Title
Establishment of Religion and Free Exercise Clauses
Abstract
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution begins as follows: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." The first clause is commonly called the Establishment Clause, and the second the Free Exercise Clause. Together they are commonly called the Religion Clauses. Their meaning, however, is a matter of considerable debate.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2006
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2006 from the Encyclopedia of American Civil Liberties edited by Paul Finkelman. Reproduced by permission of Taylor and Francis Group, LLC, a division of Informa plc.
Recommended Citation
West, Ellis. "Establishment of Religion and Free Exercise Clauses." Encyclopedia of American Civil Liberties. Vol. 1: A - F. New York: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC, 2006.