."
The Amish fathers were subsequently charged, tried, and convicted in Wisconsin's Green County Court under the state's compulsory school attendance law. The men were also fined $5. The case was later heard by the Wisconsin Supreme Court which ruled 6 to 1 in favor of the Amish. The State of Wisconsin appealed the high court's decision.
The Supreme Court heard the case of Wisconsin v. Yoder based on the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. The Free Exercise Clause provides that "Congress shall make no law . . . prohibiting the free exercise (of religion)." Wisconsin v. Yoder was decided by the Supreme Court on May 15, 1972. A 7 to 0 decision in support of the Amish was reached. The Justices pointed to the demonstrated sincerity of the Amish beliefs as one of the bases for their decision: "Old Order Amish communities today are characterized by a fundamental belief that salvation requires life in a church community separate and apart from the world and worldly influence. This concept of life aloof from the world and its values is central to their faith." Chief Justice Warren Burger praised the Amish for their "highly successful social unit" and their "productive and very law-abiding members of society." Burger also noted that the Amish refused public subsidies such as welfare. The Chief Justice concluded that the high standing of the Amish in society proved their ability to educate their young to be good citizens.
In their case against the Amish, the State of Wisconsin focused on two primary arguments. First, the State reminded the Court that Thomas Jefferson advocated education for every citizen as a prerequisite for sound judgment in social and political affairs. Further, education is compulsory in America because it prepares the individual to function economically within society. The Court agreed with the assertions of the State, but pointed out that Thomas Jefferson advocated a basic education ...