Freedom of Religion

First Amendment - Freedom of Religion

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

(Notice religion is placed before press and the right to assemble.  A position of prime importance.)

The religion component of the Amendment is clear and has two components.

1. The Federal Government shall not establish or mandate a national religion (Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist....)
   

2. The Federal Government must not prohibit the free practice of religion.
   
   

The real object of the amendment was not to countenance much less to advance Mahometanism or Judaism or infidelity by prostrating Christianity but to exclude all rivalry among Christian sects and to prevent any national ecclesiastical establishment which should give to an hierarchy the exclusive patronage of the national government. 

- Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story. 1833.

In 1789, the same year the First Amendment was ratified, both the House and Senate appointed official chaplains, proving the Founders’ belief that Christian expression in government did NOT violate the prohibition against establishing a national church. 

Chapter 13 of The Bible and Constitution Made America Great provides much more information on Freedom of Religion.