Arlan's Department Store of Louisville, Inc. v. Kentucky
Docket: 503
Court: Supreme Court of the United States; December 17, 1962; Federal Supreme Court; Federal Appellate Court
The Supreme Court case Arlan's Department Store of Louisville, Inc. v. Kentucky involves the criminal prosecution of retail store owners fined for employing individuals on Sundays, which they argued violated their First Amendment rights as incorporated by the Fourteenth Amendment. The Court dismissed the appeal, ruling that there was no substantial federal question. Justice Douglas dissented, arguing that the law unfairly imposes the majority's religious beliefs on minorities, illustrating this by questioning whether a majority could criminalize actions based on differing religious beliefs, such as selling pork or operating an abattoir. He asserted that government should not dictate religious practices or compel individuals to conform to the majority’s religious scruples. The dissent emphasized the law's discriminatory nature, as it exempts those observing a Sabbath on a day other than Sunday, effectively privileging certain religions. Douglas contended that the First Amendment protects individuals' rights to practice their religion freely without governmental interference, and that the state should not enforce religious dogma. The relevant Kentucky statute penalizes Sunday work, with exemptions for certain activities and individuals observing other religious days.