Meggett v. Pennsylvania Dept. of Corrections

In Meggett v. Pennsylvania Dept. of Corrections (2006), 892 A.2d 872, 881, citing Africa v. Com. of PA (C.A. 3, 1981), 662 F.2d 1025, 1030, the court found that although wearing one's hair in dreadlocks was optional for Hebrew Israelites, it was nonetheless a protected expression of faith. "To extend protection only to practices mandated by a religion, excluding protection to those religious practices that are optional, would require courts to engage in the study of religious dogma and to make doctrinal rulings. This is beyond the ken of civil courts and their judges." Meggett, supra at 882. See, also, Teterud v. Burns (C.A. 8, 1975), 522 F.2d 357, 361-362, rejecting state's argument that inmate must prove that wearing long braided hair was central tenet of Native American religion, stating: "This is not the law. Proof that the practice is deeply rooted in religious belief is sufficient. It is not the province of government officials or court to determine religious orthodoxy." Id. at 360.