Religious Freedom Faces Uphill Battle as Courts Struggle to Balance Competing Interests
This paper discusses why it is challenging to fully support the enforcement of free exercise rights in the United States, especially for conservative jurists. The researchers argue that religious beliefs are deeply personal and should not be restricted by the government. However, they also explore how the extensive and diverse nature of religious practices can sometimes conflict with public interests, leading to a need for the courts to balance religious freedoms with state concerns. The authors suggest that this balancing act may raise doubts about how free exercise rights are protected in comparison to other fundamental rights, such as freedom of speech.