The First Amendment reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting
The First Amendment reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” There are several clauses within this amendment. How do each of these clauses protect the rights of individuals when it comes to religious freedom?
Answers:
If you look at them -- all of the clauses deal with some form of expression.
Free speech and free press -- direct expression.
Freedom of religion -- expression of faith.
Freedom of assembly -- expression by association.
Freedom to petition -- expression of grievances.
Religion can be expressed in words, books, or by actions, as well as by association. So, protecting words, publications, gatherings and actions of prayer, the Constitution protects all forms of expression -- religious or otherwise.
And the right to petition guarantees a legal recourse if the govt breaks the laws.
It prevents the government from imposing a religion on people, requires that they be allowed to discuss their beliefs (via free speech), and that they be allowed to meet together to peacefully do so (via free assembly).
Because government will not endorse one religion over another. Think Church of England.
You are free to belive and worship as you wish, as long as it causes no harm to others. For example; If human sacrafice were part of your religion, you would not be able to pratice that aspect of your religion.
The only cause that protects our freedom of religion is the first one. The others are about the freedom to express one's views which is only indirectly involved with religion.
Basically, laws cannot be made that prohibit religion on the excercise of it, or the right for people to come together to pray or to speak their minds on any subject they wish, whether religious, political and social.
This means that you cannot prevent religious leaders from speaking out against the government, but just as importantly it means the government cannot impose religion on the people or a particular type of religion that they prefer either.
I think our country has traditionally handled the issue of separation of church and state just right...except for the last few years under Bush...who clearly came in with a religious agenda that he wanted to make our government more religious.
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