Reynolds Arguments

Reynolds v. U.S. : Arguments

Argument #1
"The Court should rule in favor of the United States. "Congress, in 1862 (12 Stat. 501), saw fit to make bigamy a crime in the Territories. This was done because of the evil consequences that were supposed to flow from plural marriages."

Argument #2
The Supreme Court should rule in favor of Reynolds. His polygamy is based upon a sincerely held religious belief. The First Amendment forbids Congress from making laws which prohibit the free exercise of religion.

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