cutter et al wilkinson director ohio department rehabilitation correction et argued march decided may section religious land use institutionalized persons act rluipa provides part government shall impose substantial burden religious exercise person residing confined institution unless burden furthers compelling governmental interest least restrictive means petitioners current former inmates ohio state institutions allege inter alia respondent prison officials violated failing accommodate petitioners exercise nonmainstream religions variety ways respondents moved dismiss claim arguing among things face improperly advances religion violation first amendment establishment clause rejecting argument district stated rluipa permits safety security undisputedly compelling state interests outweigh inmate claim religious accommodation thin record find enforcement rluipa inevitably compromise prison security reversing interlocutory appeal sixth circuit held impermissibly advances religion giving greater protection religious rights constitutionally protected rights suggested affording religious prisoners superior rights might encourage prisoners become religious held section rluipa face qualifies permissible accommodation barred establishment clause pp foremost compatible establishment clause alleviates exceptional burdens private religious exercise see board ed kiryas joel village school dist grumet furthermore act face founder shoals prior decisions identified properly applying rluipa courts must take adequate account burdens requested accommodation may impose nonbeneficiaries see estate thornton caldor must satisfied act prescriptions administered neutrally among different faiths see kiryas joel religion often involves belief profession performance physical acts assembling others worship service participating sacramental use bread wine employment dept human resources smith section covers institutions mental hospitals prisons like government exerts degree control unparalleled civilian society severely disabling private religious exercise rluipa thus protects institutionalized persons unable freely attend religious needs therefore dependent government permission accommodation exercise religion act elevate accommodation religious observances institution need maintain order safety accommodation must measured override significant interests see caldor lawmakers supporting rluipa mindful urgency discipline order safety security penal institutions anticipated courts apply act standard due deference prison administrators experience expertise finally rluipa differentiate among bona fide faiths confers privileged status particular religious sect cf kiryas joel pp sixth circuit misread precedents require invalidation rluipa impermissibly advancing religion giving greater protection religious rights constitutionally protected rights corporation presiding bishop church jesus christ saints amos counsels otherwise upholding establishment clause challenge provision exempting religious organizations prohibition employment discrimination title vii civil rights act held religious accommodations need come packaged benefits secular entities appeals view correct manner religious accommodations fall example ohio accommodate traditionally recognized religions providing chaplains allowing worship services upholding emphasizes respondents raised facial challenge contended applying rluipa produce unconstitutional results specific case reason anticipate abusive prisoner litigation overburden state local institutions however inmate requests religious accommodations become excessive impose unjustified burdens institutionalized persons jeopardize institution effective functioning facility free resist imposition event adjudication challenges order pp reversed remanded ginsburg delivered opinion unanimous thomas filed concurring opinion jon cutter et petitioners reginald wilkinson director ohio department rehabilitation correction et al writ certiorari appeals sixth circuit may justice ginsburg delivered opinion section religious land use institutionalized persons act rluipa stat provides part government shall impose substantial burden religious exercise person residing confined institution unless burden furthers compelling governmental interest least restrictive means plaintiffs petitioners current former inmates institutions operated ohio department rehabilitation correction assert adherents nonmainstream religions satanist wicca asatru religions church jesus christ complain ohio prison officials respondents violation rluipa failed accommodate religious exercise variety different ways including retaliating discriminating exercising nontraditional faiths denying access religious literature denying opportunities group worship granted adherents mainstream religions forbidding adhere dress appearance mandates religions withholding religious ceremonial items substantially identical adherents mainstream religions permitted failing provide chaplain trained faith brief purposes litigation current stage respondents stipulated petitioners members bona fide religions sincere beliefs gerhardt lazaroff supp sd ohio response petitioners complaints respondent prison officials mounted facial challenge provision rluipa respondents contend inter alia act improperly advances religion violation first amendment establishment clause district denied respondents motion dismiss petitioners complaints appeals reversed determination appeals held prison officials urged portion rluipa applicable institutionalized persons violates establishment clause reverse appeals judgment long recognized government may accommodate religious practices without violating establishment clause hobbie unemployment appeals last term locke davey reaffirmed room play joints free exercise establishment clauses allowing government accommodate religion beyond free exercise requirements without offense establishment clause quoting walz tax city new york point accommodation may devolve unlawful fostering religion corporation presiding bishop church jesus christ saints amos quoting hobbie rluipa hold face exceed limits permissible government accommodation religious practices rluipa latest congressional efforts accord religious exercise heightened protection burdens consistent precedents ten years rluipa enactment held employment dept human resources smith first amendment free exercise clause inhibit enforcement otherwise valid laws general application incidentally burden religious conduct particular ruled free exercise clause bar oregon enforcing blanket ban peyote possession allowance sacramental use drug accordingly state deny unemployment benefits persons dismissed jobs religiously inspired peyote use recognized however political branches shield religious exercise legislative accommodation example making exception proscriptive drug laws sacramental peyote use responding smith congress enacted religious freedom restoration act rfra stat et seq rfra prohibits overnment burden ing person exercise religion even burden results rule general applicability unless government demonstrate burden furtherance compelling governmental interest least restrictive means furthering compelling governmental interest city boerne flores brackets original quoting niversal coverage rfra applie federal state law quoting former notably lacked commerce clause underpinning spending clause limitation recipients federal funds city boerne invalidated rfra applied subdivisions holding act exceeded congress remedial powers fourteenth amendment congress responded time enacting rluipa less sweeping rfra invoking federal authority spending commerce clauses rluipa targets two areas section act concerns regulation relates religious exercise institutionalized persons section issue provides state local government shall impose substantial burden religious exercise person residing confined institution unless government shows burden furthers compelling governmental interest least restrictive means act defines religious exercise include exercise religion whether compelled central system religious belief section applies substantial burden religious exercise imposed program activity receives federal financial assistance substantial burden affects removal substantial burden affect commerce foreign nations among several indian tribes person may assert violation rluipa claim defense judicial proceeding obtain appropriate relief government enacting congress documented hearings spanning three years frivolous arbitrary barriers impeded institutionalized persons religious exercise see cong rec july joint statement senator hatch senator kennedy rluipa hereinafter joint statement whether indifference ignorance bigotry lack resources institutions restrict religious liberty egregious unnecessary ways secure redress inmates encountered undue barriers religious observances congress carried rfra compelling governmental interest least restrictive means standard see lawmakers anticipated however courts entertaining complaints accord due deference experience expertise prison jail administrators quoting petitioners initially filed suit respondents asserting claims first fourteenth amendments rluipa enactment petitioners amended complaints include claims respondents moved dismiss statutory claims arguing inter alia violates establishment clause supp pursuant intervened district defend rluipa constitutionality adopting report recommendation magistrate judge district rejected argument conflicts establishment clause supp act impact prison staff general inmate population stated rluipa permits safety security undisputedly compelling state interests outweigh inmate claim religious accommodation thin record declined find respondents urged enforcement rluipa inevitably compromise prison security ibid interlocutory appeal pursuant appeals sixth circuit reversed citing lemon kurtzman appeals held rluipa impermissibly advanc es religion giving greater protection religious rights constitutionally protected rights affording religious prisoners rights superior nonreligious prisoners suggested might encourag prisoners become religious order enjoy greater rights granted certiorari resolve conflict among courts appeals question whether rluipa provision act consistent establishment clause first amendment compare madison riter rluipa violate establishment clause charles verhagen mayweathers newland reverse judgment appeals sixth circuit ii religion clauses first amendment provide congress shall make law respecting establishment religion prohibiting free exercise thereof first two clauses commonly called establishment clause commands separation church state second free exercise clause requires government respect noninterference religious beliefs practices nation people two clauses express complementary values often exert conflicting pressures see locke two clauses frequently tension walz struggled find neutral course two religion clauses cast absolute terms either expanded logical extreme tend clash decisions recognize room play joints clauses space legislative action neither compelled free exercise clause prohibited establishment clause see smith harlan dissenting constitutional obligation narrow channel slightest deviation absolutely straight course leads condemnation citation omitted accord majority courts appeals ruled question see supra hold rluipa fits within corridor religion clauses face act qualifies permissible legislative accommodation religion barred establishment clause foremost find rluipa provision compatible establishment clause alleviates exceptional burdens private religious exercise see board ed kiryas joel village school dist grumet government need oblivious impositions legitimate exercises state power may place religious belief practice amos must satisfied act prescriptions administered neutrally among different faiths see kiryas joel religion often involves belief profession performance physical acts assembling others worship service participating sacramental use bread wine smith section covers institutions mental hospitals prisons like government exerts degree control unparalleled civilian society severely disabling private religious exercise see joint statement institutional residents right practice faith mercy running institution rluipa thus protects institutionalized persons unable freely attend religious needs therefore dependent government permission accommodation exercise note regard federal government accommodation religious practice members military see referring army chaplains katcoff marsh describing army chaplaincy program goldman weinberger held free exercise clause require air force exempt orthodox jewish officer uniform dress regulations wear yarmulke indoors military community observed simply individual autonomy larger civilian community brackets original internal quotation marks omitted congress responded goldman prescribing member armed forces may wear item religious apparel wearing uniform unless wearing item interfere performance military duties item apparel neat conservative read rluipa elevate accommodation religious observances institution need maintain order safety decisions indicate accommodation must measured override significant interests caldor struck connecticut law arm ed sabbath observers absolute unqualified right work whatever day designate sabbath held law invalid establishment clause unyielding ly weigh ted interests sabbatarians interests cause believe rluipa applied appropriately balanced way particular sensitivity security concerns act adopts compelling governmental interest standard see supra ontext matters application standard see grutter bollinger lawmakers supporting rluipa mindful urgency discipline order safety security penal institutions see cong rec remarks senator hatch anticipated courts apply act standard due deference experience expertise prison jail administrators establishing necessary regulations procedures maintain good order security discipline consistent consideration costs limited resources joint statement quoting finally rluipa differentiate among bona fide faiths kiryas joel invalidated state law carved separate school district serve exclusively community highly religious jews satmar hasidim held law violated establishment clause part single particular religious sect special treatment omitted rluipa presents defect confers privileged status particular religious sect singles bona fide faith disadvantageous treatment sixth circuit misread precedents require invalidation rluipa impermissibly advancing religion giving greater protection religious rights constitutionally protected rights decision amos counsels otherwise upheld establishment clause challenge provision exempting religious organizations title vii prohibition discrimination employment basis religion district amos reasoning part exemption improperly single religious entities benefit declared statute unconstitutional applied secular activity religious accommodations held need come packaged benefits secular entities see madison requirement legislative protections fundamental rights march appeals view correct reading decisions manner religious accommodations fall congressional permission members military wear religious apparel uniform fail see accommodations ohio makes ohio accommodate traditionally recognized religions supp state provides inmates chaplains publicists political consultants allows prisoners assemble worship political rallies reply brief upholding rluipa provision emphasize respondents raised facial challenge act constitutionality contended facts petitioners specific cases applying rluipa produce unconstitutional results supp district noting underdeveloped state record concluded finding factually impossible provide kind accommodations rluipa require without significantly compromising prison security levels service provided inmates made juncture emphasis added agree decade federal bureau prisons managed largest correctional system nation heightened scrutiny standard rluipa without compromising prison security public safety constitutional rights prisoners brief citation omitted congress enacted rluipa aware bureau experience see joint statement letter department justice senator hatch believe rluipa unreasonable impact prison operations rfra effect federal prison system six years compliance statute unreasonable burden federal prison see reason anticipate abusive prisoner litigation overburden operations state local institutions procedures mandated prison litigation reform act note designed inhibit frivolous inmate requests religious accommodations become excessive impose unjustified burdens institutionalized persons jeopardize effective functioning institution facility free resist imposition event adjudication challenges order reasons stated judgment appeals sixth circuit reversed case remanded proceedings consistent opinion ordered jon cutter et petitioners reginald wilkinson director ohio department rehabilitation correction et al writ certiorari appeals sixth circuit may justice thomas concurring join opinion agree religious land use institutionalized persons act rluipa constitutional modern establishment clause case write explain proper historical understanding clause federalism provision leads establishment clause provides congress shall make law respecting establishment religion amdt explained important function clause ke clear congress interfere state establishments elk grove unified school dist newdow opinion concurring judgment clause best understood federalism provision protects state establishments federal interference ibid see also zelman thomas concurring lee weisman scalia dissenting ohio contends federalism understanding clause prevents federal oversight state choices within free exercise establishment clauses locke davey words ohio asserts clause protects federal interference otherwise constitutionally permissible choices regarding religious policy ohio view rluipa intrudes state policy choices hence violates clause ohio vision range protected state authority overreads clause ohio amici contend even though longer establish preferred churches clause incorporated fourteenth congress unable ever contravene constitutionally permissible state choices regarding religious policy brief respondents emphasis added brief commonwealth virginia et al amici curiae clause says clause prohibits congress enacting legislation respecting establishment religion emphasis added prohibit congress enacting legislation respecting religion taking cognizance religion hamburger separation church state founding establishment involved religious orthodoxy financial support force law threat penalty newdow supra thomas concurring judgment quoting lee supra scalia dissenting turn citing levy establishment clause including preferences particular religious faiths thomas concurring words establishment founding involved example mandatory observance mandatory payment taxes supporting ministers see thomas concurring judgment lee supra scalia dissenting mcconnell levy establishment clause ed proscribe congress making laws respecting establishment religion therefore forbid legislation respecting coercive state establishments preclude congress legislating religion generally history least presented ohio show clause hermetically seals federal government field religion ohio points among things words james madison defense constitution virginia ratifying convention shadow right general government intermeddle religion least interference flagrant usurpation general defense constitution june reprinted papers james madison rutland hobson rachal sisson eds ohio also relies james iredell statement discussing religious test clause north carolina ratifying convention congress certainly authority interfere establishment religion whatsoever power given congress matters religion pass single act impair religious liberties cause alarm future congress pass act concerning religion country act authorized pass constitution people obey debate north carolina ratifying convention june founders constitution kurland lerner eds quotations establish framers beliefs scope establishment clause instead demonstrate framers may believed national government authority legislate concerning religion enumerated power gave authority ohio spending clause commerce clause challenges therefore may well merit see supra event ohio shown establishment clause codified madison iredell view federal government legislate regarding religion unenacted version clause proposed house representatives demonstrates opposite provided congress shall make laws touching religion infringing rights conscience annals cong see also wallace jaffree rehnquist dissenting words ultimately adopted congress shall make law respecting establishment religion identified position madison sought distinguish hamburger supra whatever thought words clearly mind language less severe previously used ibid version clause finally adopted narrower ohio claims historical evidence ohio relies joseph story commentaries constitution prove theory leaving aside problems relying source indicator original understanding see term limits thornton thomas dissenting unpersuasive right justice story say whole power subject religion left exclusively state governments acted upon according sense justice state constitutions commentaries constitution reprinted context however statement concerned congress inability legislate respect religious establishment see real object amendment prevent national ecclesiastical establishment give hierarchy exclusive patronage national government deemed advisable exclude national government power act upon subject impossible arise perpetual strife perpetual jealousy subject ecclesiastical ascendancy national government left free create religious establishment short view establishment clause precludes congress legislating respecting religion lacks historical provenance least based history aware even enacting laws bind pursuant valid exercises enumerated powers congress need observe strict separation church state steer clear subject religion need refrain making laws respecting establishment religion must interfere state establishment religion example congress presumably require state establish religion preclude state establishing religion ii face relevant inquiry facial challenge rluipa law respecting establishment religion rluipa provides relevant government shall impose substantial burden religious exercise person residing confined institution even burden results rule general applicability unless government demonstrates imposition burden person first compelling governmental interest second least restrictive means furthering compelling governmental interest provision prohibit interfere state establishments since state established constitutionally establish given incorporated clause religion provision require state establish religion force state coerce religious observance payment taxes supporting clergy require state prefer one religious sect another law respecting religion one respecting establishment religion addition rluipa text applies laws passed state local governments including rule general applicability whether concern establishment religion state local governments obviously many laws nothing religion let alone establishments thereof numerous applications rluipa therefore contravene establishment clause facial challenge based clause must fail see booker slip thomas concurring part dissenting part salerno also bears noting congress pursuant spending clause authority conditioned receipt federal funds compliance rluipa section applies case substantial burden imposed program activity receives federal financial assistance noted supra rluipa may well exceed spending power nonetheless congress condition stands subject condition voluntarily accepting federal funds voluntary acceptance congress condition undercuts ohio argument congress encroaching turf footnotes petitioners cutter gerhardt longer custody ohio department rehabilitation correction brief petitioners party suggested case become moot without doubt live controversy remains among petitioners respondents reach question whether claims cutter gerhardt continue present actual controversy see steffel thompson rfra courts appeals held remains operative federal government federal territories possessions see bureau prisons guam guerrero kikumura hurley young however occasion rule matter section rluipa issue therefore express view validity part act every state including ohio accepts federal funding prisons brief citing fy office justice programs office community oriented policing services grants state hearings held congress revealed typical example state prison ohio refused provide moslems hallal food even though provided kosher food hearing protecting religious freedom boerne flores subcommittee constitution house committee judiciary pt hereinafter protecting religious freedom prepared statement marc stern legal director american jewish congress across country jewish inmates complained prison officials refused provide sack lunches enable inmates break fasts nightfall statement isaac jaroslawicz director legal affairs aleph institute michigan department corrections prohibit ed lighting chanukah candles state prisons even though smoking votive candles permitted priest responsible communications roman catholic dioceses corrections facilities oklahoma stated nearly yearly battle catholic use sacramental wine celebration mass prisoners religious possessions bible koran talmud items needed native americans frequently treated contempt confiscated damaged discarded prison officials pt prepared statement donald brooks reverend diocese tulsa oklahoma lemon stated test first statute must secular legislative purpose second principal primary effect must one neither advances inhibits religion finally statute must foster excessive government entanglement religion citations internal quotation marks omitted resolve case grounds respondents argued rluipa exceeds congress legislative powers spending commerce clauses violates tenth amendment district rejected respondents challenges spending clause gerhardt lazaroff supp sd ohio tenth amendment declined reach commerce clause tion sixth circuit determined rluipa violates establishment clause rule respondents arguments see respondents renew arguments also augment contentions asserting space free exercise establishment clauses choices subject congressional oversight see brief respondents cf madison riter defensive pleas addressed appeals mindful review first view consider see roche ltd empagran oakland cannabis buyers cooperative cf post thomas concurring directed obstructions institutional arrangements place religious observances rluipa require state pay inmate devotional accessories see charles verhagen overturning prohibition possession islamic prayer oil leaving responsibility purchasing oil see ibid prison regulation prohibited muslim prisoner possessing ritual cleansing oil young lane prison regulation restricted wearing yarmulkes hunafa murphy noting instances jewish muslim prisoners served pork substitute available respondents argue line sixth circuit rluipa goes beyond permissible reduction impediments free exercise act project advances religion encouraging prisoners get religion thereby gain accommodations afforded rluipa brief respondents see one effect rluipa induce prisoners adopt feign religious belief order receive statute accommodations religious observance notably opportunity assemble worship services might attract joiners seeking break closely guarded day doubt accommodations perceived benefits example congressional hearings rluipa revealed one state corrections system served kosher diet fruit vegetable granola bar liquid nutritional supplement every meal protecting religious freedom pt statement jaroslawicz argument event founders fact ohio already facilitates religious services mainstream faiths state provides chaplains allows inmates possess religious items permits assembly worship see app affidavit david schwarz religious services administrator south region ohio dept rehabilitation correction job duties include facilitating delivery religious services correctional institutions various security levels throughout ohio ohio dept rehabilitation correction table organization available http department includes religious services division visited may available clerk case file brief citing inter alia gawloski dallman supp sd ohio inmate protective custody allowed attend congregational religious service possess bible religious materials receive chaplain visits taylor perini supp nd ohio institutional chaplains free access correctional area sixth circuit posited irreligious prisoner member aryan nation challenges prison officials confiscation white supremacist literature violation free association expression rights claims evaluated deferential standard described turner safley member church jesus christ christian challenging similar withholding sixth circuit assumed stronger prospect success review claim rluipa standard citing madison riter supp wd courts however may expected recognize government countervailing compelling interest facilitating inflammatory racist activity imperil prison security order cf reimann murphy supp ed concluding rfra excluding racist literature advocating violence least restrictive means furthering compelling state interest preventing prison violence george sullivan supp wd state prison officials make first judgment whether provide particular accommodation prisoner may sue rluipa without first exhausting available administrative remedies see nothing rluipa shall construed amend repeal prison litigation reform act requiring exhaustion administrative remedies respondents argue prison gangs use religious activity cloak illicit often violent conduct instant case considered motion dismiss thus parties conflicting assertions matter us bears repetition however prison security compelling state interest deference due institutional officials expertise area see supra prison officials may appropriately question whether prisoner religiosity asserted basis requested accommodation authentic although rluipa bars inquiry whether particular belief practice central prisoner religion see act preclude inquiry sincerity prisoner professed religiosity cf gillette truth belief open question rather question whether objector beliefs held quoting seeger see supra footnotes properly declines assess rluipa discredited test lemon kurtzman appeals applied lemon held avoid invalidation establishment clause statute must secular legislative purpose principal primary effect must one neither advances inhibits religion must foster excessive government entanglement religion internal quotation marks citation omitted first second prongs rluipa indeed accommodation religion might well violate clause even laws disestablishing religion might violate clause disestablishment might easily religious purpose thereby flunk first prong might well strengthen revitalize religion fail second mcconnell establishment disestablishment founding part establishment religion wm mary rev hereinafter mcconnell dismisses parties arguments federalism aspect clause brief observation appeals address issue ante parties contentions point however fairly included question presented asks hether congress violated establishment clause enacting rluipa pet cert parties briefed federalism understanding clause brief respondents reply brief petitioners neither suggests remand useful record lacks relevant facts good news club milford central school also though rluipa entirely consonant establishment clause may well exceed congress authority either spending clause commerce clause see sabri thomas concurring judgment spending clause condition state receipt funds necessary proper expenditure funds must obvious simple direct relation condition expenditure funds lopez thomas concurring constitution uses word narrower sense case law might suggest also support proposition congress authority activities affect interstate commerce however properly declines reach issues since outside question presented addressed appeals ohio claims benefit federalism aspect clause yet simultaneously adheres view establishment clause incorporated fourteenth amendment brief respondents positions may incompatible text history clause may well support view clause incorporated precisely clause shielded state establishments congressional interference elk grove unified school dist newdow thomas concurring judgment note however state law violate incorporated establishment clause might also violate free exercise clause