Classroom Resources By Topic

First Amendment: Religion - Free Exercise Clause

Introduction

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . . ."

The Free Exercise Clause which gives us all the right to worship God, or not, as we choose. That means the government can’t punish you because of your religious beliefs, or because you don’t belong to a church, or believe in God. 
 

Big Questions

Why did the Founding generation write protections for religious liberty into the First Amendment?
What is the Free Exercise Clause? What was the Founders’ vision for this provision of the First Amendment? And how has the Supreme Court interpreted it over time?
What are some of the most important areas of constitutional debate over religious liberty today?
Videos: Recorded Classes

First Amendment: Religion 
Advanced Session 

First Amendment: Religion 
Introductory Session 

Constitution 101

Module 10: The First Amendment

More Resources

Blog Post
The Justices’ faith and their Religion Clause decisions

After a recent television discussion of the religion decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court in the just-ended term, a viewer wrote in asking why the news media kept referring to decisions by the “conservative majority” when they really were made by the “Catholic majority” on the court. Was the news media afraid to make the connection?

Blog Post
The Supreme Court’s Religion Conundrum

The U.S. Supreme Court’s late-night Friday order slapping down most of California’s pandemic restrictions on religious services continued a recent and strong trend among conservative justices, in particular, in favor of the Constitution’s free exercise of religion.

Big Questions

Classroom Materials

Explore First Amendment: Religion - Free Exercise Clause Questions

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