In this quiz, we will be presenting a series of statements from a few of First Liberty’s cases. We will then ask you to identify the source. In many of these, you may be surprised at who said it!
Make sure to mark and save your answers. After you answer all 5 questions, we will reveal the correct responses at the bottom of the page.
1. The Constitution, “That’s just a piece of paper…it doesn’t work here.” Who said it?
2. “Chopping the arms off” the Bladensburg WWI Veterans Memorial. Who said it?
3. Religious freedom is freedom of belief – not freedom to act.” Who said it?
4. “We are not persuaded that the Kleins’ wedding cakes are entitled to the same level of constitutional protection…” Who said it?
5. “This ‘baby-tossing’ ritual will also have to be allowed from midtown Manhattan, wherein infants will be dropped from skyscrapers.” Who said it?
1. Correct Answer: Two Police Officers
Government officials told Mary Anne Sause, a retired nurse from Kansas, to stop praying in the privacy of her own home. Two police officers intimidated, mocked, and ridiculed her after she asked permission from them to pray inside her own house. The officers went as far as to tell Ms. Sause – who showed them a pocket Constitution – that this was “just a piece of paper.”
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit issued a ruling on the case, concluding that due to the rarity of this event, the officers were shielded from legal liability.
First Liberty filed a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the Tenth Circuit’s decision in the case. The Supreme Court could issue a response to this petition at any moment.
Learn more about Mary Anne Sause’s case.
2. Correct answer: U.S. Court of Appeals Judge
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit declared the Bladensburg WWI Veterans memorial unconstitutional, putting it in danger of demolition.
During oral arguments one of the judges went as far as to suggest the “equitable” solution of “chopping the arms off” so the memorial would not be offensive to the U.S. Constitution.
But any modification of the memorial would run contrary to its history, as it was built specifically in its current form to honor the sacrifice of the 49 men of Prince George’s County who gave their lives during the Great War.
To prevent its demolition or defacement, First Liberty is preparing to file a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of The American Legion to preserve this historic memorial.
Learn more about the Bladensburg WWI Memorial Case.
3. Correct answer: Animal Rights Lawyer
In a brief submitted to the New York Court of Appeals, an animal rights lawyer made the claim that “religious freedom is freedom of belief – not freedom to act.”
This brief was submitted in the case of Agudath Israel of America, in which animal rights activists are trying to use the government to end a 1,000-year old Orthodox Jewish ritual.
The First Amendment clearly protects the right to freely exercise one’s religious beliefs. Practicing and living according to the tenets of one’s faith is a core component of religious freedom. This is a right protected by federal law and by years of judicial precedent.
First Liberty filed an amicus brief in this case, arguing that government cannot tell religious communities how to exercise their religious beliefs.
Learn more about the Agudath Israel case.
4. Correct answer: Oregon Court of Appeals
In December 2017, the Oregon Court of Appeals issued a ruling against Aaron and Melissa Klein, who were penalized by the State of Oregon for declining to create a custom cake for a same-sex wedding based on their religious beliefs. In its ruling, the Court cited that the Kleins’ wedding cakes were “not entitled to the same level of constitutional protection” as other forms of speech or expression.
People of faith in America today face hostility and repression, especially because government has, in many cases, facilitated censorship and punishment of those who are not aligned with popular ideas.
If this trend continues, the consequences will be deep and pervasive. The censorship campaign we see today affect more than just people of faith. They have a rippling effect on the expressive freedoms of all Americans, religious or not.
Ironically, we agree with the ACLU which explains on their website, “Freedom of expression for ourselves requires freedom of expression for others.”
Why isn’t the ACLU supporting the Kleins?
Learn more about the Kleins’ case.
5. Correct answer: Animal Rights Lawyer
In a brief filed before a state appeals court, an animal rights lawyer argued that allowing the Orthodox Jewish community to conduct a Kaporos ritual would lead to babies being tossed from Manhattan skyscrapers.
This friend-of-the-court brief was submitted in the case on behalf of Agudath Israel of America, in which animal rights activists are trying to use the government to end a 1,000-year old Orthodox Jewish ritual.
The First Amendment clearly protects the right to freely exercise one’s religious beliefs. Practicing and living according to the tenets of one’s faith is a core component of religious freedom. This is a right protected by federal law and by years of judicial precedent.
First Liberty filed an amicus brief in this case, arguing that government cannot tell religious communities how to exercise their religious beliefs.
Learn more about the Agudath Israel case.
The examples presented in this quiz are only a snapshot of the continual assault on our First Amendment rights. These incidents and statements send a clear warning: In order to preserve religious freedom, we must be vigilant and recognize that opponents are willing to do whatever it takes to undermine our Constitutional rights.
For that reason, we must be willing and determined to fight back. In the end, all Americans suffer when radical agendas deceive government into violating the rights – and at times punishing – people of faith.
Liberty Watch News is brought to you by First Liberty’s team of writers and legal experts.
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