Sherbert v. Verner, 374 U.S. 398 (1963)
Sherbert v. Verner marks a pivotal moment in American constitutional law relating to the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.
Does the denial of unemployment benefits to an individual who is unable to work on their religious Sabbath constitute a violation of the First Amendment's Free Exercise Clause?
The Free Exercise Clause prohibits the government from substantially burdening a person's exercise of religion unless the government can demonstrate that it is the least restrictive means of achieving a compelling governmental interest.
The Supreme Court held, in a 7-2 decision, that the denial of unemployment benefits to Sherbert violated the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.
Sherbert v. Verner is significant because it established the 'Sherbert Test,' which requires the government to demonstrate a compelling interest, and the least restrictive means of achieving that interest, when infringing upon religious practices. This ruling underscored the need for religious accommodations in governmental policies and has influenced legal thought and subsequent rulings on the Free Exercise Clause for decades. It highlights the Court's role in protecting minority religious practices against majoritarian policies.