, 489 U.S. 829	1989	Denial of unemployment benefits to individual, who declined job because it would have required him to work on Sunday, was violative of free exercise.	Unemployment Compensation
Freedom from Religion Foundation, Inc. v. McCallum, 324 F.3d 880 (7th Cir.)	2003	Voucher which allows convicted offender who violates parole to choose a religious half-way house for treatment does not violate Establishment Clause.	Government Benefit to Religious Entities Vouchers
Friedman v. New York, 341 U.S. 907 (appeal dismissed for want of substantial federal question)	1951	Legislation construed to apply to laborers but not retailers.	Sunday Law and Other Religious Feasts
Gaines v. Hennen, 65 U.S. (24 How.) 553	1861	In suit to enforce inheritance rights as described in Gaines v. Relf (1852), the record of an ecclesiastical proceeding for bigamy, said to be conducted under Spanish government, was inadmissable; it now appeared that the proceeding was irregular having been conducted by a cleric without canonical power.	Marriage, Illegitimacy or Inheritance
Gaines v. Relf, 53 U.S. (12 How.) 472	1852	In a suit to enforce inheritance rights, it was necessary for claimant to prove that she was offspring of parents who had validly married and hence she was legitimate; to show that mother of claimant was already married to another man at the time of parent’s putative marriage, and hence not able to enter into valid marriage to her father, court admitted into evidence record of an ecclesiastical proceeding for bigamy conducted under the Spanish government, then in possession of Louisiana and the two Floridas, which record helped to show that the mother was indeed validly married to another man at the time of parent’s putative marriage and thus claimant was illegitimate. Cf. 65 U.S. 553.	Marriage, Illegitimacy or Inheritance
Gallagher v. Crown Kosher Super Mkt., 366 U.S. 617	1961	Upheld Sunday closing law as applied to owner of kosher supermarket, Orthodox Jewish customers, and rabbis having duty to inspect markets for compliance with dietary laws.	Sunday Law and Other Religious Feasts
Gara v. United States, 340 U.S. 857 (aff'd by equally divided Court)	1950	Notwithstanding religious scruples, defendant is subject to military draft.	Military Service
Gellington v. Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Inc., 203 F.3d 1299 (11th Cir.)	2000	*First Amendment barred ordained minister from suing church defendants for sex discrimination and retaliation. The ministerial exception survived Employment Div., Dep't of Human Resources of Oregon v. Smith, 494 U.S. 872 (1990).	Church Autonomy Ministerial Exception
Gen. Council on Fin. and Admin. of United Methodist Church v. Superior Court, 439 U.S. 1369 (Opinion in Chambers, Rehnquist, J.)	1978	First Amendment does not bar consideration of church polity for the purpose of determining personal jurisdiction over church.	Church Autonomy
Gen. Fin. Corp. v. Archetto, 369 U.S. 423(appeal dismissed for want of substantial federal question)	1962	Property tax exemptions for religious organizations are not in violation of Equal Protection or Due Process Clauses, nor of the First Amendment.	Tax Exemptions
Gibbons v. District of Columbia, 116 U.S. 404	1886	Upheld property tax levies on land owned by and adjacent to a church but not used or needed for its convenient enjoyment.	Tax Exemptions
Gibson v. United States, 329 U.S. 338	1946	Jehovah's Witness minister could appeal his classification without first appearing at induction camp.	Military Service Military Service
Gillette v. United States, 401 U.S. 437	1971	Exempting person from military service if opposed to all war, but not those objecting to participation in a particular war, does not violate Constitution.
Gilmer v. Stone, 120 U.S. 586	1887	As a matter of statutory construction, Presbyterian Home and Foreign Mission Boards are not groups "organized for religious worship" under Illinois statute limiting such groups to ten acres of land.	Church Property
Girouard v. United States, 328 U.S. 61	1946	As a matter of statutory construction, denial of citizenship to one who would not take up arms because of religious scruples was error.	Naturalization and Foreign Workers
Goesele v. Bimeler, 55 U.S. (14 How.) 589	1852	Heirs of deceased member of Society of Separatists cannot recover share of property from the society.	Church Property
Goldman v. Weinberger, 475 U.S. 503	1986	First Amendment does not prohibit application of Air Force regulation preventing wearing of yarmulke by officer while on duty and in uniform.	Military Religious Liberty