Minersville School District v. Gobitis

Background

Two children, Lillian and William Gobitis, who belonged to Jehovah’s Witnesses, were expelled from their Pennsylvania public school for refusing a daily flag-salute ceremony. Their father sued to stop the school from making participation in the salute a condition of attendance. A federal trial court and the court of appeals had ruled for the family, but the case reached the high court for final review.

Reasoning

The majority opinion accepted that religious belief is deeply protected but asked whether that protection requires exemption from a general school rule. The Court treated the flag salute as a means of promoting national unity and held that legislatures and school authorities may select measures to foster that cohesion. The majority emphasized history and the symbolic role of the flag, and said courts should not substitute their judgment for lawmakers about school policy. It concluded that a general requirement for the salute did not violate the Constitution, so the lower-court decision for the family was reversed.

Real world impact

As a practical matter, schools nationwide may enforce daily flag-salute rules and discipline or exclude students who refuse on religious grounds. The ruling gives local school boards authority to set such classroom practices, and families who object may need to pursue private education or political remedies. The decision places considerable weight on legislative and school judgments about teaching patriotism.

Dissents or concurrances

Justice Stone dissented, arguing the law coerced students to express beliefs against their religion and that courts should protect small minorities by requiring accommodation. Justice McReynolds concurred only in the result.