...freedom of religion constitutes the very first topic of the First Amendment to the Constitution. It states that: "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion [the "Establishment" Clause], or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . . [the "Free Exercise" Clause]."...

...sect, but is distinguishable from the latter. The first amendment to the Constitution, in declaring that Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or forbidding the free exercise thereof, was intended to allow every one under the jurisdiction of the...

...religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust." It also provides that Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion or the full enjoyment thereof; but in this the Constitution goes no further than to limit the action of...

...Federalists and Antifederalists. The language of the amendment reflects this compromise in its vagueness: Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or press; or the right of the people peaceably...