Ensures individuals can practice their religion freely or choose not to practice any religion, without government retribution.
Not absolute; balanced against other societal interests.
Key Supreme Court Cases
Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972): Compulsory high school attendance was ruled to violate the Amish community's free exercise of religion.
Reynolds v. United States (1878): Upheld federal regulation of marriage, specifically against polygamy, but did not extend to regulating religious beliefs.
Establishment Clause
Prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or preferring one religion over another.
Supports the separation of church and state.
Exceptions have included government subsidies for schools with general religious education.
Other Key Freedoms in the First Amendment
Freedom of Speech
Protects the right to express opinions, fostering a functioning democracy.
Freedom of the Press
Allows for free dissemination of information, enabling the press to report on issues and act as a watchdog.
Peaceful Assembly
Enables individuals to gather and express opinions, essential for effecting change.
Petitioning the Government
Allows for voicing complaints and seeking redress, holding the government accountable.
The Lemon Test
A three-part test to determine if a government action violates the Establishment Clause:
Must have a secular purpose.
Should not advance or inhibit religion.
Must avoid excessive government entanglement with religion.
Illustrative Supreme Court Cases
Engel v. Vitale (1962)
Addressed school sponsorship of religious activities, ruling that school prayer violated the Establishment Clause.
Yoder Case Revisited
Emphasizes the right to religious practice, reaffirming the balance between individual liberties and societal interests.