3rd Case – Thomas
The First Amendment protects the free exercise of religion, with this being a founding principle of the Constitution. Mr. Jimenez’s religious ritual of sacrificing chickens has been stopped by the City of Beaufongier, who have created a law intended to promote “the enhancement of the quality of life of persons, pets and other animals.” However, I would argue that if they truly want to enhance the quality of life for all animals, they would altogether stop the eating and murdering of animals that we Americans consume everyday. Why should Mr. Jimenez’s religious practice be unlawful when many American butchers kill animal’s everyday?The law in question violates the Free Exercise clause of the First Amendment. The First Amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the exercise thereof.” I believe, and as Justice Kennedy has stated that, “religious beliefs need not be acceptable, logical, consistent, or comprehensible to others in order to merit First Amendment protection.” Mr. Jimenez has every right to practice his religion in this country. He does not need to share the beliefs of all others in this country to have this right. He does not even need to have a reason for his ritual or acceptance of it to maintain his right to the Free Exercise of religion. I vote to protect the right to practice any religion you may believe in and wish to practice while you’re a citizen of the United States.
