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Lesson Plan
Sultaana Lakiana Myke Freeman v. State of Florida
"Should the government have the power to restrict a person's religious freedom without having a justifiable reason for doing so?
Purpose
The purpose of this lesson plan is to give students the opportunity to further explore the issue of religious freedom.
Grade
9-12
Objectives
Students should be able to:
* Identify the First Amendment, which guarantees Freedom of Religion,
and understand the importance of protecting an individual's religious
freedom.
* Define the relevant portions of the First Amendment, including the
free exercise and establishment clauses
* Identify several constitutional law cases regarding freedom of religion
and basic information on how the Supreme Court has addressed this
issue.
* Provide insightful arguments and examples that illustrate the importance
of maintaining separation of church and state while accommodating
people's religious beliefs.
* Describe how the First Amendment and Florida's RFRA apply in Sultaana
Freeman's case.
Materials
* Text of the First Amendment – "Congress shall make
no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the
press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition
the Government for a redress of grievances."
* ACLU Briefing Paper on Church and State
* Text of the Florida RFRA – "(1) The government shall
not substantially burden a person's exercise of religion, even if
the burden results from a rule of general applicability, except that
government may substantially burden a person's exercise of religion
only if it demonstrates that application of the burden to the person:
(a) Is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest; and (b)
Is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental
interest." "... exercise of religion" is "an act
or refusal to act that is substantially motivated by a religious belief,
whether or not the religious exercise is compulsory or central to
a larger system of religious belief."
Activities
The following activities are designed to encourage independent thinking and provide some insight into the complexities of protecting freedom of religion and promoting religious tolerance.
1. Divide the class into five groups. Have each group pick a leader to role-play as the leader of a major religion. Group members should help in compiling information for a report on their religion. This report should include cultural information, history and the fundamental beliefs of the religion. Group leaders should be prepared to explain themselves and their views to the class and to answer questions.
2. Set up a panel discussion to address the following issues: What is the value of church and state separation?
3. Imagining they are representing either the state or the plaintiff in this case students must write a paper supporting their argument. It is important that they state their argument and use facts, evidence, cite relevant case law and constitutional issues in support if their argument. Optional - Students be divided into two groups pertaining to the stance they choose and hold a well-mediated debate using the information they have gathered.
