United States v. Seeger

The test for exemption from military service based on religious belief should be interpreted to include individuals with sincere and meaningful beliefs occupying a place in their lives parallel to that filled by the God of those admittedly qualifying, broadening the definition beyond theistic beliefs.

ReligiousLiberty.TV
February 26, 2026
0 min read
Cite This Case
United States v. Seeger (U.S. 1965).
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United States v. Seeger (U.S. Supreme Court, 1965). https://religiousliberty.tv/case-library/seeger/
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⚠ No official reporter citation found for this case. Citation quality will improve once a reporter citation (e.g. 573 U.S. 682) is added to the case record.

United States v. Seeger [U.S. Supreme Court, 1965] — The test for exemption from military service based on religious belief should be interpreted to include individuals with sincere and meaningful beliefs occupying a place in their lives parallel to that filled by the God of those admittedly qualifying, broadening the definition beyond theistic beliefs. Source: ReligiousLiberty.TV (https://religiousliberty.tv/case-library/seeger/, accessed April 10, 2026).
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⚠ No official reporter citation found for this case. Citation quality will improve once a reporter citation (e.g. 573 U.S. 682) is added to the case record.

Year: 1965 Court: U.S. Supreme Court
Holding: The test for exemption from military service based on religious belief should be interpreted to include individuals with sincere and meaningful beliefs occupying a place in their lives parallel to that filled by the God of those admittedly qualifying, broadening the definition beyond theistic beliefs.
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United States v. Seeger is a Free Exercise case decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1965. The court held that the test for exemption from military service based on religious belief should be interpreted to include individuals with sincere and meaningful beliefs occupying a place in their lives parallel to that filled by the God of those admittedly qualifying, broadening the definition beyond theistic beliefs.