Brief Fact Summary. Ballard (Respondent) was charged with defrauding the public by practicing a religion that he knew was false.
Synopsis of Rule of Law. Religion is determined by the sincerity and depth of the belief, not by whether it is true or false.
He was granted the right to worship as he pleased and to answer to no man for the verity of his religious views.
View Full Point of LawIssue. Is Respondent being unconstitutionally persecuted for his religious beliefs?
Held. Yes. Although Respondent’s religion seems incredible to most, it is not the role of a jury to determine its veracity. If this religion were subject to such a trial, then all organized religions would need to be treated similarly.
Dissent. The government cannot prove that Respondent knew something was false when it opts to separate religious sincerity from verity.
Discussion. The First Amendment protects the right to choose and practice a religion of the individual’s choice. This includes freedom to believe and freedom to act. Just because a religious doctrine cannot be proven does not mean that it is not a religion and not protected by the United States Constitution.