January 14, 1986
In an 8-1 Decision, the Supreme Court ruled in Bowen v. Roy that the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment “simply cannot be understood to require the Government to conduct its own internal affairs in ways that comport with the religious beliefs of particular citizens.” A Native American parent in Pennsylvania, Roy, argued that it was part of his religion to believe that control over one’s life was essential to spiritual purity and “becoming a holy person.” Assigning a Social Security number to his daughter, who was named Little Bird of the Snow, would “rob her of her spirit” and prevent her from acquiring spiritual power as she grew up.
