United States v. Ballard

322 U.S. 78 (1944)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

Defendants and Respondents formed the I Am movement. The respondents' alleged religious doctrines or beliefs. Respondents claimed that by reason of their alleged high spiritual attainments and righteous conduct, had been selected as divine messengers through which the words of the alleged 'ascended masters,' including the alleged Saint Germain, would be communicated to mankind under the teachings commonly known as the 'I Am' movement; and that they had the power to heal persons of ailments and diseases and to make well persons afflicted with any diseases, injuries, or ailments. The government alleged that these claims were made and known to be false when made by respondents. Ds made a demurrer and a motion to quash the indictment in that it attacked their religious beliefs of respondents and sought to restrict the free exercise of their religion in violation of the Constitution of the United States. These motions were denied. At trial, objections were raised to the admission of certain evidence concerning religious beliefs. The court then clearly announced to the jury that the religious beliefs of these defendants cannot be an issue in this court. The court then told the jury that the issue was whether these defendants honestly and in good faith believe those things. If they did, they should be acquitted. They were convicted. The Circuit Court of Appeals reversed and granted a new trial. In its view the restriction of the issue in question to that of good faith was error. It was necessary to prove that they schemed to make some; at least, of the representations ... and that some of the representations which they schemed to make were false. One judge thought that the ruling of the District Court was also error because it was 'as prejudicial to the issue of honest belief as to the issue of purposeful misrepresentation.'