Document Type

Article

Abstract

In 1990, Smith changed the landscape of free exercise jurisprudence and introduced what this Article describes as the “centrality concern”: the principle that judges are in no place to determine the centrality of various activities to a particular religion. However, no legal scholar has recognized the extent to which the centrality concern has been undermined. This Article explains how Lukumi, Locke and most Circuits have undermined the centrality concern. Implications of this doctrinal anomaly will be illustrated with the example of the less often discussed religion of conservative Christianity, and the Article concludes with some brief recommendations.

Date of Authorship for this Version

5-1-2006