Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was Ruggles convicted of in the People v. Ruggles case?
What was Ruggles convicted of in the People v. Ruggles case?
The New York state constitution did not have a provision similar to the First Amendment.
The New York state constitution did not have a provision similar to the First Amendment.
False
What was the sentence given to Ruggles for blasphemy?
What was the sentence given to Ruggles for blasphemy?
Three months of jail time and a $500 fine
According to Chancellor James Kent, Americans were in need of _______________ principles, which help to bind society together.
According to Chancellor James Kent, Americans were in need of _______________ principles, which help to bind society together.
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What did Chancellor James Kent rule that blasphemy in New York applied to?
What did Chancellor James Kent rule that blasphemy in New York applied to?
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The case of People v. Ruggles is significant because it is one of the many convictions for blasphemy in U.S. history.
The case of People v. Ruggles is significant because it is one of the many convictions for blasphemy in U.S. history.
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Match the following statements with the correct description:
Match the following statements with the correct description:
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What was the legal definition of blasphemy according to Chancellor James Kent?
What was the legal definition of blasphemy according to Chancellor James Kent?
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What is the basis for Ruggles's conviction?
What is the basis for Ruggles's conviction?
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Thomas Jefferson believed that state common law embraced Christianity.
Thomas Jefferson believed that state common law embraced Christianity.
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In what year did the Supreme Court appear to have put the final nail in the coffin of American blasphemy laws?
In what year did the Supreme Court appear to have put the final nail in the coffin of American blasphemy laws?
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Justice _______________ had a similar view to Kent's that state common law embraced Christianity.
Justice _______________ had a similar view to Kent's that state common law embraced Christianity.
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Match the following individuals with their roles:
Match the following individuals with their roles:
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All states have abolished blasphemy laws.
All states have abolished blasphemy laws.
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What is the basis of public morals in the United States, according to Chancellor James Kent?
What is the basis of public morals in the United States, according to Chancellor James Kent?
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The Constitutional Convention of 1821 rejected the Ruggles decision.
The Constitutional Convention of 1821 rejected the Ruggles decision.
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What is the consequence of sanctioning blasphemy, according to Chancellor James Kent?
What is the consequence of sanctioning blasphemy, according to Chancellor James Kent?
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Chancellor James Kent stated that the court considered blasphemous words as a breach of _______________ morals.
Chancellor James Kent stated that the court considered blasphemous words as a breach of _______________ morals.
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Match the following statements with the correct description:
Match the following statements with the correct description:
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Why did the Court affirm the judgment of the Court of Oyer and Terminer in the Ruggles case?
Why did the Court affirm the judgment of the Court of Oyer and Terminer in the Ruggles case?
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What was the context in which John Ruggles made a blasphemous statement?
What was the context in which John Ruggles made a blasphemous statement?
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The New York state constitution prohibited any official relationship between church and state.
The New York state constitution prohibited any official relationship between church and state.
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What was the main argument made by John L. Wendell, counsel for Ruggles, in the appeal?
What was the main argument made by John L. Wendell, counsel for Ruggles, in the appeal?
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Justice James Kent delivered the opinion of the unanimous court in the _______________ term of 1811.
Justice James Kent delivered the opinion of the unanimous court in the _______________ term of 1811.
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According to Chief Justice James Kent, why are offences against religion and morality punishable?
According to Chief Justice James Kent, why are offences against religion and morality punishable?
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The case of People v. Ruggles was the last reported case of prosecution for blasphemy in the State of New York.
The case of People v. Ruggles was the last reported case of prosecution for blasphemy in the State of New York.
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Match the following individuals with their roles:
Match the following individuals with their roles:
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What was the outcome of the appeal in the Supreme Court of Judicature?
What was the outcome of the appeal in the Supreme Court of Judicature?
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Study Notes
People v. Ruggles (1811)
- The case is one of the few convictions for blasphemy in U.S. history.
- Chancellor James Kent ruled that blasphemy was a common law crime, despite a provision in the New York state constitution similar to the First Amendment.
- Ruggles was convicted of blasphemy for stating that "Jesus Christ was a bastard and his mother must be a whore" and sentenced to three months of jail time and a $500 fine.
Definition of Blasphemy
- The legal definition of blasphemy is "maliciously reviling God, or religion."
Kent's Interpretation
- Kent believed that Americans, like the English, needed "all the moral discipline, and of those principles of virtue, which help to bind society together."
- He interpreted Article 38 of the New York constitution to provide "a free and universal toleration, without any of the tests, disabilities, or discriminations, incident to a religious establishment."
Application of Blasphemy
- Kent ruled that blasphemy in New York only applied to attacks on Christianity, not other religions.
- He cited laws against immorality and laws recognizing Sunday as the day of worship as evidence of Christianity's status under the common law.
Significance and Legacy
- Kent's notion that state common law embraced Christianity was similar to that of Justice Joseph Story and contrary to the views of Thomas Jefferson.
- The Supreme Court's decision in Burstyn v. Wilson (1952) effectively ended American blasphemy laws, although some states still have blasphemy laws on the books.
Blasphemy in the United States
- The case of People v. Ruggles (1811) is the first reported case of prosecution for blasphemy in the State of New York.
- John Ruggles was arrested, charged with blasphemy, and tried in the Court of Oyer and Terminer, Washington County, on June 11, 1811, for saying "Jesus Christ was a bastard, and his mother must be a whore" in a crowded tavern.
- Ruggles was found guilty and sentenced to three months in prison and fined $500 by Justice Ambrose Spencer.
Chief Justice Kent's Opinion
- Chief Justice James Kent delivered the opinion of the unanimous court, stating that the Constitution does not forbid judicial cognizance of offenses against religion and morality.
- These offenses are punishable because they "strike at the root of moral obligation, and weaken the security of the social ties."
- Kent emphasized the need for moral discipline and principles of virtue to bind society together.
The Role of Christianity
- The people of New York, like the people of the United States, profess the general doctrines of Christianity as the rule of their faith and practice.
- Scandalizing the author of these doctrines is considered a gross violation of decency and good order.
- Chief Justice Kent considered Christianity to be the basis of public morals in the United States.
The Constitutional Convention of 1821
- During the debates, James Kent stated that blasphemous words are a breach of public morals and an offense against public decency.
- The Convention voted to confirm the Ruggles decision and Chief Justice Kent's reasoning.
- Kent's reasoning was that blasphemy was an outrage upon public decorum, and if sanctioned, would shock the moral sense of the country and degrade its character as a Christian people.
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Description
This quiz assesses the relationship between the US Constitution and Christianity, exploring the role of Christianity in shaping American morality and laws.
