No Person Can Be Punished

Words Uttered Under Coercion Are Proof Of Loyalty To Nothing But Self-interest. Love Of Country Must Spring From Willing Hearts And Free Minds.

We Repeat And Again Reaffirm That Neither A State Nor The Federal Government Can Constitutionally Force A Person "to Profess A Belief Or Disbelief In Any Religion." Neither Can Constitutionally Pass Laws Or Impose Requirements Which Aid All Religions As Against Nonbelievers, And Neither Can Aid Those Religions Based On A Belief In The Existence Of God As Against Those Religions Founded On Different Beliefs.

No Higher Duty, Or More Solemn Responsibility, Rests Upon This Court Than That Of Translating Into Living Law And Maintaining This Constitutional Shield Deliberately Planned And Inscribed For The Benefit Of Every Human Being Subject To Our Constitution - Of Whatever Race, Creed Or Persuasion.

Among Religions In This Country Which Do Not Teach What Would Generally Be Considered A Belief In The Existence Of God Are Buddhism, Taoism, Ethical Culture, Secular Humanism And Others.

Our Constitution Was Not Written In The Sands To Be Washed Away By Each Wave Of New Judges Blown In By Each Successive Political Wind.