establishment clause
Religion-government separation rule
The establishment clause is the portion of the First Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution prohibiting Congress from making laws "respecting an establishment of religion." Courts interpret it as requiring separation of church and state—barring government from endorsing, funding, or favoring particular religions or religion generally.
The court ruled the nativity display on city property violated the establishment clause.
- bill of rightsDocument listing protected liberties
- stateCondition or mode
- wall of separationBarrier dividing distinct domains
- ConstitutionGoverning principles document
- religionSystem of spiritual belief
church · religious freedom · parochial schools · nativity scene · Ten Commandments · First Amendment · separation · public school · separation of church and state · freedom · church-state separation · Thomas Jefferson · school prayer · under God · religious accommodation · government · civil liberties · freedom of conscience
establishment clausestate religion
Government-backed official faith
established church · religious establishment · state church · national church · theocracy
establishment clausefreedom of worship
Right to practice any faith
establishment clausedivine right of kings
Monarchs rule by celestial mandate
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