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Article: Religious freedom in the United States
- Article from:
- International Journal
- Article date:
- October 1, 2004
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright Canadian Institute of International Affairs Fall 2004. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO UNDERSTAND RELIGION IN AMERICA without understanding American religious freedom. That freedom is defined in large part by the first amendment to the United States constitution. The first amendment states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech. . . ."
Let me begin by offering a very basic review of these clauses and their application. The first clause is the "establishment clause"; it prohibits the government from promoting a particular religion or religion in general. The second clause is the "free exercise clause"; it traditionally has prohibited the government ...