The Minersville School District v. Gobitis case in 1939 revolved around the issue of mandatory saluting of the American flag in public schools. The Gobitis family, who were Jehovah's Witnesses, argued that this requirement violated their religious beliefs as they considered such an act to be a form of idolatry. They contended that it infringed upon their First Amendment rights to freedom of religion and speech. However, the Supreme Court ruled against them in an 8-1 decision stating that national unity was "the basis of national security." The court held that the compulsory flag salute did not infringe on religious liberty or freedom of expression under the First Amendment since it served a legitimate secular purpose - promoting patriotism and fostering national unity among children at school age.

In the dissenting opinion for Minersville School District v. Gobitis, Justice Harlan Fiske Stone argued that the majority's decision violated fundamental principles of freedom and individual rights. He contended that forcing children to salute the flag against their religious beliefs was a form of psychological coercion which infringed upon their First Amendment rights. Furthermore, he asserted that it is not within the state's power to standardize its citizens' opinions or beliefs through compulsory measures such as this one. The purpose of public education should be to promote understanding and respect for different viewpoints rather than imposing uniformity in thought and belief, according to him. In his view, compelling these children to participate in a ceremony they found objectionable did not serve any urgent need or significant educational objective; instead, it undermined democratic values by suppressing diversity and individual liberty.