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Issues > Free Exercise > Religious Freedom Restoration Act

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA) prohibits any federal law that would substantially burden religious expression without a compelling reason. The law was supported by the efforts of the Coalition for the Free Exercise of Religion and was passed by a virtually unanimous Congress in 1993. It restored the compelling interest standard that was lost in the 1990 case of Employment Division v. Smith. In 1997, the Supreme Court determined, in City of Boerne v. Flores, that RFRA no longer applied to the states. The Coalition worked to pass a partial replacement in September 2000, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.

Recent cases

Gonzales v. O Centro Espirita Beneficente União do Vegetal (2005)
- Supreme Court allows church to use sacramental tea
- BJC's amicus brief
- Supreme Court considers use of hallucinogenic religious tea
- Supreme Court agrees to hear case on religious use of hallucinogen

Related Articles

A closer look at the UDV case post-decision
By K. Hollyn Hollman

Protecting the few ensures religious liberty for the many
By K. Hollyn Hollman

News Stories

September 8, 2006
EPA says new rules not needed on ritual use of mercury

More Resources
Religious Freedom Restoration Act

Religious Land Use & Institutionalized Persons Act

State Religious Freedom Restoration Acts

Workplace Religious Freedom Act