What was the outcome of Employment Division of Oregon v. Smith (1990)?

The outcome of Employment Division of Oregon v. Smith (1990) was significant in the realm of religious freedom and state laws. The Supreme Court upheld the state's denial of unemployment benefits to individuals who were fired for using peyote, a controlled substance, as part of their religious practices. This decision established that the government does not need to provide exemptions to general laws for the practice of religion, thus determining that neutral laws of general applicability can regulate religious practices without violating the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.

By ruling in favor of the state, the Court clarified that while individuals have the right to practice their religion, those practices cannot exempt them from laws that are applied equally to everyone, regardless of religion. This ruling shifted the balance somewhat away from protecting religious practices when they collide with state laws, emphasizing the state's ability to regulate for broader societal interests. This case led to significant discussions and subsequent actions in the area of religious liberty and the scope of governmental power versus individual rights.