According to Selective Incorporation, if a state law restricts freedom of religion, it is considered?

Study for the FCLE Court Cases and Amendments Exam. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Prepare thoroughly for your test!

The correct answer is that if a state law restricts freedom of religion, it is considered unconstitutional. This determination stems from the principle of Selective Incorporation, which is a legal doctrine that ensures certain protections in the Bill of Rights are applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause.

Selective Incorporation means that specific rights guaranteed by the Constitution, including the freedom of religion, are binding on state governments as well as the federal government. Consequently, if a state law imposes a restriction on the free exercise of religion, it directly conflicts with the First Amendment rights as interpreted through this doctrine. Therefore, such a law would be viewed as unconstitutional because it violates an individual's fundamental right to practice their religion freely.

This understanding is crucial to comprehending the relationship between individual rights and state authority under the framework established by the Constitution. Thus, any law that attempts to infringe upon this freedom cannot stand, reinforcing the idea that religious liberties are protected against state interference.

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