Resolution Adopted by the CCAR
Religious Activities and the First Amendment
Adopted by the CCAR at the 90th Annual Convention of
the Central Conference of American Rabbis
Phoenix, Arizona, March 26-29, 1979
The CCAR, reaffirming its resolution of 1977 on the proselytization of our youth,
conscious of continuing evidence concerning widespread violation of law on the part
of those engaged in the phenomena of "Religious" cultism in America, and responding
to increasing concerns regarding freedom of religion in America, reaffirms its historic
conviction that the First Amendment prevents the government from determining what
constitutes a religion or religious beliefs; it does not prevent the government from
investigating the activities of any group in order to determine if the laws of this land
have been violated. In our continuing search for a just society we maintain that
no person and no group--whatever its name--is above the law, or exempt from its provisions.
We call for the implementation of governmental responsibility in this regard.
