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Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
In 1971, several Amish families in Wisconsin appealed a decision convicting them of failing to send their children to school until the age of 16 based upon Freedom of Religion under the constitution.
The three families argued that the compulsory education law violated their right to freely exercise their religion. When Wisconsin brought the parents to court in 1971 for failure to send the children to school, the parents were fined. On appeal, the Wisconsin State Supreme Court found in the parents' favor, overturning the fines. Wisconsin school officials then appealed that decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.
This case relates greatly with the First Amendment. The First Amendment guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition. It forbids Congress from both promoting one religion over others and also restricting an individual’s religious practices. In this case, the state of Wisconsin was interfering with the Amish's religious beliefs.
By a vote of 6-2, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Yoder in a unanimous decision. Justice William O. Douglas filed a partial dissent, but voted with the court regarding Yoder's case. The Court was convinced that requiring Amish and Mennonite children to attend school past the 8th grade would substantially burden their religious freedom. The Court also found that the religious groups in question provided a support structure for members of their community that did not require education past the 8th grade.