The US Courts website states: "The Free Exercise Clause protects citizens' right to practice their religion

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The First Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the freedom of religion. This means that people have the right to practice their religion without government interference. However, the government can sometimes restrict religious practices if there is a compelling reason to do so.

The Free Exercise Clause has been interpreted by the courts to mean that the government cannot discriminate against people on the basis of their religion. This means that businesses cannot refuse to serve customers or employees on the basis of their religion. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.

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One exception is when the business owner's religious beliefs conflict with the business's operations. For example, a bakery owner who believes that it is wrong to bake cakes for same-sex weddings may be able to refuse to do so. However, the owner would have to show that their religious beliefs are sincerely held and that the refusal to bake the cake is an essential part of their religious practice.

Another exception is when the government has a compelling interest in restricting the religious practice. For example, the government could restrict religious practices that involve child abuse or that pose a public safety risk.

The Supreme Court has not yet ruled on whether the First Amendment's Free Exercise Clause can justify a discriminatory business practice. However, the Court has ruled that the government can sometimes restrict religious practices if there is a compelling reason to do so. This suggests that the Free Exercise Clause could be used to justify a discriminatory business practice in some cases.

Here are some examples of cases where the Free Exercise Clause might be used to justify a discriminatory business practice:

• A religious school that refuses to admit students of a different religion.
• A business that refuses to hire employees of a different religion.
• A business that refuses to serve customers of a different religion.

It is important to note that these are just examples, and the Free Exercise Clause could be used to justify other types of discriminatory business practices in some cases.

The decision of whether or not to allow a discriminatory business practice is ultimately up to the courts. The courts will weigh the interests of the business owner against the interests of the people who are being discriminated against. The courts will also consider the strength of the business owner's religious beliefs and the extent to which the business practice is essential to those beliefs.

The Free Exercise Clause is a complex issue, and there is no easy answer to the question of when it can be used to justify a discriminatory business practice. However, the courts have provided some guidance on this issue, and it is likely that the courts will continue to develop this area of law in the future.