The concept of "sincerely held religious belief" has become a pivotal standard in U.S. law for determining legitimate First Amendment claims. Charles McCrary explores the historical evolution of this sincerity test, tracing its roots from the mid-nineteenth century through the 1940s, when courts expanded religious freedom protections. He examines how the intertwining of sincerity, religion, and secularism has shaped contemporary understandings of religion, emphasizing the individualization of belief and its implications for state protections.
