1. Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA)
42 U.S.C. Chapter 21B, §2000BB
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Protects religious practices from government interference unless a compelling interest is proven.
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Requires the least restrictive means of enforcement.
🔗 View Full Text of RFRA (U.S. Code)
2. American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA) & 1994 Amendments
Public Law 95-341 & Public Law 103-344
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Guarantees Indigenous peoples’ rights to practice traditional ceremonies and use sacred sacraments.
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Agencies must consult with tribal leaders before imposing restrictions.
🔗 Read AIRFA Official Text (National Park Service)
3. Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA)
Public Law 106-274
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Protects religious organizations from discriminatory land use regulations.
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Applies to ceremonial grounds, sacred sites, and places of worship.
🔗 View RLUIPA (U.S. Department of Justice)
4. Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII - Religious Discrimination)
42 U.S.C. § 2000e-3 (Section 704)
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Prohibits discrimination based on religion in employment, education, and public accommodations.
🔗 Read Title VII Details (EEOC)
Judicial Precedents Section:
5. Gonzales v. O Centro Espirita Beneficente União do Vegetal (2006)
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Supreme Court upheld the right of a religious organization to use sacramental tea (containing DMT) under RFRA protections.
🔗 Read Case Summary (Oyez)
6. The Boyll Decision (United States v. Boyll, 1991)
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Affirmed that Native American Church members, regardless of tribal affiliation, have sacramental protections for religious peyote use.
🔗 Case Summary and Analysis (external legal review link)
International Declarations Section:
7. United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
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Affirms Indigenous peoples’ rights to cultural and religious expression, including medicinal practices.
🔗 View UNDRIP Text (UN Website)
8. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 18)
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Establishes freedom of thought, conscience, and religion—including practice and observance.
🔗 Read Full Declaration (UN Website)
9. WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy
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Recognizes the vital role of Indigenous and traditional medicine systems globally.
🔗 WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy Document (PDF)