The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments over whether to allow the importation of a hallucinogenic drug for religious purposes. The case, heard Tuesday, tested the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which places a high standard for government to restrict religious practices. Members of the O Centro Espirita Beneficiente Uniao Do Vegetal religion sought to import a tea from Brazil that contains hallucinogens, which they drink as part of a religious service. The act, which was passed with support from Jewish groups, says that if government has to restrict religious practices, it must do so in the least restrictive manner possible.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.