2006-10-18 05:50:03 · 2 answers · asked by aa3456 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
First amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
Establishment Clause: Congress cannot make a law that stops someone from creating a religion.
Free Exercise Clause: Congress cannot make a law that stops someone from worshipping a religion.
2006-10-18 05:58:54 · answer #1 · answered by Mag999nus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Establishment clause means the government won't establish a government-funded church. They won't endorse, encourage, or play favorites with any specific religion.
Free exercise clause means that since they don't endorse a certain belief, you can believe whatever you like. If the government banned religions, they would be encouraging atheism, right? They can't tell you to believe in God, and they can't tell you not to. They have to simply stay out of the question and let the people be free.
These two clauses work together, not against each other. They give us the foundation of the separation of church and state.
2006-10-18 13:04:52 · answer #2 · answered by cirque de lune 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋