Freedom of Religion
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
| Christianity | Judaism | Islam | Buddhism |
|
|
|
|
The first words of the First Amendment guarantee to Americans their prized liberty of freedom of religion. This freedom came after centuries of persecution. Catholics had persecuted Protestants, Protestants had persecuted Catholics, and both groups had persecuted Jews, atheists, doubters, and even persons of their own faith who were not worshipping in the manner prescribed by whoever happened to be in power. Often the persecuted people were required to help support the churches whose members were persecuting them.
Two clauses in the First Amendment guarantee freedom of religion. The establishment clause prevents our government from passing laws to establish an official religion or preferring one religion over another. It also enforces the separation of church and state. Some government activity related to religion has been declared constitutional by the Supreme Court. For example, providing bus transportation for parochial school students and the enforcement of "blue laws" is not prohibited. The free exercise clause prohibits the government, in most instances, from interfering with a person's practice of their religion.| Petition |